The Art of Mixed Media: Exploring Texture, Layer & Depth with Kathryn Boyd
Arts Etobicoke’s 8-week Studio Series for Seniors at Cloverdale Mall.
Explore the creative possibilities of mixed media in this engaging eight-week course. Each week, experiment with a variety of artistic materials and techniques, discovering new ways to combine colour, texture, pattern, paper, canvas, stitch, collage, and more. Through a series of hands-on projects and creative exercises, you’ll be encouraged to slow down, practice mindfulness, play, experiment, and develop your own unique approach to mixed media art. Whether you’re an experienced artist or new to mixed media, this course offers a welcoming space to explore, create, and enjoy the mindful process of making art.
Week 1 – India Ink: Flow, Line & Organic Form
Explore the expressive qualities of India ink through fluid washes, spontaneous mark-making, line, texture, and organic forms. Experiment with layering and the interplay between control and chance.
Week 2 – Expressive Watercolour: Colour, Movement & Emotion
Discover a more intuitive approach to watercolour, exploring expressive brushwork, colour, movement, and the relationship between wet and dry techniques. Let colour and gesture guide the creative process. This class will be an opportunity to build on your Week 1 India Ink if you choose by adding colour to it.
Week 3 – Intuitive Collage: Layer, Rearrange & Discover
Explore collage as a process of play and discovery. Work with found and prepared papers, images, colour, and texture while experimenting with layering, composition, cutting, tearing, and rearranging.
Week 4 – Pattern & Stitch: Painting with Thread
Combine watercolour, gouache, and embroidery to explore pattern, repetition, texture, and the expressive possibilities of stitch. Discover how simple lines and marks can be transformed through the addition of thread and textile elements.
Week 5 – Abstract Acrylic: Colour, Texture & Composition
Experiment with acrylic paint through abstract mark-making, layering, texture, and colour. Explore ways to build an image through shape, gesture, and composition without the pressure of creating a recognizable subject.
Week 6 – Mindful Mark-Making: Creating a Booklet for Slow Drawing
Create a small handmade booklet with a mixed media cover, then explore the meditative practice of slow drawing and mindful mark-making. Experiment with simple lines, patterns, textures, and repetitive gestures, using the pages of your booklet as a space for quiet observation, reflection, and creative exploration. This session invites you to slow down, let go of expectations, and discover the expressive possibilities of making marks through process rather than representation.
Week 7 – Mixed Media Exploration: Combining Techniques & Materials
Bring together the techniques explored throughout the course. Experiment with combining painting, collage, drawing, stitch, pattern, and mark-making in new and unexpected ways. Create a series of small mixed media compositions while discovering which materials and processes speak to your individual style.
Week 8 – Mixed Media: Creating Your Own Visual Language
Continue developing a larger mixed media project or series that brings together your favourite techniques and materials from the course. Explore composition, layering, connection, and contrast while creating a unique work that reflects your own creative choices and discoveries.
When: Thursdays, September 24 to November 12, 2:00pm – 4:00pm
Where: Cloverdale Common, Cloverdale Mall, 250 The East Mall, Toronto
Cost: The class will be offered at a subsidized rate of $176 + HST for the 8 week program.
Age 55+
Artist facilitator: Kathryn Boyd
Kathryn Boyd is a Toronto-based mixed media artist and educator with over 15 years of teaching experience. Her process-based approach to art-making encourages creativity through experimentation, layering, texture, and intuitive expression rather than perfection or technical skill. Through playful and accessible workshops, Kathryn creates welcoming spaces where people of all experience levels can explore creativity, build confidence, and reconnect with curiosity, mindfulness, and self-expression.Learn more about her work at
@kathrynboydfinearts www.kathrynboydfinearts.com
If you are interested and choose to register, please note that regular attendance is important to the smooth facilitation of this program.
If you have any questions, please email atiya@artsetobicoke.com. Thank you!
Venue: Cloverdale Common - Cloverdale Mall
250 The East Mall
Toronto
Ontario
M9B 3Y8
Upcoming Dates:
15 October 2026
22 October 2026
29 October 2026
05 November 2026
12 November 2026
Thursday, November 12
2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Through playful and accessible workshops, Kathryn creates welcoming spaces where people of all experience levels can explore creativity, build confidence, and reconnect with curiosity, mindfulness, and self-expression.
Cloverdale Common - Cloverdale Mall · 250 The East Mall Toronto Ontario M9B 3Y8
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