Merging Media – when painting and photography become one

Mixed media art isn’t a new thing, but often as photographers, we forget that there are other modes of expression that delve deep beyond the lens. In photography, we snap images of something concrete, something that, at one point and time, existed. What if we could mold these realities? Take a look at these artists who’ve taken the dive, and fused their perceptions with something more.

Aliza Razell. what dreams may come. true colors - portrait studies. 2014. Courtesy of Flickr.
Aliza Razell. what dreams may come. true colors – portrait studies. 2014. Courtesy of Flickr.
Photo: Tomaas. Paints/Paper: Nuestra. Part of the "Collaboration" series. 2013. Courtesy of Behance.
Photo: Tomaas. Paints/Paper: Nuestra. Part of the “Collaboration” series. 2013. Courtesy of Behance.
Flora Borsi. IRÉEL. 2016. Courtesty of Behance.
Flora Borsi. IRÉEL. 2016. Courtesty of Behance.
Amber Isabel. The Things You Put into Your Head Are There Forever. 2010. Courtesy of Trendland.
Amber Isabel. Series: The Things You Put into Your Head Are There Forever. 2010. Courtesy of Trendland.
Amber Isabel. The Things You Put into Your Head Are There Forever. 2010. Courtesy of Trendland.
Amber Isabel. Series: The Things You Put into Your Head Are There Forever. 2010. Courtesy of Trendland.
Stev’nn Hall. WAKE No.1. mixed media with photography, acrylic paint, pastel and ink. 42 x42. 2017. Courtesy of Stev'nn Hall Tumblr.
Stev’nn Hall. WAKE No.1. mixed media with photography, acrylic paint, pastel and ink. 42 x42. 2017. Courtesy of Stev’nn Hall Tumblr.
Saatchiart. The Canvas Project. 2018. Courtesy of Saatchiart.
Saatchiart. The Canvas Project. 2018. Courtesy of Saatchiart.
Lauren Coulson. Automation. 18"x 24". 2009. Courtesy of Behance.
Lauren Coulson. Automation. 18″x 24″. 2009. Courtesy of Behance.
Valeria Trasatti. Miss and Mr. FOX. 2014. Courtesy of Behance.
Valeria Trasatti. Miss and Mr. FOX. 2014. Courtesy of Behance.
Valeria Trasatti. Miss and Mr. FOX. 2014. Courtesy of Behance.
Valeria Trasatti. Miss and Mr. FOX. 2014. Courtesy of Behance.
Elena Efremova. Lisbon - sun, sea and red roofs. watercolor paper and photo. 2017. Courtesy of Behance.
Elena Efremova. Lisbon – sun, sea and red roofs. watercolor paper and photo. 2017. Courtesy of Behance.
Lauren Coulson. Daydream. 18"x24". 2009. Courtesy of Behance.
Lauren Coulson. Daydream. 18″x24″. 2009. Courtesy of Behance.
Fabienne LaBokoff. Aqva Bleu. 2014. Courtesy of Fabienne LaBokoff.
Fabienne LaBokoff. Aqva Bleu. 2014. Courtesy of Fabienne LaBokoff.
Fabienne LaBokoff. Aqva Jaune. 2014. Courtesy of Fabienne LaBokoff.
Fabienne LaBokoff. Aqva Jaune. 2014. Courtesy of Fabienne LaBokoff.

Not all mixed photography has to stick to painting. Maurizio Anzeri weaves together compelling symbolic manifestations of the face by sewing complex designs on vintage photographs.

Maurizio Anzeri. Giovanni. Photographic print with embroidery, 51 x 41 cm. 2009.
Maurizio Anzeri. Giovanni. Photographic print with embroidery, 51 x 41 cm. 2009.
Maurizio Anzeri. Leopold. Embroidery on photograph, 38 x 30 cm. 2014.
Maurizio Anzeri. Leopold. Embroidery on photograph, 38 x 30 cm. 2014.
Maurizio Anzeri. I will be with you the night of your wedding. Embroidery on photograph, 21 x 15.5 cm. 2013.
Maurizio Anzeri. I will be with you the night of your wedding. Embroidery on photograph, 21 x 15.5 cm. 2013.

Be sure to follow up with our own mixed media photographer, Emilie Lundstrøm. When she’s not leading one-on-one professional workshops with RPW, she’s exploring the cerulian world of cyanotype photography. We’ll be sure to tailor your workshop to your vision – whether you prefer to capture Rome’s concrete realities or to mesh together your own artistic interpretations of the Eternal City.

We offer Morning Light, Evening Light, City Night, Street Photography, Food Photography or Custom tours for photographers of all levels. Learn techniques and become inspired with our professional photographers, each with their own unique perspectives. To learn more, check out their interviews on the Rome Photography Workshop blog, where we post weekly updates on the world of photography in Rome.

-Kirby Caraballo