Start Your Next Abstract Like THIS (Mixed Media Process)

🎨 Get a taste of the Mastery Program with our 2-Week Art Challenge → https://bit.ly/4u4SuVI Watch a finished abstract painting come together from a blank canvas — collage, graphite, inks, acrylic washes, oil, and cold wax, layer by layer. Abstract artist and Milan Art mentor Casey Wakefield takes you through her entire start-to-finish process, exactly the way it happens in her studio. You'll see how Casey builds real depth — background, midground, and foreground — by stacking layer upon layer, how she keeps a piece cohesive with one limited "color story," and how she turns garish, drippy chaos into something luminous with oil glazes and cold wax. You'll also see the part most tutorials cut out: the "ugly stage," where even an experienced artist looks at the canvas and thinks, "I'm terrible, this isn't working." Casey paints through it anyway — and shows you why that moment is part of every painting, not a sign to quit. If you've ever gotten stuck, painted something muddy, or talked yourself out of finishing — this is for you. It's never too late to become the artist you were meant to be. No rigid rules, no perfect plan — just one canvas, a few colors, and the courage to start. WHAT YOU'LL LEARN: ✅ How to build real depth with background, midground, and foreground ✅ How to layer collage, graphite, inks, acrylic, and oil into one cohesive piece ✅ How to choose a limited color palette (a "color story") that holds together ✅ How to push through the "ugly stage" instead of giving up ✅ How to use oil glazes and cold wax to add luminosity and texture ✅ The #1 mindset shift that frees you to take creative risks ⏱️ TIMESTAMPS: 00:00 — Meet Casey Wakefield (abstract artist & Milan Art mentor) 00:55 — Why abstract art resonates — and the Mastery Program journey 01:54 — Laying the first collage + choosing a color palette 02:29 — "The person who risks nothing…" — painting as risk 03:31 — Her studio ritual + the dark wash that builds depth 04:36 — Layering for background, midground & foreground 05:17 — Adding inks for pops of color 07:00 — Onto the easel: blocking in muted color 08:01 — The "ugly stage" (and pushing through self-doubt) 09:32 — Why oils bring abstracts to life 10:00 — Day 2: glazing & building luminosity with oils 12:00 — Daylight check + signing the painting 13:33 — Final touches: glazes & cold wax for texture 14:45 — Final thoughts 🎨 FEATURED ARTIST: Casey Wakefield's website → https://www.caseywakefieldart.com/ Follow her on Instagram →   / caseywakefieldart   🔔 Subscribe for more live workshops, art tutorials, and creative inspiration from Milan Art Institute    / @milanartinstitute   ⭐ Links: ► Milan Art’s Mastery Program: https://bit.ly/4vdL4QH ► Milan Art Premium Painting Supplies: http://bit.ly/4eymHpZ ► Milan Art Institute: http://bit.ly/4kfaR5d ► Instagram:   / milanartinstitute   ► TikTok:   / milanartinstitute   ► Facebook:   / milanartinstitute