I have always been fascinated by surfaces that carry a history.
Cracks, rust, erosion, worn walls, pigments, old paper and materials transformed by time have become an essential part of my artistic language. Rather than trying to hide imperfection, I use it as a starting point.
I’m Sergio Aranda, a contemporary abstract and mixed media artist based in Barcelona, and my work explores the relationship between texture, time, transformation and memory.
My practice combines traditional art materials with experimental processes, allowing surfaces to evolve through layers, reactions and imperfections.
An Experimental Approach to Mixed Media Art
My creative process rarely begins with a completely fixed idea. I prefer to experiment and allow the materials themselves to influence the direction of the work.
Over the years, I have worked with acrylic paint, pigments, gesso, marble powder, sand, sawdust, paper, textile fibers, rust, crackle effects and many other unconventional materials.
I am particularly interested in discovering how materials react to one another.
Sometimes a surface cracks unexpectedly. Pigments settle into a texture. Rust continues to evolve. Paper becomes almost mineral. Layers disappear beneath other layers but remain part of the history of the painting.
For me, these transformations are not accidents to correct. They are part of the artwork.
This experimental approach to mixed media and abstract art has gradually become one of the foundations of my work.
Texture Is More Than a Technique
Texture can easily become a decorative effect. For me, it needs to have a reason to exist.
I build surfaces through multiple layers, even when some of those layers will eventually disappear beneath the finished painting. Knowing they are there changes the way I perceive the work.
Depth does not only come from what we can see. It also comes from what remains underneath.
This is why I often describe my work with one sentence:
I paint the memory of materials.
Sharing My Mixed Media Art Process on YouTube
For many years, I have shared my experiments, techniques and creative process with an international community through my YouTube channel.
My videos explore abstract art, mixed media, texture techniques, rust effects, crackle, pigments and experimental art materials.
But my intention is not to teach people how to reproduce one of my paintings exactly.
I would much rather encourage another artist to take an idea, experiment with it, change it and eventually make it their own.
Technique is only the beginning.
The interesting part starts when you stop following instructions.
You can discover my free art tutorials and creative experiments here:
YouTube — Sergio Aranda ART
https://www.youtube.com/@SergioAranda
Learning Mixed Media & Texture Art
Artists often contact me because they feel stuck somewhere in their creative journey.
Sometimes the problem is technical. Sometimes they have been creating for years but feel that their work is no longer evolving. Others are trying to develop a recognizable artistic identity or simply don't know what direction to take next.
This is one of the reasons I began sharing more of my experience through online art tutorials, private mixed media workshops and individual consultations with artists.
There are several ways to learn and work with me:
Online Mixed Media Tutorials
On Patreon, I share more in-depth and exclusive tutorials exploring mixed media, abstract art, textures and experimental techniques.
Patreon — Exclusive Art Tutorials & Classes
https://www.patreon.com/SergioArandaArt
Private Mixed Media Workshops in Barcelona
I also offer personalized one-to-one mixed media art workshops in Barcelona.
These private sessions are dedicated to experimentation and can be adapted to the techniques, materials and artistic questions each artist wants to explore.
Private Art Workshops in Barcelona
https://www.sergioaranda.shop/pages/private-workshops-barcelona
Private 1-to-1 Art Consultation Online
For artists looking for individual guidance, I offer a 60-minute private online art consultation.
This is a personal conversation focused entirely on your artistic journey. We can discuss your artwork, creative direction, developing your artistic identity, getting unstuck, pricing and selling art, galleries, online presence, YouTube or building an audience around your work.
Private 1-to-1 Art Consultation
https://buymeacoffee.com/sergioaranda
From Creating Art to Selling It
Creating the work is only one part of an artist's journey.
Eventually, many artists begin asking different questions:
How do I price my work?
How do I start selling art?
Should I approach galleries?
Can I sell directly online?
How important is social media?
Can YouTube help an artist build an audience?
There is no single formula that works for everyone.
My own experience has developed through years of creating, exhibiting and selling artwork, working with galleries, building an online presence and sharing my creative process with an international audience.
I believe it is useful to talk openly about this side of being an artist too.
Finding Your Own Artistic Language
One of the most important things I have learned is that technique alone doesn't create an artistic identity.
You can learn how to create rust, cracks, textures or beautiful surfaces. But eventually you have to stop asking:
“How was this made?”
and start asking:
“What can I do with it?”
That transition is where your own artistic language begins.
Experiment. Destroy something that was working. Cover a layer you love. Change the material. Make mistakes. Start again.
The goal isn't to paint like another artist.
The goal is to discover what only you would have created.
— Sergio Aranda
Contemporary Abstract & Mixed Media Artist
Barcelona
I paint the memory of materials.