4 Mixed-Media Techniques to Try Now!

by Crafts / DIY, Mixed-Media Art

I am proud to announce my first-ever mixed-media post! I’ve been experimenting with mixed-media artwork for the last year and I love the process. Mixed-media art is all about layers. When creating a piece, you can scrape off a layer you don’t like, or just keep adding layers until it looks perfect. Most of these projects included at least one mistake, but I just kept working on them until I was pleased with the result.

I encourage you to try your hand at mixed-media. It is a very freeing experience and can be a great way to relieve stress and unwind at the end of the day.

These projects were created for Stampington & Company. You can see the full tutorial on their website by clicking on the links.

Vintage Gold Canvas

Mixed-Media Inspiration

This was the very first mixed-media project I created for Stampington & Company. I was interested in creating a raised pattern with their new stencil and I did a gold leafing technique on texture paste to accomplish the fan pattern. I also used some art postcards for the graphics, then stained the whole canvas with walnut stain spray ink to give the whole canvas a cohesive look.

Click here for full tutorial.

The Raven Triptych

Mixed-Media Inspiration

When asked to do a Halloween project (my least favorite holiday), I decided to celebrate a brilliant author, Edgar Allan Poe, and his most celebrated work, The Raven. This PaperWhimsy craftable triptych is embellished with Pewter Reliques Powder, which works like an embossing powder but provides a beautiful textured look.

I also love using my typewriter to create text for my mixed-media pieces. Just type out the words, cut out, and outline with a black chalk pencil for an instantaneous grungy look for your artwork.

Click here for the full tutorial.

Masquerade Art Deco Canvas

Mixed-Media Inspiration

This is my favorite mixed-media piece so far. It was also featured in Somerset Apprentice Spring 2016. I used some text patterned paper for the background and a Tim Holtz Pocket Card for the music notes. This project also uses Reliques powder in German Silver on garment studs for the corners and on the chipboard mask for my clip art of a woman. German Silver is the perfect color for your vintage-inspired projects because it is a very gentle gold/silver color that blends well with other vintage elements.

Can you believe this project was originally supposed to be Halloween themed? I was trying to create something for October, but I just couldn’t make it work, so I went with my gut and finished with this subtly-colored canvas with little touches of sparkle. Sometimes, you should toss your original concept out the window to see what can happen next.

There’s also a companion piece to accompany this one in the full tutorial.

Click here for the full tutorial.

Leave a Little Sparkle Ornament

Mixed-Media Inspiration

I loved this phrase from Tim Holtz’s ChitChat Stickers and knew I wanted to do something pink and girly. I collaged Melange Tissue Wrap by Tim Holtz to the back of this ornament and whitewashed the background to dull the print. I then used texture paste through a stencil, sprinkled the texture paste with pink embossing powder, and set it with a heat tool. This creates a 3-dimensional texture. I also stamped a text stamp in the background and inked the edges for some definition.

Click here for the full tutorial.