Techniques for Painting in Mixed Media

A visually exciting piece of artwork emerges when artists use mixed media to paint. Simply put, mixed media painting means to utilize more than one medium within your artwork. When creating a mixed media painting that adds collage, any found object can be glued onto the canvas then painted over or around. Sometimes more than one type of paint finds its way onto the canvas, and this, too, creates a mixed media. Remember the oil painting rule of thick over thin when working with mixed media, meaning that you should always apply the thinnest layers of paint first, then the heavier on top of it. Use a sturdy canvas such as a board or a gesso-covered piece of wood if you will be gluing heavier objects onto your mixed media painting. Artwork created with mixed media painting has a unique and captivating style that anyone can master using any items they wish.

Add ink details to paint.Use watercolors or very thin acrylic paints in lights and darks to create a muted color background. After this dries, use artists' pen and ink or other permanent ink to create a line art picture on top of the colored background. Lastly, glue on a few meaningful themed words cut from scrapbook embellishments or magazines that accent your artwork.

Glue paper details over paint.Mix gesso or gel medium with acrylic paints to thicken them, then paint on a background of colors and large objects or shapes. Once dry, glue on a few shapes made of thick paper, then paint over these in a lightened tint of your background color or a complementary color. This adds depth to your background. Use color or black and white stamps to add detail to your painting. Lastly, attach some interesting words and pictures or shapes made of paper to your painting.

Add embellishments.Create a mixed media painting that uses found objects and treasures. First, use thin acrylic colors to create a suitable background on which to layer your objects. Make this paint layer all one color or mottled splotches or shapes. Let it dry. With craft glue, add themed or like objects to your picture, remembering to place thick items over thin. For example, a photograph should be placed before three dimensional cutouts or embellishments. For added unique detail, try gluing in a partial picture such as part of a flower then painting the rest of it onto your canvas.

Add painted paper detail.Use oil colors with a thinning medium such as turpentine to create a light color background of one or more colors. Oils must dry completely. While waiting, paint white artist's paper with watercolor in a complementary color or tint of the same color. When this dries, cut out a shape such as a profile, flower or animal. Add permanent artist ink details to your paper cut-out then attach it to your oil color base. Lastly, cut out accent shapes or colors from designed paper and attach these to your artwork.

Modeling paste enhances fabric detail.Glue a textured fabric such as burlap to a portion of your canvas in a random shape or design. You may also glue some crumpled paper in another area. Drag a thin coat of modeling paste over the fabric and paper allowing their texture to show. Let this dry approximately 2 hours. Using modeling paste again, create shapes and borders on your canvas around and partially over the fabric if desired. Allow this layer to dry to the touch, at least 2 hours. Paint your artwork with rags or sponges and acrylic paint. Add detail to the shapes with artist ink, paint markers or oil pastel.

Paper detail and photograph over paint.Glue a large photo to your canvas. Add a border to the photo using acrylic paint. Paint details and items of interest around the frame using thick acrylic paint. Allow these to dry. Glue on words or other embellishments, then paint a matching border around these objects. If desired, add paint detail to the photograph on textured items such as grass, clothing or flowers for added interest.