Express Your Creativity through Mixed Media Art
Many of us need a creative outlet - a form of making something or taking some materials and turning them into something else that tells a story. Mixed media art gives you the abilty to express your creativity. And the best part of it? You can begin right now, using things yo already have at hand, and it's not hard - so, come on! Let's get started!
What is Mixed Media Art?
Mixed media art is the term used to describe a huge variety of different craft and art forms, made with a variety of different materials. The different media (or materials) includes paints, papers, embellishments, images and metallic items. And each of these groups of materials has its own endless list. When we look deeper into the paper category, there is regular printer paper, cardboard from a cereal box, bought scrapbooking papers, pages from an old book, sheet music - you can see what I'm getting at!
The way these materials can be brought together, or mixed, is another huge list - we can create a collage, or a painting, or a painting with collage over it, or even a collage with paint over it. Once you have learnt a few basic principles and techniques, you will begin to look at things differently - almost everything around you can be a candidate for a new project.
Where do I begin?
Start by collecting together what you do have at hand. We need a substrate - something to begin with, whether its a lovely blank canvas or an old cereal box. We need something to add colour - have you got any old paints in the back of the cupboard? Or did the kids get some for last birthday and haven't used them yet? Whatever the case, go find them. Then we need to add some layering, so find some interesting text from a magazine or old book. And finally we need something to add those finishing touches - some buttons or lace or a photo.
Once you have assembled these material we can get started.
Getting started!
Put paint onto the substrate and spread it around. For a more complex background, you could use the credit card technique. The stick down some text to add visual texture and layering to your piece; add it diagonally, or across a third of the background. Then add your focal point and embellishments.
There you have it! You have created your very first piece of mixed media art. Well, if not your very first piece, maybe your first piece since kinder.
Where to from here?
You have started a wonderful journey. There are many fantastic websites that will tell you more about specific techniques. Have a wander around and see what you can find. And don't forget to come back and get creating!
What is Mixed Media Art?
Mixed media art is the term used to describe a huge variety of different craft and art forms, made with a variety of different materials. The different media (or materials) includes paints, papers, embellishments, images and metallic items. And each of these groups of materials has its own endless list. When we look deeper into the paper category, there is regular printer paper, cardboard from a cereal box, bought scrapbooking papers, pages from an old book, sheet music - you can see what I'm getting at!
The way these materials can be brought together, or mixed, is another huge list - we can create a collage, or a painting, or a painting with collage over it, or even a collage with paint over it. Once you have learnt a few basic principles and techniques, you will begin to look at things differently - almost everything around you can be a candidate for a new project.
Where do I begin?
Start by collecting together what you do have at hand. We need a substrate - something to begin with, whether its a lovely blank canvas or an old cereal box. We need something to add colour - have you got any old paints in the back of the cupboard? Or did the kids get some for last birthday and haven't used them yet? Whatever the case, go find them. Then we need to add some layering, so find some interesting text from a magazine or old book. And finally we need something to add those finishing touches - some buttons or lace or a photo.
Once you have assembled these material we can get started.
Getting started!
Put paint onto the substrate and spread it around. For a more complex background, you could use the credit card technique. The stick down some text to add visual texture and layering to your piece; add it diagonally, or across a third of the background. Then add your focal point and embellishments.
There you have it! You have created your very first piece of mixed media art. Well, if not your very first piece, maybe your first piece since kinder.
Where to from here?
You have started a wonderful journey. There are many fantastic websites that will tell you more about specific techniques. Have a wander around and see what you can find. And don't forget to come back and get creating!
