What is Mixed Media?

What Is Mixed Media Art?

The term “mixed media art” is a broad definition that covers many forms of arts and crafts, including collage, assemblage, altered objects, handmade greeting cards, artist trading cards (ATCs) tags and art journalling  as long as you use different mediums.

The “mixed media” used includes paint, paper, pastes, sprays, powders, textural elements, clay, resins, fabrics, found objects, photos, metal, inks, pencils, markers and pastels to name just a few.

What materials do I need to get started?
The beauty of mixed media art is the flexibility to start with things around you and expand from there. To get started all you need is a substrate or base. This is anything that will support the mediums you use.  Then you’ll need something to stick with and an item to stick on. Using colour and textures will follow naturally.

Start by using the things you have around you before investing in pricey products.

What skills do I need to get started?
Another attractive feature of Mixed Media Art is that you don’t need any particularly artistic skills. That doesn’t mean you are excluded from mixed media art if you do have these skills, but it opens up a world of creativity for everyone who just likes to create things.

The only skill you need to get started is having the desire to create. Other skills will expand and develop with practice.  More complicated skills of mixing mediums and developing your “eye” will happen as you expand your own creativity.

The best thing with Mixed Media is there is no right or wrong way of doing things. There are no boundaries or rules to follow, it is all about where your creativity takes you. Mixed media can be kept simple with minimal clean lines, or as fussy and manic as you like. It's a great way to use up your scraps too, we all are guilty of keeping those little bits and pieces thinking it's too nice to just through away, even those teeny tiny off cuts of ribbon and lace.

Mixed Media is also a great way to upcycle because anything goes. Empty packaging, glass jars or bottles can be transformed. Got a pack of cards that have a few missing - turn them into little mini pieces of art. The possibilities are endless.
Make mixed media work for you, don't doubt yourself thinking you can't do this that or the other because it's might not be your style etc, just add your own twist to things.