How to begin mixed media art
How to begin mixed media art
(and Why Art Journaling Is the Perfect Starting Point)
This article is the third part of “The Gentle Guide to Mixed Media Art” , where we explore mixed media, creative techniques, and the joy of art journaling!
If you’d like to explore the series from the beginning, follow these links:
Part 1: What Is Mixed Media Art?
Part 2: Mixed Media Techniques
Then continue with the article here!
Hello lovely creative!
Beginning something new creatively can feel both exciting and intimidating.
But mixed media has a beautiful secret:
You don’t need to be ready. You simply need to begin!
Mixed media art is especially welcoming for beginners because it invites curiosity rather than perfection. By combining simple materials like paint, paper, and pencil, you can start creating layered artwork without needing advanced drawing or painting skills.
If you're just beginning, or returning to art after a creative block, here are a few gentle ways to ease into your mixed media practice.
Gather What Inspires You
Begin by collecting a few materials that spark your curiosity. Mixed media invites you to explore a wide variety of textures, papers, and tools.
You might gather:
a few paints or inks
pencils, pens, or crayons
collage papers such as book pages or magazine images
small scraps of fabric, thread, or textured materials
But don’t stop there. Look around your home with fresh eyes. Packaging, dried leaves, old envelopes, or bits of patterned paper can all become part of your creative palette.
You don’t need a large collection of supplies to begin.
Often, a handful of simple materials is enough to start exploring and discovering what feels most exciting to you.
Once you’ve gathered a few inspiring elements, the next step is simply to give them a small place where they can come together and invite you to create.
Create a Small Creative Space
Your creative space doesn’t need to be large or elaborate. What matters most is that it feels welcoming and a little bit magical.
It might be a corner of a table, a small desk near a window, or even a tray of supplies you can bring out whenever inspiration strikes.
Over the years I’ve created in many different spaces: at my kitchen table, several small and medium loft spaces, the former (and huge!) dining room of a very old house, and most recently, a tiny but very functional nook inside a closet!
Arrange your materials so they feel inviting—perhaps with a few favorite colors, a journal, and tools within easy reach.
Think of it as a tiny sanctuary for your creativity.
A place where you can slow down, explore freely, and reconnect with the quiet joy of making something with your hands.
My current art nook!
A previous, really big studio
Start Small
When beginning something new, it helps to start with something simple and manageable.
You might try:
a collage on a single art journal page
a small painting on scrap paper
a postcard-sized mixed media experiment
These small explorations remove the pressure of creating a masterpiece and invite curiosity instead.
Little by little, each playful attempt becomes a stepping stone.
And before you know it, you’ve begun building your own creative rhythm.
Starting an art journal spread with a magazine collage.
Follow Your Inspiration
Inspiration can appear in the most unexpected places.
It might come from:
a beautiful color combination in nature
a meaningful word or quote
a photograph, memory, or dream
another artist’s work that sparks your imagination
Let yourself follow whatever draws your attention in that moment. Your inspiration might lead you toward certain colors, textures, or images without you fully understanding why.
Trust that instinct.
Mixed media is a wonderful way to explore these quiet creative impulses and see where they lead.
Experiment Freely
Mixed media truly shines when you give yourself permission to explore.
Layer some paint, glue down a torn piece of paper, scribble a few lines, or press a textured object into wet paint. Try things simply to see what happens.
Some combinations will surprise you with unexpected beauty. Others might feel awkward at first—but even those moments often lead to new ideas.
The joy of mixed media lies in this spirit of exploration. Each experiment becomes part of the journey, and every layer adds something to the story of your artwork.
As you begin exploring mixed media, remember that this journey isn’t about mastering techniques or creating perfect artworks. It’s about rediscovering the simple joy of making something with your hands — layer by layer, moment by moment. Each page, each experiment, and each small discovery becomes part of a larger creative story that is uniquely yours.
Sometimes the most beautiful part of the process is simply allowing yourself to begin!
A gentle invitation to create…..
If reading this has sparked a little curiosity inside you, perhaps it’s time to begin — or begin again.
Are you curious to try one of my favorite techniques to get inspiration flowing and create beautiful, magical mixed media layers? Then join me in a free art journaling lesson!
If reading this has sparked a little curiosity inside you, perhaps it’s time to begin — or begin again!
Mixed media art is a beautiful way to reconnect with imagination, intuition, and the joy of making something with your hands.
Wherever you are on your creative path, please remember:
Your creativity matters. And you are always welcome here.
Light, Love & Fairy Dust,
Let me know in a comment below:
Do you often dream of a more creative life? Is your little inner child tugging at your sleeve, begging you to play and get joyfully messy? Are you longing for more beauty?
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Watch some free lessons and inspiration to help you get started with mixed media art.
Discover what mixed media art is and why it’s such a joyful, beginner-friendly way to create. Learn how layering, collage and experimentation can help you reconnect with your creativity.