Mixed Media Cityscape: Strategic Collage and Paint Integration

This tutorial breaks down the systematic approach to building a cityscape using strategic material choices and layered construction techniques. You'll learn when to deploy collage versus paint, how to control your process through proper drying stages, and the practical mechanics of integrating multiple mediums effectively.

What You'll Master:

• Strategic material selection for different scene elements
• Systematic layering process that maintains control throughout
• Problem-solving techniques when compositions need adjustment
• Technical integration of collage papers, acrylics, and transparent mediums

👉 Discover more mixed media painting techniques in my Mixed Media Hub

Watch video: hit play to take in mixed media and collage techniques, Garage style!

Materials Breakdown: Heavy body acrylics (quinacridone magenta, cobalt blue, permanent violet, burnt sienna, yellow ochre, cadmium red light, cadmium yellow light, titanium white), watercolor neutral tint, Bristol paper, collage papers, mod podge, acrylic inks, plus brushes ranging from liner to fan synthetic. See my full mixed media toolbox below.

The Construction Process: Starting with foundational color placement, you'll see how initial paint application creates the framework for collage integration. The demonstration shows cutting and positioning paper elements to build structural forms, then using systematic drying stages to regain control before adding transparent layers and final details.

Key Teaching Points:

• Why certain elements work better as collage vs painted shapes
• How proper timing of wet-on-dry techniques prevents muddy results
• Material property understanding (transparent inks vs opaque paint applications)
• Compositional problem-solving when proportions need adjustment

This isn't about "loose expression" - it's about understanding the mechanical properties of your materials and deploying them strategically to build cohesive mixed media work. Each decision serves the structural integrity of the final piece.

Want to go deeper with collage & mixed media?

👉 Explore the Mixed Media Hub
👉 Browse Collage Painting Ideas
👉 Dive into the Garage Collage Barrage

Supplies I Use All the Time

These are my go-to materials for almost every mixed media project I create. Do I add new ingredients occasionally? You betcha! But these are the go-to materials I rely on most. I know how they behave, how they layer, and how to get the best results from them.

• Acrylic Paints – I only buy heavy body for their thick texture and thin them with water for fluid glazing and washes. See my favorite set →
• Watercolors Paints – Great for transparent layers and unexpected color effects. Exact colors are below.  Shop my watercolor picks →
• Acrylic Inks - Excellent way to add transparent layers to mixed media artwork. Mixes well with everything! See the inks →
• Synthetic Acrylic Brushes - You need a variety and I have listed my go-to's below. I use Princeton brands, very dependable! See the brushes →
• Watercolor Brushes - Get a decent grade but avoid all-natural as synthetic blends have come a long way. Shop my picks →
• Collage Papers – A mix of pattered, and printed paper you see me use is from Hobby Lobby, and it's usually found in the scrapbook section. Browse paper packs →
• Palette Knives – Good to have around for scooping paint and smearing techniques. See what I use →
• Blick Super Value Canvas Packs - Comes in many small and medium sizes up to 20x16". Love em'. Best bulk stretched canvas →
• Mixed Media Paper – Sturdy enough to handle wet and dry techniques. Strathmore is the way to go! Best paper for mixed media →
• Watercolor Paper - Top choice is 140 lb. cold press by Fabriano Artistico. Cost effective and crispy white. Best watercolor paper →
• Caran d'Ache Water-Soluble Crayons – Perfect for adding scribbles and linear interest to mixed media art. Check them out →
• Gator Board - Best firm boards you can find! Buy a large sheet and cut out down. These are used as backing for my paper when I paint. Check it out →
• Mod Podge - Reliable and affordable adhesive for paper, thick and thin. And get the Matte! View the glue →

My preferred hues; Cadmium Yellow, Yellow Ochre, Alizarin Crimson, Cadmium Red Light (or Medium), Ultramarine Blue, Cobalt Blue, Burnt Sienna, Titanium White

My preferred acrylic brushes; #12 Large round, 2x Medium rounds, 2x Detail, or liner brushes, Large and medium fan brush, a few medium size bristles and old, small house painting brush for glue.