Explore Collage and Mixed Media Landscape Techniques

Mixed media landscapes are a fantastic way to break free from traditional painting approaches and infuse your work with unexpected textures, colors, and movement. In this tutorial, I take an existing landscape and reimagine it with collage accents, acrylic paint, and expressive mark-making — turning an ordinary scene into something fresh and full of energy.

The collage and mixed media technique I'm sharing today features the newest twist, bold patterns. I can't say for sure if this is working, but it's certainly fun to explore! This segues perfectly into art is a relationship. It should be treated that way, so if art becomes predictable, trite, boring and such, things tend to go downhill. Keep it interesting, spontaneous, and full of surprises then longevity is in your corner.

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

Watch video: Have a look and see how collage, mixed media and bold patterns make for an interesting experimental landscape painting.

Building the Foundation

I began with a painted landscape that needed a lift. Rather than starting from scratch, I incorporated handmade collage paper into key areas of the composition. These pieces weren’t meant to dominate but to enhance texture and add visual variety.

Layering with Acrylic Paint

Once the collage elements were glued down using Mod Podge and an old brush, I layered in acrylics to reinforce shapes, adjust values, and create depth. This step is all about balancing the original landscape with new layers so the collage feels integrated rather than added on top.

Expressive Mark-Making

Using graphite and liner brushes, I added loose, gestural marks across the piece. These marks help guide the viewer’s eye and inject energy into calmer areas of the painting. They also help unify the different media into a cohesive whole.

Why Mixed Media Landscapes Work

Blending collage and paint can give landscapes a unique personality that’s hard to achieve with a single medium. It invites viewers to look closer, noticing subtle patterns, textures, and layers — all while still enjoying the subject matter.

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.