Explore Mixed Media and Collage Landscape Painting Ideas

Sometimes the best inspiration comes from what you thought were failed paintings. In this tutorial, I transform a reject watercolor — one that still had crisp lines, strong marks, and interesting areas — into a lively, layered mixed media landscape using acrylic paint and collage accents.

The lesson here? Don't toss unsuccessful work, and more importantly, don't be afraid to create it! These pieces make perfect starting points for experimental ideas where you can abandon conventional studio habits and embrace boundary-breaking techniques.

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

Starting with a Solid Base

I began with a watercolor that was good enough to keep but not quite something I’d frame. Rather than toss it, I saw an opportunity to push it in a new direction. This is why I keep all my “rejects” — they often hold the seeds of great ideas.

Creating a Bold Painted Border

Instead of starting with a collage border, I applied thick, opaque acrylic paint around all outer edges of the painting. This instantly gave the piece a new sense of energy and helped frame the landscape. Once the paint dried, I loved how it made the scene feel contained but still open enough to breathe.

Adding Collage Strips for Texture

I cut thin strips of patterned scrapbook paper and placed them along sections of the painted border, allowing some to overlap into the watercolor and others to stay within the edge. This variety kept the border from feeling too predictable.

Layering Patterns and Details

With the collage strips dry, I grabbed white acrylic paint and added dots, symbols, and playful marks right over the top. This added a subtle pattern that contrasted with the solid painted edge, giving the border a layered, handmade feel.

Bringing It All Together

To unify the composition, I added a few thin, acrylic highlights inside the landscape itself, echoing the light tones used in the border. The original watercolor still shines through, but now it’s framed in a way that feels bold, fresh, and modern.

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.

If you want to check out another mixed media approach, be sure to check out Ray Balkwill, a UK artist I admire a lot. He has a more conservative approach but certainly worth a look.