Mixed Media Still Life Project Using Acrylic and Collage

Creating a still life doesn’t have to be rigid or overly planned. In this loose and expressive project, we’ll combine acrylic ink, acrylic paint and watercolor techniques, and collage to produce a vibrant piece full of personality. It’s beginner-friendly but still has enough depth for experienced artists looking to loosen up.

You may notice I use Bristol and watercolor paper a lot! It's not that I'm cheap, it's just that I often feel this pressure, or sense of urgency to paint a masterpiece RIGHT NOW when using canvas. It's mental. I needed to get over that so one day I order bulk canvases from Blick. Not 20, but more like 120, lol. Small though, 11x14" and 9x12".

I'll admit they collected dust until I finally made a point to do it! And here's the twist, I broke the canvases in first almost as if I wanted them to become a reject first. I did this by gluing collage papers in random places, and even using them as a mixing palette which I fell in love with. So, there you go! Another win for the experimental team! Go to unfamiliar places, that's where creativity dwells.

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

Watch video: take in the video and embrace acrylic and collaging techniques.

Getting Started

Begin with a blank sheet of sturdy white paper — Bristol, watercolor, or anything with enough weight to handle layers. Splash light green acrylic ink directly onto the surface and spread it around with a large brush. Use a paper towel to wipe back excess ink and create soft, textured transitions.

Laying Out the Scene

Make a quick, gestural sketch to establish your composition. Keep it loose — the idea is to set the tone for a playful and expressive piece, not a technical blueprint.

Background Wash

Apply cerulean blue watercolor paint straight from the tube to the background areas, leaving space for your lemons and knife. Spread the color with a large brush, then lightly blot or smear with a paper towel to add variation and texture.

Collage Elements

Cut lemon shapes from pre-made palette paper (those colorful scrap sheets from your past painting sessions work perfectly). Glue them in place, then cut a knife shape from similar paper and position it to balance the composition. To keep things visually balanced, introduce deep earthy browns to offset the bright yellow and blue.

Bringing It Together

Add cast shadows beneath the lemons and knife to anchor them to the surface. Mix lighter, desaturated blues to calm down intense background areas. Using a small liner brush, paint subtle details into the knife and lemons, making sure not to overwork the piece.

Final Result

The result is a lively and textured mixed media still life that feels spontaneous yet intentional. The combination of acrylic ink, acrylic paint, watercolor, and collage offers endless creative possibilities, making this a great technique for artists at any level.

Keep Exploring Mixed Media

Discover more mixed media painting techniques in my Mixed Media Hub and see my newest original pieces in my Etsy Shop.

Recommended Acrylic Painting Materials

• Princeton Catalyst Brushes – Flats (#6, #12), Rounds (#4, #8), Fan (#4), Liner Brush
  Durable synthetic bristles for versatile acrylic techniques
• Liquitex Heavy Body Acrylic Paint – Essential Colors
  Cadmium Yellow, Yellow Ochre, Alizarin Crimson, Cadmium Red Light, Ultramarine Blue, Cobalt Blue, Burnt Sienna, Titanium White
• Winsor & Newton Cotton Canvas
  Reliable stretched canvas for studio and plein air work
• Strathmore 400 Series Mixed Media Paper
  Heavyweight, acid-free paper for acrylic and mixed media
• Fabriano Artistico 140lb Cold Press Paper
  Excellent for acrylic, mixed media, and textured effects
• Blick Multi-Colored Painting Knife Set
  Variety of shapes for texture, scraping, and bold strokes
• Miscellaneous: Two pint-sized water containers, paper towels (from Home Depot or Walmart)
• Note: I use canvas or sturdy cardboard as my palette — no store-bought palettes needed.