Expressive Still Life Collage Tutorial with Mixed Media

This project combines handmade collage papers with loose, energetic painting techniques to create a fresh and floral-inspired still life.

Starting with the Surface

I began with an 11x14" piece of Bristol paper that already had natural stains — a perfect surface for adding instant character. Using a soft pencil, I sketched a quick, gestural composition to map out the tabletop, bowls, and vessel.

Building with Collage Paper

I gathered scraps of handmade collage paper in various colors and patterns, cutting them into random shapes. Several pieces were glued directly onto the surface, placed intuitively for visual interest.

Blocking in the Tabletop and Vessels

The tabletop was painted in a rich cadmium red, leaving space for the white bowls and vessel. These were cut from lighter collage papers and glued into place. To add depth, I used artist-grade crayons to make expressive marks on the vessel.

Adding Fruit and Floral Details

Loose strokes of yellow and orange suggested fruit in the bowls. Red flowers were dabbed in quickly, paired with green leaves and stems. Cool light blue accents were added to the vase with a liner brush to balance the warm tabletop.

Finishing Touches

I softened the red background with earthy browns to keep it from overpowering the focal points. Final touches included pops of yellow in flower centers and subtle green variations for light and shadow in the leaves.

The End Result

A fresh, lively, and expressive mixed media still life that blends collage texture with the energy of loose painting — perfect for artists of any skill level who want to explore color, texture, and freedom in composition.

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.