What is Mixed Media Art? A Complete Beginner’s Guide

Mixed media art is one of the most creative, forgiving, and downright fun approaches to making art. It’s perfect for beginners, but also offers endless possibilities for experienced artists looking to push their boundaries.

At its core, mixed media means combining two or more art mediums in a single artwork — for example, layering acrylic paint over a watercolor wash, adding collage textures, and finishing with pen or crayon details. The results are unique, textured, and often full of unexpected surprises.

If you’ve ever wanted to loosen up, recycle materials, and create something truly your own, you’re in the right place. In this guide, we’ll cover what mixed media art is, why artists love it, and simple ways to start experimenting today.

The Simple Definition of Mixed Media Art

Mixed media art is any artwork created with more than one medium. This could mean combining paints and drawing tools, or adding three-dimensional elements like fabric, paper, or found objects to your surface.

For example, you might create a soft watercolor background, then layer acrylic shapes on top, and add collage cutouts for extra texture. Or you could start with an acrylic painting, then draw over it with ink and colored pencils.

The only real rule? Use at least two different mediums in a single piece. Beyond that, the possibilities are endless.

Painting relates to both art and life. I try to act in that gap between the two. - Robert Rauschenberg

Why Artists Love Mixed Media

There’s a reason mixed media has such a devoted following — it opens the door to creative freedom in ways that single-medium art sometimes can’t.

• Flexibility: You’re not limited to one material or technique.
• Texture & Depth: Layering mediums adds a rich, tactile quality to your work.
• Creative Problem-Solving: Mistakes can be covered, reworked, or turned into design elements.
• Sustainability: You can reuse old artwork, scraps, or materials you already have on hand.
• Playfulness: Mixed media encourages experimentation and happy accidents.

Common Mediums Used in Mixed Media Art

Below is a list of materials many artists ind enjoyable to work with when creating mixed media art. However, we are talking the kitchen sink here, so feel free to experiment with these and others as you become more comfortable.

Paints

• Acrylics: Fast-drying, versatile, and great for layering.
• Watercolors: Perfect for soft washes and transparent effects.
• Gouache: Opaque and matte, ideal for bold, flat areas of color.

Drawing Tools

Ink pens, Crayons, Markers, Charcoal, Graphite, Colored pencils — all can be layered over paint or collage for detail work.

Collage & Textures

• Scrap paper, Handmade paper, Newspaper, Fabric, Tissue, Old drawings, Photos, Anything that can be glued down.

Other Techniques

Gel mediums, Texture pastes, Stencils, Stamps, Found objects for extra dimension

Mixed Media vs. Collage — What’s the Difference?

• Collage is the art of layering paper or materials to create an image or design. You can make a collage using only one medium (for example, all paper).
• Mixed media always uses more than one medium. Collage can be part of a mixed media piece, but mixed media isn’t limited to collage.

Examples of Mixed Media Projects

If you’re wondering what mixed media looks like in action, here are a few examples:

• Flowers created with acrylic paint and paper collage.
• A landscape with a watercolor base and expressive collage and line work.
• Playful fish paintings using painted paper scraps and acrylic accents.
• A cityscape combining acrylic blocks of color with textured collage.

Want to see more? Explore my Mixed Media Tutorials for step-by-step projects you can try right now.

Beginner Tips for Trying Mixed Media

• Start small — try an 8x10 sheet of watercolor paper or a small canvas.
• Limit your mediums to two or three per project at first.
• Keep a “scrap box” with interesting papers and textures.
• Don’t overthink it — mixed media is all about exploration.
• Avoid getting stuck - I it sucks, you can always add another layer and see where it takes you.

Ready to Start? Here’s Your Next Step

Now that you know what mixed media art is, the best way to learn is to try it. Grab some supplies, set aside perfection, and let your creativity lead.

For more help, check out:

• Essential Tools & Materials for Mixed Media Art (coming soon)
• Your Guide to Mixed Media Collage Art Hub — all my tutorials in one place.
• My free beginner-friendly lessons on landscapes, still life, and more unique collage ideas.