Introducing mixed media collage! Take a tour through your house to find just what you need to create a one-of-a-kind piece of art.
Have you heard of the term mixed media collage? Sounds fancy, right? But it’s actually quite simple: Mixed media collages are collages that are created using more than one material.
Even better, you can make unique mixed media collages using materials found at home! No fancy art tools required.
Today, we invite you to explore this art technique with our Play Guide Loren.
Anything can be used to make a mixed media collage. For example cups, sticks, cotton balls, beans, magazines, newspapers, and tinfoil all can be used to create art. Your imagination is as big as our skies!
Let’s adventure around your home to find the perfect items to create your masterpiece, but first, check out Loren’s video tutorial!
Now that you have some ideas, let’s find some supplies!
You might not expect it, but the kitchen is full of art materials. Cups can be used as stamps to create different sized circles. Dip the rim of the glass in paint and stamp it onto your collage. Dry foods like pasta and beans can be glued onto your collage in patterns.
In our video, we used beans to create the feathers on the bird. If you are looking to paint, skip the traditional paintbrush and try using forks or spoons to apply the paint. Tinfoil can be used as a painting tool to create interesting texture as well. Cut a small piece of tinfoil, scrunch it up, dip it in paint, and dab it onto your collage.
Looks pretty cool, right? Are there other ways you can think of to use tinfoil in your creation?
It’s fun to explore how materials can be used in more than one way. For example, straws can be glued onto your collage to add a fun 3D element, but you can also use a straw to blow watercolor around your art.
The opportunities are endless!
Old newspapers and magazines are great for collages. You can use pages with text or patterns to create visual texture or you can cut out specific pictures to use in your design.
In our video, we used magazine cut-outs of circles in the background of our collage. We also cut out the shape of the bird from newspaper.
You can also find other miscellaneous items like old gift cards and paper clips both of which could be used to apply paint like a paintbrush. Dip the card or paper clip in paint and drag it along the collage to create lines or smudges. Fun!
The outdoors are a perfect place to find unique pieces to add to your collage. Sticks, which are quite common, are great for applying paint.
The outdoors are a perfect place to find unique pieces to add to your collage.
In our video, we even glued sticks onto our collage with hot glue to give our bird a place to rest. Pinecones, pine needles, and leaves all work as paintbrushes, too! You can even explore how they work: What kinds of marks do pinecones make in comparison to pine needles?
It’s fun to use materials that are in our environment to create art. If you do have a well-stocked craft room other helpful collage supplies include hot glue, glue sticks, paint (watercolor or acrylic), pens, markers, pencils, crayons, and scissors.
Ready to join in on the fun? Go on a scavenger hunt to find unique (and surprising) materials to make a one of a kind mixed media collage. We’d love to see what you come up with.
Be sure to tag us on Facebook or Instagram and use #playalongsd. Have fun!
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