Mixed Media

Inspiration & Exploration

Mixed media art is exactly what it sounds like: you combine materials — paint, paper, fabric, photos, ink, found objects — in one piece. The rule is that there are no rules, which makes it a great place to start. Browse the hashtag #mixedmedia on Instagram and Pinterest to see what's possible. The YouTube channel "Marsha Valk Art" walks through techniques in real time and is free to watch. Check out r/ArtJournaling on Reddit for community inspiration and honest process shots. Visit a local Salt Lake City thrift store or the University of Utah surplus shop — cheap magazines, fabric scraps, and junk mail are your supply list for now. You're ready for the next step when you've collected at least 10 different materials and can name what excites you about combining them.

Tools & Techniques

The backbone of mixed media is collage, layering, and texture. Learn these three techniques first: torn-paper collage (tear, don't cut, for softer edges), gel medium transfer (press a printed image face-down onto wet gel medium, let dry, peel), and texture paste application. Watch Dina Wakley's free YouTube tutorials — she specializes in expressive mixed media and explains every step clearly. Pick up a basic gel medium and a cheap gesso from any craft store or Amazon. Gesso is your primer; gel medium is your glue, sealer, and texture builder all in one. Practice each technique on a scrap piece of cardstock before combining them. You're ready for the next step when you've tried all three techniques at least once and know what each one does.

First Creations

Make your first finished piece — a single 8x10 panel using at least four different materials. Start with a painted or gessoed background. Layer torn paper or tissue, then add paint, then add a focal image (a photo, a postcard, a magazine cut-out). Add one more layer of text, stamps, or mark-making. Take a photo of your work in progress at each stage. Post your finished piece to r/ArtJournaling for feedback. If you're in Salt Lake City, Dolce Handmade Paper and local art supply shops often carry interesting papers for collage — worth a browse in person. You're ready for the next step when you have one completed mixed-media panel and can explain what each material layer adds to the piece.

Style Development

Now you get to figure out what your mixed media work actually looks like when it's yours. Look at three artists whose work you love and identify one thing each of them does consistently — a color palette, a recurring symbol, a specific texture. Then spend a week making small studies (4x6 index cards work great) where you try on those choices yourself. The free Procreate Pocket app lets you sketch compositions digitally before committing to materials. Follow the Utah Arts Alliance on Instagram and check out Utah Open Studios events to see how local artists build their visual identity. You're ready for the next step when you can finish three small studies and describe one consistent choice you keep making in your own work.

Refine Your Craft

Refinement in mixed media means knowing when to stop and when to push further. The hardest skill is recognizing when a piece is done versus when it's just scared. Work on two pieces at once — when you're stuck on one, switch. This forces you to be decisive. Study color theory using the free lessons on Schoolof Color.com. Watch Golden Artist Colors' YouTube channel for deep dives on acrylic mediums and surface preparation. Critique your work by photographing it and looking at the photo — the camera shows you things your eyes miss when you're standing close. Post both in-progress pieces to r/ArtJournaling and ask specifically: "What's working?" You're ready for the next step when both pieces feel resolved and you can explain one specific decision you made that improved each one.

Portfolio Piece

Your portfolio piece is a series of three cohesive mixed-media works — same size, connected by a shared theme, color story, or material approach. Cohesion is what makes a series feel intentional rather than random. Photograph each piece flat with consistent, even lighting (a cloudy day by a window is perfect). Edit photos using the free Snapseed app to balance exposure and color. Write a 50-word artist statement for the series: what materials did you use, what were you exploring, and what do you want viewers to feel? Submit your series to the Utah Arts Alliance open call (utahartsalliance.org) or a local Salt Lake City gallery's emerging artists program. You're ready for the next step when all three pieces are photographed, titled, and accompanied by your written statement.