KAREN CAMPBELL, ARTIST
  • HOME
    • About Me
    • Courses
    • Add your art to Instagram!
    • Fan Artwork
    • Retreats
    • What Students Say...
  • Drawing Club
    • See ALL the Projects!!
  • MIXED MEDIA SOCIETY
    • See ALL the Projects!!
  • CELTIC COLLECTIVE
  • Books
  • Blog

blog

Let's Get Your Creative Juices Flowing!!!

20 MIXED MEDIA COLLAGE BACKGROUND Ideas that will CHANGE the way you do ART!

8/11/2022

0 Comments

 
Creating a mixed media collage background is SO MUCH FUN and happens to be the first layer of my signature mixed media process called the Hamburger System.

​Recently I received an email from a viewer asking me WHAT materials work best for collage backgrounds. I have hundreds of ideas, but here are my TOP 20 FAVORITES to use on canvas OR in my mixed media art journals!
Picture
Do you love collage or have always wanted to try it in your art, but aren't quite sure how to do it without making a HOT MESS? You need my FREE Hamburger System cheatsheet.
Picture
If you're new to mixed media, collage, art journaling, mixed media on canvas - any or ALL of it, my Hamburger System is gonna rock your art world! You'll learn my tried and true process of how to create a mixed media MASTERPIECE every time. It's simple, step-by-step, tells ya exactly WHICH supplies you need, and did I mention it's SO MUCH FUN?! 

Click that button above or click here and I'll email my Hamburger System cheatsheet straight to your inbox!
​Before we continue, super quick announcement: All product links are Affiliate. I may earn a small commission if you choose to order through these links but by law there is never any additional cost to the consumer for doing so. I thank you for your support.
Picture
My Hamburger System series on YouTube has been watched by over 140,000 people and even became a book, available on Amazon.

I LOVE starting my mixed media canvases and mixed media art journal pages with a layer of collage! There's something so simple and relaxing about this process that connects me with my inner child. It's honestly pretty brainless and kinda serves as an art warmup to get my head into a creative space. 
Picture
Collage is also one of the BEST things to do to bust through creative block whenever it strikes (and trust me- it hits ALL of us). 

Here are my TOP TEN favorite mixed media collage materials. Make sure you scroll down and watch the video to see TEN MORE ideas and watch a super fast mixed media collage tutorial I think you're gonna love!!
Picture

Scrapbook Paper

I LOVE a good scrapbook paper pad. This is the perfect collage material for people who have a hard time picking papers that go together and those who might be in a hurry or feeling lazy who just wanna grab and go!

With scrapbook paper, the work has already been done for you because EVERYTHING in the scrapbook paper pad only features colors and patterns that go together. All YOU have to do is pull out your favorites and start ripping. 
Picture
Scapbook paper even tells you exactly what color paints to use for your acrylic layer! It's awesome :) 

Make sure you click over to the video to see the mixed media collage examples I show you of how I incorporated scrapbook paper into BOTH the background and foreground of a mixed media portrait on canvas. 
Picture

Phone Book Pages

This adorable mixed media fox painting was originally done on an upcycled record jacket I found in a thrift shop. I used the record jacket as my canvas. If you look closely at the pillow I had made of this canvas, you'll see some type in the background. Those are just phone book pages! So simple, right?!
Picture
Picture

Sheet Music

Sheet music collage is a favorite of mine, super cheap, and beautiful to use in both the background and foreground of your mixed media art.

You can either turn an old book of sheet music from a thrift shop into an altered book art journal or rip old sheet music into collage pieces like I did below.

Isn't it beautiful how the music notes peak through the skin tones in the painting? 
Picture
If you wanna create the piece above with me, it's one of the projects in my Mixed Media Magic book over on Amazon. Check it out!!
Picture
Picture

Dictionary Paper

I LOVE a vintage dictionary! The really old ones have a yellow tone to them and rip SO easily for collage. They also have a distressed look to them already because they're old. I think these are fun to have peaking through the background in a mixed media face, or to use strictly in the background. Your options and endless (and SO CHEAP) here!
Picture
This art deco mixed media portrait project is available at Awesome Art School as a stand-alone project if you'd like to create along with me!
Picture

Masking Tape

Lots of people don't even think of masking tape as a collage element, but it's weirdly a perfect surface to art upon and creates a lovely texture to your art. It also accepts gesso, acrylic paint, and all the mediums you would typically reach for to create mixed-media art. 

Look closely at the piece below and you'll see some subtle, horizontal lines from my masking tape collage layer. 
Picture
Create her along with me or just watch because it's fun!
Picture

Trash!

You can totally use TRASH as a mixed media collage element. Hilarious, right?!  I've enjoyed using beer bottle labels (I love to collect these when I travel), foil candy wrappers (shown below), discarded tissue paper from a gift, you name it! 
Picture
See this project being made in my cereal box art journal or create along with me.
Picture

Fabric

I once found this pretty fabric with an adhesive backing to it that peeled off like a giant sticker. I used that to create the background of this fun Bathtub Babe in my cereal box journal. Don't be afraid to think outside the box with the collage elements you choose!
Picture
Picture

Washi Tape

Washi tape is SO fun to use in mixed media collage. I love how there are SO many fun colors, patterns and thicknesses of washi tape. I use it a lot like how I use scrapbook paper. Sometimes it's strictly in the background. Other times I've used washi tape in the foreground as hair or clothing (like the tutu below) and it looks SO awesome! 
Picture
Washi tape doesn't always adhere the best, so you'll want to go over it with a sealant to keep it in place. 
Picture

Maps

Maps are becoming SO old school now, but they can be such a fun way to create an art piece based on a place you visited or want to visit. In this one, I have elements from a map of Inverness, covered them in gesso, and went to town. 
Picture
Picture

Duct Tape

You may not even know this, but duct tape comes in SO many fun patterns now!! I've used this kinda like I use washi tape- in the background or foreground.

​In this Mixed Media Retro Girl project, I carved out my entire girl so I could use this fun camper duct tape for her clothes, shoes and hair. So cute, right?! 
Picture
Just a quick warning on using duct tape as a mixed media collage element - it's super glossy, so can be tricky to paint on top of. Just make sure you seal it so the paint doesn't peal off when you're done. ​
This is only HALF my list!!

​
Make sure you click over to watch today's video to find out what my other TEN mixed media collage elements are. I KNOW there are some you haven't considered yet and just might love!!
​Need more resources to get your creative juices flowing?
​
❤️ CHECK OUT ALL my art books on AMAZON
❤️ CHECK OUT ALL my online art classes @ Awesome Art School
❤️ MY FAVORITE ART SUPPLIES on AMAZON (affiliate links)
❤️ MY BELOVED FACEBOOK GROUP
0 Comments



Leave a Reply.

    Karen Campbell

    Founder of Awesome Art School.  Mixed Media Artist.  Author of 18 Instructional Art Books!

    Posting on YouTube every single Wednesday of the year!  

    The Alliance of Independent Authors - Author Member

    Archives

    March 2023
    February 2023
    January 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018

    Categories

    All
    #50FunFabFairies Drawing Challenge
    5 Minute Drawing Practice
    Acrylic Brushes
    Acrylic Painting Basics
    Acrylic Painting For Beginners
    Acrylic Painting On Canvas
    Acrylic Painting Supplies
    Acrylic Painting Tutorial
    Acrylic Paint Types
    Alcohol Ink Painting
    Alcohol Ink Tutorial
    Alcohol Marker Art
    Alcohol Marker Blending
    Alcohol Marker Brands
    Alcohol Marker Drawing
    Alcohol Markers By ArtBeek
    Alcohol Markers Tutorial
    Altered Book
    Altered Book Art Journal
    Art Book Reviews
    Art Deco
    Art Deco Drawing
    Art Deco Style
    Art For Beginners
    Art Heals
    Artist Collaboration
    Art Journal
    Art Journal For Beginners
    Art Journal Ideas
    Art Journal Inspiration
    Art Journal Page
    Art Journal Techniques
    Art Studio Makeover
    Art Supplies
    Art Supply Demos
    Art Supply Reviews
    Art Supply Storage
    Asian Eye Drawing
    Beginners
    Behind The Scenes
    Blackwing Pencils
    Blackwing Volumes
    Brush Pens
    Canvas Painting
    Cartoon Cat Drawings
    Cat Art
    Charcoal Drawing
    Charcoal Portrait
    Christmas Watercolor Ideas
    Collage
    Collage Ideas
    Collage Techniques
    Collage Tutorial
    Colored Pencils
    Copic Marker Alternative
    Copic Marker Art
    Copic Marker Drawing
    Copic Marker Tutorial
    Copic Skin Tones
    Copic Vs Ohuhu Alcohol Markers
    Craft Gem Projects
    Daniel Smith
    Daniel Smith Watercolor Palette
    Daniel Smith Watercolors
    Dip Pens
    Drawing
    Drawing A Baby Face
    Drawing Books On Amazon
    Drawing Cats
    Drawing Challenge
    Drawing Eyelashes
    Drawing Eyes In Pencil
    Drawing Faces
    Drawing Faces For Beginners
    Drawing Facial Features
    Drawing Female Hairstyles
    Drawing For Beginners
    Drawing Hairstyles
    Drawing Ideas For Travel
    Drawing Necks Realistically
    Drawing Pencils
    Drawing Tutorial
    Ear Drawing Practice
    Easy Acrylic Painting
    Easy Drawings For Beginners
    Easy Mixed Media Projects
    Easy Owl Painting
    EASY Watercolor Tutorial
    Ecoline Brush Pens
    Eyelashes Drawing
    Faber Castell Gelatos
    Faber Castell Watercolor Markers
    Face Chart Inspired Drawing Tutorial
    Face Drawing
    Face Drawing Practice
    Face Drawing Tutorial
    Face Shading
    Face Shape Drawing
    Face Sketch
    Fantasy Art Drawing
    Fantasy Art Drawing Projects
    Fantasy Art Painting Projects
    Fashion Face Drawing Tutorial
    Fashion Figure Drawing
    Fashion Illustration For Beginners
    Fineliner Tips
    Flip Throughs Of MY BOOKS
    Fountain Pen Ink
    Fountain Pen Ink Painting
    Free Art Lesson
    FREE Drawing Lesson
    Free Lesson
    FREE Watercolor Lesson
    Full Length Drawing Tutorial
    Full Length Face Drawing Tutorial
    Full Length Mixed Media Projects
    Fun Fab Drawing Club
    Fun Fab Fairies
    Gesso Brush
    Glass Dip Pens
    Gouache Meaning
    Graphite Transfer Paper
    Halloween Face Drawing Tutorial
    Halloween Projects
    Hamburger
    Hot Dog System
    How To Art Journal
    How To Choose Face Drawing References
    How To Color A Baby Face In Copic Markers
    How To Create A Watercolor Palette
    How To Draw
    How To Draw A 3/4 View Face
    How To Draw A Baby's Face
    How To Draw A Face
    How To Draw A Fairy
    How To Draw A Fairy Face
    How To Draw A Male Face
    How To Draw And Shade A Face In Copic Markers
    How To Draw And Shade A Whimsical African American Face
    How To Draw Art Deco Style
    How To Draw Asian Eyes
    How To Draw A Smile With Teeth
    How To Draw Bangs
    How To Draw Cartoon Cats
    How To Draw Dreadlocks
    How To Draw Ears
    How To Draw Expressions
    How To Draw Eyebrows
    How To Draw Eyelashes
    How To Draw Eyes Realistically
    How To Draw Fairy Ears
    How To Draw Figures
    How To Draw Freckles
    How To Draw Hair
    How To Draw Lips
    How To Draw Lips Realistically
    How To Draw Noses Realistically
    How To Draw Realistic Ears
    How To Draw Teeth
    How To Draw Wrinkles
    How To Paint Eyelashes
    How To Shade
    How To Shade DARK Skin Tones With Alcohol Markers
    How To Shade Faces With Alcohol Markers
    How To Sketch A 3 Quarter Portrait
    How To Sketch A Face
    How To Transfer A Drawing
    LARGE Canvas Painting Technique
    Magical Mashup
    Marker Tips
    Martini Glass Drawing
    Mermaid
    Mixed Media
    Mixed Media Art
    Mixed Media Art Ideas
    Mixed Media Art Journal
    Mixed Media Art Journaling
    Mixed Media Art Supplies
    Mixed Media Art Techniques
    Mixed Media Art Tutorials
    Mixed Media Backgrounds
    Mixed Media Brushes
    Mixed Media Canvas
    Mixed Media Challenge
    Mixed Media Collage
    Mixed Media Collage Background
    Mixed Media Drawing
    Mixed Media Eyes
    Mixed Media Faces
    Mixed Media Girls
    Mixed Media Hamburger
    Mixed Media Hot Dog System
    Mixed Media Ideas
    Mixed Media Paintbrushes
    Mixed Media Painting
    Mixed Media Portraits
    Mixed Media Project
    Mixed Media Society
    Mixed Media Techniques
    Mixed Media Tutorial
    Mixed Media Tutorials
    Mixed Media Watercolor
    Mixed Media YouTube
    Monochromatic Drawing
    My Favorite Art Supplies
    My Favorite Watercolors
    New Book!
    No Draw Mixed Media Art Project
    Noodler's Ink
    Nose Drawing Practice
    Ohuhu Alcohol Markers
    Old Book Crafts
    Owl Painting
    Paint Brush Types
    Painting On Canvas
    Painting With Ink
    Paint Markers
    Palette Knife Painting
    Pan Pastels
    Paper Napkin Art Journal Background
    Pencil Drawing Tutorial
    Portrait Drawing
    Portrait Drawing Tutorial
    Posca Alternatives
    Posca Paint Pens
    Profile Drawing
    Quadrant Method
    Reference Drawing
    SEE INSIDE MY Art Books!
    Shading Faces
    Sheet Music Art
    Side Profile Drawing
    Side View Drawing
    Silver Black Velvet Brushes
    Sketching Tutorial
    Skull Watercolor Tutorial
    Spray Paint On Canvas Idea
    Stabilo All Pencil Projects
    Stenciling & Stamping Techniques
    Three Quarter View Face
    Time Lapse Drawing Video
    Tissue Paper Art Journal Background
    Tombow Brush Pens
    Tombow Mono Zero Eraser
    Toned Paper Drawing
    Travel Art Supplies
    Upcycled Art
    Upcycle Old Books
    Value Scale Drawing
    Vintage Book Pages
    Watercolor
    Watercolor And Colored Pencil
    Watercolor Brushes
    Watercolor Fairy
    Watercolor Markers
    Watercolor Marker Tips
    Watercolor Marker Tricks For Mixed Media
    Watercolor Portrait
    Watercolors
    Watercolor Sets I Love
    Watercolor Supplies
    Watercolor Tutorial
    WatercolPainting Techniques
    Watersoluble Art Supply Tricks
    Water Soluble Markers
    Water Soluble Pencils
    What Is Mixed Media Art?
    Whimsical-christmas-tree
    Whimsical Face Drawing Tutorial
    Whimsical-face-drawing-tutorial
    Whimsical Women Of The World World Portrait Drawing Series
    YouTube Drawing Channel
    Youtube-giveaway
    Youtube-video
    Youtube-video

    RSS Feed

Picture
"Karen is flipping hilarious and she's very real...I like the way she teaches in a way that really gives you confidence, whether you're a beginner or advanced there's always something new to learn!"

- Elizabeth W.

What Fans Are Saying

Karen, you are absolutely fabulous! You make me feel like I can draw anything. I have recently retired and finally have the time to do some of the art that I have loved since I was in school. I am really at the beginning of my art journey and I hope to learn as much as I can. Thank you for all you do.

​-Jill Y.

I ordered your Fun Fab Faces book and loved it! I was having a little trouble getting the noses I wanted and now it's easy! Also, I love how you stressed how important having the three tones in your drawing is. Thanks a bunch!

-Donna L.

Thank you Karen! I never though I could do faces. You broke it down so it was understandable! And I love your book! I got it yesterday! Can't wait to start practicing! It's so much fun!!!!!

​-Debbie M.

Thank you for the encouragement to get back into my drawing and painting. After being away for 35 years.  THANK YOU.

- Teresa S.

Contact ME

  • HOME
    • About Me
    • Courses
    • Add your art to Instagram!
    • Fan Artwork
    • Retreats
    • What Students Say...
  • Drawing Club
    • See ALL the Projects!!
  • MIXED MEDIA SOCIETY
    • See ALL the Projects!!
  • CELTIC COLLECTIVE
  • Books
  • Blog