Unconventional Acrylic Collage Techniques on Bristol
Turn old drawings into handmade collage papers using acrylics, inks, crayons, graphite and more. Resourceful and authentic!
This loose acrylic collage still life is all about building texture first, then letting the painting evolve on top of it.
I start with Bristol paper and use leftover paint to create handmade collage papers. Instead of throwing away old drawings or paint, I reuse them to build layered surfaces that already have character before the painting even begins.
Once the collage is in place, I draw directly into it using loose, gestural lines. The goal isn’t perfection—it’s capturing the essence of the subject with as little information as possible.
From there, I build the painting using simple shapes, earthy color harmony, and a few well-placed details. The texture underneath does a lot of the work, so there’s no need to overpaint or overthink it.
Loose Mixed Media Still Life
Get the knowledge you need to paint expressive mixed media and collage still life artwork in this deep dive course.
What This Study Teaches
- How to create handmade collage paper from leftover materials
- Why Bristol paper works well for mixed media layering
- Using gesture drawing to keep your work loose
- Building texture before adding paint
- Suggesting details instead of overworking the subject
Why This Works
This approach works because it shifts the focus away from perfection and toward process.
Instead of starting with a blank surface, you begin with texture, color, and randomness already in place. That gives the painting energy right from the start.
By combining:
- loose drawing
- layered collage
- controlled color harmony
you create artwork that feels natural and expressive without forcing detail.
The key is knowing when to stop and letting the layers do the talking.
Take It Further (Full Lesson)
If you want the full, step-by-step version of this demo, including deeper breakdowns of layering, design, and execution:
👉 Mixed Media Still Life Course
This is where I walk through the complete process—from collage foundation to finished painting—without cutting anything out.
Mixed Media Supplies I Use All the Time
These are my go-to materials for almost every mixed media project I create. Do I add new ingredients occasionally? You betcha! But these are the go-to materials I rely on most. I know how they behave, how they layer, and how to get the best results from them.
- Acrylic Paints – I only buy heavy body for their thick texture and thin them with water for fluid glazing and washes. See my favorite set →
- Watercolors Paints – Great for transparent layers and unexpected color effects. Exact colors are below. Shop my watercolor picks →
- Acrylic Inks - Excellent way to add transparent layers to mixed media artwork. Mixes well with everything! See the inks →
- Synthetic Acrylic Brushes - You need a variety and I have listed my go-to's below. I use Princeton brands, very dependable! See the brushes →
- Watercolor Brushes - Get a decent grade but avoid all-natural as synthetic blends have come a long way. Shop my picks →
- Collage Papers – A mix of pattered, and printed paper you see me use is from Hobby Lobby, and it's usually found in the scrapbook section. Browse paper packs →
- Palette Knives – Good to have around for scooping paint and smearing techniques. See what I use →
- Blick Super Value Canvas Packs - Comes in many small and medium sizes up to 20x16". Love em'. Best bulk stretched canvas →
- Mixed Media Paper – Sturdy enough to handle wet and dry techniques. Strathmore is the way to go! Best paper for mixed media →
- Watercolor Paper - Top choice is 140 lb. cold press by Fabriano Artistico. Cost effective and crispy white. Best watercolor paper →
- Caran d'Ache Water-Soluble Crayons – Perfect for adding scribbles and linear interest to mixed media art. Check them out →
- Gator Board - Best firm boards you can find! Buy a large sheet and cut out down. These are used as backing for my paper when I paint. Check it out →
- Mod Podge - Reliable and affordable adhesive for paper, thick and thin. And get the Matte! View the glue →
My preferred hues; Cadmium Yellow, Yellow Ochre, Alizarin Crimson, Cadmium Red Light (or Medium), Ultramarine Blue, Cobalt Blue, Burnt Sienna, Titanium White
My preferred acrylic brushes; #12 Large round, 2x Medium rounds, 2x Detail, or liner brushes, Large and medium fan brush, a few medium size bristles and old, small house painting brush for glue.
Mixed Media Mastery Bundle
Learn how to paint loose, expressive artwork using acrylic and collage. This bundle walks you from beginner basics to confident mixed media techniques—all in one place.
