Collage & Acrylic Still Life Video Tutorial

If you're into loose, expressive mixed-media art, this new still life demo is right up your alley. In this lesson, I mix handmade collage papers, heavy-body acrylics, charcoal, and plenty of chunky brushwork to create an abstract, garage-style still life featuring wine bottles, fruit, and bold tabletop stripes. And as always—my videos on Crafted by Robert stream 100% ad-free, so you can actually relax and paint along without interruptions.

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.

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Building the Base With Handmade Collage Paper

I always start these pieces by creating my own collage papers. Old sketchbook pages, failed paintings—whatever you’ve got lying around becomes fair game. I throw on layers of acrylic, crayons, pastels, and random marks. No rules. No pressure. Just texture and color.

Once the collage sheets dry, I cut out the shapes I need: tabletop stripes, warm background patches, and plate shapes. Mod Podge holds everything in place and keeps the edges from curling while I press them flat.

Blocking In Shapes With a Loose Acrylic Layer

With the collage foundation set, I move into the acrylic stage. I keep everything bold and chunky:

• Dip straight into the paint jars
• Blend directly on the paper
• Switch brushes instead of over-mixing
• Embrace imperfect edges

For this style, blending on the palette can dull your color. Letting colors collide on the artwork keeps it fresh and crunchy.

Bringing It Together With Charcoal & Final Touches

Once the main forms—wine bottle, fruit, plates, cast shadows—are established, I add my favorite finishing move: compressed charcoal scribbles. These loose lines add movement, help unify the collage and paint, and give the piece a gritty garage-studio vibe.

After a few adjustments to the background and some highlights on the bottle and glasses, everything clicks into place. The final piece feels layered, lively, and intentionally rough around the edges—the way I like it.

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.