Fresh examples of 3 unique examples of techniques in mixed media art

3 standout mixed media techniques (with real-world examples)

Let’s skip the textbook definitions and get straight to paint-under-your-fingernails territory. When people look for examples of 3 unique examples of techniques in mixed media art, they usually want to know: What are artists actually doing on their canvases right now? So let’s break down three big technique families and then pack them with real examples you can steal, twist, and make your own.

We’ll move through:

• Textured collage and layering
• Paint plus print and transfer
• Dimensional, sculptural surfaces

Each one includes multiple variations, so by the end you’ll have way more than just three ideas.

1. Textured collage: from junk drawer to gallery wall

If you want the best examples of mixed media that feel rich and tactile, collage is still the workhorse. But in 2024, artists are going way beyond magazine clippings.

When people ask for examples of 3 unique examples of techniques in mixed media art, textured collage is almost always one of them, because you can mix nearly anything: paper, fabric, sand, even old receipts. The trick is to think in layers instead of flat decoration.

Example 1: “Memory map” collage with personal ephemera

Imagine a canvas that tells the story of one year of your life. Start with a painted background in loose, abstract color fields. Then glue down:

• Ticket stubs
• Bits of handwritten notes
• Photocopied sections of your passport or ID
• Receipts with dates that matter to you

Seal it with matte gel medium, then go back in with acrylic paint, drawing around and over the papers. This is a great example of how collage plus paint can become a personal archive instead of just a mood board.

Many art therapy programs use similar approaches, combining collage and paint to explore memory and identity, which you’ll see echoed in resources from organizations like the American Art Therapy Association: https://arttherapy.org/

Example 2: Textured surfaces with tissue, gauze, and modeling paste

For a more sculpted surface, artists in 2024 are fusing fine art with craft-store materials:

• Crumple tissue paper, glue it down, and let the wrinkles dry.
• Add strips of medical gauze or cheesecloth for a fibrous feel.
• Coat certain areas with modeling paste using a palette knife.

Once dry, glaze everything with thin acrylic washes so the peaks catch the color. The result: a topographical map of texture. This is one of the best examples of turning low-cost materials into something that looks museum-worthy.

Example 3: Collage plus typography and stencils

Design and street art are bleeding into mixed media. A popular 2024 trend is layering typography:

• Start with a collage background (newspaper, printed lyrics, maps).
• Add spray paint through letter stencils.
• Outline or distort the letters with paint markers.

You end up with a hybrid of poster design, graffiti, and painting. When people search for examples of 3 unique examples of techniques in mixed media art that feel urban or graphic, this type of text-based collage is usually what they have in mind.

If you want to explore how text and images interact, look at resources from design programs at schools like Rhode Island School of Design (RISD): https://www.risd.edu

2. Paint + print + transfer: where analog meets digital

Mixed media in 2024–2025 is not pretending the digital world doesn’t exist. One of the most interesting examples of mixed media techniques right now is the mash-up of paint with photography, printmaking, and image transfer.

When we talk about examples of 3 unique examples of techniques in mixed media art, this category gives you a whole buffet of options: you can start with a printed image and “ruin” it beautifully with paint, or start with paint and fuse in printed textures.

Example 4: Acrylic skin image transfers over abstract backgrounds

Here’s a technique that feels like magic the first time you pull it off:

1. Print a photo on regular copy paper (laser printers work best).
2. Brush several layers of acrylic gel medium over the printed side, letting each layer dry.
3. Soak the paper, then gently rub away the paper pulp from the back.
4. You’re left with a flexible, translucent “acrylic skin” carrying the image.
5. Collage that skin onto a painted background.

This is a striking example of how photography and painting can literally merge. Artists use it to float ghostly portraits over abstract color fields, or to layer architectural photos over expressive brushwork.

Example 5: Digital collage printed on canvas, then hand-painted

A very 2024 move: build your composition digitally, then finish it by hand.

• Use a photo-editing app to collage photos, textures, and text.
• Print the result on canvas or heavy paper.
• Go back in with acrylics, oil pastels, and markers.

You can obscure parts of the print, highlight others, or add new imagery on top. This hybrid workflow is one of the best examples of how mixed media art is adapting to the age of Procreate and Photoshop without losing the handmade feel.

Fine arts and design programs, like those at Harvard University’s Department of Art, Film, and Visual Studies, often encourage this kind of cross-pollination between digital and traditional media: https://afvs.fas.harvard.edu/

Example 6: Monoprint textures under expressive paint

Monoprinting is like doing a one-off print that you then attack with paint.

• Roll acrylic paint on a smooth surface (a gel plate or even a piece of glass).
• Press paper into it to pull a single, textured print.
• Once dry, paint over parts of it, leaving some of the print exposed.

This gives you unpredictable textures that feel organic and layered. When people ask for examples of mixed media techniques that create depth without needing fifty products, monoprint + paint is a top contender.

3. Dimensional and sculptural surfaces: when a painting grows off the wall

The third big family in our examples of 3 unique examples of techniques in mixed media art is all about breaking the flat surface. Artists are building out from the canvas, turning paintings into shallow sculptures.

Example 7: Fabric, thread, and embroidery on painted canvas

Textile arts have crashed the painting party.

• Start with a painted canvas or wood panel.
• Stitch directly into the surface with embroidery thread (pre-punch holes if needed).
• Add bits of fabric, lace, or felt as raised shapes.

This gives you color from the paint and tactile detail from the thread. It’s a strong example of how traditional craft techniques can sit comfortably inside contemporary mixed media.

Textile and fiber arts programs, such as those highlighted by the Textile Society of America, show how artists are pushing this overlap further: https://textilesocietyofamerica.org/

Example 8: Found object assemblage on wood panels

Another of the best examples of sculptural mixed media is assemblage—basically collage in 3D.

• Use a sturdy wood panel instead of canvas.
• Attach small objects: keys, broken jewelry, toy parts, hardware, shells.
• Lock them in place with heavy gel medium, epoxy, or screws.
• Paint and glaze over parts of the arrangement.

The result can feel like a shrine, a memory box, or a sci-fi relic. This is especially popular in 2024 among artists concerned with sustainability, since you can reuse materials instead of buying new.

Example 9: Layered resin pours over mixed media

Resin art is still everywhere, but the more interesting mixed media examples include:

• A painted and collaged base layer (paper, ink, photos).
• A clear resin pour.
• More collage or paint on top.
• Another resin pour.

Stacking these layers creates depth, like looking into a tiny aquarium of images. Use this technique sparingly—resin is a commitment—but it’s a dramatic example of how mixed media can feel almost holographic.

How to combine these 3 technique families in your own work

So far, we’ve walked through several examples of 3 unique examples of techniques in mixed media art: textured collage, paint with print/transfer, and dimensional surfaces. The real magic happens when you combine them.

Here’s a simple workflow that borrows from all three:

1. Start flat: Create a monoprint or painted background.
2. Add collage: Layer papers, photos, or tissue for texture.
3. Fuse in images: Use an acrylic skin transfer or printed photo.
4. Build dimension: Stitch, glue small objects, or add modeling paste.
5. Finish with detail: Use paint pens, ink, or thin glazes to unify the piece.

Within that one process, you’ve touched multiple examples of mixed media techniques that are trending in 2024–2025.

If you’re worried about safety—especially when you start using sprays, resins, or solvents—check guidelines on ventilation and material handling from sources like the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) at the CDC: https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/

FAQ: real questions about mixed media techniques

What are some real examples of 3 unique examples of techniques in mixed media art for beginners?

For a beginner-friendly trio, try this:

• A painted acrylic background with simple color blocks.
• Collage using old book pages and tissue paper for texture.
• A laser-printed photo transferred on top with gel medium.

That gives you one example of texture, one of collage, and one of image transfer, all in a single piece.

Can I mix oil paint with other mixed media materials?

Yes, but with caution. A common approach is “fat over lean”: use water-based media (acrylics, ink, watercolor) first, then oil on top once everything is thoroughly dry. Don’t put acrylic or water-based paint over oil; it’s likely to crack or separate over time.

What are examples of everyday materials I can use in mixed media art?

Examples include:

• Coffee-stained paper
• Sewing pattern tissue
• Old envelopes and stamps
• Fabric scraps
• String, twine, or thread
• Sand or sawdust mixed into acrylic gel

These show that strong mixed media doesn’t depend on fancy supplies—just creative combinations.

Is there an example of a simple mixed media project I can finish in one afternoon?

Yes. Paint a loose abstract background with acrylics, collage three or four paper elements (like map fragments or book pages), then use a paint marker to draw a bold line drawing—flowers, faces, or geometric shapes—over the top. Seal it with matte medium and call it done.

How do I know when I’m using too many techniques in one artwork?

If your piece feels chaotic, pick a “lead” technique and treat the others as supporting actors. For instance, let collage carry the main shapes, while paint and drawing only refine and highlight. Many of the best examples of mixed media art are actually quite limited in materials—they just use those materials in thoughtful, layered ways.

By now, you’ve seen multiple examples of 3 unique examples of techniques in mixed media art—and probably a dozen spin-offs. The point isn’t to memorize them; it’s to give yourself permission to experiment. Start with one example of a technique that excites you, mix in a second, and see what unexpectedly shows up on the canvas.