Inspiring examples of popular materials used in mixed media art

Let’s start with the fun part: concrete, real-world examples of popular materials used in mixed media art that you can actually picture on a table in front of you.

Imagine this scene: an 11×14 inch canvas panel on your desk. You brush on a loose layer of acrylic paint, glue down torn book pages and tissue paper, stamp over them with ink pads, add marks with oil pastels, then finish with a layer of matte gel medium and a few stitched lines of thread. That single piece already combines at least six different materials.

Other real examples include:

• A watercolor background on thick paper, layered with India ink, white gel pen highlights, and collaged magazine images.
• A cardboard panel covered in gesso, textured with modeling paste, then topped with spray paint, charcoal, and acrylic markers.
• An art journal spread using coffee stains, washi tape, rubber stamps, and colored pencils over a base of water-soluble crayons.

All of these are strong examples of popular materials used in mixed media art because they show the heart of the practice: combining wet and dry media, store-bought supplies and found objects, smooth layers and gritty textures.

Paints and inks: colorful examples of popular materials used in mixed media art

Most mixed media pieces start with some kind of paint or ink. These give you color, value, and mood—and they’re usually the first layer.

Acrylic paints

Acrylics are one of the best examples of popular materials used in mixed media art because they’re fast-drying, water-based, and flexible. Artists use them to:

• Block in bold backgrounds on canvas, wood panels, or heavyweight paper.
• Create transparent “washes” by diluting them with water or acrylic medium.
• Add opaque highlights over darker layers.

A real example: You might paint a loose, abstract background in teal and magenta acrylics, then sand parts of it back, revealing earlier layers of collage underneath. Because acrylics dry into a plastic-like film, they play well with markers, pencils, and collage glued on top.

Watercolors and inks

Watercolors and inks are perfect when you want fluid, unpredictable effects.

Common examples include:

• Watercolor pans or tubes to create soft, atmospheric backgrounds for art journals.
• India ink for bold black line work, drips, and splatters.
• Acrylic inks or alcohol inks for intense, saturated color on non-porous surfaces like Yupo paper.

An example of popular materials used in mixed media art might be a watercolor sky with India ink branches drawn over it, then finished with white acrylic pen details and collaged birds from old book illustrations.

For basic information on how paints and pigments behave, resources from art education programs like the Smithsonian Learning Lab can be helpful for understanding color and materials.

Dry media: pencils, pastels, and everything that scratches or smudges

Once your paint or ink layers are dry, dry media step in to add detail, contrast, and personality.

Graphite and colored pencils

Pencils are a classic example of popular materials used in mixed media art because they’re familiar and forgiving.

Artists often use:

• Graphite pencils for sketching underpaintings, adding shading, or scribbled line work.
• Colored pencils for subtle color shifts and fine details over acrylic or watercolor.

Real example: After creating a collage of vintage maps and acrylic glazes, you might use a soft graphite pencil to add contour lines, then burnish colored pencils into the surface to emphasize certain shapes.

Charcoal and pastels

Charcoal and pastels bring dramatic contrast and a soft, velvety finish.

Examples include:

• Compressed charcoal for strong, dark lines over a painted background.
• Soft pastels to add hazy color to the edges of a composition.
• Oil pastels to draw bold, waxy marks that resist water-based paints.

A powerful example of popular materials used in mixed media art is a portrait where the background is acrylic and collage, while the facial features are drawn with charcoal and softened with pastel, then fixed with a workable fixative to avoid smudging.

For safe studio practices—especially when working with dusty materials like charcoal and soft pastels—organizations such as the U.S. National Institutes of Health provide general guidance on ventilation and exposure to particulates (NIH).

Collage and paper: everyday examples include books, magazines, and packaging

If paints and pencils are the “voice” of your piece, collage is the personality. Paper-based collage is one of the most common examples of popular materials used in mixed media art.

Artists frequently use:

• Old book pages for text and vintage feel.
• Magazines for faces, typography, and color blocks.
• Scrapbook paper for patterns.
• Tissue paper and deli paper for translucent layers.
• Handmade or specialty papers for rich textures.
• Junk mail, envelopes, cardboard, and packaging as both surface and collage material.

Real example: You might glue down overlapping strips of handwritten letters, tissue paper, and patterned scrapbook paper, then knock them back with a thin layer of gesso before painting over them with muted acrylics. The text and patterns peek through, giving your work depth.

Another example of popular materials used in mixed media art is using corrugated cardboard as both substrate and texture source—peeling off the top layer to reveal ridges, then dry-brushing them with paint.

Gels, pastes, and mediums: building texture and dimension

This is where mixed media starts to feel three-dimensional. Mediums change how your paints behave and add texture you can see and touch.

Gesso and clear gesso

Gesso is the primer of choice for many mixed media artists. It prepares surfaces like canvas, wood, or paper so they accept paint better.

Examples include:

• White gesso brushed over a collage to unify color and reduce shine.
• Clear gesso applied over printed images so you can draw or paint on top without losing the image underneath.

Gel medium and matte medium

Gel mediums are glue, sealer, and texture builder all in one.

Artists often:

• Use matte gel medium to adhere collage pieces.
• Spread heavy gel medium through stencils for raised patterns.
• Mix acrylic paint with gel medium to create transparent, glossy glazes.

A practical example of popular materials used in mixed media art is a piece where magazine images are glued down with matte gel, then partially obscured with a thin, tinted gel layer, creating a ghostly, layered effect.

Modeling paste and texture pastes

Modeling paste lets you literally sculpt your surface.

Examples include:

• Spreading modeling paste with a palette knife to create ridges and peaks.
• Pressing fabric, lace, or found objects into wet paste to leave impressions.
• Using sand texture paste for a gritty, stone-like surface.

You might see a landscape where the “rocks” are built up with modeling paste, painted over with acrylics, and accented with charcoal lines. This combination is one of the best examples of popular materials used in mixed media art for adding tactile interest.

For general safety when working with acrylic mediums and pastes (especially sanding dried layers), it’s wise to follow ventilation and dust-control tips similar to those discussed in occupational health resources from agencies like OSHA.gov.

Fabric, thread, and fiber: soft examples of popular materials used in mixed media art

Mixed media doesn’t have to stay flat. Fabric and fiber add warmth, history, and a handmade feel.

Common examples include:

• Cotton fabric scraps from old shirts or quilting leftovers.
• Lace, ribbon, and trim for delicate patterns.
• Embroidery thread or regular sewing thread for visible stitching.
• Cheesecloth or gauze for wispy, textured layers.
• Yarn or twine for bold, graphic lines.

A real example of popular materials used in mixed media art is a canvas with collaged vintage photos, over which the artist hand-stitches borders and outlines with black thread. The stitches become drawing lines made of fiber.

Another example: An art journal page where small pieces of denim are glued down with gel medium, then painted and scribbled over with paint markers. The fabric frays at the edges, adding texture you can see and feel.

Found objects and unconventional materials: from coffee to hardware store finds

One of the reasons people love mixed media is the permission to use almost anything.

Examples include:

• Buttons, keys, and small metal pieces embedded into modeling paste.
• Dried leaves, pressed flowers, or seed pods sealed under acrylic medium.
• String, rubber bands, and mesh bags used as both collage and stencils.
• Sand, coffee grounds, or tea leaves mixed into gel medium for texture.
• Packing tape transfers made from photocopies or printouts.

A memorable example of popular materials used in mixed media art is a piece where the background is stained with brewed coffee and tea, then layered with ink drawings, collaged labels, and hand-lettered quotes. The coffee not only adds color but also a subtle scent at first.

Another real example: A small wooden panel covered in joint compound from the hardware store, textured with a comb, then painted and finished with embedded screws and washers as part of an industrial-themed design.

When using non-art materials, especially anything that might be sharp, dusty, or reactive, it’s smart to check general safety guidance on handling household chemicals and materials from sites like CDC.gov, and always work in a ventilated space.

Pens, markers, and lettering: finishing touches that pull everything together

Once your layers are dry, pens and markers are the storytellers. They add words, doodles, and crisp lines.

Examples of popular materials used in mixed media art for this stage include:

• Fineliner pens for detailed line work and crosshatching.
• White gel pens or paint pens for highlights and stars.
• Acrylic paint markers for bold, opaque marks over dark surfaces.
• Brush pens for expressive lettering and calligraphy.

A real example: After building a textured, colorful background with acrylics and collage, you might write a quote across the center with a black brush pen, then add tiny white dots and lines with a gel pen to make the text pop.

Another example of popular materials used in mixed media art is combining waterproof fineliners with water-soluble markers. You can draw a face with the waterproof pen, then use water-soluble markers and a brush to create soft, painterly shading around it.

How to start choosing your own mix of materials

With so many examples of popular materials used in mixed media art, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. A simple way to start is to think in layers:

• Surface: Choose a sturdy base like watercolor paper, canvas board, or cardboard.
• Wet layer: Add color with acrylics, watercolors, or inks.
• Paper layer: Glue down collage pieces—book pages, tissue, or magazine cutouts.
• Texture layer: Use gesso, modeling paste, or gel medium for raised areas.
• Detail layer: Bring in pencils, pens, markers, and pastels.
• Optional 3D layer: Add fabric, thread, or small found objects.

Pick one or two materials from each layer and experiment. Over time, you’ll find your own favorite combinations—the ones that feel like your voice.

If you’re interested in more formal study of art materials and techniques, many universities publish open course content and guides through their art departments. For instance, browsing art resources from institutions like Harvard University can give you a sense of how artists think about media, technique, and experimentation.

FAQ: examples of popular materials used in mixed media art

What are some basic examples of popular materials used in mixed media art for beginners?
Great starter materials include acrylic paint, gesso, old book pages or magazines for collage, a glue stick or matte gel medium, a black fineliner pen, a white gel pen, and a few colored pencils. With just those, you can create layered backgrounds, collage focal points, and detailed line work.

Can you give an example of a simple mixed media project using things I already have at home?
Yes. Take a piece of cardboard from a shipping box, cover it with a thin layer of gesso, glue down torn pieces of junk mail and newspaper, paint over parts with watered-down acrylics or kids’ craft paint, then add doodles with any pens or markers you have. This is a low-pressure example of popular materials used in mixed media art that relies mostly on household items.

Are there examples of mixed media materials that don’t require expensive art supplies?
Absolutely. Real examples include using coffee or tea for staining, ballpoint pens for drawing, junk mail and packaging for collage, and thread or string for texture. Pair these with inexpensive craft paints and a basic glue, and you have a very workable mixed media setup.

What are the best examples of materials for adding texture to my artwork?
Some of the best examples are modeling paste, heavy gel medium, gesso applied thickly with a palette knife, sand mixed into acrylic gel, torn cardboard with exposed corrugation, cheesecloth, and textured fabrics like lace or burlap. These all create surfaces that catch light and shadow in interesting ways.

Are there any health or safety concerns with mixed media materials?
Yes, there can be, especially with spray paints, solvents, and fine dust from sanding or using soft pastels and charcoal. Work in a ventilated area, avoid inhaling dust, and read product labels. For general guidance on chemical and dust exposure, you can refer to resources from agencies such as the CDC and NIH.

How do I know which materials can be layered together without problems?
A simple rule of thumb is “thin to thick” and “flexible under less flexible.” Start with thinner, more fluid layers (like watercolor or diluted acrylics) and build up to thicker, heavier layers (like modeling paste or heavy gel). Test combinations on a scrap surface first. Over time, your own experiments will give you trusted examples of popular materials used in mixed media art that behave well together.

Mixed media art is really just this: playing matchmaker between different materials and seeing what happens when they meet. Use these examples as a starting point, then let curiosity lead you to your own favorite pairings.