Multiple design layers, each made from a different medium, make up a mixed media collage. A mixed media collage can be created with any medium, but paper, pencil, marker, and pen are frequently used. These collages can be two-dimensional display art, like a painting on canvas or a scrapbook page, or three-dimensional sculptures.
A mixed media collage is frequently created by professional and aspiring artists with the goal of selling the final design as a work of art to a collector. The artist can begin with a blank white canvas or a piece of wood, or any other medium that will result in a finished piece that can be hung on a wall. The final design will have a general theme that will be drawn from a variety of sources. Most mixed media collages have an abstract or modern feel to them, and they frequently incorporate several different photos, words, or shapes into a single design.
Several different types of media are mixed together in this type of mixed media art. As a base for the piece, the artist can use decorated paper, newspaper, magazine clippings, or even newspaper. The artist can add different layers of oil and acrylic based paints, markers, pens, charcoal, or even pencil drawings to give the mixed media collage piece more depth. To make the piece “pop out” from the canvas, some artists use thicker materials like glass or modeling clay.
Modern scrapbooks frequently include a mixed media collage. The artist will begin by cutting one or more pieces of designer paper to fit into a square or rectangular page. The crafter will then add photos, paper mementos, newspaper clippings, or anything else that will help the crafter create a special memory. He or she will then finish the page by layering more designer paper on top of it to create a mixed media collage effect.
Some scrapbooks include three-dimensional effects in addition to blending paper with photos. A row of brads or buttons, for example, could be added to the bottom of the page. Lace, ribbon, or felt can be used to encircle the photographs. Many crafters scatter small objects across the scrapbook page, such as sea shells, beads, jewels, or three-dimensional stickers. The photos are the focal point of these scrapbook pages, but there are several other details that draw the eye.