Layers Upon Layers: Mixed Media Art

Making a mixed text background

by Cyndi on July 10th, 2007

Technique Tuesday!

The original inspiration for this background was a bag of letter blocks that I found in an antique store…SCORE!! Using my new toys, I decided to make some background papers for use in other projects. Here’s how to make a very simple style of mixed text background paper.

1. Rip up different texts, including foreign text, dictionary pages, envelopes, and any other ephemera you want to use. I included old sheet music as well.
2. Arrange them on a heavy piece of watercolor paper and use matte medium and a foam brush to stick them down. Brush more matte medium over the top surface. Let it dry.



3. Use a permanent black ink to stamp the surface with the letter blocks and stamps. Apply acrylic glazes to pull the colors of the text together.

Materials and tools:
Watercolor paper
Assorted texts
Letter and/or other stamps
Matte medium
Foam brush
Black ink
Acrylic paint
Glazing medium

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POSTED IN: Collage, Mixed Media, Paper, Technique Tuesday, Tutorials & Techniques