5 Essential Tips for Elevating Your Mixed Media Art

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Love the look of mixed-media art and wondering where to start? What are some helpful tips that can elevate the quality of your work?


Mixed-media art offers endless possibilities, allowing each artist to harness the unique qualities of each medium while developing a personal style.


However, with more options come more challenges and potential setbacks, which can trip up even experienced artists.


Whether you're just starting out or refining your process, here are five powerful tips to help you improve your mixed-media art and create pieces that stand the test of time.

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1. Master Each Medium in Isolation

Before diving into a mixed media project, get comfortable with each medium on its own.

​Every medium—whether it’s watercolor, acrylic, colored pencil, or ink—has its own properties, ideal tools, and substrates (like paper or canvas) that maximize its potential.

For instance, watercolor shines on absorbent, textured paper, while ink often works best on smooth surfaces. By understanding each medium's unique characteristics, you can better control your results and avoid surprises, making the layering process smoother.

Pro Tip: If you’re working in a sketchbook, make sure it’s compatible with all the mediums you plan to use. Some sketchbooks may not handle water-based mediums well, causing buckling or bleeding.



2. Establish a Hierarchy of Mediums

Every mixed media piece benefits from a hierarchy, where one medium takes the lead role, and others play supportive roles.

Ask yourself which medium you want to highlight. This can be as simple as choosing a primary medium (like watercolor for soft washes) and a secondary one (like ink for details).

For example, in a piece combining pen and ink with watercolor, decide whether to emphasize the ink lines or let the watercolor shine through as the main element.

Think about ratios like 70/30 or 50/50 between your chosen mediums to ensure they complement rather than compete with each other. This creates a balanced composition and helps prevent overworking or over-layering.



3. Strategize Your Layers

Layering is at the heart of mixed media. Decide early on which medium should go down first, keeping in mind how they interact.

Some combinations, like acrylic underpainting with oil on top, work well because acrylic dries quickly and provides a stable base. However, layering acrylic over oil will crack since oil takes much longer to fully cure.

Even with quicker-drying combinations like watercolor and ink, a thoughtful order is key. For example, if you want precise ink details, consider adding them after watercolor layers have dried to avoid unwanted bleeding.

Always allow each layer to dry thoroughly to prevent muddy colors and unintended textures.



4. Research Preservation Techniques
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When your piece is finished, preserving it is essential to ensure your hard work stays vibrant. Different combinations require different protection methods. For instance, charcoal and pastel benefit from a fixative, while oil paintings thrive with a protective varnish.

Watercolors are often displayed under UV-protective glass, though some artists experiment with varnishes to display them without glass.

Explore up-to-date supplies and techniques to best protect your artwork. For sketchbooks, consider placing a sheet of glassine paper between pages to prevent smudging or damage to your finished work.

5. Use the Elements of Art to Guide Composition
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In mixed media, the seven elements of art—line, shape, form, color, space, value, and texture—can act as a guide when deciding which medium to use for each visual element.

Ask yourself which medium is best suited for the textures, values, and colors you’re aiming to create.

For instance, you might use colored pencils for detailed lines and watercolor for washes of color and softer textures.

This approach helps break down complex compositions and provides a roadmap for layering. It also encourages creative experimentation; ask yourself questions like, “What if I used colored pencils for shadows instead of paint?” or “How would a touch of metallic leaf affect the composition?”

​This openness to exploration is part of what makes mixed media art so rewarding.



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Recommended Supplies:
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Prismacolor Premier Soft Core Colored Pencils, Assorted Colors, 36ct.

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Derwent Graphic Drawing Pencils, Medium, Metal Tin, 12 Count, 6B-4H

Van Gogh Watercolor Tubes Box With 20 Colors (10 ml)

Hahnemühle Watercolor Book 250 G/M2, 100% Cotton, 19.5X19.5CM, 60 Pages Natural White

Mixed media art offers a unique opportunity for artistic growth. With each piece, you'll deepen your understanding of how different materials work together and, in time, refine a personal process that aligns with your artistic voice.

Approach each piece with intention, remember these tips, and embrace the infinite combinations that await.

​Thanks for reading! 

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