Welcome to my resource page, a treasure trove of tools and inspiration for fellow mixed media artists!  Here, you'll find an assortment of materials, courses, and communities that will help you unleash your creativity and elevate your mixed media art to new heights.  Let's dive in:

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Art Supplies and Materials:

  Acrylic Paints: Explore a wide range of vibrant acrylic paints from trusted brands.  Experiment with different textures, colors, and finishes to add depth to your mixed media creations. 

  Types of acrylic paints:

1. Heavy Body Acrylics - These have a thick consistency and are often used for impasto techniques and creating textured effects.

2. Fluid Acrylics - These have a thinner consistency and are suitable for techniques like pouring, glazing, and airbrushing.

3. Soft Body Acrylics - These paints have a medium consistency, falling between heavy body and fluid acrylics.  They can be used for a variety of techniques.

4. Open Acrylics - These have an extended drying time, allowing for more blending and reworking compared to traditional acrylics.

5. Acrylic Gouache - Similar to traditional gouache, these paints offer a matte finish and vibrant colors.

6. Interactive Acrylics - These paints can be reactivated with water even after they've dried, allowing for more blending and manipulation.

  Popular Brands of Acrylic Paints:

1. Golden - Known for its high-quality and versatile acrylic paints, including heavy body, fluid, and open acrylics.

2. Liquitex - Offers a wide range of acrylic paints, including heavy body, soft body, and acrylic gouache.

3. Windsor and Newton - Known for its acrylic paints, including professional-grade options like Artist's Acrylic and more affordable lines like Galaria Acrylics.

4. Pebeo - Offers acrylic paints like Studio Acrylics and high-viscosity paints for various techniques.   

5. Blick Studio Acrylics - A budget-friendly option available at Blick Art Materials, offering a range of colors and consistencies.

6. M. Graham & Company - Offers artist-quality acrylics paints made with walnut oil for extended working time.

7. Sennelier - Known for its Abstract Acrylics and artist-quality acrylic paints.

8. Holbein - Offers a variety of acrylic paint lines, including Heavy Body, Fluid, and Acrylic Gouache.  

9. Da Vinci - Offers a range of acrylic colors and mediums for various techniques.

10. Daler-Rowney - Offers acrylic paints like System 3 Acrylics, which are versatile and budget friendly.

  When choosing acrylic paints, consider factors such as consistency, pigmentations, color range, and techniques you plan to use.  It's a good idea to experiment with different brands and types to find the ones that best suit your artistic preferences and needs.

  Mixed Media Paper: Choose high-quality mixed media paper that can withstand various techniques, such as collage, painting, and sketching.

  Types of Mixed Media Papers:

1.   Mixed Media Paper Pads - These pads contain sheets of paper specifically designed for mixed media use, capable of handling wet and dry media.

2. Watercolor Paper - Cold-press or rough watercolor paper can work well for mixed media projects, especially when incorporating water-based paints.

3. Acrylic Paper- Some papers are specifically formulated to handle acrylic paints and retain their vibrant colors.

4. Canvas Paper - Provides a texture similar to canvas, suitable for both wet and dry media.

5. Drawing Paper - A versatile option for mixed media work, especially if the project involves more drawing and dry media techniques.

6. Printmaking Paper - Some printmaking papers are sturdy and can handle a variety of media, making them suitable for mixed media projects.

  Popular Brands of Mixed Media Papers:

1. ​  Strathmore - Offers a variety of mixed media paper pads, including the 400 series Mixed Media Pads and the Vision Mixed Media Pads.

2. Canson - Known for the Canson XL  Mixed Media Pad, offering a cost-effective option for mixed media artists.  I have two of these types of pads.  I like them very much.

3. Bee Paper - Offers a range of mixed media papers, including the Bee Paper Heavyweight Mixed Media Pad.

4. Fabriano - Provides mixed media papers such as the Fabriano Studio Mixed Media Pad.

5. Moleskine - Offers a mixed media sketchbook that combines different types of paper for various techniques.

6. Hahnemühle - Offers a variety of mixed media papers, including the Bamboo Mixed Media Paper and the Harmony Watercolor Paper.

7. Arches - Known for its high quality watercolor paper, which can also be used for mixed media projects.

8. Stonehenge - Offers a versatile and durable mixed media paper suitable for a range of techniques.

9. Art Alternatives - Provides options like the Art Alternatives Mixed Media Art Journal.

10. M. Graham and Co. - Offers a mixed media journal with a high-quality paper suitable for wet and dry media.

  When selecting mixed media papers, consider factors such as paper weight, texture, durability, and the specific media you plan to use.  Experimenting with different brands and types will help you find the paper that best suits your creative needs and preferences.

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  Texture Mediums: Elevate your artwork with texture mediums like gesso, modeling paste, and gel mediums.  These provide fascinating effects and add dimension to your mixed media pieces.

  Types of Texture Mediums:

1.   Acrylic Gels and Pastes - These come in various consistencies, from soft gels to heavy body pastes, and can be used to create a wide range of textures.

2. Modeling Paste - A thick, opaque paste used to build up texture and create impasto effects.

3. Texture Gels - Available in different textures like course, fine, and pumice. These gels add unique surface qualities.

4. Crackle Medium - Creates a cracked, aged effect as it dries, often used to achieve a weathered look.

5. Glass Bead Gel - Contains small glass beads that create a sparkling, reflective texture.

6. Fiber Paste - Incorporate fibers for added texture and dimension, creating a fabric-like appearance.

7. Molding Paste - Used to create raised shapes and patterns, creating a sculptural effect.

8. Granular Gel - Contains granules that add a gritty texture to the surface.

  Popular Brands of Texture Mediums:

1. Golden - Offers a wide variety of acrylic gel, pastes, and texture mediums, including Heavy Gel, Light Molding Paste, and Course Pumice Gel.

2. Liquitex - Known for its range of acrylic gels and mediums, such as Modeling Paste, Glass Beads Gel, and Ceramic Stucco.

3. Winsor and Newton - Provides texture mediums like Galeria Acrylic Texture Gels and Professional Acrylic Mediums.

4. Pebeo - Offers a variety of texture gels and modeling pastes,  including Gedeo  Relief Gilding Paste and Gedeo Vitrail Glass Beads Gel.

5. Ranger - Known for products like Ranger Texture Paste and Ranger Crackle Paste.

6. DecoArt - Offers media texture products, including Modeling Paste, Crackle Paste, and White Gesso with Sand.

7. Prima Marketing - Provides various texture products like Art Basics Heavy Gesso and Art Extravagance Texture Paste.

8. Daniel Smith - Offers Watercolor Grounds that can be used to create textured surfaces for watercolor printing.

9. Art Alternatives - Offers a range of texture gels and modeling pastes for mixed media projects.

  When choosing texture mediums, consider the effect you want to achieve, the texture you are looking for, and the compatibility of your chosen art materials.  Experimenting with different brands and types of texture mediums can lead to exciting and unique artistic results.

  Collage Materials: Gather a variety of materials for collage work, such as old book pages, vintage papers, fabric scraps, and found objects.

  Types of Collage Materials:

1.   Paper - Magazines, newspapers, book pages, scrap paper, handmade paper, and tissue paper are commonly used in collage.

2. Fabric and Textiles - Cloth scraps, lace, fabric swatches, and other textiles can add texture and depth to collages.

3. Photographs - Old photos, printed images, or photographs can be incorporated into collages.

4. Found objects - Buttons, beads, keys, shells, dried leaves, and other small objects can be glued onto collage compositions.

5. Ephemera - Postcards, ticket stubs, letters, stamps, and other vintage items can add historical and nostalgic elements.

6. Paint and Ink - Acrylic paint, watercolors, and ink can be used to add color, texture, and visual interest.

7. Gel Mediums and Adhesives - These are used to adhere various materials together and create layers.

8. Texture Mediums - Acrylic Gels, pastes, and mediums can add texture and dimension to collages.

  Popular Brands for Collage Materials:

1.   Tim Holtz Idea-ology - Offers a wide range of vintage inspired ephemera, embellishments, and papers for collage.

2. Decoupage supplies - Brands like Mod-Podge offers a variety of decoupage mediums for adhering and sealing collage materials.

3. Strathmore - Provides collage papers and mixed media paper pads, suitable for various techniques.

4. Cavalini and Co. - Known for its vintage inspired ephemera and decorative papers.

5. Ranger - Offers products like Ranger Distress Collage Mediums and various adhesive options.

6. Tissue Paper Brands - Brands like Decopatch and Decoupage Boutique offer colorful tissue papers for collage.

7. Avery Elle - Offers patterned paper pads and stamps suitable for paper collages.

8. Scrapbooking Supplies - Brands like Echo Park, Graphic 45, Simple Stories, and Die Cuts with a View (DCWV) offer patterned papers and embellishments for collage.

9. Golden - Provides gel mediums, texture pastes, and other mediums for mixed media and collage.

10. Recycled Materials - Don't overlook everyday items like packaging, labels, and cardboard which can be repurposed for collage.

  Remember that collage isa versatile and creative art form, so you can explore a wide range of materials based on your vision and style.  Mixing and matching various types of materials can lead to captivating and unusually engaging compositions.

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Online Courses and Workshops:

Mixed Media Mastery: Enroll in an online course that covers a range of mixed media techniques, including layering, image transfer, and creating texture.

1. Udemy - Offers a variety of mixed-media art courses taught by instructors from around the world.

2. Skillshare - Provides a range of mixed media classes covering different techniques and styles.

3. Coursera - Offers courses on mixed media art and related subjects from universities and institutions.

4. CreativeLive - Features live and on-demand mixed media workshops taught by experienced artists.

5. Bluprint (previously Craftsy) - Offers mixed media courses on topics such as collage, assemblage, and more.

6. Created to Thrive (CTT) aka The Matt Tommey Artist Mentoring Program - While this program covers a wider base of artists, there is also a mixed media forum and I am currently going through the program myself.

7. Collage Magic - explore the world of collage art through workshops that teach composition, juxtaposition, and storytelling with found materials.

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  Inspirational Books and Magazines:

1.   The Artist's Way by Julia Cameron.  This book is a must read for any artist seeking to unlock their creative potential and overcome artistic blocks.

2. Art Journaling Magazine from Stampington & Co.  Delve into the world of art journaling and discover fresh ideas from combining different mediums in your journals.

3. Somerset Studio Magazine from Stampington & Co.  This one is my favorite.  It is a popular mixed media and art journaling magazine that focuses on showcasing a wide range of artistic techniques, styles and projects.  It is visually inspiring and includes interactive projects.  In the back you can find a list of contest submissions deadlines and guidelines if you want to try to submit your own work.

4. Mixed Media Artist Magazine - Stay updated with the latest of trends, techniques, and profiles of renowned mixed media artists.

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  Online Art Communities: Mixed Media Blogs and Tutorials - 

1. Mixed Media Art Forums: Join online communities where artists share their works, tips, and ideas.  Engage in discussions, seek advice, and find inspiration.

2. Instagram Art Challenge: Participate in art challenges and prompts on Instagram to push your creativity and connect with other artists worldwide.

3. Mixed Media Facebook Groups: Join Facebook groups dedicated to mixed media art to interact with like-minded individuals and showcase your creations.

4. Lindsay Weirich (the Frugal Crafter): Lindsay offers a variety of mixed media tutorials on her YouTube channel.

5. Balzer Designs: Julie Fei-Fan Balzar shares mixed media and art journaling tutorials.

6. Joggles - Offers a range of art and mixed media tutorials on their YouTube channel.

7.  Deviant Art: Browse the mixed media category for tutorials and artworks by various artists.

8. WetCanvas - An online art forum with discussions, tutorials, and challenges, related to mixed media.

  Online Art Supply Stores:

1. Dick Blick Art Materials: A one-stop shop for all your art supply needs, offering a vast selection of mixed media materials.

2. Jerry's Artarama: Find great deals on art supplies, including unique mixed media products and specialty tools

  Social Media:

1.   Instagram: Follow hashtags like #mixedmedia, #artjournaling, and #mixedmedia tutorial to discover artists and tutorials.

2. Pinterest: Search for mixed media boards and pins to find a collection of tutorials, techniques and inspiration.

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  Enhance the magic of mixed media art by exploring these resources and let your creativity soar to new heights.  Remember, the beauty of mixed media lies in experimentation and pushing boundaries.  Happy Creating!!