Mixed Media Art Journaling: 5 Easy Layering & Texture Techniques

It’s Mixed Media Art Journaling day!

Today’s project is all about building a rich, textured background using simple black-and-white elements and blue tones. It’s the perfect exercise for when you’re feeling creatively “stuck.”

You can watch the video below or on my YouTube channel

The Process

1. The Base: Tear up black-and-white decoupage papers (scripts and numbers) and collage them randomly. Seal with matte medium.

2. Muting: Use a brayer with white acrylic paint to “knock back” the background. This softens the black ink so your next layers pop.

3. Dry Brushing: Apply two shades of blue paint with a completely dry brush. This keeps the colors distinct and allows the text underneath to peek through.

4. Texture: Use a stencil and black opaque texture paste in three areas (the “triangle rule”) to create physical dimension.

5. The Focal Point: Stack floral cutouts colored with distress sprays.

The Finishing Touches

• Sketchy Borders: Use a fine black marker for imperfect outlines around your flowers to make them stand out.

• Dimensional Lines: Instead of a flat white pen, use a white contour liner for raised, vibrant highlights.

• The Frame: A wavy black border adds movement and frames the entire composition.

Closeup Photos

here are some close up photos

the gauze adds just enough texture without overwhelming the whole project, it is such a subtle detail

lots of sketchy lines and white highlights

Supply List

Use Coupon Code: SMILE to take 11% OFF at Scrapbook.com SITEWIDE. This offer ends Sunday, March 29th at midnight MST.

Decoupage Papers [ SBC ] Layering Stencils – Meadow Ledger [ SBC ] Laser Cuts – Inkable Florals [ SBC ] Clear Stamps – Background Elements [ SBC ] Laser Cut Sentiments [ SBC ] Ranger Ink – Tim Holtz – Distress… [ SBC ] Distress Paint – Uncharted Mariner [ SBC ] Distress Paint – Speckled Egg [ SBC ] Distress Spray Stain – Kitsch Flamingo [ SBC ] Distress Spray Stain – Spun Sugar [ SBC ] Distress Spray Stain – Twisted Citron [ SBC ] Distress Spray Stain – Rustic Wilderness [ SBC ] Nuvo – Deluxe Adhesive [ SBC ] Rice Paper Glue [ SBC ] Contour Liner – White [ SBC ]

Need more art journal inspiration? Check here!