Did you know that there are dozens of fabulous books and magazine resources available to teach you new techniques and give you fresh ideas for your paper and mixed media craft projects? I have compiled a list of resources that I hope you will explore so that you can make all your craft projects happen!
Art Journal Courage: Fearless Mixed Media Techniques for Journaling Bravely (2014)
Dina Wakley; Designer, Maker, and Instructor, Dina Wakely offer encouragement to those who struggle with drawing expression and perfection. She explains tools, materials, and layering techniques.
Cloth-Paper-Scissors: Techniques and Inspiration for Creating Mixed-Media Art (2013)
Barbara Delaney presents articles and projects from the magazine including collage, journaling, encaustic, printing, assemblage, and more. Favorite tools and mediums are discussed. All levels.
Stampington Magazines are like reading a book that is lavishly illustrated on quality paper with articles and projects from the top mixed-media designers and crafters today. There is a section for reader contributions and free tear-out paper to add to your craft stash. Somerset Studio is printed seasonally and can be purchased on their website individually or by subscription.
Creating Art at the Speed of Life: 30 Days of Mixed-Media Exploration(2013)
Pam Carriker will teach you how to create your own mixed-media art journal. Included is a syllabus for 30 days of exercises along with worksheets. You will learn the basic principles of art including color, texture, shape, space, depth, mark-making, and shading. Let this guide help you grow into a more confident artist. (176 pages)
Wabi-Sabi Art Workshop: Mixed-Media Techniques for Embracing Imperfection (2013)
Serena Barton encourages readers to observe and appreciate the humble and ordinary things in life. She will teach you how to use those things as inspiration to create intuitive and expressive art while learning to embrace imperfection. Included are photos for inspiration, haikus, tips and trouble-shooting suggestions, and links to bonus online content. (128 pages)
Altered Books, Collaborative Journals, and Other Adventures in Bookmaking (2003)
Holly Harrison provides a guide to altering books using a variety of techniques including layering, painting, collage, sewing, and more. (128 pages)
Adventures in Mixed Media Art (2014)
Amy Jones has assembled a collection of projects from the best in the Mixed Media field including Dina Wakley and Mary Beth Shaw. Makers will learn techniques for collage, painting, and more. You will learn how to begin a mixed-media journal, collages, canvas paintings, and assemblage projects. A great book for newbies who don’t know how to begin.
Altered Surfaces: Using Acrylic Paints with Gels, Mediums, Grounds, and Pastes for Paper, Canvas Board, and Plastic (2008)
Chris Cozen demonstrates how all of the above work together to create cohesive projects by offering an introduction to artist-grade paints. Level up your mixed-media game by learning to think ‘outside the box’.
The Polymer Clay Artist’s Guide: A Directory of Mixes, Colors, Texturing, Faux Finishes, and Surface Effects (2013)
Marie Segal provides a comprehensive directory of everything you need to know to get started in polymer clay exploration. She discusses types of clay, the tools and equipment needed, and even how to set up your workspace. You will learn about inclusions, surface effects, textures, screen printing, embossing, carving, encaustic effects, decorative embellishments, and more. (160 pages)
Image Transfer Workshop: Mixed Media Techniques for Succesful Transfers (2009)
Darlene Olivia and Sandra Duran Wilson provide a comprehensive guide to 35 transfer processes. Also included are tips for how to handle mishaps. Makers will learn how to incorporate transfers in their mixed-media art projects. (128 pages)
Alternative Art Surfaces: Mixed Media Techniques for Painting on More Than 35 Different Surfaces
(2014) Sandra Duran Wilson presents exciting new ideas for alternative surfaces for mixed-media art projects. Discover how galvanized tin, rawhide, nylon, mica, slate, unsanded grout, and even spray foam can provide a substrate or surface for your next project. One hundred techniques are described as well as 125 tips for troubleshooting. You will see 50 finished pieces of artwork to inspire you to explore alternate surfaces.
Collage Unleashed (2006)
Traci Bautista and Tonia Davenport transport you into the colorful world of collage teaching crafters of every level how to create fabric journals, art books, and mixed media paintings. Learn techniques featuring crayon transfers, free-style lettering, funky embroidery, and bookbinding using paper, fabric, dyes, beads, and paints in exciting new ways. (128 pages)
Adventures in Mixed Media: Collage, Stitch, Fuse, and Journal Your Way to a More Creative Life (2011)
Jane Davies explores 2 and 3-dimensional pieces that include fabric, fiber, and a variety of embellishments and found items. Projects include mini-quilts, bags, books, and even dolls. All levels. (144 pages)
Drawing and Painting Beautiful Faces: A Mixed-Media Portrait Workshop (2015)
Jane Davenport introduces the foundations for drawing facial features, creating smooth skin tones, and more. She gives crafters practical experience in using pencils, watercolor, markers, pens, acrylic, pastel, ink, and ephemera. A delightful and colorful journey. (136 pages)
The Art of Steampunk: Extraordinary Devises and Ingenious Contraptions from the Leading Artists of the Steampunk Movement (2013)
What is Steampunk? To quote the author, “A unique fantasy version of 19th century Victorian England imbued with today’s technology, resulting in devices and contraptions that seem to have sprung from the mind of a twenty-first-century scientist. The ‘steam’ refers to steam power as in fire-breathing machines of antique locomotion. The ‘punk’ is an important reference to an outsider attitude.”
Author Art Donovan explores this edgy genre as he demonstrates how to craft the steampunk look using everything from watches to jewelry. (168 pages)
Personal Geographies: Exploration in Mixed Medis Mapmaking (2011)
This guide is all about you. Jill K. Berry will teach you how to create maps of yourself – your experiences, travels, life experiences, and even your future goals. She explores creative mapmaking using paint on a black surface alcohol inks, carvings with custom stamps, and pochoir (the art of stencil). (144 pages)
Mixed Media Girls: Drawing, Painting, and Fanciful Adornments from Start to Finish (2012)
Susy Blu demonstrates how to creatively draw and paint whimsical girls on a variety of substrates adding fanciful adornments. Learn how to draw folk art and stylized girls with personalities and then dress them in costumes. Explore the use of a variety of substrates including carved beeswax, distressed wood, layered paint, fabric collage, and texture built up with mediums and pastes. (128pages)
Journal Fodder 365: Daily Doses of Inspiration for the Art Addict (2012)
Authors Eric M. Scott and David R. Modler take you on a year-long adventure in writing, drawing, painting, and collage. Twelve themed chapters provide inspiration that will help you create your own journal in a personal and relevant new way. (144 pages)
Collage Couture: Techniques for Creating Fashionable Art (128 pages)
Julie Nutting is well known for her popular paper doll stamps distributed through Prima Marketing. Now she shows big girls how to create little girl paper dolls. She explores 22 projects using collages on canvas as well as framed shadow boxes to display your own art projects. (128 pages) Also see her book, Collage Studio Paper Dolls: Design, Collage, Cut, and Play.
Art Journal Freedom: How to Journal Creatively with Color and Composition (2013)
Dina Wakely is well known in the Mixed Media world as an artist and designer of her own line of mixed media products. She emphasizes the principle that mixed media art has no rules. But she also stresses the importance of composition, symmetry, contrast, color, and the power of black and white. By learning basic art principles you will find you have more freedom in your creativity to push the boundaries in your own journal and mixed media projects. (128 pages)
101 Mixed Media Techniques