If you have a collection of leftover collage scraps, palette papers, and used tissue papers, don’t throw them away! Instead, transform them into stunning mixed media postcards.
This simple yet creative project is a great way to use up scrap paper in mixed media while experimenting with layers, textures, and colors.
Here’s a step-by-step guide to creating your own set of unique, bird-themed mixed media postcards:
If you enjoy experimenting with mixed media techniques like me, I have a collection of creative projects for you! From abstract mark making to textured collages and art journaling, explore a variety of tutorials that will spark your creativity.
Step 1: Gather and Arrange Your Scrap Papers
Start with a 4×6 postcard-sized cartridge paper or any sturdy base. For the first layer, gather different kinds of scrap papers—this could be colored paper, book pages, sheet music, or magazine pages. I also used:
- Palette paper with dried paint for added texture and color.
- Used tissue papers (the ones I wipe my brushes with), which already have bits of color and texture.
- Gelli print papers for additional variety.
Arrange your scraps in a pleasing composition and glue them down, ensuring that different textures and colors are well-balanced. Let it dry completely before moving on.
Step 2: Blend with an Acrylic Layer
Once your collage layer is dry, it’s time to bring everything together with an acrylic paint layer. I used burnt umber and white, keeping the outer edges darker to create a vignette effect. This step helps to blend the collaged elements into a cohesive mixed media background.
Tip: When painting over textured papers like tissue paper, use a dry brush with white paint to highlight the raised textures, creating a beautiful distressed effect.
Step 3: Add More Collage Elements
Now that your base is ready, it’s time to add another layer of collage. This time, keep it minimal—just a few more pieces to enhance the composition. I used:
- Collage clusters (pre-made from my scrap stash).
- Tissue paper with black mark-making, which dissolves slightly when glued down, allowing the marks to blend seamlessly into the background.
This extra layer adds depth and more variation to the artwork.
Step 4: Add Watercolor Details
Before adding the focal point, enhance the edges and background with watercolor. I darkened the edges slightly and added some subtle paint splatters for an organic touch.
Step 5: Add the Focal Point – Vintage Birds
For the focal point, I used vintage birds cutouts that I downloaded from GraphicsFairy and fussy cut. You can find plenty of free printable vintage images online. Since the birds were dark in color, I first painted a small white space underneath them to help them pop against the background. Then, I glued them down carefully.
Step 6: Final Touches – Words and Borders
To complete the postcard, I added words and phrases cut out from old books. You can use quotes, phrases, or single words that fit the theme of your piece. After gluing them down, I sketched around them with a black pen to create a subtle frame.
And that’s it! A beautiful, layered mixed media postcard made entirely from scrap paper.
Final Thoughts
This project is a great way to use up scrap paper in mixed media while creating something unique and meaningful. Whether you’re making a single postcard or a series, the process allows for endless experimentation with layers, textures, and focal points.
Give this project a try, and let me know—how do you use scrap papers in your mixed media art?
