{Mixed Media} Basics to Start

Are you interested in trying mixed media? Someone online told me that they wanted to get started but wondered what basic supplies they needed. So, here is a list that includes free items, inexpensive items, etc. Use what you have. I can't stress that enough. Don't feel that you have to buy a bunch of supplies or expensive supplies. While I love Golden paints, I also use the $1 paints from the craft store! Those work. Buy some gesso, blue, yellow, and red acrylic paint. You can mix the colors you want if you don't want to purchase more. Gesso can also be used as a white paint. So, here is a list of goodies you can use and get started with. This list is not exhaustive, and you don't have to have everything on the list either!

• acrylic paints
• book paper (to create decorative pieces and cut words)
• brayer
• bubble wrap (to stamp circles on pages)
• colored pencils and/or pens (ballpoint pens work, for marks and doodles)
• cup of water (to make splatters and clean brush)
• date stamp
• deli paper (to protect pages or to paint on)
• gesso (Liquitex Professional is my favorite)
• glue stick (Uhu is my favorite)
• hardware supplies—joint tape, masking paper, etc.
• heat tool (my favorite is the Ranger heat tool)
• makeup sponges (to use with stencils)
• old lids (to make circles)
• paintbrush (I like a round brush 8 or 10 to make splatters)
• palette knife
• pencil (to make marks and doodles)
• Ranger archival ink jet black
• Ranger matte medium
• scissors
• security envelopes (to create decorative pieces and cut words)
• spray bottle
• stamps including alphabet stamps
• stencils
• stickers
• tissue paper from packaging (to make embellishments or create backgrounds)
• used hotel keys or gift cards (for paint palette and scraping on paints)
• washi tape
• waterbrush
• watercolors
• waterproof pens (for text that you don't want to smear if other wet media is used)
• paper towels/baby wipes (for excess paint and cleanup)

I did not post any particular art journal because I find I love to create in old books, on old paper, index cards, canvas, you name it. Grab what you have and begin creating. Play and have fun. Experiment. Watch free videos on YouTube. Find your style. And feel free to ask questions in the comment section. I will respond there. Thanks for stopping by, and I hope this has been somewhat helpful. Happy creating!