10 mixed media canvas ideas

My walls can attest to how many mixed media canvases I've created in the last 2 years. *winks* I love that some bloggy pals are working their way to creating a mixed media canvas wall gallery too. :) Here are 10 mixed media canvases to help you get started....

Clustering all my fave things on a canvas

1.  Use one big embellishment as your focal point.

I wanted to use this big pink bloom as the focal point so I clustered smaller dimensional objects around it. The elements add texture and interest but do not detract from the focal point because thy are much smaller in scale.

The almost ruined mixed media canvas

2. Play with paints and mediums for a whimsical scene.

It's hard to paint a realistic tree but a whimsical one is much easier. I used pearlescent paint for my leaves and added gold mica flakes for a shimmering tree. And if you read my original post, you would know that my niece's photo was used to cover up a major boo-boo. *winks*

Mixed media canvas with old computer parts

3. Use found objects for your "scene".

I really wanted to incorporate my old computer parts as well as the test-tube so I made a "shelf" for all my found elements to sit on. The computer wires became my "vines".

A lazy person's mixed media canvas

4. Keep it simple.

I love the design on the patterned paper but the colours were too muted for me. So I intensified the the colours with colorants, added more stamping to mimic what was already on the paper, and finished with sparkle and some dimensional elements.

My latest love

5. Use a quote or sentiment.

I love this chipboard sentiment so I made that my focal point and just added blooms and vines to accentuate it.

Happy birthday to me

6. Make it fun and unexpected.

You know me...I love an eclectic mix of things. The things don't really go together but that makes it fun and unexpected.

My obsession with Art Anthology paints

7. Give an unusual colour combo a go.

Unusual colour combos can produce interesting results. Black, silver and gray with pops of colour in the smaller blooms and leaves

Vintage lace over a mixed media background

8. Go over the top with the layering.

What do you do if you want to use wrapping tissue and a piece of leftover vintage lace? Well, you use them both! I adhered my scrunched up wrapping tissue to my canvas base, added colorants then added my vintage lace as an overlay before embellishing on top of it. I LOVE the peek-a-boo effect of the lace. [Hmmmm...I should so do this again.]

Mixed media canvas with vintage tag

9. Cheat with a ready-made tag.

I love this vintage embellished tag so I created a textured background and then extended the elements from the tag to the rest of the canvas.

My dark side on canvas

10. Play with frames.

I really wanted to use the frames I had so I created a textured background to serve as "wallpaper" for my whimsical room. I had a little "accident" with nephew #2's frame so he became the scale marker for my room.

There you have it. 10 mixed media canvas ideas. Which is your fave?