Arts >> Art >> Modern Art

How to Use Found Objects in Mixed Media

Imagine you are taking a walk and along the way you pick up some dried leaves, an old water bottle, a newspaper and old candy wrappers. These simple found items can be the basis of a mixed media art piece. Mixed media does mean that you can use more than one type of "media" such as paint, objects, ash or trash. Putting together a found object piece can be done fairly easily and you do not need any specific skills. Having a bit of creative flair will help you to consider the positioning and use of the found items.

Things You'll Need

  • Dried leaves
  • Water bottle
  • Newspaper
  • Mixed paints (any colors or variety)
  • Candy wrappers
  • Strong glue
  • Staple gun (optional)
  • Paintbrushes
  • Palette (or old pots to mix paint)
  • Water pot
  • Canvas (or a thick board)
  • Scissors
  • Spray clear varnish
Show More

Instructions

    • 1

      Lay your board or canvas on the floor, with an old piece of material underneath to protect the surface.

    • 2

      Paint over the board or canvas using any of the colors you like. Just paint over it mixing colors and painting. The idea of doing this is that you make a base for your work. Wait until the board or canvas is completely dry before continuing.

    • 3

      Find pictures in the newspaper of things or people that interest you. Cut these out and start sticking them on the board. Think carefully about where you are sticking them, whether you want an order of some kind or perhaps a collage of faces in the middle of the canvas.

    • 4

      Cut your old water bottle into pieces that will fit over all or some of your pictures. Glue the plastic pieces on with strong glue or use a staple gun.

    • 5

      Stick on the leaves as they are, arranging them any way you choose; or crunch them up and mix them with a paint color and make marks on the canvas with the new mixture. The creativity of this art piece is up to you; you can arrange any of the items in any way you choose.

    • 6

      Use the candy wrappers either by sticking them on randomly or cutting them up and making a collage, or again you could add to the paint and paint into the image. The piece you are making may be fairly abstract, or geometrical, Cubist or in a pattern of some sort. The style will be whatever you have chosen.

Modern Art

Related Categories