Learn Together

Experimenting with different colors, geometric shapes, images, and patterns shows children the connection between STEM and creative expression through art.

Materials

  • Sturdy paper, such as watercolor or mixed media paper
  • Washable markers
  • Acrylic or tempera paint (at least 4 colors)
  • Spray bottle filled with water
  • Rag or napkin
  • Paper for a home-made stencil
  • Hole puncher
  • Scissors
  • Newspaper, books, magazines, cards, maps, scrapbook items, etc. 
  • Glue
  • Sponge 
  • Pen

Make Together

A mixed media art journal incorporates colors, geometric shapes, images, patterns, and different materials. This kind of journaling is an experimental process where you can have fun mixing all kinds of paints, paper, and different items into book artwork. 

Follow along with ideas and pointers below and enjoy our Mixed Media Journaling video to see different techniques. 

Experiment with color mixing.

  1. Draw random scribbles and designs with washable markers around your paper.
  2. Dab paint directly onto paper using your finger, a rag, or a napkin. 
  3. Spray the whole page with water. Watch the colors swirl and spread! What new colors are created as they mix?
  4. Use your rag or napkin to dab all over the page — it’s okay if colors mix together. Fill as much of the page as you want. 

Let’s add geometric shapes by painting with stencils!

  1. To make a stencil:
    • Grab a hole puncher and a piece of sturdy paper. Create your own pattern. Punch holes close together or spaced far apart. 
    • For a striped stencil, fold your paper in half and cut rectangles starting on the fold. 
    • A symmetrical shape is one where if you drew an imaginary line through the shape it would be the same on both sides. You can create a stencil of a symmetrical shape, like a heart, circle, or diamond, by drawing the shape, folding along the line of symmetry, and cutting it out.
  2. Place your stencil wherever you want the pattern. Dab paint directly onto the stencil design with a rag or napkin. 
  3. Repeat with a new stencil shape or with the same stencil on a different part of the paper with a new paint color. 
  4. Repeat the previous steps to add texture and depth to your art journal. 

Create “focal points” on your page to draw focus to the center of your journal. Interesting images and the layout of patterns will draw the eye to different parts of the artwork. 

  1. Cut different shapes or images from a newspaper, book, or magazine.
  2. Glue a few shapes or images to the center of your page going downwards. Add some to the corners. Make sure to layer these on top of each other. 
  3. Add embellishments to create a story, a mood, or a thought. Use pictures from old cards, old maps, or photocopied scrapbook ephemera. 
  4. Add one more layer of paint color with a sponge over parts of your pictures for a layered vintage look. Repeat as many times as you wish.
  5. Use a pen to write your thoughts, your favorite quote, or whatever story you want to add to your visual journal in a section of the page.