Mixed Media Art

Dr. Neeru Bharti Sharma

Assistant Professor

Dept. of Fine Arts

Hans Raj Mahila Maha Vidyalaya

What is Mixed Media Art?

• When different media or materials are used to create unique visual art, it is called mixed media art.��Mixed media art is an art form that doesn't place restrictions on people who don't know how to draw or don't have good fine art skills. It is a creative field in which anyone who is keenly interested in creating something can participate. Once you select an area of mixed media art, it requires mastery of a particular skillset and ingenious use of specific materials.
• Varied materials like cloth, wood, paper, etc., can be used to create mixed media art forms like assemblages, recycling, journaling, and collages. The main difference between multimedia art and mixed media art is that multimedia art has non-visual elements like video, sound, literature, etc., while mixed media has only visual elements. 

History of Mixed Media Art

• Looking at the history of mixed media art, what we all know nowadays as mixed media art began during the early twentieth century, when artists looking for a substitute for what they saw as hidebound academicism started including things and pictures that were not regarded as art materials in their works. Examples of everyday materials being included in ceremonial or aesthetic objects could be found dating back to prehistory, however, these were produced with different motives, and served quite a distinct social purpose compared to the objects all of us refer to as “art.”

Still Life with Chair Caning, Pablo Picasso, oil on oil-cloth over canvas edged with rope��

• Picasso’s Still Life with Chair Painting (May 1912) is often considered the 1st modern collage, it is actually an assemblage of oil paint, oil cloth, pasted paper, as well as rope, turning it into a low-relief, three-dimensional work. The first collages constructed solely of paper, on the other hand, were made by Braque in the summertime of 1912, when he utilized wood-grained wallpaper in a series of charcoal drawings.

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• After a brief pause in collage activity, the 1920s’ art scene experienced the arrival of German dada artist Kurt Schwitters’s remarkable array of personal expressions accomplished in collage and assemblage. He fixed everyday found papers as well as things of all types to canvas, paper, and board supports, giving them another and most likely more notable life.

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• In the 1930s, Henri Matisse utilized cut-paper shapes as preparatory work for commissioned items to be executed in some other media. But in 1947, he published a small collection of twenty color plates of his cutout designs. Joseph Cornell’s work in stage like boxed assemblages during the early 1940s began the abstract expressionists’ search for collage as an art form.
• The liberty of expression engendered by means of collage explorations headed directly to the assemblages, constructions, and also combine paintings of Robert Rauschenberg, Jasper Johns, Jean Dubuffet, and Ellsworth Kelly, as well as to their experimental work in the 1950s as well as 60’s. And their particular work in turn created the conditions for the installations, appropriations, settings, and new object works of the eighties and 1990’s.

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Matisse at the Hôtel Régina, Nice, c. 1952��

• Mixed media art, drawing from the efforts of early artists, made mixed media an accessible art form for both skilled and novice artists. Assemblage as well as collage can be obtained combined with acrylic and watercolor painting, rubber-stamped art, sculpture as well as altered books. Fibers, torn papers, inks, glitter plus beads are discovering their way into works of fine art as well as commercial items such as greeting cards and quilts.

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Types of Mixed Media Art

• Artists are constantly innovating and experimenting, to create original, bold works of art. Let us look at the common ways used to create Mixed Media art, combining different methods and mediums.
• Sculpture
• Collage
• Assemblage
• Altered Books
• Wet and Dry Media
• Installation Art

Sculpture: Many times, a sculpture is created by using different materials; hence, it can be categorized under mixed media art. The materials used in making a mixed media sculpture can be wood, wire, glass, metal, found objects, etc. A creative artist chooses a base material and then add additional materials like paint to the sculpture to make it interesting and create elements of pattern, shape or color.

Collage: When a base like wood, paper, stone, or any object is attached to any other medium like paper or fabric, it can be termed a collage. A Collage gives the impression that is not a planned or controlled work of art. The base can be a blank canvas, pieces of flat wood, paper, cardboard or found objects; so you can make your own mixed media collages with just about anything you can think of. There are endless possibilities and an artist can create a two-dimensional piece by gluing varied materials such as magazines and newspaper clippings, ribbons, paints, ink, paper, fabric, other artworks like photographs, etc. to the base, and then drawing or adding paint.  The origins of Collage goes back hundreds of years but it came into prominence only in the early 20th century. 

• Assemblage: An Assemblage is similar to collage, but it has three-dimensional elements, that are combined to create a piece of art that tells a story. Found objects, both man-made and natural are typically used in assemblages. Metal pieces, hardware, wooden blocks, cardboard boxes make for sturdy bases for assemblage art. Lightweight objects, to name a few are beads, buttons, wires, plastic bottles, game pieces, toys, and everyday objects.�Some assemblages are hung on the wall like a painting, while others are created as sculptures.�
• Altered Books: A book in this mixed media art is taken as a base to create art. It can be transformed into a collage, painting, tearing, etc. so that the book has a new function or to make it more attractive. If the literature of the book is used, it can also be referred to, as part of multimedia art.

• Wet and Dry Media: Mixing drawing with painting is a common technique used in mixed media art. An artist should be aware of the effect the art produces. Charcoal drawing mixed with oil-based paints is an inventive way to make it stand out. Another technique, termed Resist, creates a unique look, combining oil and water-based paints. 
•  Installation Art: Installation art is a visual art where artists utilize space as a potential canvas and build three-dimensional structures. The artists aim to transform the area and create an environment by installing varied materials, often in ways they are not meant to be used. Since the installations fill an entire room or gallery, spectators become drawn to fully engage with parts of the artwork as they explore every segment.

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What Is a Collage?

• A collage is a visual representation made from an assembly of different forms, materials and sources creating a new whole. A collage may include newspaper clippings, ribbons, bits of coloured or hand-made papers, portions of other artwork, photographs, and such, glued (photo shopped) to a solid support or canvas. Making collages is an important visualisation technique in the design process, next to design drawing and three dimensional modelling.

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History of Collage

• The word ‘collage’ derives from the French word ‘glue’, and was first popularised by Pablo Picasso and Georges Braque in 1912. This wasn’t the first time the word collage had been used, or even the first time a collage had been created. But this era was when it became mainstream in the art world.
• After the first world war, the Dada movement made collage art more popular still. Starting in Switzerland, Dadaists began creating artwork known as photomontages.

• This art movement resulted in satirical and nonsensical artwork and has been described as a reaction to the horrors of the war.
• This period paved the way for collages to become a fundamental part of the art world and is an important moment in history. If the Dada movement hadn’t evolved, art today may look very different.

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The Main Types of Collages

• Paper Collages
• Digital Collages
• Mixed Media Collages
• Photomontage Collages

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• 1. Paper Collages
• These are like puzzles made from paper pieces. People cut out or tear bits of paper and arrange them into a picture or design. They use glue to stick everything together. It's like making a beautiful paper mosaic. Famous artists like Henri Matisse created stunning paper collages.
• 2. Digital Collages
• This kind is made using computers. Instead of scissors and glue, artists use software to cut and paste digital images and graphics. The cool thing is you can mix photos, drawings, and even text to create a digital masterpiece. ollages.

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• 3. Mixed Media Collages
• They are a bit like art experiments. Artists mix all sorts of stuff – like paint, fabric, buttons, and more – to create a unique piece. It's like cooking up an art recipe with various ingredients. Some artists, like Robert Rauschenberg, are known for their mixed media works.
• 4. Photomontage Collages
• Photomontage collages use photos as the main ingredient. Artists cut and paste photos to create a new image. It's a bit like making a photo story where one image tells a whole tale. Famous artists like David Hockney made eye-catching photomontage collages!

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Steps of Crafting a Collage

• If you're into photomontage collages, Luminar Neo software has a handy Erase Tool that works like a digital eraser. It lets you easily remove things you don't want in your photos, making your collage creation smoother. With this tool, you can make your pictures blend seamlessly and tell your own visual story. It's like having a digital magic wand for your photomontage art.
• Creating a collage is like putting together a puzzle. Here are the steps artists usually follow:
• Conceptualization and Planning
• Gathering Materials and Resources
• Arranging and Adhering Elements
• Adding Finishing Touches

• Conceptualization and Planning: Think about what you want your collage to be about. Plan the design and decide on the materials you'll use. It's like having a map before you start a journey.
• Gathering Materials and Resources: Collect all the materials you need. This could be paper, pictures, fabric, or anything you want to include in your artwork. It's like getting all the ingredients ready before you cook a meal.

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• Arranging and Adhering Elements: Now comes the fun part! Arrange your materials on your canvas or paper. Move things around until you like how they look. Then, use glue or other adhesives to stick them down. It's like putting the puzzle pieces in their right places.
• Adding Finishing Touches: Once everything is in place, add any final details or touches to make your work extra special. It's like adding seasoning to your dish to make it just right.
• Collage art is all about letting your creativity shine. Don't be afraid to try new things and experiment with different materials. Sometimes, the most unexpected combinations can lead to the most amazing results. Think of it as your artistic playground where you're free to explore and have fun.

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• In visual art, mixed media describes artwork in which more than one medium or material has been employed. Assemblages, collages, and sculpture are three common examples of art using different media.
• Materials used to create mixed media art include, but are not limited to, paint, cloth, paper, wood and found objects.

• Mixed media art is distinguished from multimedia art which combines visual art with non-visual elements, such as recorded sound, literature, drama, dance, motion graphics, music, or interactivity.