When it comes to learning about how to use different mixed media products, my best advice is to just play around. Though I do have a few basic tips.

This article will look at many of the various types of mediums and some of their uses and properties. It's meant to give you an idea of their intended use and give you links to some of the best mediums out there.

Gesso comes in many colors: white, black and clear.

Gesso
Gesso is your best friend. It is a primer that has grippy micro teeth in it that makes smooth surfaces paintable. This primer is great for painting onto slick surfaces such as metal and dried hot glue that will then allow other mediums to stick to it. Gesso also comes in three finishes: white, black and clear. The one you choose to use will depend on what you are going to do with your project. For example, depending on what color I want to show up when using Finnabair's Opal Magic mediums, I sometimes use black gesso.

If you don't like something, you can always paint over it with gesso and start over. This is especially true on projects in which you go over the entire surface with gesso and then alter with paints, waxes, etc. This is a little bit harder on projects that include many paper elements that you do not alter.

My favorite gesso is Dina Wakley's made by Ranger. It's thinner so it makes it easy to apply, though you may find you need more than one layer for certain projects.

Different mediums provide different adhesion strengths and properties.

Adhesives
When you add on your elements, use a medium like heavy body gel. Not only will it really adhere even heavy items to your project, but it also has a long dry time, allowing you to move your elements around to just the right spot before it fully cures. My go-to heavy body gel is Finnabair's.

Soft gloss gel is great for adhering fibers, ribbons, art stones and sequins. Just be sure to keep a cup of water handy--if this stuff dries on your brush you won't ever be able to use it again. (But if it does get ruined, hang on to that brush for an altered mixed media project!) My favorite soft gloss gel is by Finnabair.

Tim Holtz's collage mediums are also great for adhering down elements of your project, whether it is paper or metal accents. It comes in matte, vintage and crazing. The matte also comes in a fine tip applicator, like glossy accents which is also great for adhering papers and smaller items.

Add texture to your project with different pastes and stones.

Texture Mediums
Texture mediums do just what their title suggests--they add texture to your project. There are a variety of texture mediums and all add a different effect to your piece. Some texture mediums come in opaque and translucent, depending on how and when you wish to add them to your project.

Texture pastes run the gamut of texture levels. Tim Holtz's grit paste that has a very granular texture. (His opaque version is great for adding snow to your winter or holiday mixed media projects!) Or you could go for something a little smoother by applying Finnabair's icing pastes through a stencil giving you a pearly look with raised and recessed areas. If you want a texture with character, try out a crackle paste. It applies smooth and when it dries, it creates the crackle effect. The thicker you apply it, the bigger the crackle; the thinner you apply it, the smaller the crackle effect is. You can even go for a chunky look with Finnabair's art stones which come in several sizes.

The texture medium you choose really depends on what you want your project to look like. If it is a grungy steampunk piece, add some grittier textures. If you are going for something softer, reach for a smoother paste. If you want that shabby chic look, try out the crackle!

Some of my favorite texture mediums are the Tim Holtz grit paste and crackle paste.

Add color and effects with paints, mica flakes, beads and more.

Paints and Effect Mediums
Paints and other mediums will add color and pizzazz to your projects. There are so many other wonderful mediums to play with like water colors, impastos, waxes and more. Each of these special mediums brings its own unique character to your project.

There are soft watercolors and now even ones that are metallic accents. There are also concentrated watercolors, oil pastels and more. Impastos offer a thicker, matte texture but can be watered down to a wash with plain water.

Waxes now come in both metallic and matte to offer a variety of finishes.  Acrylic paints provide high impact color with a variety of finishes and shine. Just know that waxes and acrylic paints do not hold other mediums on them unless you go over it gesso to change it. You can layer acrylics on acrylics and waxes on waxes though.

There are even pastes with iridescent glitter in them and liquids that self level to create enamel dots or you can even paint with them. Sprays and powders offer an easy way to dust and spritz on color with different sheens.


There are effect pastes that create a rust effect and patina effect that help grunge up your projects. There are embossing glazes to add sheen or a wash of color. There are inks and hybrid inks that react to water and create amazing backgrounds. Or try out alcohol inks on smooth surfaces for fun color play.

You can also add mica flakes, sequins, beads, micro beads, glass glitter, gems and more that create amazing effects and texture.

There are so many options but my two favorite designer/creator for mixed media paints and effect mediums are Tim Holtz and Finnabair. Tim's entire distress line offers a variety of mediums and Finnabiar offers everything from the basics, like texture pastes, to the unique, such as her opal magic mediums. I also like Lindy's Gang for embossing powders and sprays that offer really cool color effects.


Don't be intimidated by all of these different mediums. And don't be afraid to experiment. Half the fun is getting a little messy and seeing where your project takes you. Your project may not always turn out how you first envisioned it, but you will almost certainly learn something new along the way.

Happy Crafting!
Adrienne