Curious Collage Society | Project | Skill-building mixed media reference guide

Helpful Tips for Skill-Building Mixed Media

This free one-page reference guide was created to support the Curious Collage Society Skill-Building Mixed Media Projects (1062–1072)—but it’s just as useful for any collage or mixed media practice.

Rather than rules or theory, this guide offers calm, practical clarity for the moments when paint, glue, paper, and water start interacting in unexpected ways. It’s designed to sit beside you while you work—something you can glance at, trust, and return to whenever questions pop up.

What This Guide Covers

• The best adhesives for collage and why archival choices matter

• Brush types and when to use soft vs. stiff bristles

• Spray sealers, finishes, and how to protect layered work

• Paper types and how different surfaces behave

• Printer and ink considerations when working with eBooks

• When to use gesso—and when it’s better to skip it

• Simple color tips to help avoid muddy results

How To Use It

This PDF works as a quick-reference sheet you can print, keep nearby, or revisit anytime you’re unsure what material to reach for next. It supports exploration without pressure—and encourages confidence through understanding.

As with all Curious Collage Society resources, this guide is grounded in the belief that experimentation comes first, finished work comes second—and both matter.

Download it once. Use it often. Ignore what doesn’t apply. Come back when curiosity strikes.

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Tear Up, Cut Up and Stick On