How to Create a Mixed Media Collage

Mixed media collage art is a popular medium that combines different elements, including textures, colors, and subjects, into a single and cohesive piece. Traditionally, artists would cut out images from magazines or newspapers, or even print their own photos to create layered collages by hand. They would then arrange these pieces on a canvas or paper, often mixing in other media like paint, ink, or fabric to create something entirely new and unique.

Thanks to BeFunky’s Photo Editor, however, you can achieve this creative, mixed media effect without the messy and time-consuming process! With features like our Cutout and Clipping Mask tools, as well as the ability to edit individual layers, it’s easy to create stunning art collages that blend different textures, colors, subjects, and more. Keep reading to see exactly how it’s done!

How to Make a Mix Collage Using BeFunky

Ready to start a mixed media collage? Head to the Photo Editor and follow these 6 easy steps!

Step 1: Open the Base Image of Your Collage

To create your mixed media collage, you’ll want to first open the image that will be the base, or bottom-most level of your collage. For this project, we’re starting with some graph paper.

Click Open at the top of the screen, then select the destination you want to open your image from. You can also click More > Stock Images to use one of the million+ free stock images available in BeFunky’s library.

Step 2: Select the Next Layer of Your Collage

You’ll then want to add another image to your mix media collage to begin layering it. To do this, navigate to Image Manager, then select Computer or the three dots (...) to upload your file. You can also click Search Stock Images to upload a stock image instead.

Once added to your Image Manager, simply drag and drop the image onto your canvas as a layer.

Step 3: Cutout Your Image Layer

To give your project that true collage aesthetic, you’ll need to remove the background from the layer image you just uploaded. Select the image with your mouse, then click Cutout from the Image Properties panel.

Within the Cutout tool, you can then select Isolate Subject to remove your subject’s background instantly. Click Apply to keep your changes.

Pro Tip: If necessary, you can also adjust your Cutout selection, including keeping or removing sections.

Once back to your canvas, you can drag the corners of your image to make it bigger or smaller. You can also click and move the image with your cursor to reposition it.

Step 4: Add Vector Images (Optional)

To add some additional layers to your mixed media collage, you can also use the many graphics available in BeFunky’s Graphics Library. Navigate to Graphics from the main menu on the left, then click Search Graphics.

You can also select from some basic shapes, located underneath. For this step, we’ve added a star.

Step 5: Use the Clipping Mask Tool (Optional)

Want to add a fun texture, pattern, or photo to your graphic or shape? With BeFunky’s Clipping Mask tool, doing so is easy! Just upload the texture, pattern, or photo into your Image Manager, then drag and drop it onto the graphic you wish to change.  

As you can see here, we’ve added a gold foil texture to our star. You can then repeat this process for as many graphics or shapes as you wish to change.

Pro Tip: Want to duplicate a graphic or shape within your collage to create repetition or a pattern? Just right-click on the graphic, then select Duplicate Item.

Step 6: Save Your Finished Mixed Media Collage

Once you’ve finished making your mix collage, click Save at the top of the screen and select your desired save location.

What Other Styles of Mixed Media Collages Can You Create?

When it comes to creating a mixed media collage, BeFunky’s Photo Editor offers endless possibilities for creativity. Whether you’re looking for inspiration or trying to decide on a specific style for your next project, here are four fun trends you can explore (that we made!).

Floral Portraits

One popular style in mixed media collage art is the floral portrait. This trend involves taking a black-and-white portrait and overlaying it with vibrant floral graphics or textures. This style is perfect for creating eye-catching and whimsical art that brings life and color to an otherwise simple portrait.

You can use BeFunky’s Cutout tool to create floral vectors which can then be layered around the face, in the hair, or even as a background. The Background Remover tool is also helpful for giving your portrait a plain background, allowing your collage art to pop even more.

Abstract Geometric Landscapes

Another trend in contemporary collage art is the combination of minimalist landscapes with bold and abstract geometric shapes. You can achieve this by starting with a serene black-and-white or muted color landscape, and then adding layers of brightly colored shapes or lines. This juxtaposition of natural and geometric elements creates a modern and avant-garde piece that stands out. This style is particularly effective for creating art that has a futuristic twist.

Textured Mixed Media Collages

For those who love the tactile quality of traditional collage, textured mixed media collages are a great way to incorporate that feeling into your digital art. This style involves layering different textures over your base image. For example, you could start with a simple portrait or landscape photo and then layer in textures that resemble torn paper, painted brushstrokes, or fabric swatches.

BeFunky’s extensive library of stock images makes it easy to find the perfect textures to add depth and interest to your collage. The key to this style is using the Clipping Mask tool to blend the textures into elements of your image. This allows you to create a cohesive piece that’s full of depth too.

Vintage Meets Modern

Another captivating trend in mixed media collage art is the fusion of vintage and modern elements. This style involves taking nostalgic, old-school images (such as retro advertisements, vintage portraits, or sepia-toned landscapes) and blending them with bold and contemporary graphics or vibrant colors.

For example, you could start with a vintage portrait and then layer in neon-colored shapes, doodles, abstract patterns, or even modern typography. The Paint Brush tool located in the Touch Up tab is perfect for adding doodles to your collage, as we’ve done in the example below. BeFunky’s Editing Layers ability also allows you to experiment with different photo effects and blending modes, helping you achieve the perfect balance between old and new.

Start a Mixed Media Collage Today

Creating mixed media collage art doesn’t require a studio full of supplies or hours of cutting and pasting. With BeFunky’s Photo Editor, you can easily achieve the layered and creative look of mixed media collages right from your computer!

Ready to start your own mixed media collage? Check out the Photo Editor to see just how easy it is!

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