A basic neutral mixed media background can be used as a stand alone piece like the one here or as a way to approach an art journal page. I’ve also used this technique on boxes for assemblage art.

Here I’ve used a scrap piece of chipboard that I found at my local creative recycle center as my substrate. Using Matte Mod Podge as my medium, I then tore up book pages in random pieces to adhere to the substrate. I first poured a generous amount of Mod Podge on the chip board and spread it evenly. By doing this, I can adhere the torn page pieces quickly making sure that I coat the top of the pieces with the medium so that the final piece is completely covered.

Let the chip board dry then trim the excess paper from the sides.

The next step is to apply diluted white paint to unify all the papers for the background. I used Liquitex White Gesso but you can use a paint color of your choice. I do prefer using matte paints because it will accept the paint or marker once I start drawing on the substrate.

Once the paint is dried, I like to color the edges to give it a finished look. I used Liquitex Black Gesso but you can just take a Sharpie Broad Marker or ink pad in a color of your choice and rub the sides.

Matte Mod Podge as my medium.

I just pour a generous amount to cover the entire surface. I use yellow foam disks from my local creative recycle center as a “foam brush”.

The pages I used are from music, engineering, dictionary, typing class and shorthand books.

Do they even teach typing anymore?

The excess paper pieces get trimmed. You can use an Xacto knife as well.

I pour the white gesso directly on the board then spray water on it to dilute it before spreading with my “foam brush”.

Black gesso on the edges give it a finished look!

Unified, interesting and ready to go!

I like using gesso because it has “tooth” to accept all sorts of mediums: paint, marker, etc.

Here’s a fun mandala I made using a basic background, Sharpie Markers and words cut from an advertisement. Remember you can use this same technique in your art journal.

I’ll share a tutorial on how I made the mandala soon!