Mixed media means using more than one material on the same artwork. It’s an easy way to make coloring feel fresh and exciting again.
Combos to try
Markers and colored pencils
Markers for big, bold areas. Colored pencils on top for shading and detail.
Crayon resist
Color part of the page with crayon, pressing hard. Then paint over it with watercolor. The crayon resists the paint and shows through. Perfect for glowing Halloween pages in Trace Then Color: Cartoon Halloween Characters.
Collage
Glue on bits of tissue paper, fabric, foil or magazine pieces. A monster with real yarn hair is unforgettable.
Texture
Glue on sand, rice or cotton balls for texture. Cotton ball clouds and sand beaches are easy wins.
Stickers and glitter
Add stickers for eyes or stars, and glitter glue for sparkle.
Watercolor pencils
Color then paint. See watercolor pencils for kids.
Great pages for mixed media
Wild characters invite wild materials. Try goobers from Trace Then Color: Crusty Goobers 2 with googly eyes and slime glitter, or creatures from Trace Then Color: Weird Creatures with yarn, foil and feathers. See gross and goofy characters.
Tips
- Use thicker paper or glue the page onto cardboard
- Let glue and paint dry flat
- Keep it simple: two or three materials is plenty
- Cover the table
Mixed media is great for rainy days. See rainy day coloring ideas.
Questions parents ask
Does mixed media take a lot of supplies?
No. Crayons, markers, glue and household scraps are enough.
What age can kids try mixed media?
Preschoolers love collage. Crayon resist works from about age 4.
Won’t glue ruin the book?
It can make pages stick. Tear out the page or use a copy first.
About Kevin Coulston
Kevin Coulston is a cartoonist and member of the National Cartoonists Society who has written and illustrated more than 100 drawing, tracing and coloring books for kids, including the Trace Then Color series. Meet Kevin or browse all his books on FirstArtBooks.com.
