Mixed media paper

Mixed media paper lets you combine several techniques on the same artwork. Your kids can use drawing, collage, acrylic paint, ink, felt-tip pens or pastels without changing the support at each step. It is stronger than standard drawing paper and suits art students, beginner artists and anyone who wants to experiment freely. Our selection includes Canson paper designed for mixed media. Available in pads and various sizes, it balances durability, uses and ease of use. Prepare calmly for your Arts term with a range of materials suitable for all levels. For the Arts term, find essentials for drawing, painting and creating freely.

What is mixed media paper?

"Mixed media" means "techniques mixtes". It refers to artworks made with several mediums, for example a pencil drawing combined with acrylic paint, glued papers, ink or markers.

• Mixed media paper usually has a higher weight than light drawing paper.
• It better withstands layering, glue and moderately wet paint.
• Its surface also has enough grip for dry techniques like pencil, pastel or charcoal.

This paper is a practical support for artistic research, sketchbooks and compositions mixing drawing, colour and texture.

Which paper to choose for acrylic and collage?

For acrylic paint and collage, choose a thick paper. A high weight limits warping and resists repeated brush strokes, glue layers and overlapping elements.

Canson mixed media paper suits this use. Its fine grain helps precise lines and sticking small pieces, while its slightly textured surface creates more texture effects with paint.

To avoid buckling, apply acrylic with little water and spread glue in a thin layer. For more specific needs, see our graphic arts papers for felt-tip pens, markers and detailed work. Our drawing and dry technique papers suit graphite, charcoal and pastel. For water techniques, try our papers for watercolour and gouache.

A practical paper for art students

Mixed media paper meets the needs of art school students. It works for preparatory studies, research sheets, colour tests or portfolio pieces.

Its uses let them try different combinations without buying many specialised pads. Pencil, charcoal, acrylic paint, ink, cut paper and printed elements can share the same sheet. This makes it easier to explore ideas, compare results and develop a personal graphic style.

A mixed media pad also offers good value for regular studio or home work. It provides an accessible base to start mixed media without immediately investing in several technical fine art papers.

Which sizes suit mixed media techniques?

Small sizes are handy for sketches, quick tests and research notebooks. They are easy to carry and let your kids experiment often.

Medium sizes give more space to combine paint, drawing and collage. They suit art school exercises, illustrations and more detailed compositions.

Large sheets suit ambitious projects, posters or artworks to frame.

Pads help keep work organised and together. Detachable sheets are useful when a piece must be displayed, handed in or added to an art portfolio.

How to use mixed media paper?

Start with lighter techniques like pencil or ink, then add paint and glued elements gradually. For acrylic backgrounds, several thin layers work better than one wet coat.

When gluing, spread glue evenly and let the sheet dry flat. For heavy projects, you can temporarily fix the paper to a board with masking tape.

Complete your mixed media supplies

Mixed media paper suits combining several mediums on one support. To add colour, see our selection of fine art acrylic paints and our artist-quality acrylic paints, valued for their rich pigments. You can vary effects with our acrylic mediums and additives and choose brushes suited to acrylic techniques. To try other application methods, see our spray and aerosol paints, ideal for quick backgrounds, gradients and modern effects. Find the right support and materials for every project, always at low prices all year round.