What is Mixed Media?
The word mixed media is made up of mixed and media (medium or material). It is not to be confused with the term multimedia and refers to works of art from the visual arts. It is therefore popular to use the term Mixed Media Art. It involves creating a work using a variety of different materials and styles. Mostly collage and acrylic paints are mixed together, but there are no limits to the imagination.
For example, fabric, cardboard, wood, acrylic paints, metal, glass with markers, anything goes. You use different products and can create them in the form of small or larger works of art or too. Most of the works can be classified in the field of abstract painting, but nothing should stop you from drawing, painting and even incorporating objects or plants in your work.
It differs from collage in that the collage is still supplemented (with your own painting, sketches, mark-making, etc.). Or the collage can be alienated with stamps or stencils, for example.
Mixed Media Technique - The Variety of Ideas
There is not one technique per se. There is a variety of different directions. Here you will find an excerpt:

Fabric, paper, metal and wax - this also works with mixed media!
1. collages
Collages are very popular. In the collage technique, papers of different qualities are used. From the used kitchen roll to the banknote (one uses mostly expired banknotes for this...) everything is possible what pleases. Used in the background, paper scraps contribute to the tension of the background. This creates different patterns, which are either further developed or simply serve as decoration. As a focal point, figurative work can be done with images from books and magazines, or new figures can be assembled from different motifs: The crazier, the better!
2. material based
From Cardmaking (card making), the materials-based images have emerged. Using stencils, stamps, die-cuts (cut out pieces of paper), sometimes Alcohol Inks, as well as acrylic paints, mixed-media works are created that are more accurate and easier to imitate. These are ideal works as a start, although the starting price for this technique by the many materials (which of course you do not have to buy all, but like to buy :-)), is higher than with other techniques. But you can start small in the beginning.

Mixed Media Example - Advent Calendar in 3D | Wooden letters make a great 3D effect!
3. acrylic colors
More inclined to classical painting, of course, are all the works of art created with acrylic paints and other similar products. It becomes mixed media art when other materials are used in addition to acrylic paints. So first watercolor and then colored pencils, or acrylic together with oil pastels, etc. The idea here is to play with the available products and mix them to your best liking. Of course, all these techniques can be combined in one picture (or in a 3-D work). There are no limits to creativity here.
4. 3D materials
Things get exciting when beads, fabrics, metal are incorporated into the work. For example, I love to sew something in and incorporate beads and small found objects. Whether it's small stones, feathers, photos, anything can be used. The thicker, the more exciting, the better your work. Folded paper can also be used to make the work even more three-dimensional. The whole thing quickly becomes tactile, with whole many layers and surprises. I love fabric art journals and artwork.

Mixed Media Example - Flower in Acrylic Paint
A flower was dipped in the metallic acrylic paint and will be preserved for eternity
What background for the mixed media technique?
Classically, most images are created on canvas, but since mostly acrylic paint is used, you are welcome to use other materials. Very popular are wood and MFD plates (beware that these tend to warp!), which can be quickly processed, painted, drilled, etc. after they have been primed. Or stones, metal plates can also be used. These cheaper options make an important appeal of this hobby.
What is the difference with scrap booking?
In classic scrapbooking, different papers, die-cut elements and photos are combined to document important moments in life. The pages are grouped together in notebooks or folders, and you don't usually use painting media. But the boundaries are not so sharp anymore. Different artists use paints, watercolors, collages, etc. on their scrapbooking pages so that many a scrapbooking page becomes mixed-media art.
Mixed-Media and Art Journaling
From my explanations, you will have discovered many similarities between the two styles: the variety of materials, the unrestricted creativity. What they both have in common is that anything that pleases is allowed. However, there are a few small differences: art journaling is done in books and on paper, while mixed media artworks can be three-dimensional, or created on stretchers. Conversely, in the strictest sense of the word (but who pays attention to such details :-)), only those mixed-media pages are art journaling pages that contain text in addition to the generated image. Sketchbooks in diary format are a preliminary form of the current Art Journals, which deliberately play with the diversity of materials. In summer classes, we mix mixed media, scrapbooking, and art journaling wildly!
What materials do you need?
I've already covered materials extensively in an article on Art Journaling. As far as mixed media is concerned, the variety is even greater, because here you are no longer bound to the medium of paper and can also work three-dimensional. So here you do not have to limit yourself to paper, but can work from small sculptures to real furniture everything to works of art.
In summary, I can only say that more important than definitions and rules is what you want to realize artistically. What materials do you like? Do you want to exhibit something, or do you like the medium of paper and books? Play, try yourself out. Find what you like and develop it further. Get to know your products and see what you like! Mix media, materials and products and make the world the way you like it!
Learning mixed media - is it possible?
I can clearly answer this question with a big yes! From Youtube videos, step-by-step tutorials and classes, you can get to know the different materials better.
Mixed Media Books
There are also great books on the subject that might help you get started (both in English only, unfortunately):
- Complete Book of Mixed Media Art (Walter Forster)
- 101 Mixed Media Techniques (Doty)
Let's go
Still unsure if it's a hobby for you? You can start relatively easily. If you are still unsure, just use a piece of paper. The more confident you become, the more courageous you can be in your choice of support: Wood, canvas, glass, stones, you decide how to display your work! If you are looking for ideas: in my blog "what can I paint", I give you first ideas.