Use this guide to choose art supplies for a first mixed media project, test how they work together, and set up a compact kit. It is for beginners who want to combine materials such as drawing tools, paint, paper, and collage without buying a large collection. Allow 45-90 minutes to gather supplies and make a small compatibility test; the artwork itself may take longer to dry.
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MOFUNY Mixed Media Sketchbook 9×12, Drawing Paper Pad 60 Sheets 98lb/160gsm
- ✔ Size: 9 x 12 inches
- ✔ Paper weight: 98 lb / 160 gsm
- ✔ Sheet count: 60
Mixed Media Sketchbook 9" x 12" – 30 Sheets
- ✔ Brand: Hapikalor
- ✔ Size: 9 x 12 inches
- ✔ Paper weight: 98 lb / 160 gsm
30 pcs Handmade A5 Textured Scrapbook Paper and Mesh, Junk Journal Supplies
- ✔ Sheet count: 30 pieces
- ✔ Paper size: A5 (8.2 x 5.8 inches)
- ✔ Materials: Mesh fabric and paper
Difficulty: Beginner | Time: 45-90 minutes
What You’ll Need
Tools & Materials:
- Mixed media paper or heavyweight watercolor paper
- One water-based paint, such as watercolor, gouache, or acrylic
- Pencil, waterproof pen, or both
- Glue stick or acrylic gel medium
- Brushes, water container, palette, and scrap paper
- Scissors or craft knife and a cutting surface for collage
- Scrap materials for testing, such as magazine paper or printed text
Knowledge:
- Basic brush and drawing tool use
- Ability to follow product labels and use tools carefully
Start with a small number of materials. Check labels for drying times, ventilation, and cleanup instructions. Use a protected work surface, keep water away from electrical items, and use a cutting mat if cutting paper. If you plan to use oil paint or solvent-based products, research their ventilation and disposal requirements before adding them to a beginner kit.
MOFUNY Mixed Media Sketchbook 9×12, Drawing Paper Pad 60 Sheets 98lb/160gsm
For artists who want one pad to carry across several media, the MOFUNY is the strongest all-around fit in this group. Its 60 sheets of 98 lb (160 gsm) acid-free paper give it twice the page count of the Hapikalor, while the shared 9 x 12 inch format and listed media range make both sketchbooks viable for watercolor, acrylic, ink, and drawing. The MOFUNY’s hard cardboard cover adds a practical layer of protection when the pad travels between home, class, or studio.The binding can rotate 360 degrees, which gives us more flexibility when working in a tight space or holding the pad in one hand. That convenience has a tradeoff: the product information notes that its spiral may not lie completely flat on every surface, and the 16-ounce weight makes it a little less appealing for buyers who prioritize a very light kit. Compared with the Hapikalor, it offers more sheets and a protective cover, but the Hapikalor specifically calls out micro-perforated tear-out pages. Choose MOFUNY when ongoing work and transport matter more than removing pages cleanly; skip it if you need a compact, light pad or dependable flatness in every setup.
Pros:
- 60 sheets provide more working pages than the Hapikalor’s 30.
- 98 lb (160 gsm) acid-free paper is listed for a broad range of media.
- 360-degree ring binding allows flexible page positioning.
- Hard cardboard cover helps protect pages during transport.
Cons:
- Spiral binding may not lie completely flat on all surfaces.
- At 16 ounces, it is somewhat heavier than some portable sketchbooks.
- The listed format is 9 x 12 inches, with no smaller option specified.
Best for: Artists and students who want a 9 x 12 inch mixed media pad with more pages and a protective cover for carrying.
Not ideal for: Artists who need a lighter sketchbook, a smaller format, or a binding that is guaranteed to sit completely flat.
Bottom line: We recommend the MOFUNY for a versatile, higher-capacity sketchbook, provided its weight and spiral binding suit your working setup.
“We recommend the MOFUNY for a versatile, higher-capacity sketchbook, provided its weight and spiral binding suit your working setup.”
Mixed Media Sketchbook 9" x 12" – 30 Sheets
The Hapikalor makes the most sense when finished pages need to leave the pad. Its micro-perforated sheets are designed to tear out cleanly, which can help when preparing work for a portfolio, assignment, or separate display. Like the MOFUNY, it uses 98 lb (160 gsm) acid-free paper in a 9 x 12 inch size and lists compatibility with acrylics, watercolor, inks, pastels, and pencils. The spiral binding is also described as laying flat for left- and right-handed artists, a useful detail for shared or varied working positions.Its main compromise is capacity: at 30 sheets, it has half as many pages as the MOFUNY, despite the same stated paper weight and dimensions. That makes it a better fit for a defined project or a buyer who expects to remove work than for someone filling a pad rapidly. Unlike the MOFUNY, the Hapikalor does not list a hard cover, and it has no other size option specified. Choose it for clean page removal and straightforward access; choose the MOFUNY if page count and a protective cover matter more. It is a sketchbook surface rather than a source of collage textures, so the handmade set is a better match for journal embellishment.
Pros:
- Micro-perforations are designed for clean tear-away pages.
- Spiral binding is specified to lay flat for left- and right-handed use.
- 98 lb (160 gsm), acid-free sheets are listed for several media.
- 9 x 12 inch pages provide the same working size as the MOFUNY.
Cons:
- 30 sheets offer fewer pages than the MOFUNY’s 60.
- Only the 9 x 12 inch format is specified.
- No protective hard cover is listed in the supplied details.
Best for: Students, instructors, and artists who want to remove finished pages cleanly from a mixed media sketchbook.
Not ideal for: Heavy users who want a larger supply of sheets, or collage makers seeking textured paper and mesh pieces.
Bottom line: We favor the Hapikalor when removing finished pages is central to the workflow, but its smaller sheet count makes it less suited to sustained daily use.
“We favor the Hapikalor when removing finished pages is central to the workflow, but its smaller sheet count makes it less suited to sustained daily use.”
30 pcs Handmade A5 Textured Scrapbook Paper and Mesh, Junk Journal Supplies
This set serves a different part of mixed media practice from the two sketchbooks: it supplies material to layer, arrange, and attach, rather than a bound surface for drawing. The 30 A5 pieces combine handmade textured paper and mesh, with individual dyeing and pressing patterns that can bring variation to junk journals, cards, planners, and decorative pages. Its brown palette lends projects a coordinated vintage look, while the mix of paper and fabric gives us more material contrast than either uniform sketchbook offers.That specialization also limits its reach. The sheets are much smaller than the 9 x 12 inch sketchbook pages, and the primarily brown color range may not fit bright, graphic, or color-specific projects. Mesh can be delicate, so it calls for careful handling and may be less convenient than working directly on the Hapikalor or MOFUNY paper. We would choose this set for collage, journal layers, and small decorative work, not as the main paper supply for painting or drawing. Compared with the sketchbooks, it brings more built-in texture but less space and less stated media versatility.
Pros:
- Thirty handmade paper and mesh pieces provide material variety for layering.
- Individual textures and patterns can add visual interest to journals and cards.
- A5 format suits smaller decorative projects.
- Paper and mesh support a different kind of mixed media work than a sketchbook alone.
Cons:
- Primarily brown tones may not suit colorful or tightly coordinated palettes.
- Mesh sheets can be delicate and need careful handling.
- A5 pieces provide less working area than either 9 x 12 inch sketchbook.
Best for: Journal makers and collage artists looking for small, coordinated paper and mesh pieces with a textured vintage appearance.
Not ideal for: Artists who need a large, consistent surface for watercolor or drawing, or who want a broad color palette.
Bottom line: We recommend this set as a decorative collage supplement, rather than as a replacement for a mixed media sketchbook.
“We recommend this set as a decorative collage supplement, rather than as a replacement for a mixed media sketchbook.”
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Before You Start
Mixed media means using more than one medium in the same artwork. Compatibility depends on the exact products, paper, drying time, and order of application. Test unfamiliar combinations on scraps before using them on a finished piece. A product described as waterproof may still smear before it has fully dried.
Choose a project size before shopping. A small sheet around 9 by 12 inches is easy to handle and limits waste. Read the label on each product, since formulations and instructions vary by brand.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Choose a project surface
Select mixed media paper or watercolor paper suited to your planned layers. For light drawing, a modest-weight mixed media sheet is usually enough. For repeated wet washes or heavier collage, choose thicker paper to reduce buckling. Check that the surface is intended for wet media; thin sketchbook paper can wrinkle or tear when painted or glued.
Buy a pad or a few loose sheets rather than a large block of specialty paper. This gives you enough material for tests and a first piece without committing to a surface you have not tried.
Tip: Paper weight alone does not determine performance. Surface texture and the manufacturer’s intended uses also affect how paint and adhesive behave.
Check: You have a surface large enough for the project and suitable for the wettest material you expect to use.
Step 2: Select a small set of media
Choose one primary paint and one drawing method. For example, pair watercolor with pencil, or acrylic with a waterproof pen. Add collage only if it serves the project. A small palette of a few colors is easier to manage than a full assortment, and one or two drawing tools are enough to begin.
Check whether your pen is water resistant if you plan to paint over its marks. If you want lines to remain crisp, use a pen labeled waterproof after allowing it to dry as directed. If you want marks to blend, use a water-soluble pencil or ink and test the effect first.
Tip: Acrylic paint dries into a water-resistant layer, while watercolor remains water-sensitive when re-wet. Plan later layers around that difference.
Check: Your kit includes a paint, a drawing tool, and any optional collage material, with a clear idea of how each will be used.
Step 3: Choose adhesive and basic tools
For light paper collage, choose a glue stick or a small amount of acrylic gel medium. Gel medium can also act as a clear adhesive or surface layer, but follow its label and allow it to dry fully. Avoid applying a wet adhesive heavily to thin paper, which can cause ripples.
Gather a few brushes, a water container, a palette or washable plate, scrap paper, scissors, and a protective cover for the table. Use a craft knife only with a stable cutting mat, and keep fingers clear of the blade. Do not use household glue until you have checked whether it dries clear and remains flexible enough for your paper.
Tip: Use separate brushes for very different materials if cleaning one thoroughly between products is difficult.
Check: You can paint, draw, attach a paper piece, and clean up using the tools on hand.
Step 4: Make a compatibility test
Cut a scrap of the same paper as your project. On it, test the planned order of layers: draw a line, apply paint nearby or over it, let the paint dry, then add a small collage piece with your chosen adhesive. Make a second test with the order reversed if you may paint over collage.
Wait for each layer to dry according to its label before applying the next. Check whether the drawing smears, the paper buckles, the adhesive leaves a stain, or a paint layer lifts. Record the products and order that worked so you can repeat them on the finished piece.
Tip: Do not judge a wet test. Water-based paint and adhesives often change in color or transparency as they dry.
Check: You know which tested sequence holds together and how long each layer needs to dry.
Step 5: Prepare the work area and materials
Cover the table, set out only the supplies you plan to use, and place a scrap sheet beside the artwork for brush tests. Put water and paint within reach but away from paper scraps you want to keep dry. Cut collage pieces before applying glue, and keep lids on pens and paint when they are not in use.
Lightly sketch the main shapes if a planned layout will help. Keep the sketch faint so it does not show through transparent paint. Set aside a clean area where the work can dry flat and undisturbed.
Tip: Prepare collage pieces before opening adhesive. This reduces the time glue sits exposed and helps prevent rushed placement.
Check: Your surface is protected, the work area is organized, and you have a clear place for the piece to dry.
Step 6: Build the artwork in tested layers
Start with the layer that your test showed should go first. Apply paint in controlled amounts and let it dry before adding a layer that could disturb it. Add drawing marks or collage in the sequence you tested. Press collage gently from the center toward the edges to release trapped air, and wipe away excess adhesive without rubbing the paper.
Pause when a layer feels damp or tacky. Adding more paint or glue too soon can lift color, smear lines, or create uneven patches. Keep the piece flat while it dries, unless the product label gives different directions.
Tip: Build gradually. It is easier to add another light layer than to repair a saturated or damaged sheet.
Check: The layers stay in place, the paper remains intact, and the marks look as intended after drying.
Step 7: Clean tools and store supplies
Clean brushes and palettes according to the paint label before paint dries. Close containers tightly, wipe adhesive from caps, and store paper flat in a dry place. Dispose of paint or solvent waste according to its label and local instructions; do not pour products down a drain unless the label permits it.
Keep the successful test scrap with a note of the product names and layer order. It will help you make the same choices in a later project.
Tip: Acrylic paint can become difficult to remove from brushes once dry, so rinse those brushes promptly.
Check: Tools are clean, containers are closed, and your test notes are available for the next session.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Buying many media before testing the basic combination. — Begin with one paint, one drawing tool, paper, and one adhesive. Add materials after you know what the project needs.
- Using thin paper for repeated wet layers. — Choose paper rated for wet media, and test it with the actual amount of water or adhesive you plan to use.
- Layering before paint or adhesive has dried. — Follow label drying guidance and check the scrap test before continuing.
- Assuming all pens and paints work together. — Test the exact products and order of use on scrap paper; some inks smear or resist paint in unexpected ways.
Troubleshooting
Problem: The paper curls or buckles after painting.
Solution: Use thicker wet-media paper, apply less water, and let the sheet dry flat. For a future project, test paper stretching or taping only if the paper maker recommends it.
Problem: Pen marks blur under paint.
Solution: Let the ink dry longer, switch to a pen labeled waterproof, or place the drawing layer after the paint. Confirm the revised order on a scrap.
Problem: Collage edges lift after drying.
Solution: Apply an even, thin layer of suitable adhesive across the contact area, press the piece flat, and allow it to dry undisturbed. Check that the paper surface is clean and not coated with a material that repels glue.
Problem: A paint layer lifts when another layer is added.
Solution: Wait longer before adding the next medium and use a lighter touch. If the paint remains water-sensitive, change the sequence or use a compatible barrier product only after testing its label directions.
What Success Looks Like
Your supplies are ready when the selected paper supports your wettest planned layer, the chosen media have passed a scrap test in the intended order, and you can identify the drying and cleanup directions for each product. The completed artwork should have layers that stay attached, marks that remain readable as intended, and no tears or unexpected adhesive stains. A little paper texture or gentle waviness can be normal, but the sheet should remain usable and the collage should not peel at the edges.
Next Steps
Store the dried artwork flat or in a portfolio, with protective paper between pieces if surfaces may stick. Keep the successful test scrap and note which supplies and layer order worked. For the next project, change one material at a time so you can tell what caused a different result. Replace supplies only when they are used up or when a project calls for a material your current kit cannot handle.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the minimum set of supplies for mixed media?
Start with wet-media paper, one paint, one drawing tool, a brush, water container, palette, scrap paper, and a glue stick or gel medium if you want collage. You can create a layered piece without buying a large range of materials.
Can I use watercolor and pen on the same page?
Yes, but test the pen first. Waterproof ink usually holds after it dries, while water-soluble ink can spread when wet. Try both paint-over-pen and pen-over-paint on a scrap to choose the effect and order you want.
Do I need special mixed media paper?
Not always. Use paper suited to the wettest medium in your project. Paper made for wet media usually handles paint better than standard sketch paper, while heavier watercolor paper can support repeated washes and glue.
Should I buy acrylic gel medium or a glue stick?
A glue stick is simple for light paper collage. Gel medium offers more uses as an adhesive and clear layer, but it may change a surface’s texture or appearance. Follow the product label and test either option on a scrap first.
