Lesson 1: Foundations of Mixed Media: Surface, Texture, and Material Exploration

What defines a work of art as “mixed media”?
How do different materials interact physically when layered?
How does texture affect visual depth and viewer experience?
How can unconventional materials contribute to artistic meaning?

Mixed Media
Layering
Texture (Actual vs. Implied)
Adhesion
Resist
Collage
Found Objects
Surface Manipulation
Additive Process
Subtractive Process
Gesso
Tooth (of paper/surface)

NCCAS VA.CR.HS.1: Generate and conceptualize artistic ideas and work.
NCCAS VA.CR.HS.2: Organize and develop artistic ideas and work.
NCCAS VA.RE.HS.7: Perceive and analyze artistic work.

Experimental Design: Testing how materials interact mirrors scientific method inquiry.
Analytical Writing: Students evaluate material effectiveness using evidence.
Problem-Solving: Adjusting when materials resist, peel, or overpower composition.
Strategic Planning: Managing drying times and sequencing layers effectively.

Description: Students will complete a series of guided material experiments using acrylic paint, oil/soft pastels, and at least three non-traditional materials (e.g., fabric, newspaper, sand, string, cardboard). They will create a “texture sampler board” demonstrating layering techniques, resist methods, and collage integration. Students will document observations about which materials adhere successfully and how surfaces change visually and physically.
Purpose: To build foundational technical understanding before beginning a large-scale mixed media composition. This lesson emphasizes exploration, risk-taking, and controlled experimentation.
DOK Level: Level 3 (Strategic Thinking) – Students test variables, analyze outcomes, and draw conclusions about material effectiveness.

Contemporary artists frequently use mixed media to express identity, activism, and cultural narratives.
Fashion, street art, and graphic design often combine layered materials and textures.
Architecture and interior design incorporate material layering to create atmosphere and depth.
Sustainability practices in art encourage repurposing found objects.

Misconception: Mixed media means randomly adding materials.
Reality: Successful mixed media requires intentional layering and compositional planning.
Misconception: All materials adhere equally to acrylic paint.
Reality: Surface preparation (gesso, texture, tooth) impacts adhesion and longevity.
Misconception: More materials automatically create a stronger artwork.
Reality: Cohesion and balance are more important than quantity.

Provide structured experiment stations with clear steps for emerging learners.
Advanced students experiment with complex layering (embedding objects, sanding layers, glazing over texture).
Offer guided material checklists for students who need organization support.
Allow choice in non-traditional materials to support student voice and cultural relevance

Formative:

• Completed texture sampler board demonstrating at least five tested techniques.

• Written reflection analyzing which material combinations were most successful and why.

• Participation in class discussion comparing material outcomes.

Summative (Mini-Assessment):

• Evaluation of sampler board for craftsmanship, risk-taking, and evidence of experimentation.

• Reflection paragraph demonstrating understanding of layering, adhesion, and texture.

Materials / Resources / Text / Speakers:

• Acrylic paints (variety of opacities)

• Oil pastels and/or soft pastels

• Gesso

• Heavy-weight paper or canvas boards

• Non-traditional materials (fabric scraps, newspaper, sand, string, cardboard, tissue paper, foil, etc.)

• Gel medium or collage adhesive

• Brushes, palette knives

• Water containers and rags

• Sketchbooks for written reflection

• Visual examples of contemporary mixed media artworks