Mixed Media - What Makes you Happy - Burton Joyce Library - Adult Learning

You will repurpose a pre-loved book and use different mixed media techniques and art materials such as paint, inks and modelling paste to create a personal journal all about something that makes you happy. This is a great workshop for people who like to collage or journal.

Maybe you’re passionate about your garden and want to record the seasons in your garden within your book. Or you could create a different page dedicated for each member of your family or maybe you are a huge film fan and want to create different collages for your favourite films.

This course is about taking some time out for yourself, to relax, play and create and at the same time learn some new skills for your future projects too.

During the weeks, you will be shown how to use different mixed media techniques and mediums to explore your chosen theme and how to repurpose a hardback book to work into,

You will be creating collages using various imagery and papers and will be exploring mark making, drawing and painting. Some of the mediums that we shall be using include modelling paste and stencils, and acrylic and watercolour paints.

By the end of the course you will have begun to build an interesting journal that you can continue to work in at your own pace and use to inspire you as a springboard for your own future projects.

The course will build your confidence in using different art materials, mediums and techniques, and you will have the opportunity to try out ones that you have probably never used before.

You will be guided through demonstrations and individual tuition to encourage experimentation and to build your knowledge and skills for future art and designs projects.

You will be introduced to a wide range of artists and their work through PowerPoint presentations, viewing online videos and in person having access to a variety of books to help inspire you and for you to gain knowledge about this exciting genre of art.

If possible it would be helpful if you could think of an idea of a personal theme before attending the course. For example, maybe you’re passionate about your garden and want to record the seasons in your garden within your book. Or you could create a different page dedicated for each member of your family or maybe you are a huge film fan and want to create different collages of your favourite films. Please don’t worry if you can’t think of one, we’ll work together to come up with an idea!

Please note there is no session 16/11/2026.

You will need to bring on the first session:

• A notebook or sketchbook and pen/pencil.

• An A5 sized hardback book from either a charity shop or it could be an old novel from your shelf at home that you no longer use.

• Different interesting paper collage with – envelopes, white tissue paper, packing paper, paper bags, newspaper, book pages, maps etc. No need to buy anything, just see what you can find around your home.

• A glue stick

Suggested reading:

• 101 Mixed Media Techniques : Master the fundamental concepts of mixed media art – Cherril Doty

• Journal with purpose : over 1000 motifs, alphabets and icons to personalize your bullet or dot journal – Helen Colebrook

• The art of vintage journaling and collage : techniques and inspiration for working with antique ephemera – Maryjo Koch