Believe in the Magic – Miniature Art Ideas for Mixed Media

Artist Trading Cards, Mixed Media

miniature art ideas

07

DEC 2016

miniature
art
ideas
using
friends
and
family

I was looking for some miniature art ideas and normally, I don’t have a problem with this, except this time, I really wanted to have an inspiration for the piece.  Not a “love” or “inspire” quote, but something to really make you think.  I pondered, listened to music, thought about it during an evening walk with Joe and Mia…looking at all the lights and listening to “nothing”..I love quiet evening walks.  Ideas did come to me and yet, nothing clicked.
When we got home, Joe turned on the TV for some background noise while he prepared dinner.  I heard a Christmas commercial and then it came to me.  Over the holidays, we get caught up in buying, buying, buying and don’t really see the magic of the holidays.  To take in the lights and sounds of music, seeing kids smiling and friends and families getting together.   Family…and then the idea was there…
miniature art ideas
miniature art ideas

So for this miniature art idea, I took something from family members and used it in the design.  I wrote down their names on a piece of paper, including my own, cut it up into strips, put it in a bowl and picked out 6 names.  With those names, I then wrote down the first thing that came to my mind when I thought about the person.

  • Wood – Joe loves to make things out wood
  • Metal – David who is a Millwright
  • Fabric – Julia who is a warrior with her sewing machine
  • Ava – who is all about being a Christmas Angel
  • Harrison – who is a music fanatic
  • Me – who believes that we can all be inspired by a single thought

I hope you enjoy how I put it all together.

Miniature Art Ideas to Help You When You are Stuck
Believe in the Magic

Here’s What You’ll Need

Surface:

  • Some type of product packaging, thick card stock, chipboard or heavy watercolour paper cut to desired size.  My piece is cut to 3.5″ wide x 2.5″ tall.

Paint Palette:

  • DecoArt Media Fluid Acrylics
    • Phthalo Turquoise – DMFA26
    • Phthalo Green-Blue – DMFA24
    • Titanium White – DMFA39
    • Translucent White – DMFA40
    • Burnt Umber – DMFA03
  • DecoArt Media Misters:  Shimmer White – DMM12

Prep and Mediums

  • DecoArt Media Matte Medium – DMM20
  • DecoArt Media White Gesso – DMM18
  • DecoArt Media Black Gesso – DMM19
  • DecoArt Media Crackle Glaze – DMM17
  • Americana Decou-Page Matte – DS106

Tools and Accessories

  • DecoArt Application and Texture Tools – DAS221
  • Americana Dual Sided Pouncers – DABK19

Stencils

  • DecoArt Andy Skinner:  Whirlpool – Andy54

Brushes

  • Royal Majestic Brushes
    • 3/4″ Wash – R4700
    • #6, 10 & 12 Shader – R4150
    • #3/0 Round – R4250
  • Clear Choice Stencil Brushes
    • 1/4″ White Bristle Dome – 1113

Collage Material

  • Americana Decou-Page Paper: Victorian Romance – DP03

Specialty Items

  • Vintage Photo
  • Fabric Ribbon
  • Quote
  • Thin Wire
  • Wood Snowflake
  • Tiny Rhinestone
  • Note:  feel free to substitute and use what you have

General Supplies:

  • Royal Brush Square Brush Basin – RD325
  • Unstick Reusable Arts and Crafts Sheet
  • Mister Bottle Filled with Water
  • Paper Towels
  • Baby, Kitchen Wipes or Kitchen cloths (for dry rub application)
  • Heat Gun
  • Scissors
  • Tweezers
  • Hot Glue Gun

Manufacturers

Free Fonts

Depending on when you are reading this blog post, it’s always a good idea to check out the terms at any free resource site.

Ready to Make This?
miniature art ideas

What did you think?

Sometimes miniature art ideas are hard to come by, so I’d like to challenge you try this exercise.  Without posting any names, think of one family member and what is the first thing that comes to your mind about what they love and how easy would it be to incorporate it into your next art piece?  Please share in the comments below.

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