Creating Beautiful Texture: How Tissue Paper Can Enhance Your Art

Tissue paper might be one of the simplest supplies in your mixed media stash, but it can create some seriously beautiful texture.

In this video, I'm sharing two easy ways to use tissue paper to add texture to your mixed media artwork or art journal pages. With a little crinkling, layering, and matte medium, ordinary tissue paper creates raised texture and dimension that can completely change the feel of your background.

And the best part? There's no perfect way to do it. The wrinkles, folds, and uneven little bits are exactly what make this technique so much fun.

Supplies You’ll Need:

White tissue paper

Watercolor paper

Paint brush

Modge Podge

Brayer Scissors

Make It Your Own

Once you've tried the basic technique, play with it.

Crumple your tissue paper a little or a lot. Use small pieces in just a few areas or cover a larger section of your background. Layer paint over the dried tissue and experiment with brushing color across the raised areas so all that yummy texture begins to show.

You don't need to know exactly how it's going to turn out before you begin.

Try it, see what happens, and let the layers help you decide what comes next.

That's where mixed media gets really fun.

Keep Exploring Mixed Media

If you're experimenting with layers and texture but your backgrounds still aren't quite coming together, you might also enjoy:

Why Your Mixed Media Backgrounds Look Flat

And if you're building your mixed media stash and wondering what you actually need to get started, I made you a little gift.

My FREE Building Your Mixed Media Art Kit Guide walks you through the supplies I recommend for creating and experimenting with mixed media without feeling like you need to buy the entire art store.

Hi, I’m Misty

Mixed media artist, creative guide, and passionate believer in the power of fearless self-expression. After years of playing small and settling for a life that didn’t feel like mine, I chose to rewrite my story through art — and I’ve never looked back.

Now, I help women just like you break free from perfectionism and self-doubt so you can reconnect with your creative voice and boldly explore what lights you up. Whether you’re picking up a paintbrush for the first time or returning to art after years away, my mission is to help you step bravely into your own magic — one joyful, messy layer at a time.

Let’s create a life (and art) you absolutely adore. 💙

If you’d like to explore mixed media with me, explore ways we can work together here.