How to Transform Your Art with Tissue Paper
Tissue Paper? Really?
Yes, really. I know it might not look like much—thin, wrinkly, see-through—but trust me when I say that tissue paper might just be the unsung hero of your art table. It’s one of my favorite secret weapons for adding depth, softness, and that perfect hint of texture to a page.
When I first started using it, I was just experimenting—layering bits under paint, tearing it up like collage. But the moment I crinkled it onto wet glue and brushed over it with color? Something clicked. It felt like magic.
Suddenly my page wasn’t flat anymore. It had movement. Dimension. Emotion. And it was still me.
Handmade mixed media tissue paper sheets with subtle wrinkles, soft neutral tones, and delicate layering. These versatile textures create a calm foundation for collage, art journaling, and expressive mixed media work.
Why I Reach for It Again and Again
Tissue paper is cheap. It’s versatile. It can be subtle or bold depending on how you use it. It’s one of those humble materials that invites experimentation and makes you feel brave with your layers—because if you don’t love it, you can always paint over it!
When women tell me they want to make their art feel more alive-but don’t want to overthink every supply-I always point them toward tissue. There’s something playful and freeing about it. You don’t have to measure. You don’t have to plan. Just rip, glue, press, layer, and go.
Abstract mixed media tissue paper featuring saturated colors, organic shapes, expressive marks, and layered textures. This piece captures the freedom of intuitive art-making and joyful creative exploration.
How to Use Tissue Paper in Your Mixed Media Layers
Let’s break it down step-by-step:
Start with a base layer of paint, scribbles, or even journaling. This gives your tissue paper something to respond to.
Tear your tissue into pieces. I usually avoid scissors—it’s more organic that way.
Apply matte medium to your surface. Not too thick, not too thin.
Press the tissue into the medium, crinkle it a little if you like that texture. Let wrinkles happen!
Gently brush more medium over the top to seal it. Don’t oversaturate—it’ll tear.
Let it dry, then paint or mark on top. Try dry brushing or stamping to catch the texture.
That’s it! You’ve added a whole new layer of energy to your piece.
Want to see the magic in action? Check out my YouTube tutorials where I walk through some of my favorite tissue paper techniques. These are my three most-loved videos and a great companion to this post.
Tissue Paper Magic: Easy texture for bold layered pages
Creating Beautiful Texture: How Tissue Paper Can Enhance Your Art
Mixed Media Tissue Magic: Collage-Ready Textures You’ll Love
Custom mixed media tissue paper with raised floral patterns in teal and green tones, showcasing rich texture and dimensional detail. This tactile surface invites playful layering and intuitive mark-making in art journaling and collage.
Fun Ways to Experiment
Want to take it further? Try:
Layering printed tissue paper with words or floral motifs
Coloring your tissue with watercolors or alcohol inks before gluing
Using white tissue over bold backgrounds to soften areas
Glazing over wrinkled tissue with transparent acrylics for drama
Creating ghost-like effects with torn edges and sheer layering
There’s no wrong way to play with this stuff.
Mixed media tissue paper layered with soft pink paint, floral imagery, and translucent textures. This expressive surface highlights the beauty of imperfection and the joy of building depth through gentle, intuitive layers.
Real Art, Real Results
One of my favorite recent pages started out with leftover paint, a messy collage base, and some sheer white tissue. I layered it over a too-bright pink section that was bugging me—and suddenly, it looked dreamy. I added a soft charcoal scribble and some stamped florals over the top, and just like that, the whole thing came together.
Sometimes the simplest materials help us say the most.
Try It in Your Next Page or Canvas
If your art is feeling flat or fussy, tissue paper might be the trick to bring it to life. It's forgiving, expressive, and oh-so-satisfying to layer. Plus, it pairs beautifully with other supplies—paint pens, acrylics, collage, stamping—you name it.
So go grab that tissue from your stash (or your last gift bag) and start ripping!
Hand-stamped mixed media tissue paper featuring delicate butterfly designs. This piece reflects transformation, curiosity, and the beauty of layered creative exploration.
I made you a little gift
To help you remember these steps and experiment with your own twist, I created a downloadable Tissue Paper Technique Card just for you. Print it out, pin it to your wall, or tuck it into your art journal.
Vibrant mixed media tissue paper filled with bold color washes, hand-stamped grid lines, splatters, and playful marks. This energetic design celebrates creative courage, movement, and fearless experimentation.
Want to go deeper?
If you’re loving this and ready to explore even more mixed media magic, I’ve got a whole library of online workshops where we layer bravely, play freely, and make art without fear.
Click here to explore available online workshops — your creative courage starts here!
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.