Easy Mixed Media Art: Mini Canvas Collages

In this video, I am explaining from start to finish how I create little 4X4 canvas collages and the pivot I make about halfway through. The process is relatively simple but the result is surprisingly impressive when the canvases are grouped together. Simple marks truly become a work of art. Try it for yourself and see.
If you have any thoughts, questions, or comments I'd love to hear them. And if you enjoyed this video please like and subscribe. Thanks so much for watching.
pamhemmerling.com/
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LINKS TO PRODUCTS:
Set of 9 Original 4X4 Canvases - pamhemmerling.com/art
Vintage Book Paper - pamhemmerling.com/other
Artist Loft 4X4 Canvas, Set of 9 - www.michaels.com/product/9-pa...
Blick Artist Acrylic: Ivory Black - www.dickblick.com/items/blick...
Liquitex Clear Gesso - amzn.to/3pJXDY9
Golden Fluid Acrylic: Carbon Black - amzn.to/3rb9n65
Golden Fluid Acrylic: Titanium White - amzn.to/3rryv8W
Catalyst Wedge - amzn.to/3Vo7iPr
Simply Simmons Brush Set - amzn.to/3NA9O3m
Stabilo All Pencil: Black - amzn.to/3PBrKvl
Generals Charcoal Pencil - amzn.to/43pTIgV
Derwent XL Charcoal Blocks - amzn.to/3XOs63G
Stabilo Woody - amzn.to/3NPkt8z
Liquitex Matte Medium - amzn.to/3qXUKTG
Deli Paper (similar) - amzn.to/3PzCkmo
Collage Papers - pamhemmerling.com/other
Fiskars Rotary Paper Trimmer - amzn.to/3JUk5o4
Sennelier Pastel Fixative - amzn.to/3rnRFfT
Please note that products may contain affiliate links. When you buy using one of the links, I may earn a commission from qualifying purchases. This is at no cost to you and helps to support my channel.

[@lynnboyd33]

Thank you Pam for this awe inspiring project! I just love those chunky little canvases! Will be giving this project a try.

[@pamhemmerling]

A grouping of these small canvases is so fun to make--I do hope you give it a try Lynn. Thanks for watching!

[@stevenjohnson4656]

Thank you for sharing your processes and techniques. This has inspired me to do something similar. Really enjoyed watching this video and hope you can produce more like this. Kind regards, Steve

[@pamhemmerling]

Thanks, Steve! I am glad to hear you are inspired to give it a try. Let me know if you do.

[@Kellycreator]

Thank you for sharing your work. I love the faces and have been looking for some inspiration. Have you considered making a huge face and cutting it up to create mini canvases. They’d be great for children to interact with too. “Can you find the chin?” So cute! I’m going to try and make some for my grandsons bedroom! 💚

[@pamhemmerling]

I love that idea Kelly and will have to give it a try! I'm glad you found some inspiration in this video--those little 4X4's are fun to make.

[@valerieb8006]

Great work! abstract is so different and i once thought it must be pretty "easy" to do. My goodness was I Wrong🥴...You do a beautiful job. Terrific idea!🥰

[@pamhemmerling]

I agree Valerie--abstracts look so easy until you start making them! I appreciate your kind words and for watching the video!

[@pambuike4587]

Girl! You did it again! You have the best ideas....I love, love, love this collage. The black and white photos which show shadows etc is brilliant.....you know I will be using those now. I am one step ahead of you today though....it is mid-afternoon right now as I race to my studio to try this technique......those evening viewing of your newest videos had me up til quite late some nights....seems I can't wait to play once you inspire me😂 my creative spirit is screaming " go play now!" You are such a major inspiration to me......sending hugs my friend.

[@pamhemmerling]

Pam, you are the best! Your comments always make my day! I'm so glad you are inspired!

[@angelinamichelle8474]

Loved this! Am now itching to go through all my papers and pick squares to arrange on black in my sketchbook. Thankyou for this inspiration!

[@pamhemmerling]

Thanks for watching Angelina! I'm glad to hear that you are inspired to create something similar!

[@MrsPatJones]

Thanks for showing us this process. Going to get out my paints now!

[@pamhemmerling]

Yeah! I'm so glad you're inspired to give it a try (or even just to be creative!)

[@sherelynwhite4130]

Thank you Pam. Your methods and processes are very helpful. I appreciate your videos!❤😊

[@pamhemmerling]

Thanks so much for letting me know Sherelyn! I hope you are inspired in your creative journey.

[@TheOldladyB]

Love them. Thank you so much for sharing.

[@pamhemmerling]

Thanks so much, Darlene! I appreciate you letting me know. Hope you are inspired to give it a try.

[@gwynnedjackson3871]

This project is awesome! What a great way to use up my collage papers!!❤❤❤

[@pamhemmerling]

I do hope you'll give it a try. I agree it is a fun way to use up collage papers with a great result!

[@quirkyqueens]

Loved this!!! It looks so impressive and I like you’re taking scraps and when put together it’s likes a collection.

[@pamhemmerling]

I appreciate you saying that! I love using up scraps--it is hard for me to throw any bits & pieces into the recycling bin. And I agree that the outcome is surprising. I hope you give it a try!

[@quirkyqueens]

@@pamhemmerling I’m gonna try!!! 😁

[@pamhemmerling]

@@quirkyqueens Let me know how it goes!!

[@user-rn4vl1em3e]

Beautiful art & inspiring video! ❤ Thank you for sharing.

[@pamhemmerling]

I appreciate you saying that--I hope you are inspired along your creative journey!

[@baukjelem]

Absolutely stunning 💜

[@pamhemmerling]

Thanks so much!

[@lynnesachs2330]

Wow ur so great a figures heads it’s great🌻

[@ellenvd5543]

Thats so beautiful! Thanks for sharing! (Also thanks for the link of the paper-trimmer)

[@pamhemmerling]

I appreciate you watching! Thanks so much!

[@annfox9187]

Love this idea. I'm going to try it today.! Exciting!

[@pamhemmerling]

I have just started making these and have found them very satisfying. Let me know how it goes.

[@priskateijo]

Just found your channel, loved the end result, I´ll try doing something like that. Thank you so much for sharing. Greetings from Mexico.

[@pamhemmerling]

Thanks for letting me know--I'm glad you are inspired to try something similar!

[@nathalieheath5693]

I absolutely love ❤ this!

[@pamhemmerling]

Thanks Nathalie! I hope you give it a try.

[@joanzivi7425]

This is a fabulous video. Thank you!!!

[@pamhemmerling]

Thanks so much Joan--I hope you give it a try!

[@dianestedman3828]

I loved this idea but I loved the little ones the most

[@pamhemmerling]

Thanks so much Diane! I hope you give it a try.

[@dianebassett1930]

Love this!!!

[@pamhemmerling]

Thanks Diane! I hope you are inspired to try it for yourself.

[@AliceDel]

great idea, and great collection you put together! i have 9 square wooden panels that i haven't known what to do with... hmmm, maybe now i know! thanks so much. :)

[@pamhemmerling]

Thanks so much for watching and I'm happy that you got inspired to start on your wood panels! Let me know how it turns out!

[@pamelajohansen882]

Your videos are my faves

[@pamhemmerling]

Such high praise--thanks Pamela!

[@karenb9517]

This looks like so much fun! You are a wonderful teacher and your video has me happily inspired to get some 4x4’s and give it a try.❤ Thanks a bunch!

[@pamhemmerling]

Oh Karen I am so glad to hear that you are encouraged to give it a try. Let me know how it goes. Thanks for watching.

[@MsArtistwannabe]

Great video tutorial. Thank you.

[@pamhemmerling]

Thanks for watching--I hope you found it helpful and inspiring.

[@katrinbehnke8194]

Cool 😎 I like that 👍

[@pamhemmerling]

Thanks for letting me know Katrin! I hope you are inspired to try something similar.

[@mai_8j888]

Great! Thanks.

[@pamhemmerling]

Thanks for watching--I hope you give it a try.

[@andreaharley4047]

Hi Pam, love this idea.Such a good talking point for on lookers. Cant wait to get some mini canvases. Thanks for sharing❤

[@pamhemmerling]

I really hope you give it a try Andrea--those little canvases are affordable and the results are better than you can imagine!

[@jennywhisconier7777]

Wicked!

[@pamhemmerling]

Thanks Jenny!

[@VickiStoner]

I love your faces. Would love a video on those.

[@pamhemmerling]

Thanks, Vicki--I'll add that to my list.

[@sandrabratland9087]

I love this idea! Thank you so much for sharing. I will certainly do something similar. The one thing I miss, is the final part ie hangers. Which hangers do you use and how do you ensure they all hang in line, and not askew?

[@pamhemmerling]

Thanks Sandra--I'm so glad you are willing to give this is a try. It is so fun and the results are amazing! To hang them I've been using mounting putty or small nails as I have not wired the backs as I would for larger canvases. As for getting them even or straight I generally eyeball it but I'm sure you could use a level to be more exact.

[@sandrabratland9087]

@@pamhemmerling Thank you so much, I really appreciate this 😃 And thank you for sharing your processes. It is SO inspiring!!!

[@pamhemmerling]

@@sandrabratland9087 You are welcome Sandra. Thanks for watching!

[@tammyradnai9886]

I love this idea. If I wanted to add photographs onto my collage, would clear gesso and matte medium damage the photos? Would it be better to photocopy the photos onto paper? Thank you!

[@pamhemmerling]

I wouldn't think the gesso or matte medium would damage your photos Tammy, but I honestly don't know for sure. Might depend on a variety of factors like age of the photo and the way it was developed or printed--you could do a test on one so you don't risk ruining a special photo. Let me know what you end up doing.

[@kymhughes5303]

Very nice. Would you hang these individually? Lots of picture hangers to evenly space. Or is there a better way.?

[@pamhemmerling]

Kym, I do hang these individually. I have used wall tacks or wall putty-- in my experience, both work equally well. I'm also not a perfectionist so I just eyeball the spacing rather than do any measuring.

[@LadyJaneG]

You are very good at your quick loose portraits. How long do you give yourself to do them?

[@pamhemmerling]

Thanks so much! I try to set a timer for at most 10 minutes depending on the art supply I am using. As a general rule, my quick sketches are 3 minutes in duration--it is hard to stop though.

[@kristinev7671]

Here from Quirky Queens Journals 🌞

[@pamhemmerling]

Thanks for watching!

[@kathleenstrukoff7407]

Pam, what is the type of deli paper you use for your collage paper? I looked on line and most of it looked to heavy.

[@pamhemmerling]

Hi Kathleen, I have the link for similar deli paper above in the description under "Links to Products". I think most deli paper is of similar weight but if you want something thinner I would suggest tissue paper.

[@deelittle2206]

Feeling inspired here in UK Pam - I think Id like to glue the collection to a board - would that work?

[@pamhemmerling]

I think that's a great idea Dee--let me know if you try it!

[@lisamccloughry2335]

Thank you 🙏 Great video

[@pamhemmerling]

@@lisamccloughry2335 Thanks for watching Lisa!

[@reinettemarais6868]

Hi Pam just because I am curious. Why does the majority of the craft artists have similar wooden or plastic patterned desks

[@pamhemmerling]

I'm not sure about others Reinette but as for me I just like the look of it as compared to my ugly desktop.

[@lynnesachs2330]

Hello what do you think about black gesso for your edges? Just curious why don’t you tape off the edges?.. it’s soo much better u have No Idea?

[@pamhemmerling]

That's a great idea Lynne! I'm too lazy to tape off the edges but you're right, I really should!

[@lynnesachs2330]

@@pamhemmerling Omg yes u should it’s so clean and the clack gesso I find works wayyynbetter than any paint of any kind🌻

[@lynnesachs2330]

@@pamhemmerling hi there I think you should especially since your doing u tube videos?? It’s so simple and those small are nothing. And black gesso works the best over anything I have tried and I have tried a lot. I think you should try it.🌻

[@pamhemmerling]

@@lynnesachs2330 Thanks for that tip!

[@pamhemmerling]

@@lynnesachs2330 Definitely will give it a try--thanks!

[@sharonromer6606]

Talk less...show the process faster.

[@pamhemmerling]

I totally get that Sharon--I would suggest changing the playback speed to 1.5 or even 2.0 to watch the video faster. I do that all the time with KZbin videos.

[@sharonromer6606]

@@pamhemmerling I did that Pam already...I'll just try to be more patient 👍

[@tovedyrlid1873]

Too many collagemakers on videos talk so much and so fast that my head is spinning and I get tired of the whole thìng 😮😮

[@pamhemmerling]

@@tovedyrlid1873 Some suggestions that might help your viewing experience are to mute the audio or slow the speed of the entire video. I'm sorry to hear you feel so frustrated watching.

[@lyric8529]

​@pamhemmerling you are sweet to reply so nicely to their comments.

[@sylvieauguste280]

I love you videos ,ideas , your art, but I stress a little instead of relaxing because you speak a lot, so fast , with rush. Calm please ;-)

[@pamhemmerling]

I'm so glad you enjoy the videos but am sorry to hear that they are at the same time rather stressful. I would recommend changing the playback speed in the settings from normal to maybe .75 which might help your experience when I talk too fast.

[@carolsmith4678]

Sadly had to turn off far too much unnecessary talk

[@pamhemmerling]

I'm sorry that you had a bad viewing experience Carol. If you find the video helpful I would suggest muting the sound and possibly increasing the playback speed? In that way, you can zip through the video and get the gist of it without listening to the commentary.