There are a multitude of techniques you can use for any art project, however, the altered art era that we have recently embraced offers a few recurring techniques that could be utilized in any piece. Adding scraps, textures and a few other things can create a lasting piece of artwork that is completely individual and beautiful. Most of the things that can be observed through artwork seem difficult to achieve, however, that is not the case. There are plenty of simple things that can be done with no prior experience to add perfect artistic touches to any piece of work.

Scraps:
Adding scraps to any kind of artwork, whether it is a scrapbook page, a blank canvas, or an active journal entry, can incorporate a very personal touch to the piece. Examples of scraps that could be included could be movie ticket stubs, receipts, photographs, or magazine clippings. Obviously, blatantly gluing a random piece of paper onto your platform of choice won't make a masterpiece; however, fitting scraps into your work can definitely add a nice touch. There is a bit of finesse required with adding clippings into your artwork, but with the right supplies, it can be done. A great way to start, is to design your piece based on the scraps you plan to use. Think of it as a theme. For instance, say you want to document a trip to the movies and lunch at the park, and you're starting with a blank canvas. Maybe pick a background color that was recurring throughout the day, then work in your scraps and perhaps some photos and then add a poem or quote in an artistic font somewhere in the piece. Keep in mind, that, yes, some of these things require a little bit of practice€¦but not talent per se.

Textures:
Here is another technique that can add dimension to your artwork. Texture can come from a variety of materials, and there is no limit to what can be tested. Adding three-dimensional touches to your artwork makes it more interesting, eye-catching, and unique. This can be achieved with a few basic supplies: textured object(s) of choice, glue, and paint. Apply your textured object to the platform with glue, and after it has dried, seal it with additional glue. Mod Podge is a perfect medium for this task. After the sealing coat has dried, cover the object with paint to leave only the texture behind. If you're still going by the example stated above, then in this case it could be a thick piece of cardboard cut to look like a film strip, glued to the platform and then painted as a film strip would be, to add dimension, texture and extra color to the piece.

Black Ink:
Black ink is an invaluable tool for mixed media artwork. You wouldn't necessarily guess that it had so many uses; however, it has grown quite popular in the mixed media art realm. The reason being, is that it is so versatile and great for so many things other than stamping. Running a black ink pad along the edges of photos or other paper can give a nice antiqued look, as well as brushing the stamp pad along corners and other parts of pages to give little smudgy accents. It can also be used to make the textures you choose to use stand out a little more, if you brush the stamp pad along areas of the piece that are raised.

Overall, these are only a few examples of techniques that can be used to create works of art that can really let your creativity show. The biggest tip to be offered, would be to experiment! Never let your creative efforts be stifled, and always try new things.