Art Tutorial: Painting with Tissue Paper
Be sure to test that your tissue paper does not have a light waxy feel, if it does, its colors will not bleed the way you want them to. Dollar store tissue frequently does not bleed. You may want to try tissue paper from an art or craft store. Here’s an art supplier I really like who provides tissue paper that bleeds.  (This is an affiliate link. I will earn a small commission if you purchase from them.) Now watch the video tutorial so you can paint with tissue paper!
When did you last make time to be creative? What gets in the way for you? What helps you get going?
Creatively Yours,
Amy
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Hi Amy, excited to try this technique today with my kids. I’ll let you know how it goes? What kind of paper are you using or do you recommend?
Nicole
HI Nicole:
Thanks for stopping by and Happy Holidays!
I used a number of different types of paper in journals, as well as plain old computer paper. In terms of tissue paper,I often save the type I get gifts in, and as long as there’s no “filmy, waxy” stuff on it, usually it bleeds quite well. I have done it even with toddlers and had great success. Good luck!
Amy
Amy, this is so cool. I have a meeting this afternoon with a local shoppe downtown Owen Sound…this is a perfect quick activity to introduce people to expressive arts (I am a therapist). Can’t thank you enough. Will definitely let you know how it goes … and hopefully, how it goes on and on and on…Best to you!
HI Susanna!
Thanks so much for taking the time to watch and to comment. What a great idea to use this for an informational session. I never thought about it. Thanks! And now, you have me intrigued about where Owen Sound is???
Cheers and thanks again. I can’t wait to hear how it goes.
Amy
It’s 2021, but I’ve just come across you via Pinterest. I haven’t ever done any type of art, as I’m just not “artistic”, but when I had to retire on disability 10 years ago my husband told me I’d need a hobby. I had two friends who made cards so I tried that & have continued with it. Thankfully, I’m better than when I started. lol I’ve recently thought I’d like to start an art journal, which is kind of silly, but I really
want to learn how to just “play” & not have to strive to make something that I have to labour over for a long time to meet with my approval, or anyones for that matter. I am so glad I just watched this video as it gives me an idea of where to start & I’m happy to hear you say it’s just a way to play. BTW, Owen Sound is in the southern region of Ontario, Canada & is between two lakes, one of them being Lake Huron. 🙂
HI Teri:
Oh I’m so so pleased that you found me. It sounds like you are in just the right place. The tissue paper is great fun and will definitely take you far in your journal. I have a free class that I think you’d really like as well: Creative Self Care
xo
How long do you let it dry?
Hi Joanne: Drying times vary by region of course, but you want it to be bone dry to the touch. Not cool at all. I haven’t done this in a while, but it took somewhere between 2 and several hours is my recollection.
xo
Wow! What a fun technique! I had never heard of it! Thanks for sharing. I can’t wait to try it! xoxo from France
HI Sabrina:
Welcome to Mindful Art Studio! I just love your blog, Daring to Be Creative, it’s lovely and fun, and full of creative encouragement and inspiration. I know that many folks here will appreciate it.
I’m stoked that you like the tissue paper technique. Remember to get the bleeding type so that it works for you.
Cheers!
Amy
I wish your videos could be larger, as when I watch them on my phone they are pretty small. I wish that when I turn my phone horizontally I could see much more of what you’re doing. Thank you. your videos are very informing and I really enjoy them.
HI Jan:
I learned recently that I could film horizontally, so hopefully on the next one you’ll get better visibility! How’s the tissue paper painting going?
Cheers,
Amy
Do you put gesso on the page first?
HI Tamie: I definitely do not gesso the page first, and that’s because the dye from the tissue paper would likely not bleed into the gesso as it does into the paper. You could of course try both and see what happens, but I am not someone who preps pages that way. I figure I’m working on paper and not canvas for a reason. OF course, ask me in a while, and perhaps I’ll be experimenting with that for some reason, but for now I’m not. XO Amy
Thank you . Your tissue bleed workshop has really helped me to get started. What do you suggest for a source for journals that are hardy enough to accept heavy items like jewelry, buttons etc
Hi Lena:
YAY – the tissue bleed is super fun, right? So, for journals, the heaviest paper journals I use are Strathmore watercolor journals. (They are amazing!) There are also mixed media paper journals. I am not familiar with these. It depends on the weight of the paper – so going into an art store near you to handle them would be a good idea. I’ve never put metal on my journals, so I can’t speak to that specifically. I can tell you that I punch holes in the watercolor paper ones and it works great. I also paint multiple layers of acrylic paint and it does really well with it. I hope this helps.
xo Amy
Hi Amy. Really Amazing… I realized now how many years i have wasted… Used to play with these kind of tissues in childhood but never thought this way of creativity…
Thanks to you for cherish my creativity. I will also show this to my kids for them to be more creative.
I mean it dear. Thanks again.
Subbu from Mumbai- India
I’m so glad this speaks to you Subbu! Happy playing! xo
Thank you Amy, the tissue paper idea is so simple for non -artists, but so effective. Seasons Greetings from Tropical Australia , Kindest regards, Helena.
Hi Helena: Oh I’m so happy that this rings true to you! Seasons greetings to you as well! XO
maybe next time use a heat gun to dry the papers
I couldn’t get the video to produce sound and I had to manually move the bottom curser to move the video along; just got stuck if I removed my finger sliding along. Got the gist of it, though.