the broke artist guide // creating with cardboard

Welcome back to my broke artist guide series where I occasionally share my favorite materials, hacks and tricks for creating amazing art on a budget creating art in a budget doesn’t mean sacrificing quality or creativity in this video.

Today, I’m excited to share how I use one of my favorite materials: cardboard. It's incredibly versatile and perfect for various creative projects, from practicing painting and creating both large and small art pieces to making art journals and using it as a collage material. Cardboard is also a fantastic way to experiment and practice before investing in higher-quality, archival products.

[mycrochetobsession]

Romero Britto started out creating on cardboard. Early on galleries turned down his work—Look where he is now. He’s the most commissioned artist on the planet. I love to create art journals and junk journals out of my cereal and cracker boxes.

[cathy]

Inspiring! Thank you for not doing a haul video! I get discouraged when creators show off their expensive new art supplies. This is refreshing ❤

[HappyRN_art]

I love your budget friendly tips and ideas! I use so much cardboard in my art. It actually hurts my heart when I have to send cardboard out to recycling because my stash is too big to add more to it.😊 I've learned a lot from you and it's led to other creative ideas. I have chronic health issues and I'm extremely limited on funds. I started creating art in 2022. I love breaking the "rules" and letting my creativity run free. Thank you for all that you share! I'm one of your biggest fans!

[SolClaritha]

I'm not an art professional, but I like to see and know that experienced people practice and create with affordable, readily available materials. I also use cardboard, crayons, markers, and reuse anything that gives me the opportunity to create. Thank you so much for sharing your experience; it's a great help and inspiration. Blessings.

[allieeverett]

Cardboard makes great books too, which you mentioned. I really love handmade books 😉

[leticiafelix]

Cardboard has always been my go to i loved this video. Now i feel justified hoarding cardboard. My fav is the back of an art pad!

[GrumpetteJV]

This is lovely.
However, an important thing to remember is that after you've practiced painting on it, this cardboard can NOT go into recycling!!!
People need to remember that cardboard is NOT something that just gets tossed out, but will get recycled.
Putting paint on it, is essentially covering it with plastic.
So my advice is to take a more mindful approach and to not just see it as something cheap and so readily available for simple practice.
Remember what cardboard is made from...trees!
So it is NOT trash!

[tea-and-art]

so good, keep this video series going, it's GREAT! 🙌🙏❤

[jeaninesarrge]

Thank you for the ideas! I work retail, and I am always looking over the packaging, old displays, papers... to see what I can use.

[jerrygill]

This is my favorite thing I’ve seen you do. I too, have plenty of cardboard boxes from shopping on line, so my mind is working now on what to do first. I have a beautiful hardwood tray that my husband made. I always wanted to paint a floral on it but did not have the courage. I can paint it on cardboard first to see how it looks. Thank you.

[MrsBeasleys]

Thank you for sharing! I always feel up lifted watching your videos. ❤

[claireskey]

Love this video Alisa and I also love cardboard. Gesso here is ridiculously expensive. Plus cardboard is FREE.😁#UseWhatYouHave. Much love.🇦🇺💖

[bextermonkey]

Thank you! I have more cardboard than money.

[SJoe]

I love your work, and the fact that you share it with us!! What kind of paint did you use for this?

[yoshigirl]

i use cardboard to make signs and sculptures