Cool Ways to Incorporate Stickers into Your Art

Introduction

Stickers are often thought of as just small, simple decorations—perfect for your laptop, water bottle, or skateboard. But what if I told you that stickers could be much more than just an accessory? In fact, they can play a very fun role in larger, more intricate works of art. Stickers have the potential to be very playful mediums and additions, adding texture, dimension, and a touch of fun to your artistic creations. Whether you’re a seasoned artist or a DIY enthusiast, you’ll be surprised at the possibilities for using stickers in your art.

In this post, we’ll explore some cool and creative ways to incorporate stickers into your art, and show you how this versatile medium can elevate your illustrations, collages, and mixed-media projects.

Why Stickers Are Perfect for Art

Stickers often get a bad rep as a “quick fix” or an easy way to add flair without much effort. But stickers are a lot more versatile than you might think. They offer:

• Variety: From intricate designs to bold, graphic illustrations, there’s a sticker for every artistic style.
• Texture: Stickers add a tactile element to your artwork, offering both visual interest and a physical texture that you can’t get with traditional paint or pencil.
• Ease of Use: Stickers can be a great way to experiment with art in new ways—whether it’s as the foundation for a larger piece or as an element in a mixed-media collage.
• Customization: With so many stickers available (as well as the option to create your own), the possibilities are endless for how you can incorporate them into your artwork.

Not only that, but seeing stickers as a quick-fix is applying a rule to a very subjective field. I say, if you think it looks good, then do it. In fact, it can be quite fun to rebel against the “Rules of art” .

Now let’s dive into some of the fun ways you can integrate stickers into your art!

1. Create Sticker-Centric Collages

One of the easiest ways to incorporate stickers into your art is by using them in a collage. The great thing about sticker collages is that they allow you to combine so mANY different shapes, sizes, and designs incredibly easily to create a strangley cohesive, larger-than-life piece.

How to Get Started:

• Pick a Theme: Choose a theme for your collage, such as nature, pop culture, or abstract patterns.
• Select Your Stickers: Gather a mix of stickers—these could be from your collection, purchased online, or even custom-designed. Stickers with bold designs, bright colors, and interesting textures will stand out.
• Layer for Depth: To make your collage more dynamic, layer the stickers. This gives the piece depth and dimension, creating the illusion of texture. Try mixing matte, glossy, and even holographic stickers to add variety.
• Arrange and Stick: Start arranging your stickers on the canvas or background material. Play with their placement until you’re happy with the overall layout. Once you’ve found the perfect arrangement, stick them down securely.

Collages with stickers can look completely different depending on the types of stickers you choose. For a minimalist look, you could select simple shapes and muted colors. Alternatively, you could go with my personal favorite technique, and go all out with vibrant, quirky, or textured stickers to create a more eclectic vibe.

2. Use Stickers as Focal Points in Illustrations

Another creative way to incorporate stickers into your art is by using them as focal points in your larger illustrations or paintings. Imagine drawing a beautiful landscape or portrait and adding a sticker of a character, object, or symbol within the scene. This mix of hand-drawn art and sticker design can result in a striking, eye-catching composition.

How to Get Started:

• Select a Sticker: Choose a sticker that complements your existing artwork. If you’re creating a portrait, you could use a sticker of an accessory or character element to add a fun twist. For landscapes, try using a sticker of an animal, tree, or cloud in the scene.
• Paint or Draw Around the Sticker: Once you’ve placed the sticker, continue your artwork around it. If you’re doing a portrait, paint or draw the background or other elements, incorporating the sticker into the scene seamlessly. For a landscape, you might paint a sky or mountains surrounding the sticker to blend it into the piece.
• Make It Part of the Story: Think of the sticker as a character or item that exists within the world of your artwork. If you place a cute character sticker in a forest scene, you could paint a path leading to it, making the sticker feel like a natural part of the artwork.

By doing this, you not only create a unique piece of art, but you also take advantage of the sticker’s boldness and vibrancy to create contrast with the rest of your work. It’s like combining the worlds of traditional illustration and graphic design.

Doing this could also be quite a fun sketchbook exercise of trying to match an artstyle with a background. This can be great to experiment with if you’re still trying to work out your art style or need a bit of practice making backgrounds.

3. Build a Mixed-Media Art Piece

Stickers are an excellent medium for mixed-media art because they can work alongside a variety of other materials, from paint and markers to fabric and paper. The fun part about mixed-media art is that it truly encapsulates the idea of art being ruleless. Each medium can interact with the others in exciting and unexpected ways.

How to Get Started:

• Gather Your Supplies: In addition to stickers, you’ll need paints, inks, markers, or other materials that fit your art style.
• Start with the Stickers: Begin by placing your stickers on the canvas or background, using them as a foundation for your mixed-media piece.
• Layer with Other Materials: Add layers of paint, ink, or even fabric to the canvas. You could paint over parts of the stickers to blend them into the background or leave them exposed for contrast. For example, a sticker of a cat could be surrounded by a painted garden, or a sticker of a star could shine brightly in a dark, painted sky.
• Play with Texture: Stickers are a great way to add texture to a piece. You can use dimensional stickers for added depth, or even glue down other items like glitter, beads, or fabric for a tactile experience.

This method of incorporating stickers into mixed-media artwork allows for experimentation and creativity, and it gives your work a modern, playful edge. Just remember that some materials interact with each other a bit strangely or don’t stick to certain materials. 

4. Create Sticker Stamps for Repetition and Pattern

If you love creating repetitive patterns or a sense of symmetry, stickers can be your perfect “stamp.” By repeating a sticker design across a piece of paper, canvas, or other surfaces, you can build a cohesive pattern that adds visual interest and texture.

How to Get Started:

• Choose a Sticker with a Simple Design: Select a sticker that has a bold, simple design—something that will repeat well without becoming too busy.
• Make Your Grid or Layout: Arrange the stickers in a grid, row, or another repeating pattern. You can overlap them slightly or space them evenly, depending on the look you’re going for.
• Add Color: Once the stickers are placed, you can enhance the pattern with paint or markers. For example, if you’ve created a grid of flower stickers, you could paint the background or add shading to the flowers to make them pop.

This method is perfect for creating modern, geometric designs that have a clean, uniform look while still being playful thanks to the sticker element.

5. Use Stickers in Journal and Sketchbook Art

If you’re into journaling or keeping an art sketchbook, stickers are an easy way to add a burst of personality to your pages. They can be used to frame a drawing, add color to a page, or even serve as inspiration for your next illustration.

How to Get Started:

• Decorate Borders: Use stickers to create borders around your journal pages or sketchbook entries. This adds a decorative touch without requiring you to draw anything yourself.
• Create Sticker Stories: Add character or object stickers to the page and draw or write a story around them. A sticker of a car could become part of an illustrated road trip, or a heart-shaped sticker could be the focus of a love-themed page.
• Add Texture to Sketches: Place a few small stickers on your sketches to create texture or depth. A couple of geometric stickers can give a drawing of a city skyline a modern, edgy feel.

Incorporating stickers into journals and sketchbooks allows for a more spontaneous, less structured form of art, where you can mix personal expression with creative freedom.

Conclusion: Let Your Imagination Run Wild

Stickers are more than just fun little decorations—they can be an exciting and versatile tool in your art-making process. Whether you’re building intricate collages, adding dimension to a painting, or creating mixed-media masterpieces, stickers can offer fresh ideas and unexpected results.

So, the next time you find yourself with a sticker sheet, consider using it in your artwork. The possibilities are endless, and you might just discover a new way to express your creativity.

Ready to start incorporating stickers into your art? Go ahead—grab your favorite stickers, a canvas, and get creative! Stickers are waiting to be part of your artistic journey.

Go, make the medium of stickers yours

Now that you’ve learned some fun ways to incorporate stickers into your art, it’s time to try them out! Experiment with new techniques, add some stickers to your illustrations, and share your creations. Don’t forget to let your imagination run wild!