Bringing the Otter to Life – A Mixed Media Project with Josephiena’s Collage Paper

There’s something magical about transforming a simple sheet of paper into a textured, layered piece of art. For this project, I used Josephiena’s Collage Paper “Wild Life 3” (CP-088) — featuring our very own hand-painted otter. The artwork is printed on beautifully thin printer paper, which makes it easy to cut, glue, and blend seamlessly into any background.

Step into Nature with Layers and Texture

I started by applying a coat of Cadence Decoupage Plus Satin to glue the collage paper onto my background. The thin paper makes it easy to achieve a smooth, wrinkle-free finish — perfect for blending with paints and textures.

Once dry, I played with textures using Cadence Vintage Legend Mink for soft aged effects and Cadence Distress Paste – Ground Espresso for earthy, natural accents.

Adding Depth and Color

With a little Cadence Gesso White as a base, I started layering color. Using Distress Paint “Mustard Seed”, “Rustic Wilderness”, and “Uncharted Mariner,” I brought the forest and water tones to life. The shimmering touch of Cadence Dora Metallic Emerald adds a lovely, magical glow, especially around the greenery.

I used Josephiena’s Stencil A5S096 (Leaves) with Cadence Classic Relief Paste to add raised leaf details around the borders — it gives such a lush, dimensional frame to the otter scene.

Finishing Touches

To complete the design, I stamped a few words using Lavinia Stamps “Dill & Sage Words” and Versafine Clair Ink – Twilight. These delicate text fragments subtly tie everything together and give that dreamy storybook feel.

The Final Result

The finished piece measures 42 × 30 cm, while the collage paper itself is A4-sized (27 × 21 cm). What I love most is how the otter image remains the star of the show, yet blends so naturally with the hand-painted textures, shimmering leaves, and rustic tones. Every project with Josephiena’s collage papers tells its own story — and this one truly feels like a peaceful walk along a woodland stream.

Tip: Don’t be afraid to experiment! Layer different mediums, dab a bit of metallic here and there, and let the paper guide your creativity.