Dendritic Collage Papers with Just Paint and Paper

August 18, 2025

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There’s something magical about dendritic patterns. They look intricate and mysterious, like they took hours to make (but they’re super simple). In this Tune in Tuesday, I revisited one of my favorite techniques for creating dendritic collage papers. The best part? This version is even easier than the first time I demoed it. All you need is two equal-sized pieces of paper and some acrylic paint.

Seriously. That’s it.

I used a heavyweight mixed media paper for this round, but you could also use Bristol, watercolor paper, or anything with a little weight. The technique works best with thick, wet paint, so I pulled out some golds, whites, and my trusty two primaries: Phthalo Blue Green Shade and Hansa Yellow Light. From there, I just experimented.

If you’ve been following me for a while, you know I love to experiment!

Here’s how it works:

Spread thick, wet paint on both sheets.
Press them together.
Pull them apart.
Say “Oh my gosh” as you marvel at the beautiful, organic texture that forms.

Every pull creates something unique, and I found myself trying different paint thicknesses, color mixes, and even adding a touch of white for softer effects. The results? Stunning. From bold golds to ocean-inspired blues, these subtly textured papers will make fabulous contrasts to more patterned pieces in my future collages.

And here’s a little tip I learned mid-demo:

Lighter layers of paint create smaller, more delicate dendritic shapes, while thicker layers give you bolder, vein-like textures. It’s so satisfying, and I made a whole stack of these in under 20 minutes, but I could’ve kept going for hours.

This is one of those techniques that feels like play but gives you papers you’ll reach for again and again. Whether you’re new to collage or a seasoned maker. Happy making, my friend!

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