Art Is Easy to Make!  by Poochie Myers. 
Lesson 16
If you have to struggle then you are doing something wrong.

Mixed media and collage                        

Think of your favorite story, make 10 images of it.

Layer paint, paper, pastels, watercolor washes

Use parts of the text

Prepare sheets for cutting by painting on them or drawing or printing on them. Whatever you want for design and color.
Cut out the shapes you like. Can be boats, cats, flowers, cars, dogs, people, etc.
Arrange these shapes on prepared paper. Can be plain, patterenewhatever.
Can use poly resin to coat each layer.
Can make drop shadow with paint.
Use as much or little pattern as you  like, think of focal  point.
You can use powdered pig. Or chalk or paint between layers.

Gel, soft charcole and craypas.......
 
Use the gel first...here and there on 24x20 canvas

Next the oil, safflower oil works good.

Use tempra powdered pigment over oil, mix, gel into the powdered pigment. Add more oil if want.

Be patient, not soupy but soft

Use a knife and make use of your mood.