Looking to add a splash of color, charm, and vintage texture to your junk journal spreads? These 12 free mixed-media bird portrait images blend elegant avian illustrations with rich collage-style backgrounds—perfect for crafting, scrapbooking, and printable art projects.
Each piece in this printable ephemera collection features beautifully rendered birds layered over distressed papers, brushwork, and vintage design elements that bring your creative pages to life.
Whether you’re building a themed journal, designing tags and tuck spots, or simply want artistic birds that stand out, this curated set offers plenty of inspiration. Keep scrolling to preview all twelve images and discover how to use them in your next creative session.
And guess what? This is just Volume 1! If you love what you see here, be sure to check out Free Mixed-Media Bird Images – Vol. 2 and Free Mixed-Media Bird Images – Vol. 3 for even more artistic butterfly goodness.
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What’s Included
- 50 unique pages of butterfly-inspired art
- Over 50 high-resolution images (JPG & PNG)
- Portrait images in 3 sizes for flexible use
- Bonus digital download included
- Instant digital download – start creating today
Birdscapes E-Book, Surreal Mixed-Media Bird Art for Junk Journaling & Scrapbooking
12 Free Mixed-Media Junk Journal Birds Images
Let’s explore each bird illustration and how it might inspire your next crafting moment.
Regal Barn Owl
A beautiful barn owl stands against a heavily textured background with worn pastel reds and dusty blues. The owl’s pale face and dappled tan feathers glow softly against the rough vintage wall.
Why It’s Great for Crafting: This owl adds mystery and elegance to journal covers, especially autumn or nature-themed spreads. Its neutral palette works beautifully with grunge and muted tones.
Bluebird with Collaged Pastels
This mixed-media bluebird shines with vibrant cobalt and peach-pink feathers, perched over a layered background of script, stamps, and pastel brush marks in pinks and creams.
Why It’s Great for Crafting: Ideal for spring pages, this bird adds brightness and joy. The pink undertones complement florals, affirmations, and positive journaling prompts.
Sunbeam Yellow Bird
A canary-like bird in striking yellow perches over a grungy green and blue wooden-textured background. The layered texture of the bird gives it a mosaic look.
Why It’s Great for Crafting: This image bursts with cheerful energy—perfect for layering on gratitude pages, wish lists, or summer themes.
Cardinal with Manuscript Texture
The vivid red cardinal is rendered in fine detail, standing confidently against a pale background featuring yellowed sheet music and hand-written notes.
Why It’s Great for Crafting: Use this for bold accents or focal imagery. It pairs especially well with vintage ephemera or winter/holiday spreads.
MATCH AND CREATE
Add depth and style to your journal pages with perfectly paired premium printables.
Urban Dove on Patchwork Background
This pigeon illustration brings a soft lavender-pink hue to its wings, surrounded by a lively patchwork of reds, yellows, and newspaper scraps.
Why It’s Great for Crafting: Great for urban-themed journaling or documenting travel, markets, or letters. The background’s collage feel adds dimension.
Scarlet-Capped Finch with Yellow Wing
With bold red, black, yellow, and cream hues, this small finch pops against a heavily layered background filled with soft color splashes and ink specks.
Why It’s Great for Crafting: Perfect as a decorative journal pocket, tab, or embellishment for mixed-media art journaling.
Tall Heron with Water Reflection
This elegant heron stands in shallow water, its long form contrasting beautifully against soft blues, aquas, and pink washes resembling vintage wallpaper.
Why It’s Great for Crafting: Ideal for sea, lake, or travel themes. Works well as a vertical insert or journaling card.
Magpie with Coral Abstract
Rendered in stark black and white, this magpie pops against a fiery coral-and-teal background of collaged textures and brush layers.
Why It’s Great for Crafting: Great for edgy or contrast-heavy spreads. This bird also brings symbolic energy (mystery, curiosity).
MATCH AND CREATE
Go beyond the basics — these premium designs help you create richer, more expressive layouts.
Grand Peacock in Jewel Tones
This majestic peacock shows off its glowing blues, teals, and emerald greens against a rich aged-paper background filled with gold and pastel flecks.
Why It’s Great for Crafting: Perfect for luxe or botanical themes. Use it for decorative flaps, covers, or stand-alone ephemera.
Robin with Red Flower Accent
A European robin with an orange breast is perched next to a red flower. The collage behind it includes soft map textures and handwritten plans.
Why It’s Great for Crafting: This bird brings warmth and charm to any winter or garden layout. The added flower element makes it perfect for romantic or seasonal pages.
Teal and Salmon Swallow
A swallow rests against worn golden wallpaper and blue cracks. The painted blend of teal, soft pink, and charcoal is beautifully subtle.
Why It’s Great for Crafting: A versatile color palette for vintage journaling, letter writing pages, or travel layouts.
Bold Woodpecker on Bark
This striking woodpecker features deep black and beige feathers with a vivid red crown. The background is aged paper covered in music notes and faint text.
Why It’s Great for Crafting: Great for forest, woodland, or naturalistic spreads. Adds strong contrast to neutrals or green-toned backgrounds.
Download All 12 FREE Images with Sheets
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𝗪𝗛𝗔𝗧’𝗦 𝗜𝗡𝗖𝗟𝗨𝗗𝗘𝗗:
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12 Individual Photos in 8.5 x 11 inches (in JPGs and PNGs)
Additional Sizes Included as Sheets:
– 12 Single-Image Sheets
– 6 Two-Images Sheets
– 3 Four-Images Sheets
– 2 Eight-Images Sheets
12 Free Mixed-Media Birds Portrait Images – Vintage Printable Sheets & Ephemera for Junk Journals Vol. 1
How to Use These Free Mixed-Media Bird Images
These mixed-media bird portraits are designed for maximum visual impact. Each image is high-resolution and offered in both JPG and PNG formats. You can print them as full-page inserts, trim them for journal cards or tabs, or layer them under vellum, lace, or wax seals for texture.
Try using them:
- As cover art for seasonal journals
- On tags and tuck spots
- Within collage pages
- In mail art or handmade envelopes
- To inspire poetry or journaling prompts
Experiment with how the abstract backgrounds interact with your layered pages—there’s no wrong way to craft with them!
More Free Birds Collections to Explore
Feathered friends bring a touch of wonder to any spread, and these free printable bird sheets do just that. From curious stares to perched elegance, each one adds character and charm to your creative projects.
Build your collection and keep them close for journaling days when you want something a little extra special.
- Free Antique Old Birds Collections
- Free Mixed-Media Birds Collections
- Free Mixed-Media Bird Images Vol-1 (This article)
- Free Mixed-Media Bird Images Vol-2
- Free Mixed-Media Bird Images Vol-3
- Free Collage Newspaper Birds Collections
- Free Botanical Birds Collections
Ready to let your creativity take wing? These birds aren’t just for admiring—they’re perfect for layering, journaling, and crafting heartfelt pieces that feel both nostalgic and handmade.