How to collageNo two artists do the same thing in the same way. Artists are individuals and develop their own style of creating. That said there are some universal skills, techniques and patterns of creative actions that that appear over and over in collage making. Skills The skills and abilities a collage artist needs (and can be developed) are Other practical considerations: Techniques Also, check out these how to collage articles on: Collecting tips Patterns of creative actionThis is a super generalized overview of how to go about creating a collage: 1) Take time to research what it is you want to make. Look around at what collage artists are making. Daydream about it, try to visualize the finished piece (no one will hold you to it, if, once you start creating, the project heads in another direction remember there are no collage police) Consider - what appeals to you at a gut level? working on canvas or paper? making collage jewelry? - is there something you have always dreamed of making?- what skills level do you have, does the project look doable?- what supplies do you have, will this project require a trip to the craft shop?- are you making the art for yourself, to send to a magazine for publication or as a gift for someone. How you answer each of these questions determines what direction your creative imagination will head. 2) As you go about your life, look for materials and images that you could use in your collage work. Without ‘stuff’ you will not have a collage. See 'collecting tips' (coming soon). 3) Make a list of the supplies and tools you will need for this specific project. Take the time to collect, buy and get out everything you need. 4) Choose/buy/borrow/find the substrate or base for your collage. The base can be any number of things: paper, a journal, a paper mache box, a frame, cardstock, cardboard, chip board, wood, stretched canvas, canvas board, the list could be endless. You can collage on anything that will take paint or glue! 5) Prepare the base by painting it with a layer of gesso (Tier 3 link – gesso), acrylic paint (Tier 3 link - craft paints), or trim back ground paper to the same size and glue on. 6) Trim any other paper scraps or images or words that you want to include in the collage with a scissors or craft knife. Think about how many images or papers you will need in light of your artistic vision and style. If you are doing a large collage, then you may need more images, but you can also use the ‘white space’, collage doesn’t have to be cluttered. 7) Arrange and re-arrange the papers on the page until you are satisfied with your composition (Tier 3 – composition) 8) Take a break and leave the composition for a while, preferably over night. When you return to your artwork any compositional flaws will jump out at you, now is the time to repeat the composition process. If you are having a hard time solving your problem – you know something is wrong, but not quite what it is or what to do about it – then look around at the work of other collage artists- in books or magazines or online for tips, ideas and inspiration. Don’t merely copy what they have done, draw ideas and make them your own. 9) When you have decided on the composition glue everything in place. Adhere the background pieces first and build up from there, overlaying papers. Lay wax paper over the piece and smooth down with your fingers or even a brayer. Let it dry. If you have papers sticking out over the edge of the paper or canvas, trim the excess paper with a sharp kraft knife. 10) Stand back from your creation and then add any finishing decorations or embellishments. Consider adding watered down paint, water soluble oil pastels, rubber stamps, fabric, beads or found bits and pieces. 11) If necessary, apply a sealer to the collage.
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