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learn how tomake a collage
4 free mixed mediacollage techniques
1 whats left collages
CHARLOTTE LYONS
2 something to crow about:
a mixed-media fabric collageDIANE TAYLOR
3 creating custom paper
for collageLIZ BERG
4 painted paper collage
SERENA WILSON STUBSON
presented bycloth paper scissors
1 2
3
4
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what goes into making
a collage? Paper, paint,
fabric, stitch, found
objectsjust about anything you can
think of. But making a collage is not
just a sum of its parts. The process of
gathering materials, making decisions
about what to include and where,
and exploring new combinations of
materials and textures is in itself an art
exercise. Making a collage can inform
the other areas of your artwork and its
a lot of fun, too.
In this free, downloadable eBook, Learn
How to Make a Collage: 4 Free
Mixed Media Collage Techniques,
you will learn tips and techniques for
creating collages with fabric, paint,
stitch, and found objects. Each artist
will reveal how the combination of
careful planning and spontaneity can
inspire you to create cohesive collages.
In Whats Left Collages, designer
and fiber artist Charlotte Lyons shows
how, using a grid system, you can make
collages from the little bits that are left
on your worktable at the end of the
day.
Learn How toMake a Collage:
4 Free Mixed MediaCollage Techniques
presented by
Cloth Paper Scissors
ONLINE EDITOR Cate Prato
CREATIVE SERVICES DIVISION ART DIRECTOR Larissa Davis
PHOTOGRAPHERS Larry SteinKorday Studio
Projects and information are for inspiration and
personal use only. CLOTHPAPERSCISSORSis not
responsible for any liability arising from errors,
omissions, or mistakes contained in this eBook, andreaders should proceed cautiously, especially with
respect to technical information.
Interweave Press LLC grants permission to photocopy
any patterns published in this issue for personal use
only.
Diane Taylor explores how leaving
some things to chance can add a new
dimension to your work in Something
to Crow About: A Mixed-Media Fabric
Collage. She combines fabric, paper,
and stitch, taking advantage of thecreases and fraying edges to create
texture and interest.
Liz Berg demonstrates how to alter
found papers with paint and marking
tools in Creating Custom Paper for
Collage. Her methods add texture and
remove and add color to create more
visual interest.
In Painted Paper Collage, Serena
Wilson Stubson mixes found ordecorative papers with paint and glue
to create collage paintings full of depth
and interest. Her method allows you to
use up junk paper in an artistic way.
Through Learn How to Make a
Collage: 4 Free Mixed Media
Collage Techniques, you will discover
how to use design principles that
you can apply to collage and your
other mixed-media artwork. Use the
techniques as presented by the artists,
or mix and match them. Either way,
Learn How to Make a Collage:
4 Free Mixed Media Collage
Techniqueswill to bring new life and
perspective to your collage artwork.
Warmly,
Cate Prato
Online Editor,
Cloth Paper Scissors Today
clothpaperscissors.com
Where mixed mediaartists come to play
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Adapted fromCLOTHPAPERSCISSORS
November/December 2007
BYCharlotte Lyons
whats leftcollageswhen I think about it, this process started 30 years ago when my mothercasually asked me to clean out her dresser drawer. There is a saying,
There are no little things. Little things are the hinges of the universe. Nokidding. All these beautiful bits rattled and rolled around in my mothers dresser
after years of drifting toward the back. Broken jewelry, matchbook covers,
stamps, letters, lamp finials, buttons, seashells, merit patches, the things that
were worth saving but never found a place to live. My universe suddenly rested
on new hinges.
Summerhouse 8" 10"
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I was so thrilled to find these lost
treasures, and used an empty vintage
printers tray to house the odd
collection. Treating each compartment
of the tray like a small canvas,
sometimes painting a tiny scene inside,
I fit it all together like a picture puzzle
of meaningful family junk. It wasnt
long before I had my own oddities to
fill another tray, and so it went, until
I made several collages out of the bits
and pieces. My mothers salt spoons, old
valentines, heart-shaped rocks, Dads car
keys, Nanas nursing school pin, baby
charms, doll shoes. Over the years, it
changed the way I looked at scraps of
paper and textiles as well as tiny objects.
When I ran out of printers trays, I began
collaging stretched canvases marked off
into similar grids, essentially making flat
compartments for the bits and creating
the feeling of a jewelry box, a tiled
mosaic, or a patchwork quilt. I do like
those little rectangles.
Lately, I have been trying to use upwhats left on the worktable at the end of
the day. A crazy self-challenge, and hard
to pull off every day, but its often a good
way to inspire something new. Hence
the name of the series and this article,
Whats Left. The process is an easy one
and the steps are simple. Its all about
MATERIALS
8" 10" stretched artists canvaswith staples on the back (Canvasboard would work, also.)
Acrylic Folk Art paints in 2 or 3colors
Goldensoft gel medium (matte) Craft sticks
Paintbrushes and 1" foam brush
An assortment of papers, trinkets,treasures, and found objects
optional
Digital camera and computer
XO Blue 8" 10"
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the cool stuffsomething I still seem to
have way too much of, though thats not
a bad thing after all.
directions1. Collect the base grouping of objects
to include in your collage. Without
editing too much, look for pieces
that have different thicknesses and
shapes.
2. On a tray, assemble little things
like buttons, found objects, papers,
medals, textiles, flowers, letter tiles,trinkets, and keys. Looking at the
collection, choose a base color for the
background to set them against. Set
the objects aside.
3. With a pencil and straight edge,
create a grid: lightly mark off the
canvas into rectangles for a vertical
or horizontal presentation. This
can be done in several ways. You
can start with halves, then quarters,then eighths, and so on. Another
way to make the grid is to make
columns and mark these off into
random height rectangles so the
grid is regular in only 1 direction. If
the objects you have gathered lend
themselves to special shapes, arrange
the objects on the blank canvas
and mark off rectangles to fit the
individual pieces. You will unify the
collage with color.
tip: Before taking the collage apartto treat the background, use a digitalcamera to take a picture of yourassembled objects. If you already havean arrangement that you would like toduplicate in the final composition, this willhelp you reassemble it when youre ready.
4. Use 2 or 3 shades of a similar color
palette, such as pink, orange, and
red or blue, gray, and silver, for
instance. With the foam brush, fillthe rectangles with color, alternating
shades as you go. If the brush pulls
from another color, thats fine.
The idea is to make an interesting
background with dimension through
color. The grid tiles can be rough
shapes that bump against each other
in an unfinished way. Paint the sides
of the canvas as well.
5. When the painting is dry, place theobjects back onto the canvas. Take
some time now to shuffle them
around, balance lights and darks,
and add extras like paper scraps
and fabrics. If you took a picture of
it first, you can view the original
digital collage and use a photo-
Begin by sectioning off your canvas into a grid and painting in the squares with similarly colored paints (left). Then, audition bits ofpaper and fabric, changing them around until you find a pleasing composition (right).
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editing program to select and move
tiles around. This gives you ideasabout color and object relationships.
Audition new backgrounds in places
like a neutral-colored paper or a
pattern.
At this point, I try to leave it for a
day or so. When I come back to it,
Ill decide if it is ready to complete or
needs more work in the way of layers
or additional objects; sometimes I
even remove objects.
6. Use the paints and artists brushes
to paint details onto the background
canvas here and there: a little scene,
a backdrop of color for a special
object, or a patterned design. Or
consider adding another layered
dimension of objects stacked upon
each other to make levels that
create interest. You can also add anoverlay of thread, string, or textiles
to emphasize the grid or take sewing
thread and a needle to embellish
buttons or fabrics with hand
stitching.
7. Attach the papers and objects to the
canvas with the gel medium. Butter
the back of each object with a craft
stick, place it onto the collage, and
allow it to dry.
tip: Sew buttons to a piece of fabric andattach the fabric for a greater surfacebond.
8. Lastly, the edges can be self-framed
with paper bits, torn and collaged
along the edge of the canvas, and
wrapped around the sides. Book text
and sheet music are good for this.
Several of my blog readers noticed one
of these collages that I posted. Soon
after, they were hosting a blog-swap and
exchanging their own versions of the
idea. It was lovely to see all the different
treatments, each reflecting the eye of an
artist and a fond collection.
Keep filling your pockets with found
objects and trinkets. Just dont let them
languish unseen at the back of thedrawer. Better to hang them up on the
wall where you can enjoy them every
day.
Learn more about Charlotte and her art atcharlottelyons.com.
Its helpful to take digital photos of your composition once you have a good idea of where you want to place the elements (left) so youcan remember their placement as you glue them down and add detail to your collage (right).
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I love to combine a variety of fabrics
and textures in my mixed-media fabric
collages. I often make paper fabric and
use it as my base layer. On top of this
stiff base I arrange fabric rectangles andstitch them in place.
I design sweet, simple motifs (anything
from cupcakes to farm animals), add
free-motion stitching and fabric details
to them, and then stitch these motifs
to the background along with anyadditional elements the piece calls for,
such as specialty fabrics, buttons, and
trims.
My inspirations for the rooster collage
(instructions follow) are derived from
the countryside where I live. I enjoy
picking color and fabric ideas from
current interior trends. This particular
piece reflects vintage French country
dcor. The background is a patchwork
design of two print fabrics used in two
different ways: 1) I used the fabric in
its original, cotton form, and 2) I made
the cotton fabric into a paper fabric
(creating a lighter shade of the original).
I enjoy the juxtaposition of the light, stiff
paper fabric with the same print in its
bright, soft, fabric form.
These instructions are for a mixed-media
collage measuring 7" 7", but your
collage can be any size, with as manydifferent fabrics and embellishments as
you like.
something to crowabout a mixed-media fabric collage
ihave always been fascinated with textiles and how certain fabrics can workwell together. I tend to work in a more freehand way rather than a controlledmanner. Leaving some things to chance can add a new dimension to your work.
An accidental crease or a piece of fabric allowed to fray can add new textures.
Adapted from
CLOTHPAPERSCISSORS
May/June 2008
BYDiane Taylor
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choosing yourtheme1. Decide on your theme and gather
together appropriate images, printed
cotton fabrics, sketches, and buttons
that will coordinate and complement
one another.
2. Draw, trace, or sketch out your
rooster and leaf design, or any other
chosen motif, to fit within a 7"
square. Re-trace over the outlines of
your motifs with a black felt-tip pen.
3. Scan your paper design into acomputer, or photocopy it, and make
any appropriate amendments to the
scale of the design. Set your printer
to reverse or mirror image and
print the final design.
making paperfabric for the
background1. Lay a plastic drop cloth on your work
surface. This will be disposed of when
drying is complete.
2. Select 2 coordinating prints
measuring approximately 9" x 9" each
and place them on top of the plastic
sheet with the print side facing up.
3. Dilute some PVA glue in a container
with water (1:1) and mix well to a
medium consistency. Use a 2" bristle
brush to paint the glue over both
fabrics, ensuring they are thoroughly
covered with glue.
MATERIALS
Access to a computer or photocopier
White paper
Pencil
Black felt-tip pen
Plastic drop cloth (or other non-sticksheet) to protect your work surface
2 white tissue-paper sheets
PVA glue (a white glue, such asElmers)
Water
2" bristle brush
Sponge
2 coordinating cotton print fabrics,medium-weight
Ruler
Scissors
Sewing machine
White thread
Slate gray thread
Glue stick
White, open-weave muslin
Natural burlap
Neutral fabric for motif
Fusible web
Fabric scraps (for adding color anddetails to motifs)
2 buttons
optional
Additional embellishments (such asribbons and trims)
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4. Immediately after brushing the
fabrics with glue, place a white tissue
paper sheet directly over the top of
each fabric, smooth over it with a
sponge, and leave the fabric to dry.
Do not worry about making any
creases in the tissue paper, as these
will add to the overall effect.
piecing thebackground1. When the paper fabric is dry, peel it
away from the plastic. From 1 of the
squares, cut a rectangle measuring
8" 512", and from the other cut
an 8" 312" rectangle. Set aside the
remaining pieces for use in another
project.
2. To piece the paper-fabric background,sew these rectangles together using
a 12" seam allowance. (Place the
smaller rectangle on the larger
rectangle with print sides facing,
and align the 8" edges.) Carefully
open the pieces, folding the seam
allowance in one direction.
layering the collage1. Now that your paper-fabric
background is complete, its time to
enhance it using smaller rectangles
of the two original cotton prints (not
the paper fabric). Cut 23 different-
sized rectangles from each cotton
print. Arrange them as desired on the
background, and use a glue stick to
hold them in place. Allow the glue
to dry for 5 minutes before machine
stitching.
note: These rectangle sections can bewhatever size you desire, although it isimportant to allow areas of the paper-fabric base to show through to achieve acontrast. It is also up to you how accurately
you cut these fabric rectangles; I tendto work in a freehand manner withoutmeasuring the fabric used for layering.
2. Using white thread in the needleand slate gray thread in the bobbin
to give a contrast, machine straight
stitch around the edges of these
rectangles to attach them to the base.
3. Select a fabric to use as the
background behind your motif and
cut it to the appropriate size. (I
used a loose-weave white muslin,
approximately 412" x 512".) Using a
glue stick, attach this background
fabric centrally on your square
collage; allow it to dry. Using the
contrast stitching with a straight
stitch, sew around the edge of this
rectangle, about 14" inside the edge.
Add a second round of stitching
about 12" inside the previous
stitching.
4. Add any additional fabric rectangles
as desired to enhance the texture and
contrast. (I cut 2 rectangular pieces
of burlap, frayed the edges, and added
them to opposite corners, using the
same gluing and stitching process.)
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creating the motifsand finishing1. Trace your motifs onto the paper
side of your fusible web; cut out,
leaving approximately a 1" margin
around your motifs. Following the
manufacturers instructions, fuse the
web to the wrong side of your motif
fabric.
2. Set your machine for free-motion
embroidery and, using slate gray
thread in the needle and bobbin,
follow the line of your design. Whencompleted, snip any loose threads.
3. Select fabric scraps to use as accents
on your motifs and prepare them
with fusible web. Snip small pieces,
fuse them to the motifs, and stitch
them in place with free-motion
machine embroidery.
4. Trim any loose threads and carefully
cut around the stitched outline of
your motifs. Place your motifs where
desired on top of your collaged
square and tack them into position
with a glue stick. (Remove the paper
backing from the fusible web, if you
wish; I leave it in place on my pieces.)
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5. Using white thread in the needle
and bobbin, free-motion embroider
around the edge of your motifs
to secure. Cut and trim any loose
threads.
6. Embellish your design further by
sewing buttons where desired.
7. Finally, square up your collage and
trim it to the desired size.
Contact Diane at [email protected].
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creating
paper for collageBYLiz Berg
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The joys of creating a collage are great:
collage is not as structured as painting,so there is a lot of freedom; collage
doesnt require sewing, although sewing
can be incorporated; and collage can be
very freeing, allowing the expression of
all sorts of ideas.
Following is a technique I use to create
papers for use in collage. I start with
pages from magazines and alter them
to create new papers to incorporate in
my collage work. There are a number of
ways to add texture to papers to create
interesting patterns, and there are alsoa variety of ways to add and remove
color to create more visual interest. My
collage papers are usually so covered by
paint and texture that once cut or torn
the original image is not readily seen.
However, it is always advisable to use
copyright-free images when creating
artwork for anything other than personal
use. For the collages featured in thisarticle, I used pages from past issues of
CLOTHPAPERSCISSORSand QUILTING
ARTSMAGAZINE, having obtained
advance permission from the publisher
to use them for this purpose.
there are many ways to approach creating a collage. Ifusing paper, you need to decide if youll use images, just colors, foundpapers (those from magazines, books, slips of paper), art papers, handmade
papers, paint, fabrics, or other items.
MATERIALS
Newspapers, or other, to protectwork surface
Old phone book
Paintbrushes, 1 or 2 (2"3" wide)
Foam brushes
Acrylic matte medium
Fluid acrylic paints in several different
colors Goldentitan buff fluid acrylic paint
Magazine pages
Soft gel medium (I use this as glue.)
Small plastic container
Tray for mixing paint
Scissors for cutting paper
Old credit card, or similar, forspreading gel medium
Marking tools such as combs, rubberstamps, pens, etc.
Found papers: newspaper, old bookpages, map pages, etc.
Artist papers: mulberry paper, ricepaper, etc.
Bristol board or watercolor papercut to size (My finished pieces are8 10".)
Previous page: Shooting Stars 8" 10"
Below: The Crevace 8" 10"
Adapted fromCLOTHPAPERSCISSORS
March/April 2009
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directionsprepare yourpapers1. Ready your work surface, tear pages
from the magazines, and pour some
acrylic matte medium into a small
plastic container, such as a cottage
cheese container.
2. Using a wide paintbrush or foam
brush, apply a generous coating
of the liquid matte medium to the
surface of the magazine papers.
tip: I like to use an old phone book fora clean surface to paint on because Ican tear out the pages as I slop mediumor paint onto them. Using a page in the
phone book as a surface for painting, Ican easily paint right over the edges ofthe magazine pages and not worry aboutgetting the surface messy.
3. Lay your papers out to dry. The more
papers you prep in this manner, the
more fun you will have when you get
your paints out. Drying time depends
upon the amount of moisture in the
air, so plan accordingly.
4. Create a mixture of titan buff,which is semi-opaque, with an equal
amount of matte medium. Paint
this mixture over the surface of the
papers and then allow them to dry.
note: By using the titan buff paint, theoriginal images from the magazine pagesare more obscured. Drawing into themwith various texture tools will create someglimpses of the original lettering or imagesbut, if done carefully, not enough to
identify the original images.
5. Start adding color. Pour out about
2 tablespoons of fluid acrylic paint
and an equal amount of acrylic
matte medium. Mix well and start
painting over your titan buff layer. By
mixing matte medium into the paint,
the paint is thinned so that it will
produce a transparent color rather
than a solid, opaque color. I have
found that the matte medium dries
more quickly than glazing mediums
or glazing paints.
tip: I like to keep adding paint andacrylic matte medium to my tray withoutcleaning out my brush and the tray. Thismeans that I need to pay attention to thecolors I use, one after another. I might startout with a dark blue, add a lighter bluenext, and then move on to adding a red tocreate purple. I continue to add red untilthe paint is red and then add some yellow
to create orange, and so on, until I moveall the way around the color wheel andback to blue. In this way I am constantlycreating new colors, but because I followthe color wheel I am able to avoid creatingmuddy colors.
create texture onthe papersImmediately after applying the paint,
while its still wet, it is time to play with
various ideas for creating texture. You
will want to set some papers aside and
not texturize them in order to have a
Hot Days 8" 10"
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variety of papers for your collage. Here
are some suggestions for adding texture
to your papers; use various combinations
of these techniques.
Take a graining comb and pull it
through the paint across the paper in
one direction, and then go across in
the other direction.
Using your fingers, make designs or
write on the painted surface. Create
your own patterns making swirls,
squares, triangles, lines, and spirals.
Using a foam stamp, lift off part of the
paint while leaving the image of the
stamp in the paint. Stamp the excess
paint onto another paper.
Make various brush strokes on your
paper using a stiff bristle brush. Youcan also use the back end of a brush
to write in the paint.
Remove paint from the paper with a
scrunched up newspaper by lightly
patting it on the painted surface.
Place a piece of plastic wrap bigger
than the paper over the painted
surface. Pat it down onto the paint
and allow it to dry before removing.
Once your papers have dried, add
another layer of paint, still using half
acrylic matte medium and half fluid
acrylic paint. I like to stay within a color
group, but you may choose not to. You
can texturize again if you would like to
bring out some of the underlying colors,
or not. Sometimes, if there is a heavy
texture toward the bottom layer, I mayjust remove some of the last color by
dipping a scrunched up paper towel into
the paint to leave texture but not remove
too much paint.
note: How many papers you make willdepend upon how much room you have todry the papers. I have been known to getout the hair dryer to hurry things along alittle.
collage1. Decide how you want to design your
collage. Using your prepared papers,
as well as your selection of found
papers and artists papers, tear or cut
the papers and place them on your
Bristol board or watercolor paper
base. Create landscape-type images,
abstract images, or cut out shapes in
whatever way you would like.
2. When youre happy with the
placement, use soft gel medium
to glue your papers down into
a pleasing design. Spread the gel
evenly across the back of the torn
or cut paper, lay it onto the surface,
and use an old credit card to smooth
out the paper evenly. This will also
remove the excess gel medium fromunder the papers; you can then
spread it over the surface with a
brush.
Remember to incorporate light and dark
areas into your collage, as well as
mid-range colors. Complementary colors
will add an extra spark. Include plenty of
images and a variety of papers to create
your message. Use a glaze of color to
wash over the entire piece, creating asense of harmony; use rubber stamps,
more images, handwriting with crayons
or pens, splatters of paint, lines drawn
with pens, etc. These are just some of
the ways to make the collage your own.
Experiment and add your own personal
touch.
Learn more about Liz and her art atlizbergartquilts.com.
A layer of quinacridone gold was paintedover a layer of titan buff. Next, a layer offluid rose madder was sponged on with acrumpled paper towel. When dry, titan buffwas added with a paper towel over partsof the paper. A piece of plastic wrap wasplaced on top, allowed to dry, and thenremoved.
A layer of cerulean blue glaze was painted overtitan buff, and then a texture tool was used toremove paint in lines.
A violet glaze was painted over titan buff. Next,a small amount of black glaze was dabbed onwith paper towel. When dry, some titan buffglaze was added, partly wiped off, and plasticwrap was placed on top.
painted magazine pages
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painted papercollageover the years I have accumulated a huge collection of papers from all overthe world, but I could never bear to use them in my art making. Ive alsoalways loved texture, and would go out of my way to add stucco, feathers, and
even broken glass to my paintingsanything to add new depth, but never my
papers. One day I had the idea to include some of these beautiful papers in a
new painting, and my own style of painted collage was born.
BYSerena Wilson Stubson
Adapted fromCLOTHPAPERSCISSORS
May/June 2010
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directionsadding papersnote: These directions are for creating apainting on watercolor paper. The sameprocess would be used with astretched-canvas base.
1. Cut or tear circular pieces of paper
for the bases of your flowers.
You want them to pop, so choose
interesting papers from your
collection.
2. Cut or tear smaller circles from
contrasting paper to fit inside the
larger circles. These circles will be
the centers of your flowers.
3. I like to add a torn strip of paperacross the width of the composition
to add color and interest (see the
samples at the top of the next
page). To do likewise, tear a piece of
decorative paper to the desired size.
Apply a thin layer of glue to the back
of this piece and to the surface of the
watercolor paper base, and glue the
torn piece in place. I like to place this
piece of paper towards the bottom of
the composition.
4. Cut some tissue paper slightly
larger than your watercolor paper
base, scrunch the tissue, and then
gently flatten it without removing
the wrinkles. Scrunched tissue adds
great texture to the collage.
5. Apply a thin layer of glue on top of
the watercolor paper, covering the
entire surface. Gently press your
tissue paper on top, into the glue,
adhering it to the base. This part
gets a bit messy because the tissue
paper absorbs a lot of the glue, but
its worth it for the wonderful texture
that results.
6. Apply a thin layer of glue on top of
the tissue. Be gentle, as its easy to
tear the tissue while its still wet. Add
your larger circles in a place that
pleases you. I like to glue them about34of the way up the page.
collectingpapersCollect a variety of papers that inspire you. These can be pieces of newspapers,paper with printed motifs, wallpaper, or handmade papers from around the world.You may want to reuse tissue and wrapping paper from gifts; not only are yourecycling, but youre also capturing a wonderful moment that you will always bereminded of when you look at your collage.
Above (detail on previous page): 3 Orange, 2 Green, 3 Blue Flowers 10" x 15" 100%natural cotton gallery-wrapped canvas; PVA, vintage dress pattern, paper, acrylic paints, found
objects used as stamps.
MATERIALS
A gallery-wrapped canvas orwatercolor paper for the base
Decorative papers such as tissue,newsprint, handmade or importedpapers, scrapbooking papers
PVA glue or Paper Mod Podge
Brush to apply glue
Paintbrushes: small round, 12" at,and a fine liner brush (I use a 2/0Loew-Cornell Comfort3350 Linerbrush.)
Container of water
Acrylic paints (I use Golden ArtistColorsand Kroma Colors.)
Rags
Finishing sealer (I recommendGoldens archival varnish.)
China markers, pastels, or watercolorpencils to accent your collage
Found objects for stamping, such asBubble Wrapand soda bottle caps
optional
Squeeze bottle with a fine tip (Usewith watered-down paint instead of abrush for drawing lines.)
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7. Glue the smaller circles on top of
the larger circles, and apply another
thin layer of glue to the entire piece.
Allow to dry.
adding color8. Using your 12" flat brush, choose a
color to accent the background of
the collage. Apply color to the paper
using either a dry-brush technique
or by painting and then dabbing it off
with a rag. All the wonderful textures
that the tissue paper created will be
enhanced by the paint.
note: If you choose to add more than onecolor to your background, be careful notto overwork it or the colors may becomemuddy.
9. Dilute your paint with a little water
and begin to paint your flowers. Paint
on top of the circular layers of paper
using complementary or contrasting
colors. I love to use colors that youwouldnt normally put together, such
as orange paint on top of fuchsia or
teal on top of red.
Add colorful, patterned papersto the background (steps 37)
Color the flowers and background with paint, pasels, and stamping, accentuating theunderlying textures created with paper and tissue.
1 Blue, 1 Green Flower 5" 4" 100% natural cotton, gallery-wrapped canvas; PVA,tissue paper, paper, acrylic paints, Kroma crackle paint, found objects used as stamps.
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10. Add detail to the background of
your painting using paint splatters,
pastels, stamping, or other materials
and techniques.
11. Once youre happy with your
background, outline the flowers
using black paint and a thin
paintbrush or a squeeze bottle with
a fine tip. Dont worry if your lines
are less than perfect; these details
add character to the piece.
12. Add the stems and a leaf or 2 to the
flowers.
13. Let your piece dry, and then seal
it with an archival sealer. I like to
wait 24 hours before sealing my
paintings.
Learn more about Serena and her art atserenawilsonstubson.blogspot.com.
tips If youve added too much paint
and blocked out the pattern on
your paper, blot it with a damp
rag. This will also add interesting
texture to your painting. Dont restrict yourself to following
the curves of the circles; paint
dots, swirls, or even zigzags on
the circles.
Add a third circular layer to the
ower using paint instead of
paper.2 Gray, 1 Pink Flower 14" 10" 100% natural cotton gallery-wrapped canvas; PVA,tissue paper, paper, acrylic paints, found objects used as stamps.
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