I’m a sucker for a good collage. It’s the type of project that is just simple enough since there aren’t many materials, but when done right, can turn out amazing. All you really need to create a good collage are glue, scissors and whatever materials you want to use. Typically, the materials are any sort of paper, including tissue paper, newspaper and pieces of magazines or books. You can also use other items in your collage such as ribbon, metal pieces (bottle caps or coins), or fragments of other items. Personally, I like to stick with paper mediums. Creating a collage just using paper allows the crafter to layer the materials, fit them together like a puzzle, or even decoupage.
Right now I’m in the process of finishing up a college on canvas. I have been using the covers of some of the latest issues (or whatever ones I have lying around my house) of the Phoenix New Times. For this particular collage, I have cut and placed the magazine covers in different angles and shapes. This collage is very geometric and still keeps a square shape, whereas many other collages are completely random and abstract. I also plan to decoupage this collage to give it a glossy and smooth feel.
I have made so many collages in the past that I feel I can offer up a few ideas when it comes to make them. First, I would say, don’t always feel like you need to cut your pieces of paper. I think ripping can sometimes be very effective, especially if your end-goal is to make a piece that is abstract and almost put together in a haphazard sort of way. I also think that usually the lighter the paper, the better. Tissue paper and newspaper are awesome for collages because they are so easy to layer (and that, to me, is key for any type of collage you can make). Other papers like cardstock are too heavy and sometimes have a hard time sticking or they just look bulky in comparison to other papers. However, I do recommend mixing and matching all types of paper. And as I said before, using other media, such as ribbon or metal pieces are also very effective, especially if you have a blank area that needs to be covered.
If you are looking to make your collage look older or vintage, a cool technique to try is layering white tissue paper on your already-made design. From there, you can also dye or stain the tissue paper using tea, or just keep it as it is. Either way, the end result is very cool.
Let me know if you have any questions or comments about a collage you want to create. E-mail me at fbreisbl@asu.edu.
