Collage Tips & Ideas
Do You Want to Make a Collage? Some Basic Questions Answered
By Raymond Horner
Do You Want to Make a Collage? Some Basic Questions Answered
By Raymond Horner
What is a collage? (ko-lahj)
A collage is pasting or gluing papers or two-dimensional objects onto a surface.
What is an assemblage?(AH-SEM-BLAHJ)
If you think of the word assembly the definition becomes somewhat clear. Assemblage is a combination of three-dimensional objects glued to a surface. . These objects can be anything organic or man-made. Scraps of wood, stones, old shoes, baked bean cans and a discarded baby buggy or any of the other 84,000,000 items not here mentioned by name all qualify for inclusion in an assemblage. Whatever catches the artists eye, and fits properly in the composition to make a unified whole, works. Please note , therefore, that these pieces are not covered with glass or plexiglass.
What are some basic steps for making a collage?
Use poster board or heavy cardboard. Choose a size that will be big enough for your pictures.
Gather pictures from a magazine, your personal photos, color paper and any two dimensional mementos, such as ticket stubs, that will fit onto the board and are light-weight.
Cut around the part of the picture you want to include in the collage.
How do I prepare the board?
All surfaces should be free of dirt and grease.
If needed, sand surface to insure proper adhesion to smooth surfaces such as plastic, metal and glass.
Absorbent Surfaces, such as paper, canvas and wood usually need no preparation.
Arrange each picture and two dimensional object on the poster board before you glue. Try different arrangements until you get one that looks just right.
What type of medium should I use?
Liquitex Acrylic Mediums are available in several formulations that vary in thickness and sheen. While each medium can be used with a variety of materials, some materials may require a specific medium.
For light weight and flat materials (paper, canvas, etc.) use Liquitex using the fluid or the gel.
For heavy weight and 3-D materials (beads, rocks, etc.): Use Liquitex Gel Mediums.
How do they look when dry?
Liquitex fluid mediums
The gloss mediums and varnish
Dries clear with a gloss finish.
The Matte Mediums
Best adhesive qualities of any Fluid Medium.
Dries translucent to opaque with a matte finish.
Liquitex Gel Mediums
The Gloss mediuims
Dries clear-translucent with a gloss finish.
The Matte Gel Mediuim
Best adhesive qualities of any Gel Medium
Dries translucent to opaque with a matte finish.
Gloss Heavy Gel Medium
Dries clear, translucent with a gloss finish.
How do I apply the medium?
Apply the Liquitex Acrylic Medium to collage material, substrate or both.
While acrylic medium is still wet, apply collage material to surface.
If acrylic medium is absorbed into collage surface (some papers are very absorbent). Allow medium to dry. Apply a second coat. The second coat will not be absorbed by the collaged surface.
If the acrylic medium is drying too fast, keep environment cool and humid.
How long should it dry?
Allow acrylic medium to fully dry. Fluid Mediums 1-4 hours, gel mediums 24-72 hours, depending upon thickness of application.
Use glue or a glue stick. Dab lightly on the back of the item youre putting on the poster board. Press lightly.
Let it dry.
It is now ready to frame.
WHAT SUPPLIES DO I NEED?
MEDIUMS
Gel Medium
Gloss Medium
Matte Medium
Acrylic Medium
(Brands to consider are Liquitex or Golden)
SUPPORTS
Bristol Board (3-5 ply)
Canvas Board
Illustration Board
Mat Board
Watercolor Board
Masonite Board
Plywood
BRUSHES
Synthetic-Sabeline in different sizes
NOTE: NEVER USE YOUR GOOD BRUSHES
So there you have it. Get started and have fun!
All Rights Reserved, 2006
Raymond Horner is an Art Instructor and Painter
hornerart@mac.com
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