Simple Collaged ATC's For Beginners #2

There is a way to approach creating an ATC which will almost guarantee a winner every time. The block diagram ( first published in my lens, Simple Collaged ATC's For Beginners ) shows six simple to follow steps, which are explained in the following modules. Most steps are also fully detailed in additional lenses, with examples from my own ATC's. Look out for links to MORE information in each step.

These additional details are meant to serve as a guide and extra reading or lilnks to more web sites will be given where appropriate.

So what are the 6 simple steps? Read on!

In this second lens on collaged ATC's I started with the main image. It was a photo of a statue ( courtesy of Wiki Commons) which I had printed as I was making this atc to the theme of "Father Time". I chose a working title as, Father Time And Friend, thinking that I would use the image as I first saw it. Although, I always cut out the image I am interested in - in this case the statue - to dispose of the surroundings which I find redundant.

I was going to make this a very simple collage and so set about finding a background for the ATC.

I wanted to keep the colour of the image, rather than playing with it in a photo manipulation programme. So I looked for a background which would bring out the statue. I had some prints of an abstract painting done in acrylic which I thought would be very suitable. However as it was only just sized to the ATC format, I decided to use a copper-coloured, metallic paper to wrap around the card base, and this would also give me a frame around the ATC. Wrapping the metallic paper around the card base leaves a very neat edge and gives a good quality art card. You can see how it is done by Kim Newberg in this tutorial.

I cut the print to size to allow for this frame. In this game never throw any offcuts away. You will see how I used two of the offcuts to frame the year which I had stamped onto the print.

Note how the paper strips were selected to show light against dark and dark against light, emphasising the frame around the digits, the offcuts were ideal for this.

Although I had started with the image of the statue, I had some reservations as I played around with the composition. First of all I cut out the statues separately and not getting anywhere, I added an image of a young male baby. Not exactly what I needed but I was constrained as to any other choice. I could have altered it on my PC but decided to go with what I had.

Once I had composed the three images, the brightness of the image of the baby compared to the others dictated that it should be the main object in the composition. So I came up with another title, using this idea. "Move Over, Its My Turn Now". representing the new year, taking over from the old.

I carefully placed the images to form a pleasing composition, especially taking note of the scythe. I also flipped the image of the baby to look to the right, rather than to the left as the original had done. Always bear in mind that it is possible to alter and modify images if you have the right software. I use Photoplus by Serif, there is a free download available which I have found does virtually everything which I need .

The completed ATC:-

Hope you like it!

As usual, I always add a few details on the back of an ATC or ACEO, to complete it. I usually use the design shown here, which has become a sort of trademark for my art cards, you can simply write the information onto the back of the card or use something similar. There are rubber stamps available for just this purpose but I made this digitally and print off several sheets at a time. I then cut to size, stick to the back of the card and fill in the details.

These are usually:-
*The title
*The date
*The artists name
* Signature
* Contact details (e.g. e-mail, etc)
*media = mixed media plus special items of note

Not all items in the list are necessary, there may be others but the top 5 are probably the minimum. A label I apply to all my ATC's is shown here. It is very easy to create something like this if you have a word processor or other software which allows text on images. Or it is possible to purchase blanks ready made on the internet. Ebay and Etsy are of course possible sites to look, but many craft suppliers will also stock them.
*The swap forum/group, if this applies