How to Make A Collage - The visual poetry of castoffs and keepsakes

As you begin to work, focus on what the final outcome could be - will it be hung? If so try to visualize how it will look. The setting, the frame, whether it will be with a matt or without will help you think it through. Familiarize yourself with standard frame sizes, but don't let this inhibit your output since there are far more opportunities for your work than just as a framed piece.

For starters keep it simple. One of my teachers used to say "if in doubt leave it out." I think that is pretty good advice; if you try to capture the essence of an idea the rest will come naturally. As an example, try look for what makes a successful poster so powerful, you will see it is simplicity and directness. Use this approach in your own work and as you gain confidence; then you can begin to make your compositions more complex without losing the intent.

Ever wonder why the creative spirit leads you on such an unpredictable path?
The Greeks believed that the creative spirit was really that, a sort of companion that watched over you and encouraged your urge to succeed. Here in the Ted Great Talks series, Elizabeth Gilbert puts a humorous as well as reassuringly insightful spin on the creative process and how she found answers.

1. Organize your materials - cards stock for mounting art, lots of colored paper, cutting tools and adhesives. I use glue stick, white glue and tape dispenser.

2. Paper cutter, ruler and triangle.

3. Colored pencils and oil pastels

4. Stamps and ink pads, especially alphabets.

5. A sketch book - don't let a good idea slip away

1. Often times I'm working from my sketch book but sometimes I just go right at it. I usually cut and layer everything without using any glue. Then I lay a matt over it to see how it looks. Then I walk away and leave it for hours or overnight. This gestation period allows me to be more objective.

2. Sometimes it's helpful to work on two or three at the same time. Try it and see if it work for you.

3. You can start, as I do usually, with a piece cover weight paper or cardboard, or what will fit the frame I have in mind. I find that I usually prefer a 2-inch or so white border when it's framed because often the finished image is an irregular shape and needs the white space to float nicely. Under this cardboard there needs to be a rigid movable surface, like glass, metal or plexiglas.

4. When you are satisfied with how it looks it's time to make it permanent. You can do this by lifting off whatever pieces are convenient, applying glue and returning them. For the hard to get to pieces you can do this: very carefully lay a piece of glass over the artwork and then carefully slide the whole thing part way off the table and secure the glass and the rigid backing on three sides with tape. This allows you turn it over, remove the backing and finish gluing. Because of static electricity and air movement these steps must be done very carefully.

5. A final coat of clear acrylic medium will seal everything. This is optional.

There are some artists, I know, who work only with rubber cement. Then there are others who coat each piece with clear acrylic and heat bond the pieces together with a tacking iron. Feel free to improvise.

Explore the variety of styles open to collage artists. It's a world of images, colors and patterns, never boring when you have so many possibilities to work with.

The bigger the store the more generalized the product line. Check the online store for availability, check local sources for sales.
a href=">AC Moore
Pearl
Utrecht
Bob Ross
Dick Blick

Here are a few of the places where you should be able to find images to add to your collection. There are many more for you to discover but be sure to check the copyright for anything you use.
Ebay.com
Flickr.com
Istock.com
NationalGeographic.com
Picassa.Google.com

Being in an online gallery usually means more traffic will get to see your work and these are likely to be people looking to buy. Be sure to use enough keyword tags so that they can easily find you.
www.imagekind.com
www.folkart.com
www.etsy.com
www.artbyus.com
www.artflock.com

Collage With Color - Jane Davies
Collage with Color: Create Unique, Expressive Collages in Vibrant Color Follow her step-by-step demonstrations for constructing a collage with an exciting expressions of color and texture.

Nick Bantock - the master of collage

Urgent 2nd Class: Creating Curious Collage, Dubious Documents, and Other Art from Ephemera. From the creator of the best seller Griffin & Sabine comes a book that exposes a fertile mind and a subtle wit. He shares his passion for collecting old photos and obscure ephemera and shares how he transforms them into visual prose.
Visit his site here: http://www.nickbantock.com/

With digital collage comes a new dimension

There are so many possibilities with Elements 7, to enhance and duplicate your collages. The basics are easy to learn and the rest you can pick up as needed.

Have you ever thought of scaling down your artwork for use as a birthday card, or some other occasion? There are many people who would probably appreciate your efforts and it's easy to do with the right software. Adobe Photoshop Elements 7 will give a new dimension to your art.

Looking for some gift wrapping ideas or a free birthday card? Here is a big help when time is short.
Gift-Wrapping-Ideas.com

Harter Picture Archives
Harter's Picture Archive for Collage and Illustration. (Dover Pictorial Archive Series) I find them very useful. Harter's books are loaded with copyright free engravings that will provoke their place in a collage.