Guest Cheryl Stevenson demonstrates how to meld many different materials, ideas, and elements into a stunning "found materials" collage. This inventive artist uses collage medium to apply layers of the selected objects atop freezer paper, and when the collage dries, the freezer paper can be peeled off. The resulting collage paper may either be framed or used as a book cover or greeting cards.
Materials
appealing piece of wrapping paper or wallpaper, wrinkled or torn - for a base sheet
Mod Podge or artist's acrylic medium - water-based sealer, glue and finish
cardboard, illustration board or other rigid surface*
jar or plastic container for water to clean brushes
craft knife
shallow bowl or dish - for Mod Podge
shallow plate - for pre-soaking torn papers
craft brushes, 1" and 3/4"
inexpensive watercolor brush
Reynold's Freezer Paper or artist's palette paper
- both are plastic-coated papers
masking tape
small sharp scissors
collage materials, all related to a selected theme or color scheme
* Should be 2" to 3" larger on all sides than your desired finished collage.
** Wrapping paper, postage stamps, jigsaw puzzle pieces, images from catalogs, magazines, greeting cards, hand-made and specialty papers, any other appealing odds and ends.
Steps
- Cover the piece of cardboard or illustration board with freezer paper or palette paper, folding the edges to the back and securing in place with masking tape. If the cardboard is wider than the freezer paper, use masking tape to "seam" the two pieces together.
- Sort the collage materials and select pieces to complement or contrast with the wrapping paper or wallpaper you have chosen as a base sheet. Include anything that catches your eye. Pile these materials next to the work surface you prepared in Step #1.
- Before you begin, you may want to play with the placement of the materials you have selected. If you have trouble getting started, you might begin covering areas of the base paper that are unappealing. Place materials randomly or use the pattern as a guide, matching colors of the materials to the color and pattern of the base paper. When you are ready to proceed, set these materials aside to prepare the base sheet.
- Using a wet brush, dampen the back of the base sheet. When the back is completely saturated, turn the paper over and wet the front. This step is important. Unless the paper is thoroughly wet, it will not lie perfectly. (Wallpaper can take a bit longer to become completely saturated.) Dip the edge of the large brush in the acrylic medium, then in water, then brush over the freezer paper covered board. Lay the base sheet on the freezer paper, carefully smoothing away any wrinkles.
- Fill a saucer or shallow dish with water and place it nearby. Use this to dampen paper materials, such as images from greeting cards and magazines, postage stamps, puzzle pieces, other pieces of wrapping paper, etc. Handmade papers will not require pre-soaking, but can be dampened when in place on the collage surface. Wetting materials thoroughly ensures they will lie flat and helps prevent bubbles and wrinkles.
- Place materials one by one on the base sheet. As you place each piece, dip the craft brush in the acrylic medium, then in water, then brush gently over the piece you have. Add additional collage materials, brushing over each piece after adding it to the collage. (Three-dimensional pieces, such as puzzle pieces or buttons, can be attached using the acrylic medium at full strength on the back of the piece.)
- Build up layer of your collage until you are pleased with it. Note: Stevenson stops when her eyes move smoothly around the collage without getting "stuck." To do this she creates visual "bridges" over areas where her eye gets "stuck." A great trick for doing this is to think of the collage as a jigsaw puzzle and ask yourself, "If there was a missing piece from that area, what colors or shapes might it have?" Puzzle pieces and cutout shapes form effective "bridges," as does additional color from watercolor pencils.
- Let the finished collage dry thoroughly. Use a craft knife to cut the freezer paper from the board, and gently peel it from the back of the collage.
- Frame the collage as it is or cut or tear it into pieces for framing, greeting cards, covering notebooks, journals, picture mats and boxes.
Resources Mod Podge adhesive/sealer (Model #: CS11201- Gloss, CS11301- Matte)
Mod Podge can be used as a glue and a sealant. It is an all-in-one sealer glue and finish--gloss and matte finish. Sizes range from four ounces to one gallon.
Plaid Enterprises Inc.
Website:
www.plaidonline.com
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