The Art of Collaging

I enjoy creating collages. My first memory of making one was in elementary school. My teacher gave me the task of ripping up tissue paper and gluing it to cardstock. The simplicity of collaging has made it desirable to me even in adulthood. It is like assembling a puzzle I get to make up along the way.

If you want to start collaging, you are in the right place! In this blog post, I will teach you how to make a collage and share my creative process.

How To Make a Collage

Materials

Before you start creating, you must consider the three layers of a collage:

Surface: The surface is the first building block of a collage. It’s what you place the collage on. You can use anything from paper and cardstock to canvas and wood panels.

Paste: The paste is the second layer of the collage. Collages are assembled with pastes such as glue sticks, craft glue, or hot glue. The paste is vital because it holds the collage together.

Collage Elements: Collage elements are the visual components of your collage. Magazine clippings are the most popular and accessible collage elements. But you can also use scrapbook paper, fabric scraps, another piece of artwork, and beads, to name a few.

How you combine these layers can make or break your collage. Read these charts for the best way to group your layers.

Instructions

The art of collaging is summed up in three steps:

1. Select a theme.

Choose a theme for your collage. Do you want to convey a message? Are you trying to create artwork that fits with a color scheme? Do you just want your creativity to flow? Keep your theme in mind for the next step.

2. Gather and prepare the collage elements.

Collect collage elements that fit into your theme. For example, a few years ago, I created collages for a cultural showcase. My theme was the beauty of Black people, so I found images of Black women and men to incorporate into my artwork.

Prepare your collage elements by cutting and trimming them. Store them in a Ziploc bag or container for easy access.

3. Put the collage together!

Now for the fun part: putting the collage together!

Sometimes, I arrange the collage elements on the surface before gluing. I prefer to arrange them as I go. If I’m not using a glue stick, I apply glue to the back of the elements using a paintbrush or craft sponge. I do this to ensure an even application. I place larger elements on the surface first and then add smaller pieces. Glue can be forgiving when wet, so if I make a mistake, I gently peel the element off the surface and place it elsewhere.

Knowing when to stop adding elements to the surface can be a process. Sometimes, I cover the entire surface; other times, I only place down a few items. I choose not to control this process, allowing my creativity to flow freely. Once I’m satisfied, I give my collage time to dry. I might add more depth by painting on top or adding layers of elements. When working on canvas and wood panels, I seal my collage with a non-yellowing varnish to protect it.  

Once you have mastered the art of collaging, there’s no telling where your creativity will take you.

Happy collaging!

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Take 15 minutes today to read, write down, and meditate on this scripture: “Now without faith it is impossible to please God, since the one who draws near to Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who seek Him.” – Hebrews 11:6 (CSB)