Art made using the process of collage is the piecing together of various pictures and clippings to make a work of art. Collage is a technique that can create beautiful results for a one of a kind piece. The technique is suitable for children and adults.
Start Clipping
To create a collage, you need to glue clippings of paper, pictures from books or magazines and paper mementos to a flat material such as paper or wood. Begin with an idea, such as flowers, and start finding images and designs that you would like to integrate to your artwork. Clip along the edge of the image, or clip a contrasting shape to frame the image. Remember that the edge of the clipping will generally be visible, so keep it clean and in line with your ideas.
Base Material
Decide on a base material to glue your clippings onto. Perhaps a small piece of wood is fitting to your images; if so, prepare the wood for items to be glued. Some collage artists glue on top of drawings. The collaged images can work into the drawing, creating dimension and interest to the drawing.
Glue, Glue, Glue
Once your material is complete, begin gluing the materials you have prepared for collage. Use school or craft glue. If you would like the entire surface to stick to the base, try wetting down the glue and painting it onto the back of the item you are gluing. Keep your initial idea in mind and be conscious of the composition. The method of gluing can be just as important to the result---perhaps the clippings are only glued in one spot, allowing the edges to raise from the material creating dimension and texture.
Sealing the Work
If you are happy with the result, leave the piece the way it is. Some people like to seal the work using a varnish or matte medium. If you would like to seal the work, which will create a protective layer over the entire surface, choose a material to coat the surface. A matte medium will create a thicker, matte finish, while a spray varnish will have a shiny look. If you have incorporated drawing into your collage, test the material with the drawing medium before covering the entire surface to make sure the drawing does not smudge or smear.
