DIY Network

Found-Item Collage From "DIY Crafts" episode DIC-145

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Collage items< < < Figure A< < < Figure B< < < Figure C< < < Figure D

Martingale & Company design director 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. When the collage dries, the freezer paper can be peeled off. The resulting collage paper may 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 PodgeB. or artist's acrylic medium
Water-based sealer, glue and finish cardboard, illustration board or other rigid surface that's 2" to 3" larger on all sides than the finished collage
Jar or plastic container
Shallow bowl or dish
Shallow plate
Craft brushes, 1" and 3/4"
Inexpensive watercolor brush
Freezer paper or artist's palette paper (both are plastic-coated)
Masking tape
X-ActoB. knife
Small sharp scissors
Collage materials, all related to a selected theme or color scheme (e.g., wrapping paper; postage stamps; jigsaw-puzzle pieces; images from catalogs, magazines, greeting cards and hand-made and specialty papers)

1. Cover the cardboard or illustration board with freezer paper or palette paper, folding the edges to the back and securing with masking tape. If the cardboard is wider than the freezer paper, use masking tape to seam the two pieces (figure A).
   

2. 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.

3. Before you begin, experiment with the placement of the materials. If you have trouble getting started, begin by covering unappealing areas of the base paper. 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're ready to proceed, set these materials aside to prepare the base sheet.

4. 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 may 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.

5. Fill a saucer or shallow dish with water, and place it nearby. Use the water to dampen paper materials such as images from greeting cards and magazines, postage stamps, puzzle pieces, pieces of wrapping paper, etc. Handmade papers don't require presoaking but may be dampened when in place on the collage surface. Wetting the materials thoroughly ensures that they'll lie flat and helps prevent bubbles and wrinkles.

6. Place the materials one by one on the base sheet. As you place each piece, dip the craft brush in acrylic medium, then in water, and brush gently over the piece. Add additional collage materials, brushing over each piece after adding it to the collage. To attach three-dimensional pieces such as puzzle pieces or buttons, apply full-strength acrylic medium to the back of each piece and press onto the collage (figure B).
   

7. Build up the layers of your collage until you're pleased with it (figure C ). Cheryl stops when her eyes move smoothly around the collage. To accomplish 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 a piece were missing 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.
   

8. Let the finished collage dry thoroughly. Use an X-Acto knife to cut the freezer paper from the board, and gently peel it from the back of the collage (figure D).
   

9. Frame the collage as is or cut or tear it into pieces to use as greeting cards, to frame, to use in picture mattes or to cover notebooks, journals and boxes.