Artwork #9: Collage

Collage comes from the French word coller which means “to glue.”

It is the art of gluing down pieces of paper made from pre-existing images; construction paper, magazines, newspaper, found materials, etc. 

Originated from PABLO PICASSO & GEORGES BRAQUE around 1912 with the cubist collages, and has become widespread as artists developed increasingly open attitudes to the media of art. Essentially art can be made of anything or any combination of things.

Mosaic Directions

1. Start with a simple sketch of your image below. Label the sketch with the colors that need to go in each area. 

2. Redraw your image larger onto drawing paper or a thick mat board. If using paper, tape it down to a board. 

3. Begin searching for your colors in magazines. Tear out any large areas of colors that match the ones you labeled.

4. Tear or cut the paper into pieces no larger than your fingernail. Store your pieces in zip-lock bags.

5. First, work on your largest areas, and glue the paper down using a glue stick or glue bottle & brush. 

6. Details should be last!

Relief Directions

1. Start with a simple sketch of your image on your planning form. Label the sketch with the colors that need to go in each area. 

2. Begin coloring or painting large areas of color onto drawing or watercolor paper (depending on medium). You could also create a relief using magazines. 

3. Draw the shapes of objects and cut them out. 

4. Build your collage onto a surface (drawing paper or mat board) by working from background to foreground.

5. Details should be last!

• Mosaic Collage YouTube Playlist

• Abstract Collage YouTube Playlist

• Introduction to Collage