There aren’t many limits to what you can do. For example, you could cut out small pieces of paper and arrange them so they form a bigger image. One option is to find an image that really speaks to you and design the rest of the collage around it.
Consider adding textural elements to your collage, like fabric, ribbon, or natural materials. [5] X Expert Source Amy GuerreroArts & Crafts Specialist Expert Interview. 9 October 2020. Search through magazines and newsprint for cut-outs. Newsprint adds a unique texture to a collage, but the ink may rub off on your fingers sometimes. Use photographs to capture a retro feel, but be careful about what you use. Make copies of your favorites to cut up instead of the originals. For something unique, find some old scraps of wallpaper. You can often get free sample swatches from home improvement stores and other places that sell wallpaper.
Some background materials to consider include cardboard, cardstock, construction paper, and canvas. Anything thick and flat usually holds up well. You could even use something like a picture frame. Skip glossy paper like watercolor art paper. The material is more expensive and doesn’t hold up under glue as well.
For example, you might cut a hole in a picture to expose the paper or another image placed underneath it.
Wait until you’re satisfied with your design before you start gluing anything to the page. This will also give you extra time to find new materials in case you change your mind.
Look for items around your home or take a walk through a nearby craft store. You are bound to find tons of interesting things to fit onto your collage! You could draw an animal on the paper and fill it in with paper or stamps. Another option is to create a mosaic out of small cuts of paper.
Switch to a thick craft glue in order to secure embellishments like heavy beads and buttons. Look for some bottles of glue or rubber cement at your local craft store. Remember that not every piece has to be glued flat. Try crumpling or folding decorations to give your collage some extra flair.
For a small collage, an hour is often enough drying time. If you think the glue still looks wet, give it more drying time to be sure. If you made a large collage, point a fan at it. The air blown on a low setting encourages the glue to dry a little faster.
For example, you might make a photo collage about puppies. Everyone loves looking at pictures of puppies. All you have to do is track down pictures you like and paste them together.
You could work with a photo editing program like Photoshop if you have it and know how to use it.
Visit your favorite social media site for posts you could save for your project. . Also, search for photos of themes you like, whether that’s cupcakes, video games, cars, or something else that inspires you. Save online images by right-clicking on them and selecting the “save as” option.
While you can use more photos than this, adding too many may make the collage feel crowded. Using too few makes it feel empty. For example, you might select a series of pictures from a trip you took recently. Select pictures that show off your trip, what you saw, and the people who live there.
Use the resizing and crop tools, for example, to cut the image down to a manageable size. Change the colors of the images to make your collage unique. For example, make photos look faded and grey to contrast them with bright text or images.
Lower-resolution pictures tend to look blurry, but this depends on the size of the image and where you plan on displaying it. If you plan on posting your collage online, consider setting the images to a resolution of 72 pixels per inch (ppi). If you plan on printing it, set the resolution to 300 ppi.
For example, add a title to your collage. You could let the pictures speak for themselves, but the title could add flair. You might add a title to a traveling collage to tell a viewer where you went and when you took the pictures.
The printing paper you choose affects the final appearance of your collage. Choose a high-gloss paper to give it a shiny sheen. Use a matte-style paper to give it a dimmer, less colorful look.
You don’t even have to have a theme if you don’t want one. You could arrange cool things on a page. Most collages, however, have themes to make them look more complete.
Regular printer paper is not a good choice if you plan on gluing heavy items. If it feels thin, expect it to be too flimsy for your collage.
For example, if you’re drawing a seascape, sketch the sand bed at the bottom of the page. Then, outline where you plan on making fish or adding details like shells. Simpler designs are better for small kids. If you don’t have a specific design in mind, let them have fun drawing whatever they like.
Some examples of items to include are seashells, insect shells, flowers, leaves, and seeds. Many of these items are available for purchase at craft supply stores, but take a walk around your neighborhood. You may find something unique that gives your collage a special twist.
Pressing is another way to preserve plants. Keep them weighed down between a piece of paper and a heavy book for at least 7 days. Objects like shells and rocks don’t really need to be heat-dried since they won’t rot. However, you can wash shells by boiling them in water for about 5 minutes, then soaking them for a week in clean, cold water.
If you’re making something large and intricate, do this in small sections to prevent the glue from drying out before you add your decorations. Regular glue sticks and glue are usually too weak to support found items.
This part can get a little messy, so keep a paper plate underneath your collage to collect the sand. Try to add small amounts of sand at a time to avoid using too much of it.
Wood glue is great for preserving plants used in collages. Brush it over the plant to create a “glaze” capable of keeping it fresh and shiny for years.
