How To - 003 - How to Compose a Collage

[@LoiLaing]

Great video! Thanks so much for sharing your knowledge. I've been collecting clippings from magazines for YEARS, but was always a little intimidated to start collaging. Your lesson was just the nudge I needed :)

[@PaperCutswithColleen]

Thank you so much!!! Starting can be intimidating but having a nice collection of clippings means you can jump in and start playing quickly. I'd love to see what you are working on - feel free to email me or message me on instagram! :)

[@MrFTJ]

Paper Cuts is there a place that has tools needed , including the table in the video . Maybe the tools you use ?

[@tiyanawilliams5070]

I really like your demonstration !!I have admire the fact that collage is a process of narrating a story through images. To reconstruct, tear down and start again. This medium never bores, and also once collage and any other medium are intertwined, creating something new is profound

[@johngayton2078]

Thank you for this information. I'm having trouble with finding the background which the images stand on?

[@lindavich]

Loved this video! Excellent description/demonstration of your process!

[@jamesbriggs5740]

"It kind of felt at home." That resonates with me. Even though your style is different than mine i like that concept. Kathy B.

[@chloe6954]

Thank u so much for this video. U normalized the process a bit for me although I feel that I dont go anywhere sometimes while trying to figure out things. Sometimes I get too many ideas and get completely overwhelmed and cant choose what to commit to. Other times, nothing seems to fit if I take a long time trying to position things. Any suggestions? Again, thanks so much

[@alishadash]

Would love to see some more advanced techniques. This is very helpful!

[@mai_8j888]

Thanks so much for showing all the simple and not so simple tips and tricks for clueless newbs like me. I'm catching you, six years later and following you on Instagram. Are you ever accomplished now.

[@2341vivian]

Wow great video...this is new to me and so far I love it...thank you your work is amazing! New subscriber here!

[@cocola485]

It seems like headless bodies are so over done in collage.

[@michaeljoshuarowin367]

Yeah, but that's because 1) it's a fairly easy way of making a body more abnormal and/or mysterious-looking than it usually appears, and 2) many newspaper and magazine photographs are of identifiable people such as celebrities, so removing their heads for collages allows their bodies to become anonymous images the artist can recontextualize as he/she sees fit.

[@ronnamoore8046]

Great video. Very professional. I am curious about the legality of collaging with images from magazines. Considering that it would have been someone else's art originally, if it is still recognizable (not little torn pieces) can you scan and print your finished work to sell? Will the photographer of that man, frog, whatever going to cry foul because of copyright issues?

[@dizzydevi8019]

could you make a video about the Used Books you use.. like which are your fav's , what you look for , and what you recommend ... i saw the video where you talk about the magazines .. i was just wondering if you could make i video just about the books you use ...

[@suethomas9446]

Hey there i have a question. I am going to start doing collage as my main form of artwork. I have always enjoyed cutting things from magazines and now i have thousands of cut outs. To do this for galleries what would you suggest using as my surface to collage on and what fixative and finish would you use. Thank you so much for your help and videos.

[@PaperCutswithColleen]

Thanks for your comments Sue! How exciting to start working with all those clippings you have been working on, be sure to send me a link to your work once you get going. I have a couple of suggestions for determining a surfaces to collage on. First, be sure it is archival and not going to contribute in any additional way to the clippings natural breakdown. You could consider mat board/book board or cardstock - typically anything used for paper and book arts should have an archival aspect. I personally use an archival cover weight cardstock. Secondly, consider the size limits and weight of whatever backing material you choose, especially if you plan on shipping to galleries. As for fixatives and finishes, I don't have much advice because I have never used them on my work. I simply use dry adhesive when I'm constructing the piece and I package each collage in a protective plastic sleeve. One suggestion I do have is to purchase a scanner that will allow you to create high resolution scans of your work. The nature of collage means that the colors and materials will change overtime so I highly(!) recommend that you make sure you have a high res digital copy preserved. Finally, If you are already working with a gallery I'd suggest you reach out to them directly and see what their preferences are. I've not gone the gallery path so their suggestions will be more on point to their best practices. Hope this helps! :)

[@chloe6954]

Other question. I felt that often I try to put some idea/concept to an image instead of being more spontaneous. Like I dont just let the images take care of themselves or let it flow. Does that happen to u? What do u do to help? I do assemblage and have less trouble with it. I started some collages and it seems a bit harder in that respect

[@TheLuigiTron]

How about scanners? Which do you use for your collages and do you need to edit them after scanning if you lose any color during the scanning?

[@PaperCutswithColleen]

+TheLuigiTron Yes, I'm going to review the scanner I use very soon. I've used several different kinds of scanners over the last few years. I do a basic color correction after scanning using Adobe Photoshop. I'll keep you posted when the scanner review and editing video is up! Thank you for the questions

[@psilocybinenhancedmonkey187]

I also have so many questions on the process once scanned? Like what do you use except photoshop?

[@greylance473]

So helpful! Thank you for these tips... Years later, still so helpful.

[@sunflower2850]

FANTASTIC VIDEO!

[@liz3bet]

Colleen, could you please give us the exact name brand, kind, & size of the "archival cover weight cardstock" you use??? Thanks so much.

[@PaulDanielGolban]

Amazing advise! Collage is my favourite art form, so I am excited to put into practice the advise given.

[@ruthogunro2746]

Thank you so much. Your video is really helpful. Thanks for sharing

[@WalterRuffle]

Hey really great videos :) i was wondering if you would do a review on what glue you use?

[@PaperCutswithColleen]

Thanks for the support! A review of my favorite adhesive is in the editing phase at the moment! It should be posted soon, keep an eye out. :)

[@dorothywillis5989]

Hi, love the instructions. Also love the music. Who is the artist for the music used in your video?

[@tess2626]

Great video! I learned a lot!

[@paranoidmyself]

Please, make more content about collage, I miss it (:

[@dMARR0]

really cool images! and the editing was awesome too :D

[@myfragilelilac]

It reminds of music sampling.

[@doaovow]

I absolutely loved this video, very interesting and informative. I'm interested in seeing more. *subscribed* ;)

[@doaovow]

I love your channel, thank you for loving this comment. I enjoy supporting you.

[@88erva]

Love your vids! Where can I buy a large cutting mat like yours?... Also that nifty xacto knife?

[@PaperCutswithColleen]

Thanks for your comment!!! You can buy the large cutting mat and the craft knife on Amazon or at local craft/fabric stores. Here's a link to my review of the Fiskars Fingertip Detail Knife in case you haven't seen it! kzbin.info/www/bejne/hKmUh39onppkh6M

[@pamalapeterson5352]

New subscriber willing to learning more about the art of collage.,.......God bless y’all abundantly!....MERRY CHRISTMAS 🎄

[@SongbirdCollageArts]

Yes! now is a great time to pick up collage as a hobby :)

[@eugeniamikulan3328]

This is great, thank you!

[@bonbahphoqueroux]

Hi, great video !! what kind of glue do you use ?

[@andreamaiorana8490]

This is my question as well. So the papers don’t ripple or bubble and the edges stay adhered. Yes, I am an absolute beginner😊

[@SongbirdCollageArts]

@@andreamaiorana8490 Hi Andrea. For my collages, I use Elmer's glue sticks. Just regular kid's glue. The trick is to cover the whole piece of paper in glue and then "burnish" it to get out the wrinkles and air bubbles. Burnishing is just pressing firmly and away from you to flatten out the paper and get good adherence to the canvas/board.

[@MM-bl3dy]

Is this page still active? I have just discovered it and it is awesome

[@chrisreddig]

cool techniques!

[@veronicareynolds5001]

Please can you help? I really want to collage but getting images is almost impossible in the UK we don't have good thrift shops and I can't afford a magazine subscription, our libraries are no good and we don't get estate or garage sales. I don't drive so car boots are out too Help!!.

[@Momo-zf2ej]

whoa you look like Elizabeth Olsen. Also, this was a very helpful video, so thank you!!

[@geoffreydawson5430]

Liiiiikkkkee I'm an arrtttiisstt. So you should liiikke trust meee. Like yeaah I'm ssoooo gggooooddd!

[@adrianavargas6386]

u have to make more videos please! thxs a lot!

[@PaperCutswithColleen]

Thank you! More are on the way. I appreciate your support!

[@jasavariraj3143]

so nice video

[@gisellesancho-lee7556]

Hi where can I get magazines for cheap. I dont work and I am a poor student

[@vjhreeves]

Try thrift stores

[@SongbirdCollageArts]

A lot of cities have recycling centers where you can get them for free or by weight. The re-store here is $5 for every 50 pounds.

[@brandybobo2980]

Thank You very much.

[@jnguyen1752]

I try so hard but I just suck lol everyone had amazing ideas in my class but I'm like ... HOW EVEN.

[@WaltDisini]

J Nguyen Aw just go with the flow and do whatever comes to your mind. Take time to experiment and search for inspiration. If you’re the type to plan stuff, then plan the colour scheme, equipment and how you want the result to look.

[@Sara-ue1fy]

Awesome video editing skills! Also the collage ideas>< I come from insta :) A video on how you edit I would also be awesome ^^

[@PaperCutswithColleen]

+Sara Botero Thank you! The awesome video editing is done by my amazing boyfriend! I do have plans for a video on how I edit, I'll be sure to comment on this thread when it's posted

[@Sara-ue1fy]

you've really opened my eyes to the world of collage :D

[@shaunclark425]

WOW GEORGIOUS..

[@Kengab]

NOICE VID

[@Demention94]

Wow you have great eyes 👌 Nice tutorial..

[@trialsbikeguy]

Yes she should be a model...she's stunning

[@TheSeensca]

好嘢

[@ana_pia]

La

[@ChuckHaney]

O.O

[@veronicahenderson5940]

Excellent video....I sent you some of my collage on Instagram I'm a novice but you are very inspiring. I will be following your videos. Veronicah0201 on Instagram.

[@SongbirdCollageArts]

I checked out your insta -- you're doing great! I love the checkerboard face with the lips, it's so creative. Keep it up :)

[@dorothywillis5989]

Think I inadvertently hit dislike? However I do like your video. Wealth of knowledge

[@Locosiq]

Why you are so beautiful

[@steveelkins52]

Umm..

[@julianocean1734]

Thank you for the video! I swear I am not saying this to make you feel bad but as a non English speaker, it is difficult to listen to the vocal fry for a long time

[@shaquilleadams5062]

The busy woolen rationally clap because cafe selectively exist along a sable beggar. keen, thirsty guilty

[@chrisw2626]

I’m interested to know why people write stuff like this. Is it a code? Do tell.