How to be a Better Collage Artist | Collage Art Critique, How to Improve Collage Art Composition

[@weaver7249]

I am a retired 70 yr young crafter, musician, painter, sewest, journaler and now collage person (I will not use the word artist since artist I am not). I live in North Carolina - Greensboro and would love to find someone in my area. Thank you for your hard work and so happy to know you love your work and having success.

[@flanzella]

Firstly, everyone is an artist if you spend time in the arts! I hope you are able to find someone. I'm working on something to connect collage artists 😁

[@authenticallyapril67]

Hey! I'm in Winston-Salem. I'm just starting to learn collage art, but maybe we could have an art day!

[@ravenofthewild]

I'm 68 and struggled with calling myself an Artist like yourself. I want to empower yourself to recognize being an Artist or Craftswomen is someone doing a creative process. Perhaps you do not sell and thus it's not your profession but creating is being an artist. We need to get past elitist ideas of what an artist is. Dictionary definition says an artist is someone who creates for a profession or hobby! You are an Artist!

[@deborahgalvan5367]

Everyone is an artist. Some keep a beautiful home. Or dress creatively. Or one whose pets or plants or their gardens are their passion. Never sell yourself short.

[@Rosamaria-xx6km]

@@flanzella I live in the area! I just started getting into collage art and have found it enjoyable. we ARE artists simply because we create.

[@jekalambert9412]

Thank you for advising us to NOT create every day. One of my pet peeves is people who insist that you HAVE do make art every day in order to improve. I simply cannot do anything EVERY day for the reasons you mentioned. I sincerely believe we become better artists when yes, we are disciplined about making art, but that doesn't mean doing it every day. Like you, diverse activities inspire me because different things allow me to see other perspectives that I wouldn't see being stuck in my studio grinding away and resenting the grind. Not doing art was the BEST advice in your video. Thanks!

[@heikesiegl2640]

Exactly!!

[@user-ch4ex3yy4l]

So glad I found your channel. Was a paper memorabilia dealer many years ago and kept everything in a storage unit when I moved on to other pursuits. Now I'm gathering the vintage paper at my home and just beginning to collage. I'm fired up. Thanks for sharing your knowledge.

[@MichelleFillipini]

Collage artist here! Thank you soooo much for this video: sharing your wisdom, starting a community, and the support. I am now interested in making collage art friends!

[@flanzella]

Feel free to join my discord, there is such a great community there talking about collage all the time and video rooms if you want to meet up and make art together!

[@MichelleFillipini]

Thank you so much for this! I will sign up! I dont have a discord so I have no idea how to use it. Where do I find your discord?@@flanzella

[@flanzella]

@@MichelleFillipini it's here! discord.com/invite/XMPG3GFYPC

[@katrine-beth2059]

a good tip with wrinkling, I'm a street artist so I use paste up and collage a lot in between work. Usually with bigger scale work, try adding a bit of water with in a spray bottle. By doing this you will avoid the wrinkling. remember you still need to work in the paper and be gentle with the glue, but this has helped me a lot with my bigger paste ups for the street, also for bigger collage work where you can't use regular glue, you have to use glue/paste with brush. :) water, glue = not wrinkle, I always use a bit of glue to sealing the work. :)

[@flanzella]

Thank you for this amazing tip! I hope it helps others too! Have you tried it with super thin papers and it still works well?

[@katrine-beth2059]

Yes :) It depends a bit of course but like as thin as newspaper texture works good (depends) :) If it's really thin I usually don't add water with spray bottle. Maybe a bit of water on the background/ surface before adding glue just to let it moisture @@flanzella

[@artstar4]

@@katrine-beth2059can you explain more? You spray water on the page before you use glue and that reduces the wrinkles?

[@katrine-beth2059]

yes, but again this is more for outside street art as I explained earlier, and much bigger scale work@@artstar4 :)

[@annecanright4918]

I'm glad I found you! Thanks. I'm more of a mixed media person but I cut a lot of paper. I also paint it, stencil it, draw on it and yes paste it.

[@flanzella]

I'm glad you did too ❤️ Great ideas!

[@pocketfullofponder]

Im a rulerbreaker when it comes to collage. 😅 I especially like using it as a visual diary. And covering my walls. And of course traditional collages. I have many Ive never shared and I do a lot of other creative things ✨ Ive also found a really wonderful mail art collage community! Exchanging mail with other collage makers is sooo fun. 💌 💓

[@flanzella]

That sound amazing having a mail community and collaging everything!

[@geoffreyvaughn]

Great video! I struggled with color for a while. The way I figured out what works well is through play and experimentation! I purchased watercolor paints and acrylic inks and made collage paper which I use in a junk journal. Junk journaling is such a great recommendation. Eschew perfection and just get going.

[@angelinamichelle8474]

Thankyou. I do feel that identifying your message or rather your heart theme is key to progressing your art. I am saying this to myself as I know my heart theme but have not made enough effort to make it key in my art. Today I will start. Thankyou again.

[@AnneLahr1663]

Thank you for sharing all your insights. You have inspired me to collage on Pantone cards. They are a great substrate to work on.

[@flanzella]

Wonderful! How many have you gotten through? I think it's nearing time to do another bunch!

[@heikesiegl2640]

Another tip Colour gets all the credit, but value does the heavy lifting

[@artpiratecollage]

For fellow UK viewers, Pritt Stick is the glue to use, no generic brands, specifically Print Stick ( I'm waiting on the sponsorship)

[@flanzella]

Thank you for adding this!!!

[@Jalleur14325]

😂 I use pritt stick - but haven't noticed if it has yellowed.

[@artpiratecollage]

Been using them for two decades and no yellowing.

[@heikesiegl2640]

I like using a needle bottle with glue in it. Less messy and good for filigry parts

[@urbanurchin5930]

I often use larger images in my projects and use 3M spray adhesive . Super 77 adhesive is very strong and UNFORGIVING ! It has a learning curve and is toxic . I have a screened in front porch that I have set up a spraying area . The overspray will go everywhere in the vicinity - there is no avoiding it unless you use a dedicated spray booth with an exhaust vent . For my smaller pieces - I use PVA ( poly vinyl acetate ) which can be found at craft stores . This glue dries clear and flexible and is archivable ( said to last 100 years or more ).

[@DeniceCouture]

As far as it goes I love all mediums no holds barred

[@priya-jeevithaaram9045]

I am so new to this....after watching quite a few viideos came across yours.Thanks for such valuable hints and advice...All the best Dear...❤️🌞🙏

[@MerryScraps]

I just recently found your channel. I am so enjoying it! I'm sorry that I don't comment much, it's because I usually watch a few videos on tv in bed at night & can't comment from there. I strictly have my phone put away. I don't sleep as well when I've been playing on it. Anyway, thanks so much for your wonderful tips! I am new to trying out surreal collage & have a long way to go but I am enjoying it. I fussy cut at night while we are watching tv. I'm now working on storage solutions for all of this stuff I have cut!! I am very blessed to have a lot of book/magazines to cut from. I don't have very many old magazines, though. The thrift store in my little town has those for 25 cents & books for 50 cents. Lots of times they are even free. I also live near a Goodwill Outlet & the books I find there for 50 cents are amazing! I have been collaging for a few years but not the surreal style. I am having a blast with it! I did make one yesterday that I am actually very happy with, lol! I don't have it posted yet, it is scheduled for next week. Thank you again for sharing with us!

[@theworldismostlyinsane]

thank you! ive always enjoyed visual arts. I do photography, but its not always feasible to do it as much as i like especially with weather lately. I've always done junk/scrapbooking type stuff, but am interested in really improving and there's not a lot of content to find for collage. ive always been struck by good ones, especially political ones. thanks again for helping me dive more into this interest. great work too

[@lampshadeheadache1357]

Thank you for the wonderful video!!! My goal is to be an art vendor by next spring/summer. My dream is to be a full time artist. Thank you for being super inspiring ❤ i love your work

[@flanzella]

Amazing! Keep at it and you'll get there 😌✨ I have a few videos featuring markets. Hope they're helpful.

[@ovidiu.solcan]

You can also paint with the piece of paper. And you will have so nice textures, patterns and events you can not do with paint.

[@DavidTorrence]

Commercial photographer/videographer musician just starting out & have compleated 2 pieces of work. Got the desire to create after seeing exhibit of collage artists. Located in St.Louis.

[@stepfordstrife]

Thank you for so generously sharing your expertise. I am just starting out with collage and your tips and tutorials are so useful!

[@flanzella]

You are so welcome!

[@Dhaezi]

My style of collage is very different (I guess I do more collage as a background or focal point with acrylic paint) but I’m curious to explore more styles and I’m excited to find another channel that is dedicated to our craft… Susan Clifton is also fabulous

[@flanzella]

I haven't heard of their channel, I'll have to check it out! It's always fun to experiment 😁

[@maizymaizy]

Me too! I love using collage/ mixed media elements to enhance my paintings

[@maggiefreeman6513]

Thanks for the great advice 😊

[@thedavesavoie]

Excellent video! So insightful.

[@cherylbaker473]

Very inspiring. Very motivational. I am New at collage and junk journaling. I had started making collage posters with an obvious message. But I soon ran out of wall space. So now trying different collage concepts on a smaller scAle. Appreciate your insight!

[@flanzella]

That's so cool! Im very inspired to do larger scale but it takes a larger studio space for sure! Glad I could inspire you 😊

[@journalcd]

Wow🎉 wonderful 🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉

[@thedpend]

Love your vids! I’m a digital ‘graphic poet’ (I call it) who creates collages quite a bit - so meeting others working in similar mediums/on similar wavelengths would be v. helpful!

[@flanzella]

I'm so glad 😊 working on finding a way to have people connect to other collage artists, I know it can be tough out there!

[@thedpend]

@@flanzella a discord server perhaps?

[@flanzella]

@@thedpend that's my thought!!! Will aim to launch it for Fall

[@outoftheforest7652]

It is so hard to get magazines these days. I actually do gelli printing and create a lot of collage patterns and backgrounds but I am working on my transfer techniques. One theme I like working on an plan to is geneaology I want to have a journal filled with images of my ancestors and other notable things I know about them. I took a picture of my grandmother and just printed it out on a laser printer (on a tan piece of paper) and I had created this goldish painted background and then I printed out a portion of a letter my grandfather wrote my mum about her and how she studied Latin. I never knew my grandmother or my grandfather so it is a special project. I want to examine my genealogy by doing these collages in a journal. I think, however, I am going to scale up and frame the one of my grandmother.

[@brendalindsey5425]

I'm also looking for a collage buddy. Your message interested me very much, as I have been a genealogist for a long time, but I also write and do art. I have thought of doing something like you are planning, as well, featuring the ancestors that I have researched and know the most about and that my family knows little about. I have a very tall pile of gel prints I've made, so will use them, as well as magazine cut outs. I can use the gel prints on greeting cards, but collage allows a much bigger "canvas." I feel like a raw beginner to collage (but have been making greeting cards for 25 years). I'm in Provo, Utah, but it doesn't matter if you aren't nearby. We could exchange photos of our work in progress and talk about it on the phone. Let me know if you are interested.

[@AlexSchor-y2h]

Thank you for the great video.

[@debracooper3226]

I just found your KZbin channel yesterday and I’m finding your videos very informative and fun. I would like a collage buddy to tells me straight what I’m doing wrong and if I’m doing something right. Husband and children are biased. If I get no response from either of them that’s the only way I know it’s not good.

[@flanzella]

Absolutely! I will be launching my discord server very soon. And that is the whole point of it! To get feedback from others and such. Really excited for that. Stay tuned.

[@brendalindsey5425]

I'm 71 yrs. and also looking for a collage buddy. I'm a family history researcher, but I also write and do art. I have a very tall pile of gel prints I've made over the past 3 years. Collage seems to be about the only thing to do with them. Some are so beautiful, I have to find a way to display them at their best. I've only painted in the past and made greeting cards with stamps. I can use the gel prints on cards, but collage allows a much bigger "canvas." I feel like a raw beginner. I'm in Provo, Utah, but don't care if you aren't nearby. We could exchange photos of our work in progress and talk about it on the phone. Let me know if you are interested.

[@Dixiepickles]

This was so helpful, thank you

[@flanzella]

Glad it was helpful!

[@PlaytimeWithLittleLulu]

This was so helpful! Thanks!! ❤

[@dianeo]

New subscriber here 😊This channel is so inspiring and informative! I'm an art hobbyist and sometimes I'll do a drawing or painting that I'm not pleased with but will like some elements within the piece. My idea is to cut out the 'good' parts of the art and keep them in a stash of collage art to use later. It's better than throwing the whole art piece out, LOL.

[@flanzella]

Welcome!!! I love that idea, it's a great way to work "Copyright free" while also using your old artworks so they don't go to waste. 😍 I also love the idea of using all of an old artwork and mixing in new materials.

[@dianeo]

@@flanzella Great idea! Collaging new elements over the not-so-great areas of an artwork ❤

[@susanfield2444]

I am a big fan of your channel. My interest is in geometric abstraction using collage as my medium. Does anyone else work with geometric designs?

[@brendalindsey5425]

Froyle does that a great deal. Have you seen her KZbin channel? I'm just starting and have used a few geometrics. They would probably never be the majority of any one collage I'd make, but I think they introduce great texture.

[@KatievlKoskinen]

Thank You dear Flanzella for your videos. I find the music distracting though😢. I start to listen to the music and miss what you are talking about. I wish I could mute the music

[@flanzella]

I understand. It's funny because for me when videos do not have music I find it distracting 😂 I wish there was a way to upload the music separate and it was a choice for viewers.

[@brendalindsey5425]

I also dislike music and wish like you that you could load them separately. But yours isn't as distracting to me as most, so just keep the volume low and I'll probably be just fine.

[@Viv8ldi]

With my first collage I used tape it it worked perfectly🤣

[@abigailaguirre4710]

3:48 I love your compositions but was surprised that you use stick glue for your pieces. The art shown at this point is awesome but has several bubbles in it which absolutely ruins it (makes it look amateur which clearly you are not.) I learned the following glueing technique from many online collage artists: Use matte medium for glueing collage - it works infinitely better … you essentially brush it on and it dries clear. Before it dries, place a piece of deli paper over it and either use a brayer or scraper to get all the bubbles out. (Not sure if you are still using stick glue (this video is 8 mos old) but if so, I would strongly recommend you try matte medium and push out any bubbles.) I hope this comment doesn’t come off as offensive - hoping to be helpful. I appreciated the other tips in this video. Thanks.

[@cspain453]

How do you frame your collage it does not have to have glass over it?

[@ovidiu.solcan]

So nice to discover your channel 😊

[@flanzella]

Welcome!!!

[@bluemonster27]

Hi Flanzella. I am a young artist, and I want to start making money from my art. what are you're tips? are there specific websites that are good? Do I need a specific thing I do (e.g. you do collages)? ANy advice you can give would be greatly appreciated. thanks, I love your work as well!

[@karenillingworth4937]

Just remember to obey photocopy rights if you are selling your work.

[@bluemonster27]

@@karenillingworth4937 what is the photocopy right?

[@flanzella]

I have lots of videos, I'd recommend watching my vlogs if you do markets and the "art mentorship" playlist to help! As for print I work with a local print shop to make my art prints. This video covers copyright law if you are interested! kzbin.info/www/bejne/ZoW6kqFpbtl9bdE

[@bluemonster27]

@@flanzella thanks so much! It is my dream to make art and music for a living and I appreciate all the help I can get

[@flanzella]

@@bluemonster27 the most important thing is working at it, everyday. Treat it like a job!

[@deborahneumann9162]

MOST helpful... THANK YOU! (:

[@flanzella]

Glad it was helpful! ☺️

[@Jalleur14325]

Do you have any videos on where to start with composition and rhythm in a piece?

[@flanzella]

Not one specifically but I think I do talk about it loosely in a lot of my videos 😊 can add it to my list to talk through.

[@ArtJourneyUK]

With regard to longevity, you mentioned acid-free glue but the papers and collage fodder you use is likely not acid & lignin free, which will mean it will yellow and degrade overtime anyway, won't it?

[@urbanurchin5930]

You are correct . I have found that if you use an archivable type of glue , mat and frame in a logical manner , and keep the finished piece out of the sunlight , your creations will remain bright for many years . There are some products available that will out-last most of us .

[@fuzzydragons]

we had a paper module at college, all about cutting and creating things with paper. we had to be very precise when cutting things out, and the paper had to stay white or we were marked down 😑

[@flanzella]

You must be a master of the cutting then 😜

[@fuzzydragons]

with a scalpel im not too bad, but bad with scissors lol, not enough control

[@flanzella]

Practice makes perfect 😜 I'm less good with a scalpel so were reversed for skills

[@davidpierini3316]

Can you or have you addressed paper wrinkling? How do we avoid the wrinkles? I'm new to your channel but I really like your lessons. Thank you.

[@flanzella]

I'd love to cover this more! In my latest video I show a tool that really helps with that. I'd also suggest using thicker magazine papers if you can. Or use flat paper when adhering too. I also suggest using "dry glue" like UHU stick glue vs medium.

[@davidpierini3316]

Many thanks!@@flanzella

[@_Lalunal_]

Looking for a collage body❤

[@kirstenboston523]

Hi, thanks for an inspiring video! I'm a full time artist but I've recently started incorporating more collage into my pieces. I'd love to find someone to give me honest constructive criticism with regard to my collage. I do digital and analogue work, I find it all has a place in my art. My pieces all tend to end up as mixed media.If anyone out there would like to chat about working together to give feedback please let me know.

[@bluemonster27]

How did you end up becoming a full time artist? I am a young artist and I want to get out of college and become a full time creative. How did you do it? Is there anything I can do to get there as well?

[@flanzella]

I hope you are able to find someone! If not I'll ping you when I finally build a community platform to join 😃

[@ellevictory1339]

I left ages ago with kat to our new house with my new he's husband I manifested😂😂😂😂

[@Viv8ldi]

Memo: u need ur unique style

[@ellevictory1339]

Me and him are god we are perfect we have having children one day in person and he is awesome 👍 glad I created a better husband 😂😂😂😂🎉🎉🎉🎉

[@Viv8ldi]

Memo: work fixitive am Ende

[@margueriteyork7042]

uhu sticks

[@cherybernhart2921]

"PromoSM"

[@Loufi303]

the music though? it's distracting, and hugely annoying to auditory learners and to people who either are non-native speakers or have hearing issues. I know YT is pushing their little muzak catalog as if it adds production value, but it adds only to their bottom line. I thought we were all sick and tired of elevator muzak and other noise pollution, yet now I see all these content creators putting elevator muzak under their voices. Please reconsider and if you really must add music, use it for your intro and outro, or in between talking segments. Thanks.

[@dianebassett1930]

The idea that I would care if my pieces last a lifetime is so laughable….