Transparent Collage Papers With Napkins

Learn to make transparent collage papers with napkins and tissue that look like expensive rice paper.
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[@tomasinaconti4140]

I love creating these too! Freezer paper. Reynolds’s freezer paper taped (painters tape) to your table so it doesn’t roll up. It’s reusable and the bottom of the tissue/napkin stays smooth and you can create texture.

[@catrains.artist]

Such a fabulous idea!

[@donnacarraway9182]

Great technique! I really appreciate that you are sensitive to and talk about the importance of copyright rules!! Yay for you!!💕

[@catrains.artist]

Glad that you enjoyed the video. And I totally agree that addressing copyright is very important when you are incorporating other people's artwork into yours!

[@jentrujillo9110]

Cat you can use the liners in cereal boxes they work great and it peels off seamlessly!

[@catrains.artist]

What a fabulous idea. I believe that is one of the papers I used to create these papers on. I agree, they work great. I robbed all my cereal boxes to create these!

[@TodaysSpecialMinis]

I did this with a design I drew and colored on a piece of napkin a long time ago. It was something I had intended to use as a journal cover, but never got around to making it. The thing is - I found that napkin and the glue does get brittle over time. My cover was chipped in a few places, sadly. I could still use it - it would be a little distressed or I'll have to just bite the bullet and make it all over again. Thanks for sharing your makes. I never thought about a napkin being copyrighted. Interesting. But I also don't think people are just going around selling just glued napkins as is - people usually incorporate them into some kind of altered art. I actually don't have printed napkins, I wish I had designs like the ones you have - they're lovely. But I can't seem to find pretty designs like I see lots of people on here using. The ones from Dollar Tree aren't worth buying and I don't wanna pay a lot of money for napkins that I'm just gonna use in crafts. Sigh.

[@catrains.artist]

Thanks for sharing your experience with making these. Have you tried using gloss medium instead of glue? I'm thinking that might hold up better over time.

[@elizabethlessner9512]

Experimenting with napkins and different papers brought me to some of the ideas that you have demonstrated. You have clarified what works and what doesn't which really helps. I always wondered what to do with the layer of the napkin that had a slight imprinting on it. I figured that it probably wouldn't show up if I tried to save it like I do with the napkins. I took this a bit further though after having problems with some special papers that I bought and that were so fragile that they tore way too easily. So I put glue on the back of these papers to give them more strength and it did help. Some needed more reinforcement so I used tracing paper and glued the paper onto it. That worked much better. So then I even took another step and just spread glue on the tissue paper...some that I had that was just plain one color and some that had print. I even painted some colors onto the plain tissue/tracing paper. I have a folder for them so that they are ready for me to use. I love the translucency of the look of just the plain tracing paper and the glue. The plain colored tissue paper also is awesome with just glue on it. All in all.....for mixed media...how could any of this be wrong?

[@catrains.artist]

I love all the experimenting you did to make this technique work even better. Thanks so much for sharing it all with us!

[@debcox7839]

Hi Catherine, I discovered your you tube channel just yesterday and am enjoying your content very much. I just signed up for Collage Kickstart! Im so glad you mentioned it in your video. I look forward to playing together!!

[@catrains.artist]

Thank you Deb for the kind words about my channel, and for joining me for COLLAGE KICKSTART. I would love to see what you create as a result. You can really use any of the papers that I demo on YT for the final collage project as long as you use the same paint colors to create them. Enjoy!

[@dthomp06]

Love this idea!

[@catrains.artist]

Thank you! 😊

[@fattitude2001]

I used rolls of clear contact paper as my base. I cut it into manageable size pieces then taped them plastic-side up (paper-backing-side down) to pieces of cardboard boxes to keep them from rolling up. You never pull the backing off the contact paper. You’re just gluing onto and peeling off of the plastic side. Freezer paper would work well, too, just be sure to put your glue on the shiny side of the paper, not the plain paper side. :) ❤

[@catrains.artist]

What a brilliant version of this technique. Thanks so very much for sharing.

[@debracomeau8927]

Great tutorial Catherine! More lovely collage papers! Thanks!

[@catrains.artist]

Thank you! 😊💗

[@karenjoy9997]

Thank you for all your time, and teaching your chemistry adventures. I learn from your vids all the time. I’m recovering from dental surgery, so I will probably binge on you. Lol. 🦋🐝😅

[@catrains.artist]

Hope that you are healing fast and easy. I'm honored to be part of your healing process!

[@jeanieferretti4203]

Thank you ❤ Great ideas ❤

[@catrains.artist]

So glad! Thank you so much for watching!

[@junkjournalsvideos1649]

I have always just used plain old plastic, works 100%. Thick sturdy plastic used for packaging, covering school books, even those thin ones used for packaged fish. Thank you for these lovely ideas.

[@catrains.artist]

I have since found other plastics that work well too. Like plastic file folders. Thanks for watching so many of my videos!

[@ludmilaschicchi8278]

Thank you for all the fantastic info. I just found you. I subscribed at once. You are a great artist and instructor. 😊

[@catrains.artist]

You are wonderful! Thank you so much!

[@suebowen9876]

Been doing the exact same thing today !!!!!! I use cellophane ( the sort that flowers are wrapped in ) as my base and find it works well as long as you let it completely dry before peeling off. A top tip if you are having difficulty separating napkin layers use a small piece of sellotape to the back of the napkin and gently pull to separate layers .

[@catrains.artist]

Amazing the timing! Great tip Sue.

[@marcellaruledge663]

you never mentioned using freezer paper - I use that all the time and it works great. I also do this with fabric - makes great book covers as well as collage papers but it's a bit thicker with fabric. fine for book covers - iPad covers, etc.

[@catrains.artist]

I agree, freezer paper works great as well! Love the idea of doing this technique with fabric, brilliant!

[@user-sz9wo3zx4g]

I saw another collage artist use baking parchment paper on which she placed her paper to be glued. Worked beautifully!

[@catrains.artist]

Yes that works too!

[@Cyrilmc222004]

Thank you so much Catherine I really really enjoyed watching you create these beautiful and wonderful pieces. They are so wonderful for all collage and card making too. Please stay safe and well too xxxx Mags ❤❤❤❤

[@catrains.artist]

So glad that you enjoyed this art demo, and will enjoy adding these papers to your artwork.

[@youtubeexercise7894]

Hi Catherine, just found you yesterday and I love your ideas!!!!

[@catrains.artist]

Thank you so much! Welcome!

[@77clgreen]

Thank you for sharing your great techniques. I always have parchment paper!

[@catrains.artist]

You are so welcome! 😊 Thanks for watching

[@helendilley420]

That's another great paper technique to add to the collage papers from the fab 5 day quick start course . Thank you.

[@catrains.artist]

Yes this one would be great to your collage paper stash!

[@53jpr]

This worked well on file folders. They peeled up beautifully.

[@catrains.artist]

Amazing! So glad to hear it!

[@samjackson7270]

Hi Catherine, thanks for sharing your tips. I have signed up for your CK. 😊

[@catrains.artist]

Thank YOU for watching the video. I'm thrilled that you'll be joining me for COLLAGE KICKSTART!

[@youtubechannel9190]

Yes, I have taken collage kickstart and can't wait to take more of your classes. That five day class made me a permanent fan! It was the first time I didn't feel anxiety when trying to compose collages. Your organization of the class and the process gave me the confidence that I could do it. Thank you. Could you share where you got the text napkins please? Really like them. Can't wait to try this process. You make everything look like so much fun and your positive attitude is contagious. Please keep teaching us!

[@catrains.artist]

Your loving feedback about COLLAGE KICKSTART made my day! I'm thrilled that this class showed you that you have the skill to create "good" collages. I would love to see them. As for the napkins, I bought them a long time ago at TJMaxx. If I find them again online, I'll be sure to let you know!

[@catherinepreston-andrews2361]

Very interesting thank you

[@catrains.artist]

Thank you for watching!

[@jkatz58]

I am loving you videos, such wonderful and fun ideas. Can't wait to try them. I was wondering if you could turn your camera to "landscape" for the demo as it would make the video view larger and closer for those of us with aging vision. If you are filming for Instagram you probably can't change it but I thought I would ask. Keep the wonderful videos coming no matter the view orientation. Thanks for sharing your creativity!!!

[@catrains.artist]

You guessed this correctly as these were originally filmed for Instagram Lives last year, which of course are all vertical. I just moved my art demos to KZbin, so they will all be horizontal moving forward. However I will have 40 from last year that are being loaded onto KZbin over the next several weeks. I very much appreciate you choosing to view all my videos, both vertical and horizontal🤪😌❤️

[@rachellee.9389]

Thank you so much for advising your viewers about stealing artwork. As the mother of a professional artist, I am more than aware of plagiarism (plain speaking, it is STEALING) by various Chinese companies such as Ali Express, Temu, and their ilk. The government and companies do nothing to stop this outright violation of an artist's rights/talents. Sure, American-made products cost more but remember that buyers are paying the artists and American workers and other 'middle-men' for their work. I'm on SS only, and if I can afford to pay the extra money, so can everybody else. (And no one should use the excuse that they can't find American-made goods because I have found several websites online that specialize in them.)

[@catrains.artist]

I totally agree with you. Artists should be compensated for their work. With using napkins and other similar items for art, artists just need to make printed materials into a unique new piece of art.

[@itsjudystube]

Unfortunately copyright law is different in each different country which is why nothing can be done. The general opinion seems to be that once you put a design out on the Internet, it is in the public realm. One suggestion I read was to post an image in low resolution which isn’t suitable for printing off screen. In general you can get a pretty good idea of a piece of work without it being in high resolution. Or put a watermark on it. Using pictures from magazines could also be classed as breach of copyright especially some of the wonderful photography in National Geographic. However these pictures undergo such transformations that they are barely recognisable at the end. I’m happier to use altered images as inspiration for my own work, rather than using as is.

[@catrains.artist]

@@itsjudystube I agree copyright is very tricky and hard to enforce. However, images on the internet on definitely not in the public realm. The key to using copyrighted images is to change them enough so they appear as a unique and different piece of work, enough so that the original artist could barely recognize or claim it as their art.

[@rachellee.9389]

@@itsjudystube Although excuses for stealing are made by thieves all the time, it still doesn't make up for the loss of time, effort, talent, income, or recognition by the artist. Anyone who believes it is no better than the thieves themselves.

[@PaigeNicoleKomar]

I saw Royce Hunt Bell so this with diamond glaze, resin, Rust-Oleum clear matte spray, etc and she had amazing results too! I wanted to find out if I could just do mod podge or polycrylic so that's how I happened upon your video. Thank you so much for the info! I'm using freezer paper (waxy on one side and paper like on the other which I think it's like butcher paper) or the plastic wrapping for like the IOD transfer books and both work well... (We are using her 18# decopauge tissue paper!)

[@catrains.artist]

Fascinating! I'll have to check out how Royce does this. Thanks so much for sharing what you have discovered.

[@jeanninethames2523]

Such a fun thing to do. Just subscribed…

[@catrains.artist]

Thank you for subscribing! So happy to have you here 😊💖

[@allisonjames2923]

I use resealable bags as the surface to glue things onto that I want to peel off later. I cut them so they’re just one layer & the inside provides a great surface for making glued papers like this. Just watch out for bags that have an area to write on as your papers will stick to that, but otherwise they peel off really easily once dry.

[@catrains.artist]

What a fabulous and cost effective solution. Thanks so much for sharing!

[@avanellehansen4525]

I use the inside of plastic dogfood and potting soil bags as splat mats. They are non stick for gluing too.

[@catrains.artist]

BRILLIANT idea! What a great way to recycle and give a new purpose for art.

[@mayahayward8589]

I love all your ideas! Your videos are easy to follow and your voice so calming 🙂. Please could you tell me what the little snippet of music at the start of all your videos is... I love that too!

[@catrains.artist]

You are so kind to share such loving feedback! Unforunately I don't know what music I used as I licensed it a long time ago, and then forgot where I got it!!

[@lisaholtz1176]

Freezer paper or pallet paper probably will work too. I’m going to give it a try.

[@catrains.artist]

Yes those will work as the base to create these papers on.

[@lisaholtz1176]

Just wondering where can I find tea bag paper? Is that just small empty bags that you buy and open up?

[@catrains.artist]

@@lisaholtz1176 amzn.to/3qC8tiM Follow this link to buy it!

[@annbrockman3086]

Freezer paper works very well....just make sure you use shiny side up!

[@catrains.artist]

Yes, this does work well. Thanks for the suggestion!

[@puresunrays80]

I'm going to try adding glitter. 😁

[@catrains.artist]

Excellent idea! I've added all types of things, including glitter, with amazing results. ENJOY!

[@myrapatinart]

Have you tried the shiny side of freezer paper? That's what I do my watercolor batiks on that involves lots of melted parrafin. Then my batiks just pull off so I can then iron off all that wax.

[@catrains.artist]

That is a fabulous idea!

[@bjingmaine]

I was faced with a choice of shower curtain or shower curtain liner at the Dollar Store. Chose the clear liner but then I was sure it was too thin… hooray, works perfectly!

[@catrains.artist]

I also use a shower curtain liner to dry my papers. Now have 3 for when I go super crazy making papers, which is often!

[@deborahshearon5855]

Thanks for this, shower curtain liner will be my work surface😊

[@jacquiericard5190]

You can use wax paper or parchment paper. It pulls off beautifully!

[@catrains.artist]

I agree those also work very well.

[@maryjowilliamson1276]

I wish this was demonstrated on full screen!🥺

[@catrains.artist]

Me too! It was originally filmed for Instagram and then placed on YT. Most of my videos are horizonatal.

[@cathydale104]

Hi Catherine, I was just wondering how archival this would be. Would the fact that you would be adhering it to your artwork with an acrylic medium prevent the white glue from yellowing? Great video. Definitely going to try it.

[@catrains.artist]

Good question. If you want this process to be archival, use medium instead of glue. Hope you have fun with this one!

[@missdeesaccount]

Can you use Parchment paper? To apply the glue to the napkin I mean. Thanks Catherine ❤love your videos!! ❤😊

[@catrains.artist]

Yes, I believe parchment paper would work.

[@Sparkleberry7]

if you go around your edges with the tip of your brush you will seal it & can get off made paper .....hearts

[@catrains.artist]

Fabulous idea, thanks so much for sharing!

[@PaigeNicoleKomar]

Also, if you lay the napkin down face down, you get more of the Matte side on your good side and glossier on the back. We are using her 18# decopauge tissue paper also... Hope this helps someone ❤

[@catrains.artist]

Thanks so much for sharing the tip!

[@tonybounsall214]

PVA or acrylic medium will not stick the polyethylene or polypropolyne. So white garbage bags, construction plastic sheeting, freezer paper ( shiny side only) , dry cleaning bags stretched over a piece of matte board. It is reusable and in expensive.😊

[@catrains.artist]

All excellent suggestions! Thanks for sharing.

[@Merletth]

Try the bag out of a cereal box. IT IS WAX COATED and works well

[@catrains.artist]

Yes, that is a great alternative!

[@jcramatte]

Bags from a cereal box work well, too.

[@catrains.artist]

Yes they absolutely do!

[@yasminneder]

I think that using the glue directly in the collage, would work perfect. Why do it before? The napking would get trasparent anyway.

[@catrains.artist]

Because usually I don't want to commit by gluing directly on the collage. I like to lay my potential papers all around a collage to see what potentially would work. Gluing directly on is also a good option, I just love lots of options so usually don't.

[@susansuval5129]

What is the advantage of coating these things with the clue rather than just using them as they are?

[@catrains.artist]

Good question! It gives you the option of moving these all around to try out where you want them before gluing them down permanently. This way you can try out many different translucent collage elements and see what fits into your design best.

[@Nicolesms72]

Would this work with gel medium instead of glue?

[@catrains.artist]

Yes in part two of this demo I actually switched to fluid medium because it is archival.

[@LuceMazerolle-Richard]

Have you ever tried using freezer paper? I think it might work.

[@catrains.artist]

Yes it should.

[@McJulieO]

To salvage the 25 waxed paper pieces, I wonder if you could apply heat & THEN peel it off??.

[@catrains.artist]

I could do that, however its much easier to just make new ones on a surface that works!

[@kanamichelle7404]

Freezer paper works too.

[@catrains.artist]

You are right!

[@sherryleggett1612]

Is there a difference in copyright between making your own copy on paper of someone’s design on China which is definitely a violation of copyright and using the actual item that someone was selling and that we bought? We aren’t copying, we bought that design on the napkin and used the exact item?

[@catrains.artist]

Good question. You can use the napkin you bought on an artwork, however if you sell that art it could be considered copy right violation unless you significantly change the look of the napkin used so it has a different meaning and/or appearance than the original.

[@srost6855]

I don't think that's quite right. Whether you sell it or not, using it as is is using someone else's design if it remains visually the same or similar. It's not about the sale, per se. It would be worth defining that a little more/better for folks.

[@catrains.artist]

@@srost6855 Copyright with collage when using other artists artwork as part of the collage is tricky and up for many interpretations. However, the guidelines I have always used is that it is ok to use art from other sources as long as you significantly change the meaning, basically transforming it into a totally new expression, maybe to the point where no one could identify the original artist. Also if you use artwork created before something like 1927, it is usually copyright free, although there are exceptions if the family of the artist still owns the copyright.

[@dinabaughman8731]

Can you tear it after?

[@catrains.artist]

Yes, these can be torn, and then glued to a collage.

[@andreaslightangels]

Copyright law: just ptutting the writing under the tulips chamgrs the original enough to circumvent cpoyright law. Ethics dictates altering original enough that original is not discernible. I am not a copyrights lawyer, but worked at a patent and copyrights office for many years.😊

[@catrains.artist]

That is exactly what I understand and follow regarding copyright of found papers. Thanks for confirming what I have read, and have been practicing.

[@sue8237]

Plastic bags - trash or kitchen, work, too!

[@catrains.artist]

Great tip!

[@renig5059]

Great papers…who did you mentioned you watched doing this⁉️🤪

[@catrains.artist]

I even listened to this video again to see who I could have mentioned and still couldn't figure that out!

[@renig5059]

@@catrains.artist at 22:28 someone called Nikki Rowe but not sure how u spell it maybe u can send me the link… much appreciated 🥰

[@catrains.artist]

@@renig5059 Ahhh Nikki! Yes you are spelling it correctly. Search for her on IG by that name, but her username is very complicated, although her name should lead you to her. She was the inspiration behind this demo!

[@bconsilio3764]

I don’t think that is accurate. I think you can sell napkin art just like buying fabric that you purchased and make something with it and sell it.

[@catrains.artist]

You can sell anything, including art made with napkins. The issue is around copyright. If the artist who designed the napkin discovers that art was sold with their art on it, they could sue. Its unlikely this would happen, however it is copyright infringement unless you alter the look of the napkin so that the original artist could not tell its theirs. With this technique, that is possible, make it totally unique and yours.

[@sandramurphy7933]

Mary Engelbreit designs fabric. You can buy and resell it as fabric. If you make something with the fabric and sell it, expect a cease and desist letter from her attorneys. Small scale, you can likely get away with it. If you advertise it for sale, no. You're using someone else's work for profit.

[@catrains.artist]

​@@sandramurphy7933 Exactly!

[@TrueLoveX1027]

❤❤❤ this! Thanks SO much for all of your time, effort and supplies that went into working this truly beautiful process out. Can’t wait to to start working on this myself! 🩷

[@catrains.artist]

You are so welcome! Thank you for those kind words, I am so happy you're enjoying he videos, have fun!

[@juliastanbury9245]

The bags inside of breakfast cereal packets are brilliant for non stick art surfaces for glueing and peeling. I cut them open into a sheet. I'm in the UK so hopefully they're made of the same material in the USA. It's worth a try.

[@catrains.artist]

I agree that the inside of cereal bags work great for this paper. They are made the same in the USA.