How to Get Started Assembling a Collage

Paper
Scrap paper
Beads or old jewelry scraps
Glue
Decoupage Medium
Paint
Glitter
Words
Pages from old books
Markers

The supply list is virtually endless because you can use almost anything in your collage.

When constructing a collage or mixed media piece of art, I first choose a piece of card stock and begin putting paint on it. I choose three or so colors that complement each other and put them on in random patterns. On days when I am not feeling very creative I like to paint several sheets of card stock and put them aside. Then I have them later and can embellish them when I'm feeling more artistic.

Once the background is finished, I determine a theme. This may come from a photograph. There are a number of sources for vintage photos, or ephemera, on the internet and in art magazines. Typically anything that was done before 1923 is in the public domain and up for grabs.

If nothing is coming to mind with the photographs, I will often do a search on Google for quotes. I enjoy reading quotes and they often inspire an entire piece. I may then type the quote out in a font I like, print it and make it part of the collage.

Very often I simply start tearing paper and placing it on the card stock until I achieve some balance on the page. Usually this will spark an idea of where I want to go with the piece. Sometimes I don't need a theme. If I have nothing to say, I will just go for something that's soothing and nice for the eye.

It is important to do the collage according to your own preferences rather than trying to make it fit a certain artistic criteria. It is very difficult to make something, hoping it will fit the tastes of other people. As an artist, you must trust your own eye and sense of expression. It is this part of you that you are sharing with others through your art work.

Once I have the big things on the card stock, I stand back to see if anything is missing. Sometimes the simplest of things can be added for interest and balance. One of my favorite collage pieces is a thread. There is something simple yet mysterious about a single piece of thread or string in a piece. It also adds texture.

There are so many beautiful collages to enjoy on the internet. A search engine will return a virtual gallery of collage art for your inspiration. Some artists have blogs dedicated to showcasing their collage work. A "collage" search on Flickr.com will give you plenty of eye candy to keep your busy for hours.

The Queen of Tart found at http://www.queen-of-tarts.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=CTGY&Store_Code=QOTS&Category_Code=CM has many fun and quirky materials for use in collage art.

A favorite supplier of mine is Covet Me at http://stores.ebay.com/Covet-Me. The seller is a fantastic artist herself and she gives a wonderful price for collage materials. She is very quick and the supplies are always just as described.

It is not necessary to run out and buy materials for starting collage, however. If you like to paint and have paints available, you can easily make backgrounds from junk mail or pieces of cardboard you may have around the house. Once you have the background, tear up some newspaper or old books that are never read (and not valuable) or an old phone book and glue them to the background. Go out in your yard and find some tiny sticks or rocks. Pick some flowers and press them for a bit in a book or even adhere them while fresh! Leaves are also great to use in collage.

The possibilities are just about endless. In fact, the possibilities are only as limited as your imagination.