How to start collage art

Starting in mixed media can be so confusing. You watch a ton of YouTube videos and every artist seems to have a huge collection of beautiful handmade papers for collage and enough paint, pens and markers to open their own art shop.... In this simple exercise we will use papers you should have lying around the house - packaging from a delivery, or tissue paper something came wrapped in. I will show you how to layer and develop a mini series. Sure, at the end I will show you some options for taking it further, but this is to give you ideas and I will always try to offer alternatives. Think of this as mixed media and collage 101!

So we will start with a bit of writing and make our own sheet of collage paper. Next we will collage and stick it down. Then we will add a bit of gesso and some colour. We can add a bit of stenciling if you have them and then I show you lots of options for finishing things off.

If you are interested in getting any supplies, I have just become an affiliate for Jacksons Art and on Amazon. By following these links and buying anything, I get a small commission and it will cost you nothing extra:

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Every week I share a tip, trick or technique I wish I had known when I started painting, so if you enjoyed this please like, comment and subscribe. Or if you have a watercolour problem, let me know and maybe I can help?

#lizchaderton #collage #mixedmedia

[hopetn]

I very much enjoyed this, thank you. I've done a good bit of collage myself, but always find some new inspiration when I watch your videos, whatever the topic. I think I could happily watch you make toast while you explain the process, I find your voice and way of communicating very soothing and relaxing. :)

[colorfulcollage]

Fellow collage artist here! Glad to see more of us on YouTube as I believe it is THE BEST medium. I started out in all the other mediums until I found collage, and I never looked back. Keep these videos coming, they are so good! 😊

[Kiss_My_Art]

Mixed Media artist here & personally I love how the paper looks after removing the masking tape, it goes perfectly with the collages & gives it all a vintage, shabby chic very beautiful ❤️ you have a new sub 👍

[LeonieM.-irod]

A tip to prevent the tape from ripping your paper: use a hairdryer to warm up the tape and loosen the glue before removing it, always works for me :)

[maggiefreeman]

They turned out lovely! Thanks for a great demo and all the ideas, tips and tricks 😊

[jaynapodgorski]

Fabulous Liz. You explain it so well for the beginner ♥️🇦🇺🦘

[cathykodra]

This video is terrific and so helpful to me! I love your process. I also love all your bookmark videos and in my mind am already applying this collage method to bookmarks. Your channel is my new favorite! Thank you for so generously sharing.

[michelleinScotland]

Thank you; that was just what I needed. I have acquired sheet music, bought an old dictionary (although I'm not sure I can use it 😞) and have tissue paper, packaging paper and napkins. I've also just found my old ink pens ( I was lucky enough to be taught italic writing at school), I even have a pad of papers - all my favourite colour - I have no excuses what so ever!

[VBeeMe]

I’m terrified of collage! It’s so unstructured. I didn’t know what came after the ripping and pasting. I will give it a go on Tuesday thanks to you!

[joankennedyartist]

Great video Liz ❤ it’s inspiring me to have a go

[LaviniaNova]

Very pretty! Thanks for sharing the techniques. I've had the same issue w blue tape. I use washi tape at times. When I use it as part of a journal page, it never seems to want to stay stuck afterwards 😂. It's probably because it's a cheap brand.

[valeriegehling]

Enjoyed immensely as I recently did my 1st collage & was lookin for ideas! I‘ve stamps & bits of paper I did some Easter nests with so I‘ll definitely try it soon!

[GrandmaMuggy]

Thank you so much! Lots of wonderful information. I can’t wait to start mine.‼️

[judyt]

What great ideas!💡😁 💡👍🏾 do you have a video about stamps?

[debbiebruce]

I enjoyed this video so much. Thanks for sharing. Your collages turned out pretty.

[madelinepampel]

Very inspiring and well-explained / presented ! 😃

[marigoldwood]

Just had a go in my mini watercolour sketchbook even if I don't have half the materials you used, but interesting experience anyway and I am inspired to start collecting materials to try this more often. Just one question - do you usually follow the order you showed in the video or do you sometimes apply things in a different order?

[ziggiezag]

Try using Frog tape. The green is a medium sticky and the yellow is less tacky. Let us know if that works for you!