Collage--Papers, Layers, Cut and Glue

An artist brings their style to a work of art.  Because a collage can be made of so many different materials, there are many possibilities in the collage studio.

-Ekua Holmes

Let's look at two very different collage artists.  Each has his and her own style.  One uses solid color papers and cuts abstract cities and compositions.  The second artist creates portraits with layers of facial features, mismatched clothing, out of scale arms and legs.

MarcPaperScissor is a Florida/New York based artist, graphic designer, creative director, musician, and entrepreneur. He works in many mediums but is best known for his work with cut paper. He is always looking for new inspiration, exciting projects, and organizations for the MarcPaperScissor Studios to collaborate with.

Marc is very precise in his cutting.  Does it look like he's had practice.  Notice he also uses a hole puncher to make dots.

Deborah Roberts is a mixed media collage artist.

Just like the artist Kehinde Wiley, Deborah Roberts did not see art that looked like or represented her when she visited museums.  She set out to make art that would show people there is more than just one idea of what can be beautiful.  Today her art is in museums and galleries around the world and she is showing the world beauty through her collages.

In her collages she uses multiple layers, double meanings, and symbols. You might notice elements that show old and young. Contrast light and dark, color and black + white.

Deborah Roberts says her process combines found (photos, magazine pictures, pattern papers) and manipulated images with hand drawn and painted details to create hybrid figures.

Techniques to improve your collage work

Overlap or layer materials

Practice to improve your cutting skills 

Add texture (tear paper, smooth paper, special scissors, different types of paper and materials)

Try multi-media (using more than one material in your work.  For example combine drawing with glued paper, tape, and then paint parts of your paper or design)

There are many ideas of what is beautiful. How will you as an artist show the world beauty?

What materials will you use to create a collage?

How will you manipulate and change materials in your work?