Collage is both a technique and the art it produces - a way of creating something new by gluing different materials onto a surface. (When the technique is applied in three dimensions, the result is called an assemblage.) Artists have been mixing materials for centuries, but the word collage didn’t appear until the early 1900s, when Georges Braque and Pablo Picasso began adding bits of newspaper, wallpaper, and fabric to their paintings. By blurring the boundary between painting and object, they opened the door to modern collage. Part of the broader mixed-media family, collage connects physical materials with visual culture, inviting us to see the familiar in unexpected ways.

Materials and Tools:

  • Cutting tools include scissors, craft knives, rotary cutters, and cutting mats.
  • Adhesives include glue sticks, craft glue, gel medium (used to adhere and to seal), spray adhesive, and tape.
  • Application tools include brushes, brayers or rollers, and tweezers.
  • Mark-making tools include pens, pencils, markers, stamps, stencils, and paints.
  • The substrate or foundation for a collage can be a journal/sketchbook, cardstock, watercolor paper, canvas board, or wood panels.
  • If you can attach it, it is collage material. Newspapers, magazines, maps, sheet music, photos, postcards, stamps, tickets, labels, packaging, fabric scraps, lace, ribbon, plant materials, and found and upcycled objects are all fair game.

Terminology:

  • Mixed Media: Combining two or more art techniques in one work (collage is a type).
  • Altered Art: Taking an existing object (book, postcard, etc.) and changing it through collage and other techniques.
  • Décollage: Creating by tearing, cutting, or removing layers from an existing surface (the opposite of collage’s “building up”).
  • Ephemera: Printed or written materials originally meant to be temporary (tickets, postcards, labels.
  • Found Objects: Everyday items incorporated into a collage or assemblage.
  • Cut-Outs: Shapes or images cut from other sources and used as collage elements.
  • Transfer: Moving an image from one surface to another (often using gel medium or solvents).
  • Layering: Placing multiple elements on top of each other to create depth and texture.

Process:

Cut or tear interresting images, words, textures, colors, and shapes from your gathered materials and arrange them on your chosen substrate before glueing everything down. Optionally, add finishing touches including embellishments, sealant, and display hardware.

Variations:

  • Paper Collages use cut or torn paper as the primary medium.
  • Fabric/Textile Collages are compositions of layered and stitched fabric, lace, or fiber scraps.
  • Photo Collages or Photomontages use photographs as the primary medium.
  • Digital Collages are created using image-editing software instead of physical materials.
  • Mosaic Collages use many small pieces to form a larger image.

FAQ's:

  • What is the difference between crochet and knitting? The primary difference is the tools. Knitting uses two knitting needles, while crochet uses one hook. Knit pieces tend to be stretchier with more drape, while crochet pieces are stiffer and hold their form better.
  • What can you crochet? Crochet is traditionally used for blankets, hats, or scarves, but it is versatile enough that you can make anything you want. The sky’s the limit!
  • How can I control my tension? Good tension comes with practice and a few good tips like those in this Q&A Crochet Tension Guide.
  • How many crochet stitches are there? Over 150!

Books and Magazines:

Online Resources:

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