Recently I told you about Kass Hall’s new book, Amplifed Art, and how it inspired me to create an unexpected collage in my art journal. Well, I’m here to tell you that it happened, again. With paint still staining my fingers, I’m here to tell you all about it.
In Amplified Art, Kass explains how to create amazing art journal pages using simple steps. It’s easy to follow along and learn new techniques, even if you’re brand new to mixed media. Today I began to follow her instructions for using painted papers in a collage (see the lesson below). I say “began” but one thing led to another . . . I explain this a little later in this newsletter.
But first, here are some collage tips from Kass, and a free excerpt from Amplified Art. Enjoy!
How to Use Painted Papers in a Collage by Kass Hall
Note: If you’re using a stencil with repeating shapes, turn the stencil to different angles between shapes so you get varying directions of the paper’s pattern on your cutouts. This makes for a much more interesting collage later.
Also, your pages might feel a bit too dimensional to use as collage sheets at this stage. I recommend scanning and reprinting them so the actual collages in your journals sit flat (unless you love dimension, in which case, use them as they are!).
1. Trace shapes on the back of the paper.
Choose some shapes from your stencils and lay them down on the back of your patterned paper. Remember that if your shapes are words or phrases, to place it upside down. Trace the desired number of shapes with your pencil.
2. Cut shapes out.
Cut out your shapes along the pencil lines.
3. Begin adhering shapes.
Once you have a collection of shapes, start glueing them onto your white sheet of paper.
4. Continue adding cutouts.
You can collage the entire page this way until there are no large white areas, or you can leave some of the stenciled areas as is. Once you’ve placed your patterned papers down, use your stencils to create additional shapes over and around the papers. You can then fill these in with your own line pattern drawings or color in with blocks of color. The aim is to cover all of the white space. ~Kass
As I studied Kass’s collage lesson above, I turned to my own art supplies. I chose two paint colors and put a dab of each right next to each other on my palette. Then I used a makeup sponge and a stencil to apply the two tones to a sheet of blue paper. I loved how the colors were slightly mixing, while in many places retaining their original hues.
As that paint dried, I got out my art journal and began playing around with my extra paint so it wouldn’t go to waste. I started dabbing it onto one of my “garbage pages,” and a pretty design started to form from my strokes. Then I knew that everything I had learned from Kass’s lesson and this practice session was ready to be put to the test on–gasp–a fresh art journal page. I began with a blank, white sheet, and I ended up with a beautiful galaxy-like, abstract swirl. I even cut some of the stenciled and painted paper and added some shapes to two opposite corners. I’m happy to report that it was an exercise worth doing! In addition to using painted papers in a new way, I realized that I enjoy creating art without an end-product in mind. I had no set expectations about how the final piece was going to look, so I was free to just paint and see what happened. I didn’t know where I was going with it, but I never felt lost.
This goes to show that it’s important to use resources such as Amplified Art (click here to get your copy!). Even if you stray from the original lesson, you’re going to learn something about your supplies and materials, and if you’re lucky, yourself. It’s just one of the reasons I believe art is crucial.
Until next time,
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