Collages For Junk And Art Journals
You can create a collage from a picture in a magazine, book, or catalog, This is a wonderful recycling project that can be made mostly with things that you probably have on hand.
One of the best places to find illustrations for your collages are old books or magazines that you can often find in thrift and second-hand stores. Not only can you use illustrations, but also writing and interesting papers. Mix your illustrations with scrap papers that you have saved.
Consider using washi tape as an embellishment to hold some images down.
This technique is so relaxing and enjoyable. With only a few supplies, you can create a one-of-a-kind piece of artwork. Create these pages with either magazine images or decorative napkins.
Make Sure You Have A Sturdy Canvas
Before you get started with your collage, You want to make sure that you have a sturdy canvas to place your collage on. So consider the page that you have chosen. If the paper is thin, consider gluing two to three pages together so that when you add other elements, the pages will not pull from your journal. This is especially important when you are working on an altered book.
You can also consider a coat of gesso to strengthen your page, Gesso is a medium that is like a paint primer for your pages. Gesso comes in white, clear, and black, I like to use a medium-strength gesso on my pages. Gesso is one step that I always take when I collage.
Pick The Images For Your Collage
Some folks like to cut out the images from magazines for future use, That is what I do. I get magazines from family and friends and then I go through the magazines looking for specific images, phrases, and words. Or you can just store magazines in a pile and pick through them as your inspiration hits you.
Look through books for papers and images that inspire you. There are lots of free images across the internet where you can print free stock images for your personal use. Just type in your favorite browser the words, " free stock images " and see what pops up.
Look for images from napkins and gidt wrap too.
Color Your Background
Before you lay any images, you need to color your background. You can just color it with plain watercolors or acrylic paints. You can also just stamp the page with the entire stamp pad for an interesting pattern. Keep your background simple. Let your pictures be the star of your pages
You can also use gift wrap glued to the page as your background.
Lay Out The Images Before Gluing Them
Before you pick up the glue, lay out the images on the pages before you glue. Move them around till you get exactly what you want. This will save time and disappointment later.
Supplies
Acetone
Modge Podge or another decoupage medium
Craft glue
Old credit card or gift card
Cloth or cosmetic squares
A small and medium paintbrush
Water
Brayer or rolling pin
Magazine images or decorative napkins
- Rip at least one page of a magazine into small pieces. Keep the clean edges of the page as much as possible. Set aside
- Glue two pages together with craft glue. Apply the glue. Spread with an old greeting card. Put together and smooth with the heal of your hand.
- Allow drying.
- With the medium paintbrush apply glue to the back of each piece of the ripped magazine page.
- Apply to the art journal page. Use the edge pieces of the magazine page on the edges of your journal page,
- Allow drying
- Apply the acetone to the pieces with the cosmetic sponge or cloth
- Gradually remove all color from the pages.
- Once the color is removed, allow the page to dry.
- If you are using a napkin image, use a small paintbrush with water to " cut" around the image to fit your page
- If you are using a magazine image, trim around the image to fit the page
- Using a paintbrush, add decoupage medium ( Modge Podge) to the page
- Carefully place your image or napkin piece on the page
- Use the rolling pin to flatten all the images after they are glued down.
- Cover the image with additional glue spreading it over the piece
- Add additional images and trims the same way
- Allow the page to dry
Till next time. Happy Crafting!
Linda
Create A Magazine Collage With These Supplies
