Magazine Collages For Junk And Art Journals

 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

1. Rip at least one page of a magazine into small pieces. Keep the clean edges of the page as much as possible. Set aside
2. 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. 
3. Allow drying.
4. With the medium paintbrush apply glue to the back of each piece of the ripped magazine page.
5. Apply to the art journal page. Use the edge pieces of the magazine page on the edges of your journal page,
6. Allow drying
7. Apply the acetone to the pieces with the cosmetic sponge or cloth
8. Gradually remove all color from the pages.
9. Once the color is removed, allow the page to dry.
10. If you are using a napkin image, use a small paintbrush with water to " cut" around the image to fit your page
11. If you are using a magazine image, trim around the image to fit the page
12. Using a paintbrush, add decoupage medium ( Modge Podge) to the page
13. Carefully place your image or napkin piece on the page
14. Use the rolling pin to flatten all the images after they are glued down.
15. Cover the image with additional glue spreading it over the piece
16. Add additional images and trims the same way
17. Allow the page to dry

 

Till next time. Happy Crafting!

Linda