What’s included in collage art?

You can use just about anything in your collage work - and collage artists today are using both digital and hand made collages. Digital collage artists primarily use the computer to design and develop their artwork using images uploaded to the computer. Analogue artists are more tactile and only use the materials they can find that are pre-printed ie. magazines, books etc.

Examples of the materials you can use in your hand cut collages are:

• Papers - coloured, magazines, receipts, maps, postcards, photos, books, letters, brochures, leaflets, posters, sewing patterns etc

• Thread, washi tape, fabric, feathers, plastic items, foil, leaves, wood, wire etc

The different styles of collage art

There are so many different types of art you can create with collage - the opportunities are endless. Here are a few of my favourites:

Surrealism/creating new worlds

These collages are about creating impossible worlds that almost feel real. They play with scale and challenge the viewer to see the world in a different way.

Graphic/structured designs

These collages use structured lines and designs and rely on colour and composition to make them appealing to the eye.

Landscapes/Cityscapes

These collages use papers to create similar colours, shapes and textures of the landscape.

People and animals

These collages use images of people and animals to create new beings!

Combining collage papers into traditional or abstract art

Many artists incorporate collage papers into their art on canvas or board. Many of the pieces in my exhibition have both acrylic paint and collage papers. Once you have used the right glue over the top of the collage papers (gloss or matt medium) - you can then paint as much as you like.