Creating collages is a free and fun way to express your artistic creativity. This type of art has been gaining prominence on social networks through digital collages or photos and videos of the production process of material collages, very common in journals . Learn more about collages and learn how to make them below!
What is collage?
From the French ”collage”, collage consists of a combination of different visual elements in order to create a new image according to the artist’s objective. The first recorded collages were made around 2,000 years ago in China. However, the prominence of collage in Western art only took place in the 20th century.
The recognition of this type of art emerged from Cubism, with influential artists such as Pablo Picasso, Georges Braque and Juan Gris. However, this technique of artistic production was also used in later artistic movements, such as constructivism, dadaism, futurism and realism.
In the Brazilian scenario, several names stand out: Lygia Clark, Atgos Bulcão, Piza, Carlos Scliar, Guignard, etc.
4 Types of collage
There are several possible ways to make a collage. They can be divided into 4 different types:
- Two-dimensional: The most commonly used type of collage. Made on a flat base, which does not lose its two-dimensionality even after adding layers. To assemble this type of collage, different materials are used, such as paper, photos, images and drawings;
- Three Dimensional: A collage style with depth and texture. Unlike flat collages, distributed over a single surface, these collages have volume, can be observed from various angles, have weight and depth;
- Photo stacking: Another very common technique. This type of collage is made using photographs stacked on a surface, such as a canvas;
- Grid: This style of collage is also done using photos, but in this case they are arranged in rows and columns. From this, a grid is formed. This organization facilitates the separation of images for those who are looking at the collage.
As you have seen, there are several possibilities for creating a collage. And best of all, there are no rules, so feel free to express your creativity and let your imagination run wild.
Learn to make manual collages
It’s not difficult to make a collage. To get started, you’ll need to select the elements you plan to use. You can use colored papers, magazine and newspaper clippings, product packaging, tree leaves and flowers, wallpaper, and a variety of other visual elements. With these materials, you’ll need to cut out and arrange the elements on a surface you use as a base, such as a page of paper, canvas, a piece of cardboard, or construction paper.
The ideal is, at first, to explore the possible assembly combinations of the elements without gluing them to the base surface. That way, you can visualize the possibilities without getting stuck in what you initially did. When you are satisfied with the combination, use glue to secure the elements to the surface. You can use a glue stick, liquid glue, or whatever type of tape you have on hand. The important thing is to unleash creativity!
How to make digital collages
Do you want to start making collages without having to buy materials? It is also possible to make digital collages using mobile, tablet or computer applications. This will depend on the means you have at your disposal and which ones you are most comfortable with. Below, check out a perfect selection of videos to help you get started!
Collage using mobile phone or tablet
This video will teach you how to make collages using your cell phone or tablet. Two application options are presented to make the collages, PicsArt and Procreate, to present accessible options for different devices.
Collage in Photoshop
Photoshop application is one of the most famous for photo editing. In it, you can also make digital collages. This video teaches you how. However, this app is paid.
Collage using Canva
For those who don’t know how to use Photoshop or are looking for a free app option, you can use Canva! This video teaches you how to use this platform, which can be used on your cell phone, tablet or computer.
Improve your mastery of the tools
If you already use Photoshop, but want to improve your mastery of the tools it offers, watch this video! With it you will learn in a simple way to make collage.
Now that you’ve seen that you don’t need to invest in materials to start making collages, you can test this art style digitally, without having to spend more! It’s a fun way to express creativity and innovate in your arts and social media posts.
7 collage artists to know
Several artists who work with collage share their art on social media. You can follow them and marvel at the possibilities that this technique allows. Check out the list below!
1. Brianna Collins
This artist and designer makes collages both digitally and in her journal. On her Instagram, she shares photos and videos of the arts and her production process. Her work is published in a profile called “Journal Bean”, reserved only for her collages.
2. Silvelena Gomes
Silvelena Gomes is a Brazilian artist from the Northeast. She works with digital collage and most of her art is made up of images and short phrases. She combines vivid colors and black and white images, creating beautiful compositions.
3. Laura Weiler
Laura Weiler is an artist from Oregon, USA, and co-founder of the collage collective PNW Collage Collectiv. Her collages are produced manually, using paper, and have different styles.
4. Catherine Bessell
Catarina Bessel is a Brazilian artist. She abandoned her architectural background to work as an illustrator and designer. Collage is a style that is very present in her work, which is also marked by fantastic realism.
5. Pauline Wernig
Illustrator and designer, Pauline Wernig produces mostly digital art, but tries to include an analogue touch in her art, playing with textures and touches of imperfection. She works in Frankfurt, Germany.
6. Jessa Dupuis
Jessa Dupuis lives in Vancouver, Canada and is a collage artist working in mixed media art. Collages of hers range from minimalist to maximalist compositions. It mixes phrases, black and white images, color images, among other elements.
7. Joris Graaf
Joris Graaf is a self-taught Dutch artist who guides his art through emotion. He works with abstract collages and photography.
Now you know more about collage, do you know how to do it and have references from artists to follow, are you more excited to make your own compositions and to consume this type of art? So, also check out this article about patchwork and get inspired by other artistic forms that can unleash your creativity!
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