Mixed media collage
You will need:
- variety of paper – wrapping, tissue, old drawings or paintings, tracing paper
- double sided tape
- scissors
- colour magazines – look for photos with interesting textures
- wire (like the ones used to hold toys in packets)
- metal foil (from a tomato puree tube), plastic milk bottle (washed!)
- cottons and strong needle
- ribbon, sequins, buttons, beads, sweet wrappers
- found objects – not too bulky
- mount card or stiff white card
Instructions
- From your collection of materials, select three pieces of fabric or colour paper in a similar shade
- Using double sided tape, stick them together to make a background. Choose a simple shape and make this in different sizes using 5 different materials
- Arrange the shapes on your background. When you’re happy with the layout use double sided tape to stick flat materials down
- Use simple stitches to sew materials that are too difficult to stick. Use colour cottons, beads and sequins to add fine detail
- Sew or stick the collage onto a stiff card and fit into a deep ‘box’ frame or in a normal frame, use two pieces of mountcard to keep the glass away from the picture
Other tips and ideas
- you can use strong PVA glue instead of double sided tape but you’ll need to leave time for the glue to dry between stages
- tear paper for softer edges as a contrast to cut edges
- use a favourite photo or image as inspiration
- arrange the pieces first without sticking them down in case you change your mind – a ‘dry run’
