Adding Three-Dimensional (3D) Elements to Your Collage

1. Introduction: Hello, everyone. My name is Danny Vinokourov. I'm a mixed media collage artist living in Los Angeles, California. In this class, I'm going to share three techniques for adding three dimensional elements to your collages . I'll show you how toe layer paper in order to achieve three D effects ways to manipulate paper by folding and engineering shapes. And finally, how adding found objects can help your collage achieve three dimensionality. As a collage artists, I often incorporate three dimensional shapes and objects into my work. I find it adds visual interests and impact to my art by shifting the perspective on what is otherwise generally a two dimensional medium. I hope by sharing the processes I regularly used in my own work, you will create collages that literally jump off the page as a side note. While this class is intended for all skill levels, it does assume that you already know the basics of making a collage and using the tools and materials. I will not be reviewing how to use the cutting tools techniques for gluing or selecting imagery. For those of you who are new to paper cutting, you may want to take a class on the fundamentals of the technique. There are quite a few teachers on the skill shore platform who share their knowledge, myself included. So do a quick search and get yourself acquainted with the techniques. In addition, while I choose not to work from found imagery such as those in magazines or photographs in my collages, that doesn't mean that you can't use those things as a personal preference. I work from entirely handmade objects and paper cuts, but feel free to use the papers and materials your most comfortable with all the techniques in the class can be used with more traditional forms of collage. Lastly, I want to take a quick moment toe let you know that the techniques you'll be learning in this class are just the basic building blocks for adding three dimensional elements to your collage. It is my hope that you will use the concepts outlined in this course to think outside the box and find creative ways to add dimensionality to your collages. So if you're ready, grab your exact in life, your paper and your glue, and let's get this party started 2. Tools & Materials: for this classy will need to gather a variety of tools and materials. Glue any glue will do. While I prefer to use PV a glue. Most clues will work just fine, even glue sticks, knives or scissors. Tuesday. Exacto, Knife or scissors? Do you feel most comfortable working with papers For your based substrate? Choose a paper that is thick enough to hold up to various layers of paper objects. Card stock, heavy bridge. Still papers, printmaking papers and watercolor papers Work best. I prefer to use 1 40 or even £300 watercolor paper, depending on how many layers of pink paint and paper I will be adding to my collage. For all of your collage in papers, please let your imagination run wild. Choose from decorative papers, origami papers, newspaper and magazine clippings. Wrapping paper. Honestly, the possibilities are endless. When choosing papers for your paper engineering, you may need to look for something a little thicker. Something between your decorative papers and your based substrate. I prefer to work with either £90 watercolor paper Strathmore, £80 drawing paper or cancel or Fabbri ano charcoal papers. All are great options, and lastly, you will need a variety of found objects again, Feel free to let your creative juices flow. Here. The only caveat. It can't be too heavy. Otherwise the glue won't hold. Or it will cause your entire collage to collapse once you've mounted it and framed it. Some suggestions. Beads, buttons, model train figures or scenery, scraps of fabric, small trinkets or toys. Wire. Try going to with her story yards, dale or hobby shop to spark your imagination. Once you've collected all your tools and materials, let's get started. 3. Layering: The first technique I will be sharing with you is layering. Layering is one of the quickest and easiest ways to add dimensionality to your collage. Here are a couple of ways to layer paper. One way to layer is by gluing like sized pieces of paper together to form dimensional shapes. In this example, I have glued several layers of paper together to create a thicker rectangle. When working in this way, it is important to apply a thin layer of glue to the very edges of the paper without going over. Otherwise, you run the risk of glue The edges. This shape can now be applied or incorporated into a collage, or it may be combined with other three D elements along the same lines. You can also try gluing concentric shapes Together. These can either be uniform or organic. Simple concentric shapes can add dynamic elements to your collage, especially when you experiment with combining different kinds of shapes. For instance, you might glue a chevron shape onto a square onto a circle. It's really up to you how creative you get. Just remember, playing with concentric shapes doesn't mean you always have to glue like shapes together, they can absolutely be different when gluing concentric shapes together. Depending on how many pieces of paper you use on the steps or difference in the diameter between H piece, you can end up creating new shapes. For example, a circle might become a cone or square might become a pyramid. You may also want to experiment with twisting shapes to create test relations. Again, use your imagination here. - Another way to achieve dimensionality in your collage is to break down shapes or elements into their basic parts and glue them in such a way to create perspective in your collage. In other words, layer the pieces that the elements further away are at the back, and the almonds closest are glued to the front. In this example, I have created a buck with dimensionality by layering its respective parts. I've cut the legs, body, head and antlers as separate pieces. Upon gluing, I've food the back legs behind the body while the front legs are glued to the front. The head is glued on top of the neck, and the antlers are glued to achieve the effect that 1/2 of the pairs in the front and the other is at the back, while a subtle form dimensionality layering paper in this way can create the illusion of perspective and give your overall collage and more three D effect. My last technique for adding three D elements to your collage is by spacing layers to achieve greater death. You can do this by creating little platforms for your individual pieces or cut outs with other small pieces of foam core or by layering pieces of paper until you achieve the desired height. A couple of things to keep in mind. This requires at the various collage pieces you want to include in your piece must have some stiffness to them. Otherwise they will flop and sag if you are using very thin pieces of magazine or newspaper considered, hearing them to a thicker piece of paper first. In addition, depending on the size of the piece that you're gluing into your collage, you may need to glue more than one platform to the back of it. When you glue these down onto your paper, make sure the platforms air small enough so that they remain hidden behind your elements. This method can be particularly effective for creating perspective in your collage. As you can see, the trees are layered in such a way to give the appearance of the collage fading into the horizon. Hopefully, you can see the potential of using these layering techniques in your own collage. In the next video, I will explain the first of three techniques for manipulating paper. 4. Folding: folding is another easy way to manipulate paper to achieve dimensionality in your collage. Even simple folds can create dynamic effects. For example, folding an unassuming square piece of watercolor paper in half and adding many of them to a collage creates a beautiful three D texture. You can also drive folding a simple strip of paper into a square. Measure out your folds in three even spaces, allowing for a little extra paper on either. And for gluing. The end result can be either glued down onto your collage on its end or on its edge, depending on the effect you want to achieve. Using a similar technique, try rolling a strip of paper into a circle by gluing the ends together. Voila! A quick and easy three D shape to incorporate into your collage, but don't limit yourself there. Paper can also be rolled or curled. To achieve really unique elements in your collage, try rolling a strip of paper onto the end of a brush skewer stick are all to create a curl dimensional element to your collage. One of the techniques I used frequently is to glue down shapes or elements only halfway after allowing the glue to dry. I will bend or curl the unglued areas to achieve dimensionality. You can also try more challenging folding techniques to achieve more complex shapes. However, these often require more planning and experimentation to create a couple of things to note . Folding complex shapes is helped immensely with the aid of a bone folder, it will allow you to get precise folds. In addition, you may need to score your paper to get a clean fold. To do this, take your Exacto knife and cut a longer fold lines without cutting all the way through. The idea is to cut into the paper just enough so that you can fold along the lines with greater precision. You may have to experiment with us in order to determine just how much force singing to use , depending on the sharpness of your knife on the thickness of your paper. In the next video, I will explain the second of the three techniques for manipulating paper cutting paper 5. Paper Cutting: paper cutting. Some of this technique has been incorporated into the previous lessons of this course, but since paper cutting is such a valuable technique for adding dimensionality to a collage , it is worth going over a few ways to add paper cuts to your work. The first example is by cutting out simple shapes and using the negative space to add dimensionality to your work. By doing so, you create little windows that allow layered areas to breathe and create visual intrigue along the same lines. You can also cut out complex patterns degree laced like areas that also act as screens or windows to other areas of the Kalash. And lastly, you can create organic shapes or representational elements to include in your work to add dimensionality. In this case, I'm using the Buckeye created in the layering section off the class. 6. Paper Engineering: paper engineering is the most complex way to add dimensionality to your collage. By combining cutting, folding and gluing techniques together, you can create intricate three D elements to incorporate into your piece for beginners. Isaac Just working with smaller shapes and ideas. First to get your sea legs when it comes to developing your paper engineering skills. Once you've mastered the elements of cutting, folding and gluing, you can move on to more complex shapes and concepts. One thing to note. This technique does take time and patience to master, especially if you're working with smaller pieces. In the case of smaller work, I recommend using a good set of tweezers. It makes picking up in placing elements of your object much easier and prevents you from turning your fingers and your work into a gluey mass. 7. Found Objects: technique. Number three found objects in general. I don't work with found objects in my own collages, but it is worth mentioning because it is a way to add three dimensionality to your collages . This is a great place to get creative and imaginative with where you source your materials . Ah, couple of suggestions are local hobby shop. Thrift stores are yard sales, hardware stores, party supplies, stores, dollar stores. If you decide to cooperate, found objects into your work. You want to keep in mind the size and the heaviness of the pieces. You and tan tickly went to your artwork. Consider the heaviness of the object in relationship to this 13 us of your substrate or your paper. If you're growing on toe watercolor or Bristol paper, you conclude lighter, smaller objects. But if you're working on canvas, you may want to consider gluing larger or heavier pieces into your work. In the end, have fun with this technique. It's a great way to add humor and entry into your collage. Now that we've covered all the techniques for adding three dimensional elements to your collage, it's your turn to experiment with what you've learned in your own work. 8. Class Project: in this class. Do you learned three techniques for adding three dimensional elements to your collage? One by layering two by manipulating paper, either by folding, cutting or creating three dimensional objects and three by using found objects. Now it's time for you to try using the techniques in the class to create your own three dimensional Kalash, choose a theme from the provided lists and create a collage that incorporates at least two out of the three techniques outlined in the course you can choose to do Ah forest or a jungle scene, a Seascape I seen through a television or a window, a city escape a circus or choose a theme that you'd like to explore. I've also included a link to a Pinter sport to help get you inspired. When you're finished with your collage, please share your project. I can't wait to see what you've created 9. Conclusion: Thank you so much for attending this class. I hope you found the information both helpful and inspiring. Please feel free to ask me any questions in the comments below. And don't forget to share your projects with the entire class community.