Transcripts
1. Introduction: Welcome to our
course collage art. In this inspiring course, you'll master the
art of creating stunning collages
from start to finish. You'll discover how to prepare paper for collage creation, skillfully cut out visual
elements and objects, and thoughtfully plan
your composition before securing it with
homemade natural glue, ensuring a strong bond
for your designs. Then you'll arrange and paste your elements to bring
your vision to life. Next, we'll elevate your collage by mounting it onto
a paper backdrop. Our step by step guidance will
help you create a smooth, professional collage ready
for the final touch. For retouching,
you'll use dry media like pencils, pens, pastels, and crayons to enhance
the visual impact, adding depth and personality
to your artwork. To begin your collage making journey, gather essential tools, brushes, vibrant colors, and quality paper to fuel
your creative process. You'll create dynamic
drawings with ink and color. Select your color palette,
blend hues creatively, and draw illustrative forms that reflect your personal
style and preferences. Experiment with ink
painting by combining water and ink to explore how
they interact with paper. Join us to express your
creativity and craft vibrant, one of a kind collages
that tell your story. Oh
2. Essential for Beginners: Tools and materials,
Ink and color options. Chinese ink paint. This has a distinct vibrant hue perfect for creating
a recognizable effect. Acrylic. Acrylics can add a striking flare
to your painting. Poster color that's great for experimenting with
color in your pieces. Ink. We'll be working with either Chinese or
Japanese painting ink. Both are excellent
choices for the style. Brushes. You'll use brushes
made with goat hair, mixed hair, wolf hair. For the collage
mounting process, prepare a flat brush, either a watercolor flat brush or a clean wall painting brush. To prep a new brush, soak it in water for
two to 3 minutes. This softens the bristles. Getting them ready for painting. When it comes to
holding the brush, there are two traditional
techniques to try. Start by finding a
comfortable grip. Measure the position
with your fingers and hold it steady with two fingers adjusting
for balance. You can experiment with two methods to see what
feels right for you. Option one. Option two. Paper. For this course, we're using
raw Chinese painting paper. It's special because it
quickly soaks up ink, color, and water, letting you
create surprising effects, especially when
you're experimenting. With these tools,
we'll dive into the exciting process of crafting stunning collages using brushes, ink, color, and mixed media, building on the techniques
from lessons one through four.
3. Colour in Motion: Lesson two, color in motion,
playing with pigments. In this lesson, we'll dive
into the vibrant world of color using pigments to
create dynamic objects, shapes and lines for
your collage artistry. You'll explore a variety
of painting materials. Acrylic is recommended for
its waterproof quality, which prevents color loss during the paper
mounting process. Other materials like
watercolor or poster color, may lose some vibrancy
when mounted. So keep this in mind as
you choose your medium. Lines. Lines are the backbone
of your collages energy, offering endless ways to
express movement and texture. Using your chosen pigment, experiment with a
variety of line styles, just as we did in Lesson one. Hold your brush at a
90 degree angle for precise thin lines to
add delicate details, or at a 45 degree angle for
fluid expressive strokes. For bold, heavy lines, lay the brush down to
create thicker marks. Play with lighter
and darker tones. Let your brush dance
across the paper, creating lines that will guide the composition of
your colorful collage. Try painting
overlapping lines for intricate textures or
simple horizontal lines for a minimalist serene vibe. To introduce perspective
and depth or cross lines to evoke the dynamic
energy of an urban landscape. Shapes. Shapes bring structure and harmony to your collage, serving as vibrant
building blocks. Load your brush with
a generous amount of pigment and practice painting
shapes like circles, ovals or squares using one or two smooth strokes
as explored in Lesson one, tilt the brush to a 45
degree angle for thicker, bolder strokes,
allowing the color to spread naturally
for organic effects. Experiment with shapes in various sizes to add diversity
to your collage elements. For a softer look,
dilute your pigment with water before adding color to create gradient effects
that enhance your shapes. Irregular forms that look
like plants and animals. Irregular free form
shapes inspired by nature add a whimsical organic
touch to your collage. Embrace the freedom of creating abstract forms that
resemble plants, animals, or
fantastical creatures. Load your brush with pigment and let it move intuitively
across the paper, producing multi
sized flowing shapes with soft edges
or bold contours. I'm going to start
with a fish shape. With a gentle stroke, I press the brush down and sweep it to form the body like this. Then a lighter
touch for the fins. See how the brush naturally creates that soft flowing shape. One fish done. Now, let's do another fish
right next to it. Same technique, a bold
stroke for the body, then smaller flicks
for the fins. The Chinese brush
is perfect for this because it gives such
a fluid, organic look. I love how their color
spreads a bit on the paper. It adds a nice texture. Next, I'll add a
few more shapes, maybe some abstract
forms that could be part of the underwater
scene for our collage. I'm doing some
wavy strokes here. These could be seaweed or coral. The key is to let the
brush do the work. Don't overthink it. Just let
the shapes flow naturally. While we wait for
the paint to dry, you can experiment
with other shapes. Maybe try a bird
or a turtle next. The Chinese brush is so versatile and the watercolor gives it such a vibrant look. Experiment with
vibrant or muted tones to capture the
essence of leaves, vines, feathers, or scales. Allow the pigment
to blend naturally or layer colors for
textured effects. These nature inspired forms will bring dynamic energy
to your collage, inviting viewers to discover unexpected beauty in your
layered compositions. We've got a couple of fish
and some abstract shapes. We'll let the paint
dry completely. This might take about
20 minutes or so. Once it's dry, we'll cut out these forms carefully
with scissors to use in our collage and experiment
with layering them to craft unique visually
striking collages with surprising and
delightful effects.
4. Brush & Ink Flow: Brush and ink flow. In this lesson, we will explore the fundamental
techniques of using brushes and ink on
paper to create dynamic visual elements
for collage making. Let's get ready.
Before we begin, let's set up your workspace
for optimal ink painting. Place a piece of
wool or felt fabric beneath your paper to
enhance ink absorption. Gather two plates,
one for water, and one for ink, and ensure you have an ample
supply of water nearby. Adding a few drops of
ink to your plate. Dip your brush in water to clean and moisten
the bristles. Then gently touch
the tip to the ink. Allow the ink to
soak evenly into the bristles until you
achieve a deep rich color. Load the brush fully
and test it by drawing a few lines to
observe the ink's flow. If the brush begins to dry, reload it with ink and
repeat the process. The goal is to develop a comfortable rhythm for
loading and applying ink. Next, let's practice your hand movements
and brush strokes. For the first exercise, focus on controlling the brush. Hold the brush at a
90 degree angle for precise fine lines or at a 45 degree angle for more
fluid expressive strokes. Experiment with
drawing lines and various shapes to familiarize
yourself with these angles. Use the 90 degree angle
for thin controlled lines, the 45 degree angle for
smoother flowing lines, and lay the brush down for
thicker lines and bold shapes. Let your creativity guide you as you explore unique
lines and shapes, building confidence
in your brush work. Shapes. You will learn to
prepare shapes and free form by controlling
the flow of ink. These drawings will serve as the building blocks for
your collage compositions, transforming your
ink creations into cohesive forms for
collage artistry. To create shapes
for your collage, load your brush with a
sufficient amount of ink. Practice painting
shapes like circles and ovals using one or two
smooth brush strokes. For thicker strokes, tilt the
brush to a 45 degree angle. Try incorporating more water. Load the brush with water first. Then add darker ink to create soft gradient effects
that enhance your shapes. Allow the ink to
spread naturally on the paper, creating
organic effects. For a different approach, experiment with
painting shapes in various sizes to add diversity
to your collage elements. Irregular shapes. In addition to
structured shapes, let's prepare irregular
freeform shapes to add variety to your collage. Embrace the freedom of creating multi sized
abstract forms. Enjoy the process of letting your brush move intuitively
across the paper, producing unique organic
shapes that will bring dynamic energy to
your collage designs. Lines. Lines are powerful design elements
in collage making, offering endless
creative possibilities. Let's start drawing
different lines on paper with a Chinese
brush and black ink. We'll make horizontal lines, vertical lines, and cross
lines that overlap each other. Experiment with a
variety of lines styles, thicker lines for a bold, heavy vibe, thinner lines
for delicate details, and overlapping lines
for complex textures. Explore the contrast between fluid ink flow lines and
crisp dry brush strokes. Simple horizontal
lines can create a minimalist serene effect, while thicker lines add
richness and depth. Lighter ink tones can introduce
perspective and layering, enhancing the collage's
visual impact. Crossed lines evoke
the energy of an urban landscape or a
bustling dynamic vibe. Practice these line techniques. Then use your drawings to plan
and compose your collage. Letting the lines guide
your creative vision. We'll add ink wash lines and ink flow lines to create a
mix of bold and soft strokes. Now I start by making
straight lines up and down. I press the brush down and pull it to make a line like this. Then I do another
line next to it. The brush makes the lines look soft and a bit
faded at the edges. It's a pretty effect. I start by drawing a long
line across the paper. I hold the brush lightly and move it in
different directions. I make more lines. So go up, some go down, and some cross each other. The brush makes thin
and thick lines easily. Now I keep adding more lines
to make a messy pattern. The Chinese brush makes the
lines look soft and smooth. Some lines are dark
and some are light. It gives a cool web
like look on the paper. The paper looks like it
has a spider web design. The Chinese ink and brush make the lines soft and natural. We can use this for an art
project or collage later. I use a brush to
make bold strokes, some dark, some lighter. This gives a strong messy look. The ink spreads a little making the lines look alive
and fun. All done. The cross lines and lines
look bold and exciting. The Chinese brush and ink make the drawing look
strong and full of energy. We can use this for
art or a collage. H
5. Cut, Paste and Create: Lesson three, cut,
paste, and create. Building collages
from painted paper. In this lesson, we'll bring your painted papers
to life by cutting, pasting, and composing
vibrant collages. You'll learn how
to carefully cut shapes, prepare natural glue, and apply your painted
elements to create cohesive visually
captivating compositions. By planning your design with intention and applying
key design principles, you'll transform your
colorful shapes, lines and forms into
stunning collage artwork. Cutting process.
The cutting process is where your
painted papers begin to take shape as
collage elements using sharp scissors
or a craft knife, carefully cut out the shapes, objects, and lines you
painted in previous lessons. Focus on clean, precise cuts, especially along
the boundaries of your shapes to ensure smooth
edges for a polished look. For a dynamic effect, try creating shapes
for a checked pattern. Cut squares or rectangles of varying sizes from
your painted paper, alternating colors or textures to form a grid like design. Experiment with cutting
irregular forms, inspired by Lesson two, such as plant or animal
shapes to add organic flair. Take your time to preserve the integrity of your
painted designs, as these cutouts will be the
foundation of your collage. Making and applying
natural glue, ingredients and proportions. For this demonstration,
mix two tablespoons of wheat starch with two tablespoons of normal temperature
water in a bowl. Stirring until the starch
is fully dissolved. Add two tablespoons
of boiled water. Cover the bowl, and let
it sit for 30 seconds. Then add one to
two tablespoons of hot water and stir until the mixture reaches
a creamy texture. Let it cool before use. To prepare the glue for pasting, scoop one tablespoon
into a dish. And mix with a few drops of room temperature water,
stirring until smooth. Use a clean, moistened Chinese painting brush or watercolor
brush to apply the glue. Dip the brush into the glue, ensuring enough is loaded
to coat the paper evenly. Apply glue to the
back of your cutouts, focusing on the boundaries
for a secure bond. After use rinse the brush thoroughly with water
to keep it clean. Keep a separate dry, clean brush on hand to flatten the cutouts
onto the surface. Pressing gently to
ensure they stick firmly and smoothly to
ensure a strong bond. Plan your composition. Here are five design
principles to guide you. Though feel free to follow
your own preferences. One, repetition, use same sized objects to create rhythm and unity in
your composition. Two, contrast, choose a background that
contrasts with your cutouts, for example, dark
background with bright shapes to
make elements pop. Three, layering layer objects to create a scene
or tell a story, adding depth and
visual interest. Fourth scale variation,
repeat shapes like circles or animal forms varying their sizes to create dynamic contrast. Five, combination, combine two to three different
objects such as a circle, a plant shape, and
an animal form. Then layer them for a
rich textured effect. Experiment with
these principles, rearranging your cutouts until the composition
feels harmonious. Once satisfied, paste
each element in place, bringing your
collage to life with vibrant colors,
textures and stories. This process allows your shapes, lines and forms
to come together. Place the cut out firmly onto your chosen surface,
paper or canvas. Use the glue brush to smooth
out any uneven areas, then take your dry brush to gently press and
flatten the cutout, helping it adhere seamlessly. Work methodically, pasting
one cut out at a time, and ensure each is securely attached before
moving to the next. Building a cohesive
and vibrant collage.
6. Seal the Story: Lesson four, seal the story, mounting and retouching
your collage. In this lesson, we'll finalize your collage
by mounting it onto a new paper backdrop to create
a firm, strong artwork. The mounting process smooths out the curvy rough texture
that forms after gluing. Cut a piece of Chinese painting
paper as the backdrop, making it two to 3
centimeters larger than your collage on all
sides for a clean border. Steps, place the collage face down on a flat table
with the back facing up. Lightly spray water
over the back until it softens
and feels half wet. Use the dry flat brush to gently brush from the center
to the boundaries. Flattening the collage and
removing any wrinkles. Work carefully to maintain
the integrity of your design. Load the glue brush with a diluted glue and apply it evenly from the
center to the boundaries. Following the smooth, deliberate brush movements
shown in the video. Ensure full coverage
for a secure bond. Carefully place
the backdrop paper onto the glued collage, aligning it to the center with a two to three centimeter
border on all sides. Press gently to secure it. Ensuring no air bubbles form. Use a brush to press the paper firmly onto the table
so it stays in place. Lightly spray water along the
boundaries to moisten them. Then apply a thin layer of glue, about 0.5 to 1 centimeter
thick to secure the edges. Add a small piece of paper, approximately two
to 3 centimeters in size to make it easier to
remove the dried collage. Flip the collage slowly, starting by lifting
one corner to confirm it's firmly
adhered to the backdrop. Fully flip it and place it
on a clean flat surface. Press down on the two to
three centimeter borders to help the glue bond securely. Allow the collage to dry
for at least one day. After one day of drying, your collage is ready to be
removed from the surface. Using a palette knife or cutter, gently lift the edges of the collage to separate
it from the table. Work slowly and carefully
to avoid tearing. Once lifted, place the
collage on a clean surface. Ensuring it remains flat. This opening process reveals your mounted artwork now firm and ready for
the final touches. The mounting process smooths out the curvy rough texture
that forms after gluing. Giving your collage a thicker
professional finish and prepare it for mixed
media retouching to enhance its
visual storytelling. Next, measure the boundaries of your collage using a ruler and a cutting mat for precision. Mark the cutting
lines with a pencil, guiding your cuts for accuracy. Then carefully trim each
side with steady hands, ensuring straight at edges
for a polished look. Take your time to cut
carefully along each side, following the marked
lines with steady hands. Use the ruler as a guide to keep the cuts
straight and even. Once all sides are trimmed, lift the paper to reveal a
neat and straight collage. With patience and precision, your artwork will have
clean professional edges. Perfect for your
next creative step. Now let's retouch
your collage with dry media like pencils or
crayons to add some charm. Since collage features fish in vibrant pinks reds and teals, focus on adding details like
curved lines for scales. Keep it playful and
illustrative, not realistic. In just a few steps, you've created a vibrant, detailed piece ready to impress. Draw with a free hand, staying relaxed and add
small details as needed. Let the colors and
shapes shine using the lines just to enhance the beauty of your fish collage. Let's enhance your collage featuring vibrant bird
shapes in pink and teal. Start by planning your
retouch ahead of time. Think about how adding details can bring more life
and vibe to the piece. Grab a pencil or
colored pencil and carefully draw lines to
represent feathers on the birds, keeping the strokes neat and
clean for a polished look. Focus on the edges
and wings using gentle curved lines to mimic
natural feather patterns. Before moving on, consider how these details will complement
the overall design. Next, switch to crayons or oil pastels to add
a final touch. Continue with the same clean
and simple retouch style, drawing feather lines
on the birds or even extending the design to the background
for added depth. The background's subtle
pattern offers a great canvas. Add soft, wavy lines to enhance the atmosphere without
overpowering the colorful birds. Keep the colors vibrant
yet harmonious.
Oi Ling Atelier, Art educator
