Learn to make collage, a fun way to express creativity

Creating collages is a free and fun way to express your artistic creativity. This type of art has been gaining prominence on social media through digital collages or photos and videos of the material collages production process, very common in journals. Learn more about collages and learn how to make them next!

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 about 2,000 years ago in China. However, the prominence of collage in Western art came only in the 20th century.

The recognition of this type of art came 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 scene, 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 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 collage style is also done using photos, but in this case they are arranged in rows and columns. From there, a grid is formed. This organization makes it easier to separate the images for those watching the collage.

As you have seen, there are several possibilities to create a collage. Best of all, there are no rules, so feel free to express your creativity and let your imagination run wild.

Learn to make collages by hand

It is 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 more variety of visual elements. With these materials, you will need to cut and arrange the elements on a surface used as a base, such as a page of paper, a canvas, a piece of cardboard or cardstock.

The ideal is, at first, to explore the possible combinations of assembly of the elements without gluing them to the base surface. That way, you can visualize the possibilities without getting hung up on what you did initially. Once you’re happy with the combination, use glue to secure the elements to the surface. You can use glue stick, liquid glue, or whatever type of masking tape you have available. The important thing is to unleash your creativity!

How to make digital collages

Want to start making collages without having to buy materials? It is also possible to make digital collages using applications for mobile phones, tablets or computers. This will depend on the means you have at your disposal and which ones you are most comfortable with. Next, check out a selection of perfect videos to help you get started!

Collage using cell phone or tablet

This video will teach you how to make collages using your cell phone or tablet. Two application options for making the collages are presented, PicsArt and Procreate, to present options accessible 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 mobile, tablet or computer.

Improve your mastery of 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 how to make collage.

Now that you’ve seen that to start making collages you don’t need to invest in materials, you can test this art style digitally, without having to spend more for it! It’s a fun way to express creativity and innovate in your arts and social media posts.

7 collage artists to meet

Several artists who work with collage share their art on social media. You can follow along and marvel at the possibilities 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 for her collages only.

2. Silvelena Gomes

Silvelena Gomes is a Brazilian and Northeastern artist. She works with digital collage and most of her art is made up of images and short sentences. 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. Catarina Bessell

Catarina Bessel is a Brazilian artist. She abandoned her architectural training 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 mainly produces digital art, but tries to include an analog 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 with mixed media art. Her collages 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 arts by emotion. He works with abstract collages and photography.

Now you know more about collage, know how to make 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!