Welcome Creatives!

Today, I am sharing with you some of my fast and easy ways to build a collection of hand-painted collage papers that will reveal more of your true art style.

I am sharing with you some of my fast and easy ways to build a collection of hand-painted collage papers that will reveal more of your true art style.

While searching for a more expressive art form, I discovered a whole new world of marks, layers, and color combinations, with mixed media collage.

Creating your stash of collage papers is a very easy, versatile and forgiving process and a lot of your materials can be found at home, at your local dollar store or craft store, with a minimal budget.

• It allows me the freedom to explore a variety of mark-making techniques with all sorts of different tools.
• I continue to explore and learn about different colors and value combinations, too!
• I can work and respond intuitively and quickly. It’s important not to overthink but just play!

I know that “play” can be a difficult concept, but it is a mindset that only focuses on the present without worrying about the result. More about this in upcoming blogs.

The variety of stencils and stamping tools is endless but these are the ones I chose this time.

Create an Organized Work Space:

This is my set up in which I have all my materials around my substrate so I can work and respond quickly. The Gelli printing plate is a marvelous tool but you can also work directly on your papers for different results.

Other materials I use are a brayer, number/letter stencils, a knitting needle, silicone tools, stick sponge, and a variety of papers. I like to use copy paper, book pages, maps, and deli paper. You can also use a lighter weight watercolor paper, mixed media paper, bristol or even card stalk.

This is my table for collage and art journaling. These are the collage materials I chose for this series. There are so many more to try!

Select Your Colour Palette of Papers:

I wanted a variety of orange and yellow papers that were mostly solid colors. You might already have some colors in mind, so this is a great time to explore!

Black and White Papers Are Also A Must:

Next, I decided that I needed more black and white choices. Afterward, I discovered that I need to use smaller marks closer together for better variety in size, especially when tearing or cutting these papers into tiny shapes for my work.

I think some of the ghost prints are very interesting. I can always make more!

Above, are the black and white papers that I created with stencils, paper towel rolls, and mark-making with the Gelli plate. I use a 5″ x 7″ plate right now but any size will do.

These are the other B & W papers I decided to create. I like the possibilities better.

Use a Gelli Printing Plate or Work Directly on Your Papers for Interesting Effects:

If you don’t own a printing plate, you can work directly on your papers. You can get interesting effects with a brayer or sponge roller. Just grab and go and see what happens! I’ve had some wonderful surprises this way. keeping any paper that might have some interesting patterns or colors can be saved for future projects.

Left is simply when I role my brayer after each color. The middle is a “ghost” print, which I love! Right – three different stencils on one paper.

A “ghost” print is a second application of the first to use up excess paint on the plate. These are usually an interesting surprise. I never throw away any papers. I just print over them again.

I apply two or three colors at one time which results in a variety of warm hues.

Add More Layers for Subtle or Dynamic Contrast:

In the image above, I decided to add another layer of cadmium orange to my already yellow ochre papers. I also continued to play with black marks on some 50lb. drawing paper. I like the results.

I clean the printer between colors. On the right, you can see my brayer paper which I also use. Just keep adding more layers! This is how you can create papers with layers of color without a Gelli plate.

Use Your Collage Papers to Cover or Add Subtle Variations in Value:

Below, is an image of a 12″ x 12″  canvas where I have added blue torn shapes for an abstract landscape I am currently working on. I like to use my collage papers to add subtle contrast in value which creates visual interest. Adding collage is also a good way to cover up certain areas so you can keep on going! I love working with blues!

So calming…

I use a heavy gloss medium to attach the papers to canvas, wood panel or on top of acrylic layers. I use a craft brush for this.

So, with all these ideas, styles, and techniques at our disposal, making your hand-painted papers can be fast and fun! Just begin and see what happens.

You might be amazed at what you discover!

It doesn’t matter how much time you have even thirty minutes will do.

Enjoy the process with all it has to offer.

Art + soul + process = discovery

Next…

I show you how I use these colorful papers, along with different mediums, to create my abstract landscapes.

Don’t forget to leave a comment or a question…

Michele