Ready to create something amazing with your collage pack?
What You Need:
- A base (I like something sturdy – thick paper, cardboard, canvas, or how about one of those Amazon boxes?! Whatever feels right to you!)
- Scissors, X-acto knife, or tear with your hands (that makes the most beautiful edges)
- Glue or glue stick
- Your collage pack!
Getting Started:
Dump everything out and pick your base. You might cut out some shapes or use only part of an image, or maybe the whole paper works perfectly. Don’t forget to look at both sides of the paper. I often find that after cutting an image out of one side, it is way more interesting when I flip it over and use the backside. Before you glue anything down, move things around and try different combinations. This is seriously half the fun! Don’t overthink it – trust those “ooh, this could be cool” moments.
Building Your Composition:
I like to start with the bigger background pieces first, then work my way to smaller details. Overlap things to create depth – it makes everything more interesting. Mix things up! A tiny flower next to a giant eye? A ripped edge layered over straight edges? A dark shape over a light one? Those contrasts can really bring it to life and make people look twice!
Color and Balance:
Look for repeating colors or themes that can tie your piece together. Balance busy areas with simpler spaces to give the eye places to rest. Remember that empty space can be just as important as filled space. If everything feels a bit chaotic, try adding one neutral element – a bit of white paper or solid color can calm things down. Or embrace the chaos if that’s how you are feeling!
To Finish:
Once everything feels right, glue pieces down, starting from the background and working forward. Sometimes I make light pencil marks to know exactly where I want to glue a piece. Press firmly and smooth out air bubbles. If a paper is thick, it helps to dip it in water first to soften it up and prevent wrinkles. Or maybe you want wrinkles for texture? It’s your call–isn’t collage fun?!
The Most Important Thing:
There are no mistakes in collage, just unexpected delights or other opportunities! Collage is queen for revealing fantastic combinations I’d never think of on my own. If something doesn’t work, just layer over it or turn it into something new. The worst case is you’ve made yourself some new collage material! Have fun and trust yourself–you’ve got this!!
The Big Reveal:
Take a photo of your finished piece, post on Instagram using the hashtag: #sidewalkcollagelibrary, and email it to collage@amybondstudio.com
I can’t wait to see what you create!!! I look at every single one and they make my day!
xo, amy