Advanced Class of Magazine Paper Collage- Pet Portraits

A list of what I use to make my collages.

I'll show you my studio and what you should consider for your workspace.

When I do an in-person workshop, students tend to work within two main styles.  Understanding the difference will help guide you as you work on your collage.

I go into detail about the two main styles and provide examples.

Two slight differences with the style I work with that will impact the look and size of the collage.

Advice for taking a photo of your pet to use as a reference.

Depending on what style you want to use will impact how you handle the different fur types. The color of your animal can be a challenge too.  I'll show examples of what to consider when working on your collage.

You will need to get a sketch of your pet or animal onto the canvas.  I'll describe different ways to do that.

One way to transfer your sketch or photo onto your canvas is to use the Grid Method.  I'll show you an  analog and a digital way to do that.

Once you have an outline of your animal on your canvas, add details now that will help you when you paste your papers.

I'll show you how I prep my canvas and explain why I do it.

The easiest part of working on a collage is the background.  I'll provide a few tips and suggestions.

Before you move onto the main subject, you may want to touch up the outer lines.  I'll explain what I do.

It can be overwhelming trying to figure out where to start on your main subject. I'll explain what I do, which depends on what style I decided to use on my collage.

Anchor pieces on the face will help me as I build the collage.  When I'm working on the chest and neck area, it's a good time to add the collar.

Filling in the face and creating a mouth.

As I continue to work on the area above her eyes, I talk about shadows in images and how I like to use words in the collage.

I talk about using lines I see in the images I find to help with my subject.  Not everything goes right.  I show you how I correct the chin on my collage.

I fill in more of the collage and talk about how I use words I find in magazine paper in the collage.

I feel the eyes make an animal collage come to life.  I'll show you how I build the them.

Before I declare a collage complete, I always look at it with fresh eyes.  I also describe how to create custom words and dates.

Because we are working with paper, it's important to protect them.  I'll show you what I do.

This is an optional step.  I'll show you what I write on the back of my collages and how I finish them with a paper backing and frame.

Thank you for taking this class!  I hope this course will help you with your collages.  I review the process , which can be applied to any subject matter. 

As a quick reference, watch as I put together the collage, from start to finish, in a time lapsed video.