I asked my Facebook people to submit photos of their cats that I could make into art for this class (and also for some greeting cards). What a great response! I got about 150 cat submissions, each as wonderful and beautiful as the next! From all of those, I chose Velma.

In this video, I'll show you a few options for your substrate. The choices are endless! If you do go with a board, I'll demonstrate how you can prep the board by sealing it and adding a coat of gesso.

SUPPLIES:

(Please view the video first. The substrate you select depends on what you prefer after viewing the video.)

· I used a 9x12 Hardboard Panel (Item #14945-1023 Dick Blick) Comes in many sizes

· Golden Matte or Gloss Medium for the sealer (Item #00628-1115 Dick Blick)

· Golden Gesso (Item #00628-1175 Dick Blick)

· Foam Brushes

How do you get your cat onto your substrate? Let me show you! Check out the video above.

SUPPLIES:

· Image of your cat, cropped and printed out to the size you need

· Pencil

· Carbon paper or a ruler

· Tape

Here is a short video that you can watch if you would like to learn to draw your cat onto your substrate using a grid. Good if you don't want to trace but you aren't quite confident in your drawing skills.

For the next several videos, we will be applying the collage papers onto the substrate. In this first lesson, I'll describe your paper options, show you how to apply the papers with the glue, we'll discuss ripping vs cutting, learn to cut shapes accurately and how to avoid (or get) the dreaded white edge.

SUPPLIES (for all of the collage videos):

· ModPodge (Item # 10047536 Michaels) I used glossy, but you can choose matte if you prefer.

· Papers for ripping, cutting, gluing. (You can use painted papers from the course "Preparing Papers for your Art" or simply use magazines and other found papers.)

· Taklon Brush

· Low lid for holding ModPodge

· Scissor

· Xacto knife

· Cutting mat

· Optional - a pick to use with small pieces

We continue working on the piece. We'll talk about "flow", using the black of the board to our advantage and the long fur on the edge of the face.

If your substrate isn't black, you may want to do full coverage with the papers, or let the substrate color show through strategically like I do with the black.

The face takes a while! This video is more about filling in the fur now that the features are done.

Sometimes while you are working on a piece it can be helpful to see it from a new perspective, just to get a fresh look at it. Take a break. Step ten feet back. Turn it upside down. Look at it in a mirror. Snap a photo with your phone.

In this lesson, I'll give you a tip about gluing down long pieces and how to rip with the grain of the paper for more control.

When you work on a paper mosaic collage like this, sometimes you have to think about what is in front and what is behind. When you are overlapping pieces, the things that are in front should be applied after the things that are behind, because the most recent pieces will be on top. We'll talk about pieces that hang off of the edge of the board, the shapes of the pieces, and using consistent sizes.

Yes, I'm calling this part the "beard". So sorry, Velma! In this lesson, we'll talk about using a variety of papers for each section. They blend together and give the piece life and dimension. If you only use one kind of paper, there is a risk of the fur looking monotonous. I also show you how you can add unexpected pops of color, like red, blue, pink and green. It's all about value!

Let's do the background with paint! I'll show you a quick, loose style with acrylic paints.

SUPPLIES:

(You can just do more collage in the background instead of painting if you wish)

· Acrylic paint - brand of your choice

· Paintbrush

· Cup or palette for paint (could use a plastic lid or waxed paper)

Cat's need whiskers, right? A Posca Paint Pen makes this job a snap! And let's sign our work.

SUPPLIES:

· Posca Acrylic Paint pen (thin, white) (Item #:PX89789000 at Wet Paint)

· Thin Black Sharpie to sign your work

Why varnish? You'll like the finished look that you will get! It's not necessary, but I varnish everything. As with ModPodge and acrylic paint, this varnish also cleans up with just water!

SUPPLIES:

· Liquitex Gloss Varnish (Item #61670 Jerry's Artarama) Choose the glossiness level you desire.

· Foam brush

· Something to prop up artwork

· Optional - Cup for varnish

If you are interested in framing your art, this article may be helpful!

Thank you so much for being a part of this class!

I would like to invite you to join my private Facebook group for students that have taken a class from me. Please post your finished work, your unfinished work, detail shots, a beautiful paper you made, etc... It's a place to be creative, get inspired and learn from others. Search "Art with Bebe - Share Your Work" to join! I can't wait to see you and your work there!

My art Facebook page is at Bebe Keith Designs. You can also find me on Instagram.

I look forward to seeing you again! :)

Music Credit: Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com), Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License, http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/