Collage art has become a very important type of art that I work on. The more I do it, the more I love it. When I started doing collages a few years ago I had no idea how to begin or what to do. Now that I have reached a stage where I am much more comfortable and confident in creating collage art, I’d like to pass along some advice for anyone who is new to collaging, or looking for new inspiration to do collage art and glue books.
Based on feedback comments on my youtube videos, I see two types of groups interested in collage art. First are people who have valuable, family history pieces like photos, letters or documents, and want to display them in some kind of collection, like in a journal for example.
Second, are people who simply want to use up scraps, images they’ve torn from magazines, leftover project remnants, or whatever paper ephemera they have on hand to fill up a page. It’s this second group I will be focusing on in this post (I’ll get to the first group at another time).
Collage art with random scraps
One of the great things about doing art is the sense of accomplishment after a project is done. I feel that sense of accomplishment after I complete a collage, and it doesn’t matter how big or how little it is. A collage can be done on a canvas or a journal page. It can also be done on a postcard, index card, or a playing card. It can be great for people who feel like they don’t have a lot of time to devote to art but feel the need to do something creative.
Here are collages on index cards.
A low stress, exercise collage book, as a way to relax and have fun using up scraps is a great project to take up. It’s also a great place for you to experiment with your creativity and practice improving on how you put your collages together. You won’t always love what you create but practicing what you do will make you better.
What kind of paper should you use for gluebooks and collaging?
For me it’s good to have a mix of things like text, illustrations, images, color, black and white, paint, handwriting, etc, but paper choice is arbitrary. As individuals we are drawn to things that interest us. The reason why you like something may or may not be important, and often it’s better not to think too deeply when considering what to save or not. For me, it’s a split-second decision to keep something or discard it. If I pause longer than a few seconds or come back for a second look, it’s worth keeping.
If you are starting out fresh and need some ideas of where to look for paper ephemera and scraps, here are my notes:
Where should you make your collages?
You’ve got many choices here. I mentioned before, you can go as large as a canvas, or as small as an index card, or smaller. My friend Pamela has a Rolodex project with a collection of collages on hundreds of Rolodex cards.
If you want to create a book or journal, I recommend starting off with something simple. Craft stores or discount retailers like Target have basic 5 x 7″ journals in their bargain bins that you can get for a dollar. These are good because you are going to be tearing out pages to thin out the book. For every page, tear out 3. It seems like a lot of pages you are getting rid of, but your little book will have a big alligator mouth unless you take drastic measures.
If you’re starting a brand new collage project, it’s good to remind yourself of what your plans and goals will be. Here’s a forward I wrote to myself.
For a more in-depth look on creating a collage book, as well as my thoughts on how much is enough when it comes to scraps, please see the video I made.
Recipe – Vianočka, a Slovak sweet bread
This is fantastic information, Margarete. Thank you so very much for sharing your ideas and the videos!
Thank you for this as I love cutting out pictures from magazines but then do nothing with them. Your videos are inspirational and meke collage a lot less intimidating. I found you via: http://www.vintagejunkjournals.com/collage-art.html
I wasn’t aware of this website till now although I have been in love with your junk journals/collage art etc. for a while now Thank you so much for the lists you provided. I especially like the second one as I have bought images from you but didn’t know where to begin…expecting it to look as beautiful as yours the first time I make a journal lol! It’s good to know that even you set certain expectations for yourself and assuring us that it’s OK if we don’t meet them….that’s a good piece of advice! I will try one soon with those points in mind and just try to enjoy the process. I love the two collage videos, learned a lot!
Thanks for your comments! So glad the videos were helpful. I hope you enjoy the creative process when you start your own projects 🙂
I’m so glad you found the information useful! I hope enjoy doing collage art 🙂
I enjoyed watching and learning more about collaging. I just started doing a little every day. Thank you SO much.
How wonderful! I’m so glad you’ve carved out time for yourself to be creative every day. 🙂
Thanks, Margarete, a really fabulous, informative video.
You mentioned a video to follow…has that been uploaded yet? Looking forward to it. Thank you for sharing.
Leanda
Found it! Tfs
Do you or can you use the glue books as journals? Love your style!
Definitely, Sue! If you take the time to create a gluebook, why not use it as a journal if you would like to. A journal could be used to write things, certainly, but it could also become an art journal where you would use your gluebook to experiment with techniques, mediums, etc. The great thing about these kinds of hand-made books is that you choose what you want to use them for.
So much enjoyed this video also (saw the one on FB). Loving your little journals and the fun collaging you shared. Thanks for the inspiration. Hoping to get more organized.
Thanks, Sylvia, for stopping by. When you make some art, I hope you’ll post it in the group 🙂
Hello, I am doing an article on my blog about Glue books (craftingwithjack.blogspot.com), I like exploring new (to me) ideas. I have written one post and I was going to have a go, but then I thought I didn’t really understand the difference between glue books and collage. So I came across your blog today. Am I right in thinking glue books could be seen as a place to stick pictures you come across that appeal to you. I keep bits like that in an A4 folder at the moment 🙂 and collage could be seen as something more “arty”? Angela
Hi Angela, Great blog! I love your style. So, yes, a gluebook is a place where you put things, such as collages. It could also be called an art journal. Gluebooks could be an old altered book, or a new notebook that you are making into a gluebook, it could also be a stack of index cards that you collage on and then bind together with a ring. A gluebook is where you put your art.
Forgot to say I like your idea of having a foreword to remind you of what you are doing, Angela
Thank you! I’m so glad you found it useful!
Hi I tried going to the thrift shops here UK and my library but had no luck on collecting magazines and images. I live on a tight budget, due to disability so subscriptions are out of my range. Please can you think of where else I can try I have tried asking on Facebook but no help.I even tried the bit of family I have but none of them collect or read magazines. We do not have yard sales here or Estate sales andas I don’t drive car boots are out too.
The videos were great help and I can’t wait to start. Now I just need images to start with lol.
I’ve been going through your blog posts and have thoroughly enjoyed them! I’m so glad I found your website. I have valuable, family history pieces like photos, letters and documents, and want to display them in some kind of collection, like in a journal for example. Do you have a blog post covering groups of people like me?
Hi Clarissa, Thanks so much for your comments! ‘m glad you’re finding interesting things to read. If you haven’t checked out the post I wrote about putting together a journal with items from my. grandmother, find it here: https://www.margaretemiller.com/vintage-memory-book-of-my-grandmother/
Oh wonderful!! Thank you! I enjoyed that post and I’ve subscribed to your YouTube channel as well. I can’t wait to watch more!!
Super, Clarissa 🙂 Thanks for stopping by.
Hello, this article help me so much for my art, thank you Margarete. I’m totally a beginner.
I’m so glad that it helped! 👍💜
I do collaging on 9×12 white catalog envelopes…then I use them to mail out address labels orders or #10 handmade envelopes orders. I do enjoy doing it…as well as doing jigsaw puzzles (but only the 300-piece ones). Everyone need hobbies. 😀
Your collaged envelopes sound lovely! I’m glad you’re continuing to work on them. 😉👍🏼💜