One of my favorite things to do is to create new visual textures on paper to use in my collage artwork. Today, I thought it would be fun to share with you some information about textures and a few of my favorite techniques that I use to create these papers.
What are your favorite ways to create visual textures? First I should mention that there are so, so, so many different ways to create textures on paper. I will share with you three techniques that I love - but please know that there are many more ways to ways to create textures. 1) Rubbing/Frottage Frottage comes from the french word, frotter, which means "to rub". In using this technique, I place a plain piece of paper over an uneven surface and then use a drawing tool to drag over and make marks on the paper.
2) Acrylic Paints - stencils and stamping I use acrylic paints in many different ways to add textures to papers but most commonly, I use stencils or household items to stamp.
3) Doodles and Zentagles I freaking LOVE to doodle! And, I think that doodling is so undervalued as a form of art. In fact doodling, is what led me to art - but that's another story (and in previous blog post).
Is there anything else to know about creating textures on paper? Yes... there are a few items that I always keep in mind when I am creating textures. 1) Simple is better - remember that the artwork is not the textured paper. The paper can be boring and uninteresting on its own. The magic is in putting together the textures to create an image. 2) Color is paramount - meaning that when I go to make a collage, I am looking for paper to represent one color. That is why, you notice (in the examples) that the texture color added to the paper are typically within the same color family (example: light blue, and baby blue on dark blue) or are colors that are next to each other on the color wheel (example: teal and blue on green) or are just two contrasting colors (example white on black). 3) It's like play time! - Creating these papers is simply fun and childlike. Make sure to have a good time with it! I hope you enjoyed learning more about how I create visual textured papers for paper collages. Let me know if you have any questions in the comments below! Make it a HAPPY day! I am excited to be teaching a 6-week class, Painting with Paper for the Institute of Learning in Retirement (ILR) at Baldwin Wallace University. We are halfway through the class and it has been incredibly fun thus far! During Week 1, I introduced the class of 8 wonderful women to paper collage, taught some basic concepts of composition and design, talked about the value of being creative, and explore paper collage artwork by a variety of artist. During Week 2, we used a many different techniques and mediums to create colorful, decorative textures on paper. To do this we used acrylic paints, markers, watercolors, colored pencil sticks, and more! And, today (Week 3) we started to create collages. Three more weeks to go. I am so excited to see what they create!
Make it a HAPPY day! Maybe it's only a spark... Or you're smoldering... Perhaps you are smoking hot.
Regardless, everyone has a fire... find yours! Make it a HAPPY day! Each December I have made a practice of picking a word or theme of the year. Something that helps to guide and focus me on my goals and dreams.
For 2020, I have chosen my word be: LIVEfully with the intention to be Braver, Healthier, and Stronger. What is your word or theme for 2020? Make it a HAPPY day! |
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