The word collage evokes great memories of making old poster projects for school and creating nostalgic scrapbooks. You had to cut images from magazines and letter cutouts from newspapers, then glue them onto paper. Never mind if the elements seem mismatched. But really, the art of collage-making is self-expression. Now, whether you’ve gone digital, such as this free collage maker, or you still prefer an old school with traditional materials, you still need to make sure you create a stunning masterpiece.
Though a collage maker online makes your crafting life easy and mess-free, there are some days wherein using your hands, cutting images, and sticking them to paper still feel comforting. Both methods are fun and exciting. You can do collage-making as a hobby, a weekend activity with the kids, or work. Whatever you use your collage for, there are some tips to keep in mind when collating and arranging your pictures, whether you are doing digital or analog collage. Take a peek at them below.
Think of Composition
A collage uses multiple things to draw the eyes. When you begin crafting by old school means or with a collage maker online, always start with composition. This refers to the arrangement of elements. In a collage, this will include:
- Images
- Words
- Colors
- Borders
- Frames
- Clip arts
- Space
- Lights
- Shadows
As you can see, with so many features you can choose from, you can let your creative juices flow. The key is to create a seamless and fluid piece of work that speaks to your audience and evokes a lot of emotions.
Select a Theme
Whether you’re using a collage maker online or whipping out your scissors, thinking of a theme will inspire you. For example, you can use an autumn theme with oranges, reds, and browns for your October trip to Vermont. On the other hand, you can use an abstract theme for your 50th birthday bash. As you check your materials, go with elements that complement your theme. As a result, you will make your work stand out even more.
Utilize Contrasting Elements For Drama
In the world of art, contrast is a powerful tool that creates drama. When you juxtapose contrasting elements, it elicits tensions and emotions. Hence, a healthy dose of contrast in your collage makes for an eye-catching display because this is something that humans will always respond to. For example, you can create these intriguing scenes:
- Black and white set against a full-color background
- Old materials against a contemporary backdrop
- A close up of a person set against a blurry background
Try Various Textures and Patterns
There’s something about patterns and textures that catch the eye. Whether you’re looking for pictures in a magazine or selecting design elements in your collage maker online, think of how you can make a pattern to draw the eyes. You can also try for texture by zooming in on elements. Texture attracts people and makes them want to touch your collage because they’re curious to see what it feels like. Using creative arrangements and techniques will allow you to take advantage of both design techniques.
Include Typography
Remember, collage-making is not just about images. Since time immemorial, people have been incorporating a few chosen words with collages. Traditionally, you cut words and phrases from a magazine. You can also write what you like directly on the collage. On the other hand, with a collage maker online, you can craft a professional and pristine output because it comes with text editors that allow you to play with various font styles, sizes, and colors. Incorporating slogans into your artwork and placing them in the right spot will help attract your audience to your creation.
Play With Different Color Palettes
In art, color plays a huge role because the eyes are naturally drawn to vibrant colors. In collage-making, you have a multitude of choices when it comes to playing with colors. You can use the following:
- Contrasting elements
- Monochrome
- Complementary colors
- Secondary hues
- Triad effect
- Pastel shades
Looking at the color wheel can help you decide what tones to use with your project. Whether you are using a collage maker online or using an old-school pen and paper, you can use color to make your collage fun and exciting.
Work With Negative Space
Whether you use real scraps of paper or digital software like collage maker online, the process of cutting out elements is still the same. You still have to cut the images and add features you want to use; simultaneously, this leaves a negative or empty space. And here’s the thing, with collage crafting, you don’t have to use all the space, or it will look overloaded. As a result, your viewers may turn their eyes away if they think the space becomes too busy. For this reason, use negative space and play around with it to come up with the best design.
Be Creative With The Backgrounds
When you make a collage, don’t forget to get creative with the background. Try different colors and patterns. You can even try combining several layers. Try a book text background or add an aged effect with paper. The thing about this art is you have limitless possibilities. Above all, let your creative juices flow to come up with something exciting.
Incorporate Stains And Shadows
Marks, shadows, stains, and patinas add a little mystery to your collage. All these dark elements look intriguing. Hence, they excited the viewer because it appears as if there’s a mystery waiting to be solved. When making a collage, make impressive marks that pique your audience’s curiosity. This is a surefire way for your artwork to gather a lot of attention.
Use Inspiration As A Jump Off Point
Finally, don’t forget to use inspiration as your starting point. When you feel inspired, you can do great things. Anything can serve as your inspiration! It could be an image, song, photo from a magazine. When you use other elements as your jump-off point, you become a better artist. You use something to fuel your vision, you feel empathy, and then you represent what you see in the best way, your know-how. As a result, you create your own exciting vision.