Description
Build up 3D collage compositions, incorporating multiple textures and small found objects. Learn to solve unique technical challenges and secure items with varying adhesives, gel mediums, molding pastes, stitching and wire, epoxy clay. Experiment with innovative collage mats and frames. Open to all—no prerequisites.
Supply List:
Note: much of this will consist of things you already have on hand, and if you do buy any supplies, they should also be usable in other contexts. Don’t stress over any one item, since I will have some extras on hand if need be.
–Journal or notebook and pen/pencils
–Inexpensive paper for possible additional sketching, and using as a base for gluing.
–Materials for collage backgrounds. Bring of range of different materials to experiment with. Bring some of what you have on hand and what you can scrounge—you may purchase others after you get a feel for it. Examples:
o **4-5 pieces of matboard, cardboard, canvas board, foam core board, fiberboard. For the first class, you can think of working in no larger than an 8” x 10” size. (It’s always helpful to work with sizes that fit into standard size frames. You can think in terms of square formats too.)
o Drawing pad with medium to heavy-weight paper. You may want some backgrounds you can pierce (e.g., to sew into) so this kind of flexible surface is a good idea. (It is NOT necessary to purchase a whole pad—instructor or a classmate can give you a sheet to experiment with).
–**8 oz. (or more) matte gel medium. This can be any brand. (If you have gloss or luster finish on hand and prefer that, bring it along; I prefer matte finish for most purposes.) Note: Modgepodge is a gel medium brand name. It is often considered less high quality than other brands such as Golden or Liquitex, and it can create a somewhat shinier finish, but I find it still works and if you have it on hand, it will certainly suffice. Do not use slow drying gel medium. The instructor will also have some on hand.
–White glue, like Elmers, or other PVA type glue.
–Smooth brushes for applying gel medium, paint, gesso, etc. You can use both inexpensive sponge brushes and brushes with points/tips. The gel medium washes out well if you get to it quickly so you can use brushes you have on hand.
–Glue sticks. I suggest bringing up to 3 of them since they can dry out or break. There are different varieties, including wrinkle-free. Even the simplest works fine, so bring what you have on hand or what you like. If you like to work with tape adhesive or mounting tape, bring that.
–Other strong adhesives you may have on hand, such as tacky glue, E-6000. I don’t like working with glue guns, but many people do and if you have a glue gun and glue sticks, bring them too.
–Scissors (for paper cutting). Bring more than one if you have them—some for fine work, some for rougher—but whatever you have will work. Also, if you have pinking shears or scissors that cut scalloped or shaped edges, bring them too.
–Masking or painter’s tape –the removable kind is best for this purpose. The instructor will also have some on hand.
–Exacto knife if you are used to using this tool (this is not required) and a cutting mat if you already have one.
–Old credit cards to smooth out glued-on images. (These work in lieu of a brayer or roller.)
–Plastic containers for water-mixing (for brushes, gel medium, etc.) They can be small, like small yogurt cups. (These will probably also be available at the art center).
–Freezer or deli paper, or wax paper. (This is helpful because you can work with gel medium (glue) without sticking on this kind of surface. You can also use a large piece of plastic or the inner liner of a cereal box if you prefer not to buy it.)
–Strong large-eyed needles and sturdy heavy thread —for stitching into paper and attaching items through the substrate. Waxed linen, embroidery floss, needlepoint yarn could all be good to work with, and the needle eye must be big enough to thread these materials into. If you have something sharp to punch holes—an awl, a very large needle, a nutpick—that is helpful. Thin wire can be used this way too.
–Felt for a background that is easy to stitch into.
• THE FUN PART : A wide selection of materials you have on hand—look all around your house and bring what you have; don’t spend lots of money. If we all share what we bring, we have a wealth of materials to choose from. Do not worry about bringing this all to the first class—it’s just to give you an idea of what we might draw on.
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o Different types of paper, including colorful printed napkins, handmade paper, old greeting cards, cardstock, origami paper, foil candy wrappers, coffee filters, paper towels used to absorb paint, used dryer sheets, wallpaper scraps; printed images from old books and magazines (the instructor will provide many of these too); old maps.
• Bits of yarn, thread, fabric scraps, ribbon, rickrack, beads.
Bits of nature; from dried flowers or leaves to little twigs, pods or seeds, small shells, barks, etc. A selection of small natural items like bark, palm pieces, pods, shark’s teeth, shells, leaves.. You can try fresh leaves if they are fairly sturdy and waxy (fresh sea grape or magnolia leaves are good). Consider drying citrus rinds or bringing other items from the kitchen such as star anise or dried pumpkin or melon seeds.
• Small found objects –not too dimensional. Items like metal washers can be effective.
Optional items –bring these ONLY if you have them—no need to buy since you may not need them and we will share
• Small containers or tubes of acrylic paint.
• Some permanent markers (eg black, red)—sharpies or thinner.
• Small travel iron.
• Heat gun
• Putty
• Hand drill with varied size bits.
• Old photographs you may wish to play with (don’t bring anything you don’t feel okay about destroying)
• Thin gauge wire.
• Awl or icepick for cutting holes
• Wire cutter
• Pliers
What the Instructor will provide (some of this would be class-specific, depending on what activities we will be doing on a given day)
–A vast collection of printed images.
–Cutting mats for Exacto knife work, and extra Exacto knives.
–Gesso
–A variety of adhesives
–Extra matte medium, including some textured types
–Freezer paper
–Painter’s tape
–A few tools, such as a hand drill, fine screwdriver and screws, small saw.
–Epoxy clay
–A selection of miscellaneous fibers and novelty papers.
