To prepare you to do an abstract; to work with unrecognizable shapes and arbitrary colors, make a small mosaic from small torn pieces of magazines.

Supplies:

• Slick papered magazines - any magazine may be used
  • the slick mags have deep colors and will last longer
• Consider the longevity of papers used
• Elmers glue or any white glue - Or Yes glue
• Poster board or watercolor paper
  • size 5x7 or 8x10 to start with
• Scissors - Torn edges are always more interesting

 

• Tear each color area into small pieces - vary the shapes
  • Tearing the paper leaves a more interesting edge
  • Cut edges are so mechanical
  • Torn edges can have different widths of torn edge showing
  • Makes for variety
• Place them into envelopes to keep them catagorized according to color and value
• Decide on a color scheme
  • Choose a dominate color
  • Select two other colors in smaller amounts(analogous)
  • Add the complement of the dominate color
• Arrange color pieces on table for easy access
• Begin to glue paper pieces onto poster board
  • Spread glue onto small area of poster board
    • glues may be thinned a bit with water
  • Spread glue onto paper piece front & back prior to placing it
  • Use your brush to flatten paper piece
  • Squash out air holes by pricking with a pin
  • Brush glue onto entire design
  • Finish with a uniform coat of glue
  • Elmer's glue dries yellow - buy the cheaper white glue
  • Or use acrylic varnish or medium
• Don't worry about subject matter on the bits of paper
• We are going for value, color and shape

 

• Be free
• Let yourself go
• These little projects will jump start your imagination for larger works both in painting and paper mosaics.
• Beautiful works of art have been created using only torn papers. They may be added to and used to start a painting. They are fun and quick.

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Author : Kay Milam

Copyright-2003 All Rights Reserved

A bit about me.. I have painted, made sculptures, and taught art in my private studio and higher learning classes in two colleges, to both childern and adults.

My paintings are in galleries in Texas, in private collections, and may be viewed at my website. Milamstudios.com

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