Creating Compelling Collage Textures & Effects

Experimental Process of Texturization

By Chris Dunmire

In Parts 1, 2, 3, and 4, I showed you how to make a magazine collage, assemblage, mixed-media collage and book cover collage.

As you've learned, it's the eclectic mix of colors, textures, and elements that make creating collages fun and interesting to the eye. By using a variety of materials and techniques, you can discover "happy accidents" in texture design that adds to the appeal of your collage.

The following examples demonstrate some unique texture effects I discovered during my own collage experimentation. Be open to trying anything, including allowing yourself to "ruin" some materials, make less-than-perfect "messterpieces", and let your creativity flow!

Part 5: Collage Textures and Backgrounds

Additional Materials Needed:

• Open to a variety of papers, fabrics, and techniques.

Collage Technique: "Peeling Paint"

Made from found papers and acrylic paint on a wood support. This texture, reminiscent of peeling paint, is the result of combining and painting over different papers in the collage — while leaving some parts unglued and lifted.

Collage Technique: "Wrinkled Blue"

Made from tissue paper, coffee filters, and acrylic paint on a wood support. This texture was created by painting over and down folded tissue paper and coffee filters onto the support.

Collage Technique: "Mosaic Kitty"

Made from brown paper bag strips, shredded origami paper, and acrylic paint on a wood support. Using strips from a paper grocery bag gave the background on this collage a hard, leathery texture. Torn bits of foiled origami paper gave the inner kitty a flecked, mosaic effect.

Collage Technique: "Webbly Weave"

Made with tissue paper and acrylic paint on a wood support. When tissue paper is crumpled, pressed down, and painted over, it creates an interesting textural effect that reminiscent of fibers or spider Webs.

Collage Technique: "Shredded Treat"

Are you ready to see all of these techniques come together? Move on to Part 6 to see how I combined background texture with magazine collage and other interesting elements to produce more unique and interesting collage combinations.

Continue to Part 6, Collage Combinations »

About the Author | More by Chris Dunmire
Chris Dunmire is the founder of Creativity Portal®, a Kaizen-Muse™ creativity coach, artist, and writer who works with creative clients through overwhelm, procrastination, perfectionism, and other blocks to their creativity (personal or professional) while holding the space to experience more joy, humor, and ease in their lives and work. Contact Chris to explore how creativity coaching can open and enhance your life!

Updated 3/22/09