This process, called glazing, acts as an excellent barrier to airborne dust and pollutants, as well as the hands of a curious audience. Choose a color that matches or complements a single image that will cover the entire canvas. Collage using images on photo matte finish. The glue you choose to use for your collage project will depend on what type of items you are using. Reverse collage painting is a fun way to mix paper collage and paint. Apply sealant of choice: you can use a spray sealant or a brush-on sealant like ModPodge as we did. Does anyone have any suggestions? I have to use white glue or other liquid glue and not a glue stick, though, when i varnish. To use simply brush on a layer of the glue of your choice to the back of your image. UV protective varnishes will also protect the paper from light. (permalink), Its a problem, i know. I have found that working with smaller pieces makes them more manageable. ... this helps seal the paper and the tabletop. If you are building a collage, consider applying the glue to the back of your image instead; work one image at a time. If the medium feels tacky or sticky, it has not cured; you should wait a few more days. You’d be hard-pressed to create a collage and have it come out completely smooth and perfect anyway." Sometimes frustrating wrinkles develop. 7. The paper wrinkled because you applied a very wet medium/varnish, and the exposed surface of the paper absorbed the moisture and the fibers expanded but the underside that you glued with the gluestick, did not. I would appreciate any advice on how to seal a paper collage without destroying and warping the delicate paper. wikiHow's Content Management Team carefully monitors the work from our editorial staff to ensure that each article is backed by trusted research and meets our high quality standards. ages ago In some instances, you may even use a couple of different kinds of glue for a single collage. References. Answer Save. The goddess of Necessity wields the scissors and snips the thread of life– or the image. Stir a few drops of paint into the medium to give your image a tinted look. You can't just use any ordinary type of glue, however, otherwise the paper may not adhere properly. (permalink), When you say "panel," were you collaging on a sturdier surface (board or stretched canvas) or something more lightweight (cardboard, cardstock, paper)? It’s also easily reversible if you should ever have a change of heart about it. Place first shape down on construction paper. I might need to get over my perfectionism...yikes! It’s just going to. ages ago Also, when you varnich, etc. By signing up you are agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy. Varnishing your collage will help seal in the pieces so they don’t easily fall apart. This is for a commission piece of art, so I really want it to be fade and dust proof. I just finished a collage on a panel made out of newsprint and magazine pages. Mod Podge can be used as a glue and a sealant (she prefers matte) If you are going to cover a photo, be sure to do a test swatch to ensure that the colors don't run or bleed. Polyurethane will give you a tough, durable finish that will withstand heat and other outdoor elements. 11:38AM, 6 March 2009 PST In this instructable, I'll show you how to make your own paper collage. I made some collages on wood, primed them with gesso, and then reused the gesso to seal them. And you are exactly right. When i am very careful about glueing i have the best result. This way, my fingers stay fairly clean when I am building the composition. I've used ModPodge, but nearly any wet medium will have a few wrinkles in it unless you're extremely meticulous in laying the paper down. I see how that could cause a problem. (permalink), I agree that Liquitex matte is the best varnish. But isn't paper fun??? Thanks : ) And I realize that my biggest mess cam from the background. The best way to protect your collage is simply to frame it properly behind a sheet of glass or Plexiglas. (permalink), Grt info 1. Thank you. For heavier papers I use Yes! I am excited to finally search the groups here on Flickr & join some of them. I also weight it down to make sure it drys flat. Mount the paper, gluing one by one with a glue stick, directly onto the wooden panel to create your paper collage. Tip #6 – Sealing. I only applied the wet varnish to the top of the papers. Non water based varnish, by the way, is yellowing but for certain very hard glossy finishes it is really the best, just MUCH harder to use. At that stage, I attach the elements only partly, and they get glued when I am sealing … The rice paper acts as a glaze, softening the underpainting. This article has been viewed 86,960 times. Since paper collage is made up of paper, it’s a very delicate medium. ages ago The goal is to get a very thin coating of Microglaze all over the envelope; if you apply too much, the Microglaze will make the paper look shiny. All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published, This article was co-authored by our trained team of editors and researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness. The bubbles came from the large images I used as the background. I was gluing paper to a hard clay board panel. wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. Choose a color that contrasts your images for a collage. Give your glue time to dry once you’re finished attaching everything to the backing paper. (permalink), I collage with Mod Podge and what I found was most helpful is let it dry for a couple days.....a lot of the wrinkles and bubbles will settle down......then go ahead and varnish, etc. (permalink), Yep! Leave it to dry a day or two before hanging it on a wall. 97 months ago 3 Answers. These chemicals are harsh and it is best to work in a well ventilated area or outdoors. 2.) 1.) We know ads can be annoying, but they’re what allow us to make all of wikiHow available for free. But like you, i use many found objects, love the recycling, started making collages when i could not affored paint, back in the "ecology" era when we all loved "natural" whatever. Using construction paper, tear or cut your paper in strips or shapes as desired. Unfortunately, all of the paper buckled up and many edges peeled away from the panel. Actually i dread gluing a large piece, will try to find another way. You can build up layers of rice paper to recover white areas or to create texture. I also found this helpful collage tutorial by collage artist Joanna Grant at EBSQ: (permalink), Oohhhh...I did not know that. 88 months ago Spray Varnish: A spray varnish might be the easiest... something like Krylon Triple Thick would be perfect because it will seal the mixed media piece and give it a finished look. 103 months ago Select a spray sealer or varnish to apply thin, even layers of varnish over the print. Overlap pieces to form letters. (permalink), I purchase the Polycrilic at Home Depot or Lowes and it comes in a metal can near the paint department...... Use long, even strokes to give your image a nice, canvas-y texture. The thicker canvases are a sheet of canvas stretched over a wooden frame. Basically it is ruined. Brush thin layer of glue over entire collage to seal. This one has a dark red label, and if I use it instead of acrylic medium, the magazine images don't wrinkle or bubble and lie more flat. I buy matte finish...it cannot go directly on top of inkjet images. I like to attach the collage elements first with glue dots, double-sided tape, or some paper glue and then use gel medium for sealing. What is the best acrylic medium to lay paper on canvas? When you open it, the product looks cloudy, but when I use it on paper it ends up drying clear and never yellows. ages ago So glue your paper pieces down as smoothly as you can, covering the whole back with a thin even layer of glue.I play with them or put a very heavy flat thing on top of the pieces until they are dry, in order to prevent waviness. Frustrated with stomach issues, but don't know what's wrong? Thanks:) After the gesso, I also used some spray on sealant, probably obtainable at any hobby or art store, gesso might be found at either of those retailers as well...anywhere that sells canvas (gesso is primarily used for priming canvas). This is Matthew from the Community Team at Flickr HQ. But, my goal was to use found images and recycle them so that kind of defeats the purpose. Basically, you’ll coat your index finger with a little bit of Microglaze, as shown in the photo below. Flickr logo. Next, rub the Microglaze all over the surface of the envelope. And yes, inperfections and bumps happen no matter how careful one is, but they are part of the charm, yes? Tear the paper for a vintage look instead. Step 1 These forms and shapes eventually create a whole image. 100 months ago Right now the only thing I could think of was clear nail polish and that seems both expensive and time consuming, given the size of the brush. Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. (permalink), I am loving Polycrilic's that I purchase at Home Depot or Lowe's.....the little can lasts. I'm not saying completely soaking wet, but enough to let all the fibers expand rather than just some. Finally, brush another coat of your adhesive on top of the image, which will help seal the paper onto the canvas. This article was co-authored by our trained team of editors and researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness. This is one of my favorite ideas, and I happen to have a post on DIY Collage Art if you would like to read a little more about creating mixed media and collage canvases. 23 months ago ages ago Always wear protective gear such as a face mask, eye-wear and latex gloves. I finally learned how to decoupage paper using Mod Podge WITHOUT the paper bubbling and wrinkling. 46 months ago I have an article with black (jet ink) letters. What would be the best seal or varnish for me to use for this project? For more tips, including how to create a collage on a canvas, read on! Moira : ) https://piddix.blogspot.com/2011/02/how-to-prevent-smudges-and-bleeding.html Favorite Answer. 100 months ago By using this service, some information may be shared with YouTube. You can paint back into it if you want to. To achieve a finely lacquered finish you will need to sand lightly after a few layers of varnish and wipe away all dust. I have a few moleskin style notebooks with smooth covers and some notebooks with fabric covers. This is reminiscent of a decoupage technique that can help protect and preserve your work. "I never worry about my finished piece being a bit lumpy and textural and I encourage you not to worry about this either. ... seal your work with a couple coats of your adhesive. Mod Podge doesn't always dry dry....meaning it could be a bit tacky no matter how many days pass by.....If you read the container directions, it indicates that that might happen. 89 months ago ages ago If the pieces are flatly glued all the way to the edges they will varnish ok. What i use is sometimes not replaceble so i can not risk ruining a piece of paper by wetting it. Resin: Another suggestion would be to pour resin over the finished mixed media piece to help seal all the various elements together under a sturdy, protective coating. Seal glued collages. Can I use Liquitex acrylic matte over it? So I am going to glue the background in one smooth (hopefully) layer, let it dry completely and then finish the rest of my collage. % of people told us that this article helped them. I used a glue stick to create the piece and then tried to seal it with Golden (brand) Polymer Varnish with UVLS (Gloss). Sign up for a free account, or sign in (if you're already a member). If you're using lightweight enough paper that it ripples from the water content of the glue you might try using 3M's gluesticks - they are lower in water content so your paper will stay flatter. If you click it, you'll go home. The best way to avoid wrinkling is to get your paper evenly wet. (permalink), You could try using gesso. Then i use one most of the time, like for greeting cards or whatever. Last Updated: October 26, 2020 You can apply more than one layer of top coat, but you will need to let the previous layer dry first. Waterbased things are obviously the easiest to use and are nontoxic, important if you have children or pets where you create. Because I had so much surface glue on my collage after applying the netting and beads, I made the decision to seal for consistency. or a liquid glue stick, again using a burnisher to flatten. (permalink), The other tip I found was to print the image on heavier stock. Be sure you use some in other areas as well. If any adhesive leaks out from underneath your paper, wipe it away with a clean paintbrush. If you really can’t stand to see another ad again, then please consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow. If you’re ready to seal a picture with polyurethane, chances are you’re in the final stages of decoupage – the art of affixing paper to furniture, walls and decorative accessories. Two of her tips stood out to me: I was generous with the glue here and decided to gloss over the entire collage surface to coat and seal the paper. What can I use to seal a paper collage & give it a nice glossy finish? This will give you a grid-like texture, similar to that of canvas. Good luck! 1 decade ago. Plan for ample drying time to apply several layers of sealant to properly preserve your memorable print. Cut tissue paper shapes to form letters. Final question: What about varnish over Mod Podge? Apply the next piece, usually somewhat overlapping the first or in another area, in the same way. You could prepare the canvas first with gesso, and that might make it more smooth. Then swipe off the paint to reveal the collage designs below. My work is meant to be fun, funky and primitive-looking which means it is anything but perfect. Working in a small section at a time, remove the pictures and apply a generous layer of decoupage medium onto the item you are decoupaging. (permalink), When you say varnish-do you mean like Mod Podge? Choose a type of canvas. NOTE: Tissue paper is going to wrinkle. Thank you vintagepix! Collage Painting: Article #4. Brush with glue to smooth. This is sometimes harder to do with thin papers like magazine and newsprint but can be done with practice. Apply the next piece, usually somewhat overlapping the first or in another area, in the same way. Allow this to dry for 15 – 20 minutes and THEN go back and Mod Podge over it to seal. Brush thin layer of glue on tissue paper. Repeat Step 9 with another piece of collage paper, overlapping the first piece if necessary, or positioning it where it belongs. A Bright Spot on a Winter Day by Holly Christine Moody . ages ago Collage itself belongs to the realm of Kali: dismembering of paper , appropriation of image, rebirth of pieces into a new whole. I'm rather new to doing collage work. Rinse the brush out while you are waiting for the medium to dry, otherwise you will ruin the brush. They are ideal if you want to extend your design over the edges. (permalink), I only use Liquitex acrylic matte or gloss varnish. ages ago I am almost done what I need to do and the wedding in a little less than 2 weeks so I need to know how to seal them really well to prevent damage from their beverages. If you did not paint the canvas, you can skip this step. I just finished a collage on a panel made out of newsprint and magazine pages. Then press the elements into place on the support surface. Relevance. The thin canvases are a simple, light-weight board, ideal for framing. You can glue other embellishments onto the canvas after the top coat dries, such as ribbon, rhinestones, or buttons. Make sure to press firmly to remove any air bubbles underneath your image. (permalink), Thank you everyone for your thoughtful answers. I would think that is more suitable for paper too. The matte is better because it goes on super flat. I know people who swear by gel medium too. (permalink), HI! (permalink), Since i often use thin papers, it is VERY DIFFICULT to get them even wet before one glues them- often they fall apart, or tear and i found that it was not worth the trouble.I guess i did not practice enough(30 years) Careful glueing was easier, saved work and paper. ages ago Make a random swathe of decorative papers, cover with gel medium and paint. If I know I'm going to use a wet medium over my paper collage (whether acrylic paint or a sealer/varnish), then I'll glue with a wet medium rather than glue stick. after Mod Podge, you might see some wrinkling/bubbling again....let 24-hrs pass for each coat you put on your piece....I find that to be the mosst successful experience - having the piece dry-dry-dry between coats.....smiles, joAnne In the meantime, use scissors to trim your contact paper to match the backing paper’s size. wikiHow's. Place your image on your canvas and then brush another layer of glue over the image to seal it in place. Apply two layers of top coat with the brush strokes going in opposite directions. (Think of decoupage or paper mache.) Cover the canvas with scrapbooking paper, then layer other images on top. Decoupage is the art of adhering fabric or paper pieces to a surface as a form of decoration. Tear up rice paper and combine it with decorative papers to make a collage design. 100 months ago Leave it alone to dry for 1 - 2 days. Tammy B. (permalink), I have done and taught collage for a long time, and use any of the acrylic mediums to adhere and protect collages to paper, board or canvas. Allow to dry then frame. We use cookies to make wikiHow great. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/c\/c3\/Adhere-Paper-to-Canvas-Step-1.jpg\/v4-460px-Adhere-Paper-to-Canvas-Step-1.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/c\/c3\/Adhere-Paper-to-Canvas-Step-1.jpg\/aid9075396-v4-728px-Adhere-Paper-to-Canvas-Step-1.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"