Welcome! This blog post features a guided tutorial of how to create a color scheme collage.
This engaging collage project encourages artists to deepen their understanding and experience with the element of art, COLOR. By working with a specific and limited color palette, artists are challenged to find images that visually tie into the chosen colors. As artists build their collages, they are striving to develop a sense of visual UNITY in the collage through REPETITION of colors, shapes, visual THEME and other varied approaches.
**HEY EDUCATORS! SCROLL BELOW FOR A READY-FOR-THE-CLASSROOM LESSON OF THIS PROJECT!*
Understanding key terms
Collage is art of cutting and glueing a variety of found images to create something new and original. Collage is derived from a French word meaning “to glue.” Collage gained popularity during the Cubist art movement when artists like Pablo Picasso and George Braque beginning embedded found images into their compositions.
What materials are needed to complete a color scheme collage ?
- 8.5″ x 11″ white cardstock or your choice of size
- Paint color swatches *if obtainable*
- Old magazines, books, newspapers
- Glue (we used glue sticks, but liquid white glue works as well). Some may also wish to use Mod Podge on top to solidify the collage.
- Scissors
- Mixed media tools such as markers, china markers, bingo daubers, watercolor spray bottles, etc.
Step One:
Looking through paint samples or scrap paper, choose your color scheme of about 4 colors. Your color scheme may be chosen from the list below, or it can be 4 colors that you personally think fit together nicely.
-Monochromatic (all shades, tints and tones of ONE color)
-Complimentary (colors across from each other on the color wheel)
-Analogous (colors next to each other on the color wheel)
-Neutral (muted, earthy colors)
-Triadic (3 colors evenly spaced out on the color wheel)
-Warm or cool colors
Step Two:
Glue your color scheme neatly in the top corner onto your white yardstick. You will notice a complimentary color scheme has been chosen for this example.
Step Three:
Look through a variety of sources (magazines, old books, etc) and find images that fit your color scheme. You may find a color that is a bit lighter or darker than one of your swatches. Consider if it still is in the same “color family” to determine if you should use it.
Strive for at least 20 found images from a variety of sources. Be sure to find images that vary in size. As you search, you may start to develop a visual theme (such as all beach images, sports, nature). This is encouraged as it can add more meaning to your collage!
Do not glue anything yet!
Step Four:
For this project, your goal is to cover the majority of the white cardstock with LAYERED collage. To help with this visual goal, begin with glueing down a few LARGE images first.
Step Five:
Continue to layer MEDIUM sized images. Consider how paper can be cut in interesting ways to make your collage more engaging. Consider how to utilize the positive and negative spaces of the cut images, as seen in this image. By repeating images, you will help to develop a sense of UNITY.
Step Six:
Continue to layer collage elements and explore color balance throughout. In this example photo, notice how contrasting dark purples and bright yellows are placed together to draw emphasis. Also note how there is a repetition of triangular shapes to build visual unity throughout the composition.
COLLAGE TIPS!
When cutting collage elements, be intentional and focus on good craftsmanship. For images with really complicated edges, consider leaving a small but even border around the edges to help with clean cutting.
To avoid getting messy, visible glue all over your final project… it is encouraged to have a “glue sheet” off to the side.
Step Seven:
Layer small collage elements on last. Strive to achieve visual unity and an overall sense of balance throughout your collage.
Step Eight:
As a final touch to your collage, consider incorporating additional art materials into your collage. Some suggested ideas include:
-colored marker with hand drawn elements
-bingo daubers
-watercolor or watercolor spray bottles
-paint and more!
My beginning middle school artists completed this project and did an excellent job! I reached out to a friend who is an interior designer and she had a ton of paint samples to donate!
As we worked, I had 100% engagement in this project. I think collage feels very accessible to all skill levels, and my middle schoolers feel a sense of ownership as they cut up old magazines and make visual choices through an intuitive, spontaneous process.
It took about 4(45-minute) class periods to complete. There was a lot of movement in the classroom, and I had a few “house rules” that helped to make the project more efficient for all. For example, you could only take 1 magazine at a time and switch it out when you were done.
Click here to check out my TpT lesson of this project with ready-for-the-classroom slideshow featuring key terms, step by step tutorial, student examples and a project specific grading rubric!
Thanks for checking out this blog post. I would love to see your creation if you use these steps to create your own color scheme collage! Feel free to tag me on Instagram and possibly get featured in this site! Also, please follow Make a Mark Studios on Facebook to keep up with the latest posts! Thanks in advance!
-Stephanie, art teacher and creator of Make a Mark Studios