Making Collages

This morning, before the breakfast things had been cleared away the children were making collages.

col·lage (k-läzh, k-)

n.

1.

a. An artistic composition of materials and objects pasted over a surface, often with unifying lines and color.

Young children start cutting and sticking at an early age and have great fun making compositions of greetings cards, glitter and shiny paper. This kind of work requires very little skill and the only materials needed are paper, scissors and glue. With Christmas just past you should be able to find a good supply of gift wrap, greetings cards and chocolate wrappers to start them off.

With the right support, the right materials and a little imagination you can continue developing collage skills well into the secondary school years.

Getting started

• Keep a box of old magazines, greetings cards, textured paper and gift wrap.
• Make sure you have enough scissors for everyone.
• Glue sticks and PVA glue are easy and convenient for beginners.
• Card cut from cereal boxes is ideal to collage onto.

Developing more ideas for collage

• Seek out different materials, for example a scrap of fabric, a photo, a feather, a treasured postcard, a ticket saved from a special event
• Explore craft shops for materials to use in collage.
• Visit art galleries and seek out the work of artists who use collage techniques.
• Many children's illustrators employ collage technique, e.g. Lauren Childs, Charlie and Lola books
• Mobilize your printer and photocopier.