Creative Collage Techniques [Paperback]

Nita Leland (Author), Virginia Lee Williams (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 15, 2000

This liberating guide teaches artists how to begin, design and apply collage techniques in exciting new ways. It features fascinating work from 50 leading collage artists who explain their techniques in easy-to-follow, step-by-step demonstrations. Seven different sections encourage artists to stretch the relationships between color, texture, shape and paper. Following 100 innovative demonstrations, artists will achieve amazing results from mixing collage with other mediums, including watercolor, acrylics, unique papers and more. Those who work in watercolor or acrylic will find that this book can help them boost creativity and add a new kind of excitement to their work.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

This is one studio handbook that lives up to the overused adjective "creative." In a colorful and inspiring layout, the book touches on the obvious clip-and-paste methods, incorporates other traditional media (rice paper, watercolor, acrylic), and then expands to consider a riot of materials, including found objects, clay, copper, beads, cloth, and rhinestones. In addition, it mines the history of collage for ideas and grounds the artist in modern legal concerns (i.e., the copyright issues involved in using others' work in your collage). This handbook will be useful to both beginning and advanced artists, and its wealth of examples make it more attractive than Anne Brigadier's more technical Collage: A Guide for Artists (Watson Guptill, 1970). Highly recommended.
Daniel J. Lombardo, Jones Lib., Amherst, Mass.
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Booklist

Collage is a versatile and dynamic medium suitable for artists with any level of skill and experience. Collage can be spontaneous and inexpensive when artists use materials at hand, such as magazines or newspapers, or collage can involve elaborate designs, precise detail, and exquisite craftsmanship. Materials suitable for collage are limited only by the creator's imagination and include papers of all kinds, fabric, photographs, and three-dimensional objects. Media such as watercolor, ink, and acrylics can be used to create varied effects and textures. Instructor, artist, and author Leland and her collage-artist coauthor Williams provide readers with step-by-step instructions for increasingly sophisticated collage techniques. Charts highlight recommended materials such as adhesives, protective coatings, types of paper, and supports. Numerous examples of finished collages are displayed in color reproductions, from homey family projects to beautifully textured abstractions. While Leland and Williams excel at covering technique and practical concerns, they spend some time discussing design principles and the matching of materials to subject or theme. This is as comprehensive and useful as a how-to on collage can be. Donna Seaman --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 144 pages
• Publisher: North Light Books (September 15, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1581800983
• ISBN-13: 978-1581800982
• Product Dimensions: 11 x 8.7 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (23 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #58,729 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #42 in Books > Arts & Photography > Other Media > Mixed Media

More About the Author

Nita Leland, a resident of Dayton, Ohio, began her journey into art in 1970 when her husband presented her with a gift of watercolor paints, brushes, and papers for her birthday. She taught watercolor painting for several years and developed a passion for color, which led to teaching a color workshop, and then, the publication by North Light Books of her first book, "Exploring Color," in 1985. "The Creative Artist" followed in 1990 and "Creative Collage Techniques" in 1994. "Exploring Color Revised" was published in 1998; "The New Creative Artist" (2006) and "Confident Color" (2008) continued her exploration into creativity and color. In 2000 she self published "Exploring Color Coloring Book," a workbook that accompanied the revised version of her color book. She continues to teach watercolor classes in Dayton and instructs workshops throughout the United States and Canada in color, creativity, and collage. Her Web site, titled "Exploring Color & Creativity," has provided information and links for artists since 1998; her blog of the same name was first posted in 2005. Her DVDs "Creating Confident Color" and "Paper Collage Techniques" were released in 2009.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

111 of 113 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars It's all here!, January 2, 2002

By 

BeachReader (Delaware) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Creative Collage Techniques (Paperback)

There is not much about collage that is not contained in this book. The authors begin with a short history of collage and how to make or find materials to make your own. Later in the book, they even explain how to make your own paper for collage and making collage "supports" or backgrounds using mediums, papers, and natural or found materials.

In an early part of the book, the authors delve into the collage process and give the reader eight projects (of varying difficulty)to try on their own. The directions and illustrations are VERY complete.

The next section deals with collage design, both planning and creating, along with nine projects that are, once again, carefully explained.

The section on mixed-media collage was very good but more for a person who has both artistic AND design ability. NOT ME!!!

Even though many of these projects were beyond my limited capability, I still enjoyed reading about them and looking at the beautiful illustrations. I got lots of ideas from this lovely book.

52 of 52 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars excellent art resources, July 8, 2000

By 

rae trujillo (pleasant hill, ca USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Creative Collage Techniques (Hardcover)

I orginally found this book at the library and had to have it. I am not a beginner artist but it would be excellent for any beginner. It dicusses design, materials, and concepts. It would be great for teachers as the projects can be easy or advanced depending on the instructor. For the more experianced artist it offers inspiration and nuggets of information. Full color pictures too!

52 of 54 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars All you need!, November 11, 2001

By 

Kristeena Crabb (Lewes, DE) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Creative Collage Techniques (Paperback)

Absolutely the only book you'll ever need to start creating collages. Filled with a wide variety of techniques from the very simple to the very sophisticated it teaches you everything from how to get started to how to frame your finished piece. An invaluable reference book in any art library.