Abstract Landscape Collage Steps

Abstract landscape done in class Friday 5-01-09 Notice that the base has the turquoise blue textured papers is a larger part of the piece at the base, then the small scraps from cutting the tape off are used at the bottom to add to the composition.
Abstract landscape Collage Step #1

My surface or substrate is 2 ply cotton rag mat or 300lb watercolor paper will do for this size. I've given a coat of polymer medium(gloss) which is dried before any collage starts. My palette of papers is laid out to pick from. I may not use all the papers I've picked but it's good to have a few to pick from.

Step #2.

I've used the stained tissue paper for the sky, torn them up a bit to create movement and value. I always start at the top or the abstract sky first. By doing this it creates the depth you want in a Landscape. If the sky was the last to go on it would lose the effect of these kind of abstract landscapes. On this piece I've not shown the marked off point. The mark I'm talking about is for where you would stop with the sky and create the Horizon line layers of the earth. There is a stopping point with that too so you can end with a nice base. See the Image of the piece I created in class Friday.

Step #3.

Using the Heat Seal Iron/tack iron to fuse the dry coated papers to the substrate. As you notice the Safety release sheet is between the collage papers and the iron. Don't want any burning going on. The release sheet are purchased through Jonathan Talbots site at http://www.talbot1.com/ or you can use the Avery backing sheet from you white address labels.

Step 4#

The other papers that I am using are magazine papers altered in some way by Nevr dull or Sanding and adding acrylics and stamping on them. I'm at the mercy of the papers edge. No really I tear what I think will be a nice effect to the abstract landscape. No reference's are used.

Step #5.

Here you can see I've used some black painted 90lb watercolor and created a rock bed. While I'm arranging the landscapes I'm thinking of the value of the papers as of light against dark. It really helps the layers stand out.

Step #6.

I've added a layer of the white lunch bag paper that I've gessoed and then applied Green acrylic. The papers are all coated remember with the polymer medium(gloss). That is why they are all shiny which helps them fused together. As you see the stained string tissue paper is the base of the piece. I've shared with the class that they need to graph out the landscape strip so that they don't go on forever with the layers. Which ends up happening because you are having so much fun with it. I tell them they need to mark it off so this doesn't happen and save it for the next one.

Step #7

Fusing the papers all done with heat or as us collage artist call it Tacking down.. Safety release paper between the collage papers and the tack iron.

Step #8.

I've applied some Payne's Gray to the surface and I'll rub it in and off the extra. I like to apply the acrylic and change the edges of the torn papers. Not that you have to do this but I do personal like the effects that happen.

Step #9

is about taking a step back and looking at your piece you've created. As I spoke in the class I'm going out of my comfort zone with this one and the color palette but I have to admit I had a frame I'm work this one for... A no no in the art work but I can do it if I want can't I? I am the artist.

Step #10

Up close with the coat of polymer medium, I will give this a coat and let it dry. Then I will cut the tape off the edges and see if it needs anything else for it and I seem to add some embellishments at this point.