In the book the suggested method of diffusion is to use gesso. In this experiment, we are going to use tissue paper and a little japanese lace paper (one of my FAVORITE collage papers). This method is not going to be for just the background...we're going to do the whole collage using diffusion methods. Let's begin!!
Gather your materials....I started with a photo taken in my friend Shelley's backyard in March. Printed it out on an ink jet printer, let it dry for two days (if you're in a hurry you can print and spray with Workable Fixative to keep it from running). Adhere the print to cardboard or mat board...or even watercolor paper. It just needs to be a firm surface to work on.
Start with a sheet of light color tissue (in this case robin's egg blue) that covers the whole image and extends a bit beyond the borders. Lay down a generous coat of matte medium, then lay down the tissue paper and using a flat brush, coat on top of the tissue with more matte medium. Take note that some places on the image will come back up and others will not. This will depend on the wetness of the matte medium under the tissue...the wetter the area the more of the original image that will show.
don't fret too much about little wrinkles and be careful not to tear the tissue. Wet paper is always fragile. Now that that whole piece is diffused it's time to add the "details" but still using the same method. Here we're using a punch to create a similar shape in the original image.
Observe below, the circles of tissue are added in rows, again taking the placement, although different in scale, from the original.
Continue adding shapes until you achieve the desired effect.
A closer look.....
Shifting gears, use the Japanese lace paper over the background areas. Again, the matte medium will "melt" the lightweight paper. The wetter the surface before the paper is laid down, the more of it that will disappear.
Work your way around the piece until you are happy with the resulting image. Don't be afraid to overlap this paper onto your central image or focal point. That in fact will help to join the areas in a related fashion.
Another favorite toy comes out of the toy box....PanPastels!! Check them out if you haven't already.
Use the pans to enhance shadows and add tints of color.......
Continue adding color until you are happy with the results. Below, I have added a contrasting border of red to the piece and added hints of red here and there within the piece to relate to the red edging.
Once happy, a light coat or two of Workable Fixative will seal the pan pastels but still allow for continuing to work if I change my mind and want to add anything else.
One more look at the original....
and the resulting collage piece.
Now it's your turn. Choose a photo you want to work with and play with the tissue!! Don't forget to send me photos of your work so I can post them....everyone has been so shy so either you're just reading and not working or don't want to share. PLEASE...come on and jump in here...send me photos of what you're doing so we can all see.
More later this week...I'll be posting a collage postcard exchange to play in!!
So long for now.....
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Posted by: North Face | 09/27/2011 at 01:13 AM