Gosh, I got so many questions about exactly how I mounted my collages in this post, so I decided to do a quick tutorial.
You will need:
- Gel Medium
- Palette Knife
- Matte Medium
- Paintbrush
- Collage Materials & Paint
- Finished Collage
- Something Heavy (I used a bench block)
- Wood Canvas (the same size as your finished collage)
- Brayer
- Deli Paper or Wax Paper
- Paper Towel or a Rag
STEP ONE: Collage the Edges
Collage the edges of your wood canvas. Where possible use the same colors and papers to create a seamless look. I added black paint along one edge.
Note: I am using Matte Medium & a paintbrush to do the collaging on the sides of my canvas. This is how I always collage. If you're interested in information about collage, consider taking my upcoming online course, "Getting Started with Collage."
STEP TWO: Wrap the Excess
Wrap the excess paper to the front of the canvas (it will be hidden under the collage).
At the corners I simply cut a slit and then glue the paper down.
Hint: Every now and then place your collage on the front of your canvas so that you can see if things are matching up and looking "right."
At this point you can also add more paint or collage to the edges of your canvas:
STEP THREE: Apply Gel Medium
Slather the front of the canvas with a nice not-too-thick and not-too-thin coat of gel medium. Work quickly because you don't want it to dry before you're done covering the whole canvas.
Be sure to get full coverage, all the way to the edges.
STEP FOUR: Adhere
Press the collage into the gel medium. Place a sheet of deli paper or wax paper on top of the collage. Roll over the top with the brayer to make sure that the collage is fully adhered everywhere.
Remove the deli paper and wipe away any excess gel medium that has squirted out of the sides of the collage.
Work the edges with your fingers, making sure that the collage is strongly adhered to the canvas along each edge. If necessary, place a heavy object onto any areas that are not adhering.
Let the gel medium dry, checking back occasionally to push on or add weight to any edges that aren't adhering.
STEP FIVE: Final Fixes
Take a peek at your final gallery wrapped canvas. Evaluate the sides in relationship to the front. You may need to add some more collage or paint. You may need to knock back a bright color. You may need to continue a stamped pattern around the side. Just do whatever little fixes you can to make it look exactly the way you want it to.
And that's it! Now all you have to do is sit back and admire your work!
I hope that was helpful!
Thanks for stopping by!
Great instructions! So nice of you to share!
Great instructions! So nice of you to share!
Great instructions! So nice of you to share!
Great instructions! So nice of you to share!
Great instructions! So nice of you to share!
TFS…great tutorial…my mind is reeling with ideas!
TFS…great tutorial…my mind is reeling with ideas!
TFS…great tutorial…my mind is reeling with ideas!
TFS…great tutorial…my mind is reeling with ideas!
TFS…great tutorial…my mind is reeling with ideas!
Thank you, you are very generous with your knowledge. It really does mount seamlessly and become part of the collage.
Thank you, you are very generous with your knowledge. It really does mount seamlessly and become part of the collage.
Thank you, you are very generous with your knowledge. It really does mount seamlessly and become part of the collage.
Thank you, you are very generous with your knowledge. It really does mount seamlessly and become part of the collage.
Thank you, you are very generous with your knowledge. It really does mount seamlessly and become part of the collage.
Wow you just really amaze me. Love that collage all mounted up and ready. Yumm!
Wow you just really amaze me. Love that collage all mounted up and ready. Yumm!
Wow you just really amaze me. Love that collage all mounted up and ready. Yumm!
Wow you just really amaze me. Love that collage all mounted up and ready. Yumm!
Wow you just really amaze me. Love that collage all mounted up and ready. Yumm!
thank you thank you thank you!!!
thank you thank you thank you!!!
thank you thank you thank you!!!
thank you thank you thank you!!!
thank you thank you thank you!!!
You are so awesome and generous Julie! Thank you!!!!!
You are so awesome and generous Julie! Thank you!!!!!
You are so awesome and generous Julie! Thank you!!!!!
You are so awesome and generous Julie! Thank you!!!!!
You are so awesome and generous Julie! Thank you!!!!!
Thanks. Very helpful.
Thanks. Very helpful.
Thanks. Very helpful.
Thanks. Very helpful.
Thanks. Very helpful.
Great Info! Julie, I got blocked under my other email addy and just realized I could use another addy. Duh! I’ve been gone for a bit. Boy have I missed you. BTW – I love your hair. You look so soft and feminine
Great Info! Julie, I got blocked under my other email addy and just realized I could use another addy. Duh! I’ve been gone for a bit. Boy have I missed you. BTW – I love your hair. You look so soft and feminine
Great Info! Julie, I got blocked under my other email addy and just realized I could use another addy. Duh! I’ve been gone for a bit. Boy have I missed you. BTW – I love your hair. You look so soft and feminine
Great Info! Julie, I got blocked under my other email addy and just realized I could use another addy. Duh! I’ve been gone for a bit. Boy have I missed you. BTW – I love your hair. You look so soft and feminine
Great Info! Julie, I got blocked under my other email addy and just realized I could use another addy. Duh! I’ve been gone for a bit. Boy have I missed you. BTW – I love your hair. You look so soft and feminine
Great tutorial, Julie! You are equally an artist and a teacher. 🙂
Great tutorial, Julie! You are equally an artist and a teacher. 🙂
Great tutorial, Julie! You are equally an artist and a teacher. 🙂
Great tutorial, Julie! You are equally an artist and a teacher. 🙂
Great tutorial, Julie! You are equally an artist and a teacher. 🙂
As usual, you give great down to earth instructions!! Thanks for sharing!
As usual, you give great down to earth instructions!! Thanks for sharing!
As usual, you give great down to earth instructions!! Thanks for sharing!
As usual, you give great down to earth instructions!! Thanks for sharing!
As usual, you give great down to earth instructions!! Thanks for sharing!
I’m curious what kind of stamp that dotted one is…is it one of your own creations? Or a Lego? Cuz I’m seeing lots of this design/ shape on lots of things and I must have it lol:-)
I also agree with Janice, your hair looks fab.
I so love your blog and all your ideas….I’ve been silently following for many years now and your email is always one of the first ones I read 🙂 Thanks for all you do, you’re amazing!!
I’m curious what kind of stamp that dotted one is…is it one of your own creations? Or a Lego? Cuz I’m seeing lots of this design/ shape on lots of things and I must have it lol:-)
I also agree with Janice, your hair looks fab.
I so love your blog and all your ideas….I’ve been silently following for many years now and your email is always one of the first ones I read 🙂 Thanks for all you do, you’re amazing!!
I’m curious what kind of stamp that dotted one is…is it one of your own creations? Or a Lego? Cuz I’m seeing lots of this design/ shape on lots of things and I must have it lol:-)
I also agree with Janice, your hair looks fab.
I so love your blog and all your ideas….I’ve been silently following for many years now and your email is always one of the first ones I read 🙂 Thanks for all you do, you’re amazing!!
I’m curious what kind of stamp that dotted one is…is it one of your own creations? Or a Lego? Cuz I’m seeing lots of this design/ shape on lots of things and I must have it lol:-)
I also agree with Janice, your hair looks fab.
I so love your blog and all your ideas….I’ve been silently following for many years now and your email is always one of the first ones I read 🙂 Thanks for all you do, you’re amazing!!
I’m curious what kind of stamp that dotted one is…is it one of your own creations? Or a Lego? Cuz I’m seeing lots of this design/ shape on lots of things and I must have it lol:-)
I also agree with Janice, your hair looks fab.
I so love your blog and all your ideas….I’ve been silently following for many years now and your email is always one of the first ones I read 🙂 Thanks for all you do, you’re amazing!!
Thanks so much, Julie!
Thanks so much, Julie!
Thanks so much, Julie!
Thanks so much, Julie!
Thanks so much, Julie!
I like the collage on a wood block. The three dimensional part is great.
I did one on a cereals-box: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.213430018798270.1073741825.133330183474921&type=1
I like the collage on a wood block. The three dimensional part is great.
I did one on a cereals-box: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.213430018798270.1073741825.133330183474921&type=1
I like the collage on a wood block. The three dimensional part is great.
I did one on a cereals-box: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.213430018798270.1073741825.133330183474921&type=1
I like the collage on a wood block. The three dimensional part is great.
I did one on a cereals-box: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.213430018798270.1073741825.133330183474921&type=1
I like the collage on a wood block. The three dimensional part is great.
I did one on a cereals-box: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.213430018798270.1073741825.133330183474921&type=1
Thanks again Julie for all your info…great collage.
Thanks again Julie for all your info…great collage.
Thanks again Julie for all your info…great collage.
Thanks again Julie for all your info…great collage.
Thanks again Julie for all your info…great collage.
Its one I made, but you could definitely use a lego!
Its one I made, but you could definitely use a lego!
Its one I made, but you could definitely use a lego!
Its one I made, but you could definitely use a lego!
Its one I made, but you could definitely use a lego!
Oh, my, Julie! The finished collage is amazing. This one was among my favorites from your class. Your finishing techniques are thorough and inspiring. I’m checking Blick for wood panels. When are you going to have the on-line course? What about a video series?
Oh, my, Julie! The finished collage is amazing. This one was among my favorites from your class. Your finishing techniques are thorough and inspiring. I’m checking Blick for wood panels. When are you going to have the on-line course? What about a video series?
Oh, my, Julie! The finished collage is amazing. This one was among my favorites from your class. Your finishing techniques are thorough and inspiring. I’m checking Blick for wood panels. When are you going to have the on-line course? What about a video series?
Oh, my, Julie! The finished collage is amazing. This one was among my favorites from your class. Your finishing techniques are thorough and inspiring. I’m checking Blick for wood panels. When are you going to have the on-line course? What about a video series?
Oh, my, Julie! The finished collage is amazing. This one was among my favorites from your class. Your finishing techniques are thorough and inspiring. I’m checking Blick for wood panels. When are you going to have the on-line course? What about a video series?
Julie, you are amazing!! Not only do you make the art, you share how to do it! Thanks so much!
Hugs,
Carmen L
Julie, you are amazing!! Not only do you make the art, you share how to do it! Thanks so much!
Hugs,
Carmen L
Julie, you are amazing!! Not only do you make the art, you share how to do it! Thanks so much!
Hugs,
Carmen L
Julie, you are amazing!! Not only do you make the art, you share how to do it! Thanks so much!
Hugs,
Carmen L
Julie, you are amazing!! Not only do you make the art, you share how to do it! Thanks so much!
Hugs,
Carmen L
I love this piece. What is the difference between “Gel Medium” and “Matte Medium” in how they work? Thank you
I love this piece. What is the difference between “Gel Medium” and “Matte Medium” in how they work? Thank you
I love this piece. What is the difference between “Gel Medium” and “Matte Medium” in how they work? Thank you
I love this piece. What is the difference between “Gel Medium” and “Matte Medium” in how they work? Thank you
I love this piece. What is the difference between “Gel Medium” and “Matte Medium” in how they work? Thank you
Just out of curiosity, why did you choose an old west outlaw death photo? Those are sooo super creepy, and with the red heart, am I missing something? Did you think it was fake/staged?
Just out of curiosity, why did you choose an old west outlaw death photo? Those are sooo super creepy, and with the red heart, am I missing something? Did you think it was fake/staged?
Just out of curiosity, why did you choose an old west outlaw death photo? Those are sooo super creepy, and with the red heart, am I missing something? Did you think it was fake/staged?
Just out of curiosity, why did you choose an old west outlaw death photo? Those are sooo super creepy, and with the red heart, am I missing something? Did you think it was fake/staged?
Just out of curiosity, why did you choose an old west outlaw death photo? Those are sooo super creepy, and with the red heart, am I missing something? Did you think it was fake/staged?
Thanks so much for your generous sharing AND for the step by step photos. I am curious about one thing. If you have elements that ‘project’ out from your collage, how do you ‘fix’ them? Spray varnish? Brushed on gel medium? Any feedback or recommendations would be greatly appreciated, Julie!
Thanks,
Kyle
Thanks so much for your generous sharing AND for the step by step photos. I am curious about one thing. If you have elements that ‘project’ out from your collage, how do you ‘fix’ them? Spray varnish? Brushed on gel medium? Any feedback or recommendations would be greatly appreciated, Julie!
Thanks,
Kyle
Thanks so much for your generous sharing AND for the step by step photos. I am curious about one thing. If you have elements that ‘project’ out from your collage, how do you ‘fix’ them? Spray varnish? Brushed on gel medium? Any feedback or recommendations would be greatly appreciated, Julie!
Thanks,
Kyle
Thanks so much for your generous sharing AND for the step by step photos. I am curious about one thing. If you have elements that ‘project’ out from your collage, how do you ‘fix’ them? Spray varnish? Brushed on gel medium? Any feedback or recommendations would be greatly appreciated, Julie!
Thanks,
Kyle
Thanks so much for your generous sharing AND for the step by step photos. I am curious about one thing. If you have elements that ‘project’ out from your collage, how do you ‘fix’ them? Spray varnish? Brushed on gel medium? Any feedback or recommendations would be greatly appreciated, Julie!
Thanks,
Kyle
Great tutorial and awesome art! Thanks
Great tutorial and awesome art! Thanks
Great tutorial and awesome art! Thanks
Great tutorial and awesome art! Thanks
Great tutorial and awesome art! Thanks
Wow, Thank you so much for sharing this amazing method. You were so precise with the method and steps! I really appreciate it.
Deborah
Wow, Thank you so much for sharing this amazing method. You were so precise with the method and steps! I really appreciate it.
Deborah
Wow, Thank you so much for sharing this amazing method. You were so precise with the method and steps! I really appreciate it.
Deborah
Wow, Thank you so much for sharing this amazing method. You were so precise with the method and steps! I really appreciate it.
Deborah
Wow, Thank you so much for sharing this amazing method. You were so precise with the method and steps! I really appreciate it.
Deborah
This tutorial was so well done. Thank you. The step to step instruction and pictures were so helpful!
This tutorial was so well done. Thank you. The step to step instruction and pictures were so helpful!
This tutorial was so well done. Thank you. The step to step instruction and pictures were so helpful!
This tutorial was so well done. Thank you. The step to step instruction and pictures were so helpful!
This tutorial was so well done. Thank you. The step to step instruction and pictures were so helpful!
Thank you for sharing. It has given me a whole lot of ideas on how to better adhere my collages. Keep on being creative and hopefully share. Hugs, Carla Tenret
Thank you for sharing. It has given me a whole lot of ideas on how to better adhere my collages. Keep on being creative and hopefully share. Hugs, Carla Tenret
Thank you for sharing. It has given me a whole lot of ideas on how to better adhere my collages. Keep on being creative and hopefully share. Hugs, Carla Tenret
Thank you for sharing. It has given me a whole lot of ideas on how to better adhere my collages. Keep on being creative and hopefully share. Hugs, Carla Tenret
Thank you for sharing. It has given me a whole lot of ideas on how to better adhere my collages. Keep on being creative and hopefully share. Hugs, Carla Tenret
Thank you so much for putting this tutorial together – I often find other art blogs get bogged down in jargon I can’t follow. This was easy to understand. Again, thank you for taking the time to explain all of this and I hope I can produce good results with it too some day!
Thank you so much for putting this tutorial together – I often find other art blogs get bogged down in jargon I can’t follow. This was easy to understand. Again, thank you for taking the time to explain all of this and I hope I can produce good results with it too some day!
Thank you so much for putting this tutorial together – I often find other art blogs get bogged down in jargon I can’t follow. This was easy to understand. Again, thank you for taking the time to explain all of this and I hope I can produce good results with it too some day!
Thank you so much for putting this tutorial together – I often find other art blogs get bogged down in jargon I can’t follow. This was easy to understand. Again, thank you for taking the time to explain all of this and I hope I can produce good results with it too some day!
Thank you so much for putting this tutorial together – I often find other art blogs get bogged down in jargon I can’t follow. This was easy to understand. Again, thank you for taking the time to explain all of this and I hope I can produce good results with it too some day!