Rosemary Rae: Collage Boot Camp

Workshop Description

In this Collage Boot Camp we will dive into the hands-on creation of mixed-media collages, integrating text using a variety of ephemera, papers, acrylic paint, and other markmaking tools. Discover your artistic voice and learn about color theory and how to create strong compositions.

For the first three hours, students will create a series of preliminary collages via exercises to explore basic collage principles, value, line, texture, shape, and negative space through ripping, cutting, layering, adding paint, and playing with color. Rosemary will review supplies, methods for gluing, and techniques for creating interesting compositions. We’ll discuss adding found type to create messages and stories within collage compositions.

In the remaining three hours, Rosemary will guide students through the process of creating a fun, easy-to-make structure to house all of your collages—a simple, pamphlet-stitched, soft cover book. There will be time to share ideas and discuss each other’s work.

Materials/Equipment to be Provided by Students

• Several sheets of high-quality paper measuring 11″ x 15″ (Recommend: Strathmore Watercolor, 140 lb. sheets)
• Collage material (image- and text-based ephemera; kit available)
• Acrylic paint
• Tools for markmaking (brushes, sponges, markers, pencils, etc.)
• Acrylic matte medium
• Self-healing mat and X-Acto knife (for cutting small images and paper)
• Scissors
• Bonefolder
• Awl
• Scrap paper (to cover work surface when gluing)
• Discarded cardboard cereal or snack box not measuring smaller than 5″ w x 8″ h x 2″ d
• Optional:
  • Paper punches
  • Paint markers, colored pencils, crayons, buttons, vinyl lettering, ink, stamp pads—anything you enjoy using to add color and decoration to your work

See Materials Glossary for definitions and images

Materials/Equipment to be Provided by Instructor

• Additional miscellaneous collage materials and papers
• Acrylic paints, crayons, rubber stamps
• Hot glue gun
• Decorative papers to use as inside book cover liners

Instructor Biography

Rosemary Rae is a creative director/designer, artist, and design educator living in San Diego, California. A graduate of Moore College of Art & Design and Vermont College of Fine Arts, she currently works as a graphic designer. In addition to designing her unique line of letterpress greeting cards, she also creates collages and artist books that have been featured in many juried exhibitions.

Instagram: @rosemarydesign