How to Create a Collaborative Collage Artwork for your School Auction, Family or Fundraiser

Many schools have inquired about how to create a collaborative artwork for their fundraiser or auction.  If your school has a small budget and a DIY attitude, this post is for you.  If your school would like to hire an artist to lead classes and/or create an original collaborative collage artwork, let me know.

The easiest collaboration is a floral still life collage.  Here is how to do it:

• The class:  Talk to the kids about collage and show them examples of famous flower artworks.  You could teach them about painting, collage, color theory, flower symbolism, botany, Dutch still life paintings, etc… depending on your student’s age.  Younger students may need a lesson on scissor safety and how to use liquid glue or paint.
• The project:
  • Have the students practice drawing first as a warm up.  Here is a drawing video I made to show your students or family how to draw.
    • Draw lightly or use a photo blue pencil.  Photo blue pencils are the best for erasing if you have a student who uses too much pencil pressure.
  • Collage:  Have the students create flower collages using paper pieces, buttons, real flower petals, fabric scraps, collage papers and color papers.  Or, have the students paint textures of different colors on papers, then cut them up to make your own collage papers.  Preschool students can use pre-cut papers or tear up little pieces of papers to use.  Older students can cut their own shapes.  Use glue sticks for less mess.  Don’t forget about stems and leaves.  Be sure to have hole punchers.  Kids love hole punchers.  I like to put out a buffet of materials and papers.
  • Older students could draw or paint realistic flowers

 

How to Create the Collage Artwork Using Your Students’ Work

• • • Option 1: Using the actual artwork.  If you plan to use the actual flower art the students create, know that washable and kid safe materials will fade or brown over time (it’s not archival).  Also, have them make it small or your collage will be very big and take a lot of time.  If your family or students are using quality acrylic paints, these colors will last a lot longer.
    • Option 2:  Using photos of the art.  The other option is to take photos of the artwork.  This is the way I do it now.  I use photos, then I color correct and size them on my computer before printing them on archival paper with pigment ink.  (This way I can work with clients from all over the world as they can take the classes via Zoom and email me photos of the artworks.)
    • Print:  Use your home or school printer if you aren’t worried about the artwork fading.  Find a printing company if you want pigment ink and cotton paper which will hold the color for generations.
    • Paint the Background:
      • Buy a wood panel canvas that has already been gessoed or paint gesso on your wood panel.  Depending on the size of your flowers, you might need a 12×16″ or larger size.
      • Draw a line 1/3 up the canvas from the bottom.  This is your “table” line.  Paint the bottom third any color you choose using acrylic paint.  Add a pattern if you choose.
      • Paint the top 2/3 of the canvas another color using acrylic paint of your choosing, but keep it lighter so the flowers stand out.
    • Cut out a vase.  Tip:  fold your paper in half to make it symmetrical.
    • Cut out or paint extra leaves, stems, a bee, a butterfly to use in your collage.
    • Layout your collage pieces.   I do this to make sure I like the composition before I start gluing.  Once I figure out the composition, then I take a photo to remember where everything goes.
    • Assemble the collage using Mod Podge or Liquitex gloss medium and a brush.  Coat the top with more layers of gloss medium.  Be sure to get all of the edges very well.  You can varnish the final piece too.  I like Liquitex matte varnish.
    • Take a photo of your finished collaborative collage and make prints for each family.  I usually take the photo into Photoshop to make sure there is no light reflection spots and touch it up before printing.  Usually you will want to protect yourself and get copyright waivers from each artist’s family in order to make prints of the art.

Check out this YouTube video showing a little sample of my collaborative art process.  This was created by the DuPage Children’s Museum when I did a collaboration with their members and community.

See more of my art and mural collaborations here.

If you have any questions or tips, please comment below.  If you would like to hire me to create a collaborative collage or mural with your family, business or school, please contact me.  Did you use this blog to create a collaboration?  Comment below and let me know how it went.