Surrealistic Collage Using the Principles of Design

Collage Collage – is a work of art created by gluing bits of paper, fabric scraps, photographs or other materials together. In this art experience we are using magazines.

Surrealism The Surrealist style of art is based on the idea of expressing unconscious thoughts, typically dream-like images with a high degree of realism in technique.

Collage Today we are going to combine the principles of collage with the surrealistic style. You are to browse through the magazines and find a minimum of four images.

Surrealism Keep in mind that that when the images are Combined they will create a dream like composition.

Surrealistic Collage Avoid lettering and cut out images that have a strong visual message.

Surrealistic Collage The images you select can be a variety of sizes. Think about contrast and choose images that are dark and light in color.

Surrealistic Collage You might decide to use the whole image or just part of the image. Make sure you exhibit craftsmanship and cut accurately.

Surrealistic Collage Think carefully about how you will put these images together to create and interesting and perhaps shocking picture to attract the viewer attention.

Surrealistic Collage Arrange your cut-out images on the paper first and then glue them in place. Draw the glue on like you are using a marker so the gluing will be neat.

Surrealistic Collage Arrange your images in the composition to create balance and an area of emphasis. Your images should not cover the composition completely.

Surrealistic Collage Complete the composition by filling in the space with a realistic background. Here the background was filled in to make the images appear like they are at the beach.

Surrealistic Collage In this composition the artist wanted to leave out the lettering and advertising products. So that part is cut out and the shoulder and hair are drawn back in to finish the image.

Surrealistic Collage To give the composition a feeling of movement the waves were added to enhance the action of the penguin surfing down the waves of hair.

Surrealistic Collage To contrast with the black and white color of the penguin a sunset was used to fill in the sky.

Surrealistic Collage As the background was filled-in a beach chair was added to the shore to balance and add to the beach theme.

Surrealistic Collage Did you notice that the colors of the sunset were repeated in the chair to add balance and unity to the artwork?

Surrealistic Collage To keep the images looking realistic shading was added to make the drawn objects appear 3 dimensional like the magazine photographs and artwork.

Surrealistic Collage Remember to stay true to the surrealistic theme. Have fun and challenge your imagination while surprising and amazing your fellow artists.

Example

Conclusion On the back of your collage write a short story that describes the moment in time you are trying to illustrate in your composition. Title your work! A dog’s day at the BMX track