Collage and Assemblage Art Techniques

Understanding the Art forms

Collage is the art of arranging and gluing pieces of various materials onto a flat surface to create a new whole.
Assemblage shares similarities with collage, but involves the use of three-dimensional objects to create a relief or sculpture.
Both these techniques are closely associated with the concept of found art and the avant-garde movements of Dada and Surrealism.

Materials Used

Materials for collage can include a variety of mediums such as paper, photographs, fabric, and other ephemera.
Assemblage art often incorporates found objects, salvaged materials and constructions.
Acrylic mediums or special collage adhesive can be used to stick the materials in place.

Creating a Collage

Creating a collage begins with a base or support which can be a canvas, paper or even wood.
Commence with a sketch or a plan, though spontaneity is also encouraged in building your composition.
The arrangement can be abstract or narrative depending on your concept and should be skimmed with light layers of adhesive to stick the materials.

Assemblage Art

The base for assemblage can be any three-dimensional item or construct, often a box or frame.
When creating an assemblage, consider the addition of depth and its effect on shadows and overall perception.
The objects can be assembled in a way that they project out of or recede into the background, generating dimensionality.

Innovation and Experimentation

Both collage and assemblage provide artists with the opportunity to recycle and repurpose objects, giving them a new context.
Experiment with different materials for different effects. Coloured or textured papers, pieces of old artwork, or even repurposed daily life items can add interest.
Incorporating drawing or painting into the work can give a mixed media effect to your collage or assemblage.

Finishing Aspects

For protection, a layer of varnish or fixative should be applied; however, this must be considered regarding the material choices within the artwork.
Lastly, the framing or presentation of the work must be considered - whether you want hidden-edges or the materials to extend beyond the frame.
Like any artwork, review and revise, always remembering that the best results often come from exploratory and iterative processes.

Remember, collage and assemblage not only allow you to create intriguing visual compositions but also allow you to add layers of meaning through your choice of materials. Don’t be afraid to explore and push boundaries! The unplanned combinations might lead you to create your own masterpieces.