Thankyou for your great instructional video. You are very clear and easy to follow. One question: what art journal are you using? I love the square size. Thanks
This was so I informative and perfectly paced! I’ve been collecting pieces for my first adult collage, I had no idea what I would need or how to prevent running when I learned about the mediums, and this explained everything perfectly and succinctly! Thank you so much! I’m excited to start!
I'm thrilled that this video supported your growing collage practice! Have you taken my free 5-day collage workshop Collage Kickstart? That would support you in learning new skills too.
This was helpful on so many levels for me - seeing how the matte medium vs gel work, layout ideas and the various techniques you taught for me, a behinner. Thank you so much!
I have incredible images in a short time. 19:32 I go to the bins at goodwill and can get books with marvelous images foe 1 dollar per book. As an abstract/mixed media artist I have found goodwill bins to be an amazing resource.
Very informative and helpful video and I am really looking forward to the one about sealing/waxing too. Quick question - why use mediums as glue rather than straightforward PVA? Mediums are very expensive and as the name "medium" implies they are meant to be added to acrylic paint to alter consistency etc. PVA is a much more reasonable option. I don't really understand why so many artists use mediums as glue. Any insights would be helpful, thank you
As long as your PVA is archival (I've read that not all PVA glues are equal quality), then it's fine to use and is a good option. It all come down to preference. I like the consistency of the medium as a glue. I know that it's archival, and seals my collage both underneath and on top of each collage element very well.
You're correct, matte and gel mediums are not glues. They're acrylic mediums (basically acrylic paint minus the pigment). There are many archival quality PVAs that are more affordable than acrylic mediums. It's just an odd thing to do IMO.
Thanks for all the tips and information. I use matt medium to stick tea bags to watervloir paper for my teabag art. Works a treat, but I have to carefully push the bubbles out . I enjoyed watching. Thanks for sharing!
I was frustrated with bubbles puffing up on magazine/newspaper items. Now, I have solved the problem with this video. I spray the bottom of the piece with water, wipe on gloss medium on the collage surface with a flat brush, place the piece on it, then wipe more gloss medium with a flat brush on top of the collage piece. It works for me.
Hi Catherine! Can you tell me if you have a source for your collage (blank) book that you can share. I love the creamy color of the pages. Thank you for sharing all that you have for so long!
Medical exam paper dries transparent!!! I buy it by the roll. Very inexpensive and awesome! Love your video thank you so much for making them and sharing them.❤
@@clisig2153 Good question. I think I've seen other artists do this, but can't confirm this since I have tried it. Check out this video where I believe the artist is showing how to do this th-cam.com/video/bROocp-SCCQ/w-d-xo.htmlsi=7J7QPkFpZEOk5Qol
Thank you. I enjoyed watching you collage. Loved your color selection. If I continue to watch you work, I will just have to get some stencils in small sizes!
Really enjoyed this. You clearly have your process down as far as what you like/what works for you, but I’m offering 2 tips in case someone else might find them helpful. One…I’ve found that using a brayer to smooth down collage papers is much more successful than fingers or credit cards to eliminate bubbles/wrinkles. Two, I use a silicone spreader to apply mediums/gels instead of a brush. I found it very time-consuming, if not impossible, to remove the medium from brushes. With the silicone it peels right off. Lastly, a question re what gold paint you use for the tissue paper dots. I have many different brands of gold and they all look dull when dry, whereas your dots are nice and shiny. Maybe it’s a marker vs paint? Thanks
It all comes down to preference with the gluing process, what works well for each of us. Your method sounds great too. As for medium not coming off of the brush, that has never been my experience. I rinse the medium out of the brushes as soon as I'm done gluing, and if my brush is a bit hard once it dries, then I soak it for 24 hour in Murphy's. Then rinse with water and they are good as new. I've used the same 10 flat brushes for gluing for many years. Thanks so much for sharing your gluing method!
@@ochervelvet9687 If all else fails, put a piece of clear shipping tape over the gel plate where the paint doesn't want to budge. This usually pulls it up quick!
Hi Cat. Thanks for the helpful information today. I wanted to share that when I have jars of mediums or colored pastes, etc I cut a square of Glad Press N Seal to cover the jar before I put the lid back on. If it’s something I don’t use very often I will push the Press N Seal down to touch the surface of the contents, keeping the air out of the container, then put the lid on. This has worked well for me. See you next Tuesday. I’m watching older videos during the week. You have so many great ideas!!!
Glad you found this useful. Magazines, like book pages, are not acid free, however you can protect them by encasing the pages in medium as I show in this video. Also adding a varnish and cold wax also helps to preserve the colors longer term, and keeping the work out of a sunny window. I'm actually doing a video on this topic in a couple weeks. Stay tuned!
With a glue stick as well as with the two mediums I have had good results by putting some glue down both under the item to be glued (i.e. on the page) and then glue all over the back of the item I want to stick down. For larger pieces of magazine paper I use a wallpaper squeegee or scraper to gently smooth out the bubbles.
You can put a coat of matte gel down and let it dry completely and then iron any kind of paper on top. Since it isn't wet, the ink won't smear and the surface of the paper or fabric or whatever stays soft and uncoated. You can also iron a piece of cling film underneath the paper instead of the matte or gloss gel medium or glue. Or also you can use heat and bond to do the same.
What a clever way of gluing! I used to do a version of this, but it took too long for me. I like to quickly glue and go! However, your method is a great alternative.
Love watching your helpful videos Catherine! Thank you for being so generous with your time and knowledge. Can you provide any tips on great magazines to collect for collaging? It can be expensive to buy magazines that only have a few useful pages….
So glad that you are enjoying my videos! It all depends on what types of images you want to use in your collages. My favorites are high-end fashion magazines like Vogue and Elle because of all the great colors that I can use in collage. I don't use the images of the women, but rather the texture/colors in what they wear!
Our public library has a "Friends of" auxiliary who sell used books and magazines as a fundraiser. I collect a lot of collage fodder from them for minimal cost. Art supplies for me and a few dollars for my library -- win/win. 😁
Thanks for all the gluing tips! How long do your flat brushes usually last? They are more than twice your price here in Canada. I try washing brushes with Murphy’s oil soap as you recommend but I find the glue doesn’t always come off and the brushes get stiff after a while.
Instead of washing the brushes in Murphys, soak them for a day or two in it. My brushes last many years this way. Rarely throw one away, even those that have completely hardened because I forgot to rinse them out right away.
You mentioned that you used glue stick for 20-odd years before moving on to acrylic medium. Do the collages you made with glue stick still hold up? I too find glue stick the easiest solution for all but the heaviest papers, but I worry about longevity. I worry that the papers will start to peel off the support.
My collages still hold up after many years using a glue stick. The big draw back with the glue stick is that if I add a medium or liquid varnish on top, it can bubble up, no longer be smooth. I like to encase my collage pieces on both sides as I'm gluing them to the collage to further protect my collages. I want them to last for centuries and the more layers I add, the better. But if the glue stick works for you, keep using it!
Matte Medium is NOT a glue. Matte Medium is NOT for paper. Matte Medium makes the paper WET, this will cause the paper to deteriorate, become brittle, and ultimately fall apart. Use quality paper for the medium you are using. Use quality glue for the medium you are using.
There are many ways to glue paper, and I have been using medium as a glue for over 20 years very successfully. Medium performs like a glue, and is archival, a double win. MANY artists, including Nick Wilton of CVP fame, use medium as glue. It's all a matter of preference and works the best for you art practice..
@@catrains.artistit's incorrect to refer to matte and gel mediums as "glue" though. They're not glue. You can do whatever you want in your own artwork but I think it's important to provide correct information in instructional videos.
@@kathyryder828 I appreciate your perspective, and will respect how you choose to refer to what mediums do. However, in my opinion, and that of many many professional artists that I have learned from and respect, mediums can be used for the purpose of archival gluing, and thus why many of use refer to mediums as a form of glue. And mediums serve many other purposes, that I also use them for, such as creating a glaze.
Great suggestions, I love matte medium, but I really struggled with it with magazine papers so I moved on to just using a glue stick and then sealer. I liked how you used your matte medium by pushing it out- I will have to try that and I love the idea of using a "waste magazine" to use the glue stick. Can't wait to try that, thanks for sharing your tips!
I'm so glad that you found this demo helpful! There are so many ways to glue, and it always comes down to practice and finding what works best for you.
Thankyou for your great instructional video. You are very clear and easy to follow.
One question: what art journal are you using? I love the square size.
Thanks
Thanks so much for the kind feedback. I'm using a Ranger Dylusions journal, found on Amazon.
Thank you!
Thank you Catherine! xxoo
You are most welcome Kathleen!
This was so I informative and perfectly paced! I’ve been collecting pieces for my first adult collage, I had no idea what I would need or how to prevent running when I learned about the mediums, and this explained everything perfectly and succinctly! Thank you so much! I’m excited to start!
I'm thrilled that this video supported your growing collage practice! Have you taken my free 5-day collage workshop Collage Kickstart? That would support you in learning new skills too.
This was helpful on so many levels for me - seeing how the matte medium vs gel work, layout ideas and the various techniques you taught for me, a behinner. Thank you so much!
I'm thrilled that you found this video so helpful! Thanks for letting me know.
I’m an abstract artist and just starting to use collage in my work. Your video is great. Wonderful. Tk you
So glad you enjoyed the video and found it useful.
This is very helpful and inspiring! Thanks for sharing.
So glad that you found this useful!
Fantastic video. Thank you!
So glad you enjoyed it!
Very helpful!
Glad it was helpful! 😊💖
I have incredible images in a short time. 19:32 I go to the bins at goodwill and can get books with marvelous images foe 1 dollar per book. As an abstract/mixed media artist I have found goodwill bins to be an amazing resource.
I'm right there with you! Goodwill is one of my favorite "art stores"!
Thanks Cat! I also use parchment paper that act like your plastic sleeve to smooth the glues paper
Brilliant alternative! Thanks for watching.
Very informative and helpful video and I am really looking forward to the one about sealing/waxing too. Quick question - why use mediums as glue rather than straightforward PVA? Mediums are very expensive and as the name "medium" implies they are meant to be added to acrylic paint to alter consistency etc. PVA is a much more reasonable option. I don't really understand why so many artists use mediums as glue. Any insights would be helpful, thank you
As long as your PVA is archival (I've read that not all PVA glues are equal quality), then it's fine to use and is a good option. It all come down to preference. I like the consistency of the medium as a glue. I know that it's archival, and seals my collage both underneath and on top of each collage element very well.
@@catrains.artist thank you
You're correct, matte and gel mediums are not glues. They're acrylic mediums (basically acrylic paint minus the pigment). There are many archival quality PVAs that are more affordable than acrylic mediums. It's just an odd thing to do IMO.
Thanks for all the tips and information. I use matt medium to stick tea bags to watervloir paper for my teabag art. Works a treat, but I have to carefully push the bubbles out . I enjoyed watching. Thanks for sharing!
Sounds great, I love working with teabag papers! Thank you for watching
I was frustrated with bubbles puffing up on magazine/newspaper items. Now, I have solved the problem with this video. I spray the bottom of the piece with water, wipe on gloss medium on the collage surface with a flat brush, place the piece on it, then wipe more gloss medium with a flat brush on top of the collage piece. It works for me.
So glad that this video helped you find a solution to bubbles that works for you. It took me many years to figure this one out!
Hi Catherine! Can you tell me if you have a source for your collage (blank) book that you can share. I love the creamy color of the pages. Thank you for sharing all that you have for so long!
The link for this sketchbook is in the description below the video. It is a fabulous book to create in. And thank you for the very kind words.
Medical exam paper dries transparent!!! I buy it by the roll. Very inexpensive and awesome! Love your video thank you so much for making them and sharing them.❤
That is a fantastic tip! I'll have to look into that!
Will medical paper go through a printer thank you!!
@@clisig2153 Good question. I think I've seen other artists do this, but can't confirm this since I have tried it. Check out this video where I believe the artist is showing how to do this th-cam.com/video/bROocp-SCCQ/w-d-xo.htmlsi=7J7QPkFpZEOk5Qol
Dry helpful tutorial and useful information about glues. I appreciate you sharing this.
Glad it was useful! Thank you for watching!
Very helpful video - thanks from Sydney, Australia!
So glad that you found this helpful. Thanks from the USA!
Thank you. The collage is really attractive of course. I love your work!
Thanks so very much for the kind words Angela!
Thank you. I enjoyed watching you collage. Loved your color selection. If I continue to watch you work, I will just have to get some stencils in small sizes!
So glad you enjoyed this! I do love using stencils, I think they're so versatile.
Really enjoyed this. You clearly have your process down as far as what you like/what works for you, but I’m offering 2 tips in case someone else might find them helpful. One…I’ve found that using a brayer to smooth down collage papers is much more successful than fingers or credit cards to eliminate bubbles/wrinkles. Two, I use a silicone spreader to apply mediums/gels instead of a brush. I found it very time-consuming, if not impossible, to remove the medium from brushes. With the silicone it peels right off. Lastly, a question re what gold paint you use for the tissue paper dots. I have many different brands of gold and they all look dull when dry, whereas your dots are nice and shiny. Maybe it’s a marker vs paint? Thanks
It all comes down to preference with the gluing process, what works well for each of us. Your method sounds great too. As for medium not coming off of the brush, that has never been my experience. I rinse the medium out of the brushes as soon as I'm done gluing, and if my brush is a bit hard once it dries, then I soak it for 24 hour in Murphy's. Then rinse with water and they are good as new. I've used the same 10 flat brushes for gluing for many years. Thanks so much for sharing your gluing method!
@@catrains.artist yes, we all have our preferences. How about the gold dots…what paint did you use for those?
@@bonnie_nelms Usually golden fluid acrylic iridescent gold deep
First time here and really enjoyed your clear let’s get on with it style. Thanks for sharing and I’ve subscribed 😊 from Australia 🇦🇺
Just what I've been waiting for!! As an art newbie I am endlessly confused by the multitude of mediums and gels! So grateful thank U!!
I'm so glad that you found this helpful!
Did you ever use hairspray as a fixative?
I have, however it is not archival, and most likely will yellow your work over time.
Thank you Cat, I've just signed up for your 5 day collage course and am looking forward to it with happy anticipation.
Tracey,
Masterton, New Zealand
How exciting! Thank you for joining! I cannot wait to see what you create 😊
I spread matte gel medium on my gel plate and put my paper on it. Quick and easy fixative
Fabulous way to seal your work as well! Thanks so much for sharing it.
Do you find it difficult to remove the medium from your gel plate afterwards?
@@ochervelvet9687 Removing medium would be the same process as removing acrylic paint as they are made of the same thing.
@@catrains.artist I asked because I’ve used iridescent acrylic medium on my gel plate and it was difficult to remove.
@@ochervelvet9687 If all else fails, put a piece of clear shipping tape over the gel plate where the paint doesn't want to budge. This usually pulls it up quick!
Thanks for sharing that great info Catherine. x
Thanks so very much for watching!
You have a pleasing voice and certainly know how to address your audience. Thank you for sharing your talent with us.
What a sweet compliment, thank you so much!
Very helpful hints on using various glue products. Thank you, Catherine! I look forward to hearing how you finish your work with wax.
Thanks so much for watching! I'm filming that one today!
Hi Cat. Thanks for the helpful information today. I wanted to share that when I have jars of mediums or colored pastes, etc I cut a square of Glad Press N Seal to cover the jar before I put the lid back on. If it’s something I don’t use very often I will push the Press N Seal down to touch the surface of the contents, keeping the air out of the container, then put the lid on. This has worked well for me.
See you next Tuesday. I’m watching older videos during the week. You have so many great ideas!!!
What a fabulous suggestion, thanks for sharing it! I'm honored that you are watching my older videos❤️🙏🏻
You’re welcome! I hope it helps! I’m always looking for tips and tricks so I’m also happy to pass them alone!
It also makes it easier to get the jars open when the lid doesn’t stick.
@@sherryleggett1612 So true!
Thanks for the advice Catherine. Can I ask what your thoughts are regarding the longevity of magazine papers in collage (-: Marion 🎉
Glad you found this useful. Magazines, like book pages, are not acid free, however you can protect them by encasing the pages in medium as I show in this video. Also adding a varnish and cold wax also helps to preserve the colors longer term, and keeping the work out of a sunny window. I'm actually doing a video on this topic in a couple weeks. Stay tuned!
Thank You Catherine Rains❤🎉💐. Your Video is Great and Helpful‼️✨️ToomCapeTown
So glad that you found this demo useful!
With a glue stick as well as with the two mediums I have had good results by putting some glue down both under the item to be glued (i.e. on the page) and then glue all over the back of the item I want to stick down. For larger pieces of magazine paper I use a wallpaper squeegee or scraper to gently smooth out the bubbles.
Fabulous ideas! Thanks so much for adding your experience this this.
You can put a coat of matte gel down and let it dry completely and then iron any kind of paper on top. Since it isn't wet, the ink won't smear and the surface of the paper or fabric or whatever stays soft and uncoated. You can also iron a piece of cling film underneath the paper instead of the matte or gloss gel medium or glue. Or also you can use heat and bond to do the same.
What a clever way of gluing! I used to do a version of this, but it took too long for me. I like to quickly glue and go! However, your method is a great alternative.
🤔 Very interesting.
Love watching your helpful videos Catherine! Thank you for being so generous with your time and knowledge. Can you provide any tips on great magazines to collect for collaging? It can be expensive to buy magazines that only have a few useful pages….
So glad that you are enjoying my videos! It all depends on what types of images you want to use in your collages. My favorites are high-end fashion magazines like Vogue and Elle because of all the great colors that I can use in collage. I don't use the images of the women, but rather the texture/colors in what they wear!
Our public library has a "Friends of" auxiliary who sell used books and magazines as a fundraiser. I collect a lot of collage fodder from them for minimal cost. Art supplies for me and a few dollars for my library -- win/win. 😁
@@jondoh587 I love getting old books from libraries too. Only problem now is that I have so many that my studio could be mistaken for a library 😉!
This was very informative, thank you! I love your videos and your calm, kind teaching style.
I'm thrilled that you are enjoying them! Thanks for letting me know.
Thanks for this video catherine. Anyone out there that hasnt done collage kickstart...whats stopping you? Its inspiring
I adore you, this is the sweetest comment! Thank you 💖
Thank you for the great information. Always so thorough. Best wishes, Sondra Borrie
So glad that you enjoyed the demo!
Thanks for all the gluing tips! How long do your flat brushes usually last? They are more than twice your price here in Canada. I try washing brushes with Murphy’s oil soap as you recommend but I find the glue doesn’t always come off and the brushes get stiff after a while.
Instead of washing the brushes in Murphys, soak them for a day or two in it. My brushes last many years this way. Rarely throw one away, even those that have completely hardened because I forgot to rinse them out right away.
@@catrains.artistThanks for this tip!
It looks as if you could easily cut your finger when you use it to wipe your exacto blade!
So true, and it has happened! Luckily not on camera 😉.
You mentioned that you used glue stick for 20-odd years before moving on to acrylic medium. Do the collages you made with glue stick still hold up? I too find glue stick the easiest solution for all but the heaviest papers, but I worry about longevity. I worry that the papers will start to peel off the support.
My collages still hold up after many years using a glue stick. The big draw back with the glue stick is that if I add a medium or liquid varnish on top, it can bubble up, no longer be smooth. I like to encase my collage pieces on both sides as I'm gluing them to the collage to further protect my collages. I want them to last for centuries and the more layers I add, the better. But if the glue stick works for you, keep using it!
Matte Medium is NOT a glue.
Matte Medium is NOT for paper.
Matte Medium makes the paper WET, this will cause the paper to deteriorate, become brittle, and ultimately fall apart.
Use quality paper for the medium you are using.
Use quality glue for the medium you are using.
There are many ways to glue paper, and I have been using medium as a glue for over 20 years very successfully. Medium performs like a glue, and is archival, a double win. MANY artists, including Nick Wilton of CVP fame, use medium as glue. It's all a matter of preference and works the best for you art practice..
@@catrains.artistit's incorrect to refer to matte and gel mediums as "glue" though. They're not glue. You can do whatever you want in your own artwork but I think it's important to provide correct information in instructional videos.
@@kathyryder828 I appreciate your perspective, and will respect how you choose to refer to what mediums do. However, in my opinion, and that of many many professional artists that I have learned from and respect, mediums can be used for the purpose of archival gluing, and thus why many of use refer to mediums as a form of glue. And mediums serve many other purposes, that I also use them for, such as creating a glaze.
I tried Spectrafix, more than 3 coats, on a rice paper, and unfortunately, it didn't work.
It's not my favorite fixative either, not consistent enough. However I know many artists that swear by it, besides it being a healthier choice.
Great suggestions, I love matte medium, but I really struggled with it with magazine papers so I moved on to just using a glue stick and then sealer. I liked how you used your matte medium by pushing it out- I will have to try that and I love the idea of using a "waste magazine" to use the glue stick. Can't wait to try that, thanks for sharing your tips!
I'm so glad that you found this demo helpful! There are so many ways to glue, and it always comes down to practice and finding what works best for you.
Thanks. Very helpful reminder