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Sometimes the best collage papers come from the most unexpected places. This week, I decided to rummage through my studio drawers (and a few kitchen cabinets) to see what kinds of small, everyday objects I could turn into beautiful collage layers with the help of a little spray paint. And wow… what came out of this playful experiment surprised me!
In collage, we often rely on a mix of textures and intensities to tell a story. These spray-painted papers lean into the mysterious. They leave people wondering, “How on earth was that made?” And I love that.
The Process
I started by scattering my found objects across the surface of any type paper. Then I lightly sprayed over the objects with black or white spray paint. When I removed the objects… magic. What was left were soft-edged, ghostly shapes that hinted at the object, but didn’t reveal it completely.
The result? Gorgeous, abstract shapes that will be incredible collage elements. There’s one with delicate arcs from bobby pins. Another that looks like moon craters made from mismatched coins. And a wild one where I accidentally used nails, and it left behind the most stunning outlines.
I keep saying this, but… I think these might be my favorite collage papers ever (at least until next week!)
What I Learned
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No object is too weird. Q-tips? Amazing. Matchsticks? Gorgeous.
- The less perfect the spray, the better. A little overspray, a faded edge, or a shadowy double line adds character and depth.
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Layering is everything. Overlapping shapes and experimenting with spray distances gave me the most interesting textures.
Ready to Try It Yourself?
All you need is spray paint, some paper, and a handful of objects you’re willing to experiment with. Do this outside if you can or keep your windows wide open and wear a mask like I did. Safety first!
And remember: it’s all an experiment. There are no wrong results, just new collage possibilities.
Happy spraying, happy layering… and happy making.
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The Supplies to Create These Papers:
Krylon Spray Paint – Matte or Satin White
Krylon Spray Paint – Matte Black
All types of papers to spray onto
All types of small objects from your studio and home
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Are you interested in learning more about how to incorporate your collage papers into your art?
Check out my Collage Workshops!
