Tissue Paper Collage

Although I play with all kinds of media, tissue paper is my current favorite. When using this medium, an artist has to think in shapes and colors, not lines as we usually do. At first this was quite challenging for me because when we draw, we outline the image first, then add colors inside (or outside) the lines. Now I tend to see images as shapes, with gradually changing colors, sometimes with very defined edges, sometimes less defined.

I mostly use tissue paper because of it translucent quality. This allows the layered colors to blend. Bleeding tissue allows for more blending, but it is also messier, as the colors often “bleed” more than I want. Colorfast tissue generally will allow enough blending, especially with light colors. I also use origami paper if I want to completely block out the colors underneath, since it is opaque, but still thin enough to flatten well on the canvas. It also comes in a huge range of colors.

Sometimes I add grasses or leaves that have been pressed and dried, further increasing the texture of the piece.

The adhesive I use is acrylic gloss medium, applying it underneath and on top of the pieces of tissue paper. Although I started using an Elmers glue/water mixture as an adhesive, I have found I prefer the plastic, glossy qualities of acrylic.

Because tissue paper easily fades in sunlight, I always spray the finished piece with an archival UV protectant to prevent the loss of color over time.