Making Picture Collages

Theme

Picture collages reflect a theme of some sort. The theme may be underwater creatures consisting of pictures of a family trip to Sea World. A picture collage is a great way to remember a deceased relative. What makes a theme for a picture collage different from other kinds of art is the deliberateness of the way pictures are arranged in a college. The centralized theme is made obvious, perhaps by including a large picture in the middle of a picture frame surrounded by many smaller pictures. Picture collages can also be centered around holidays, such as Christmas, and ceremonies, such as a college graduation.

Materials

The materials needed to make picture collages include photographs, glue, paper or poster board and a frame or glass display case. Glue should only be used in your picture collages if the photographs themselves are not the originals. Construction paper can be added for colorful backgrounds in collages where there may be some spaces between the pictures (but usually there aren't any spaces). The materials used to create a picture collage are not limited to two dimensions. Small sea shells are a popular component in beach picture collages or photographs of aquariums. For more sentimental collages (i.e., a deceased relative or spouse), a favorite necktie, baseball card or hair clippings can be added to personalize the collage.

Arranging the pictures

You begin by selecting the appropriate pictures you want to represent your centralized theme. For example, your theme could be "I love New York." In this case, select pictures from a visit to New York. Arrange the pictures on a table in front of you for selecting a favorite picture to stand out from the rest (example: the Statue of Liberty) at the center of your picture collage. Your pictures are moved to the cardboard or poster board backing of your picture frame. The centralized theme will be obvious when you place the Statue of Liberty in the middle of the collage. Surround the central picture with smaller, random pictures relating to what you think is significant to your centralized theme. Trim larger pictures with a pair of scissors as necessary in order to achieve a flat, single layer of pictures against the cardboard or poster board backing.

Construction

Your background should be either entirely covered with pictures or complimentary of the theme for your picture collage. If your collage is about a trip to Sea World, then add a blue or sea-green piece of construction paper for an oceanic background. A small drop of glue is added to the back of each picture, and then each picture is pressed onto the backing of the picture frame. Other elements are added if desired (sea shells, ornaments). Allow the picture collage to dry for a couple of hours. After drying, secure the picture frame onto the backing with staples to complete the picture collage.