How to Make Tissue Paper Collage Art

White tulip collage with light blue background

Tissue paper collage projects create delicate effects in a wide range of color. Tissue paper works well for both figurative art depicting known subjects such as flowers, people, animals and landscapes, and for abstract arts. Tissue paper also makes a stained glass substitute for kids' craft projects. Due to its shapeable texture, tissue paper makes a versatile medium for textured collages. You can use crumpled, wrinkled, folded and otherwise textured tissue paper to add dimension to the collage.

Things You'll Need

• Art paper or parchment
• Tissue paper
• Scissors (safety scissors for kids)
• Paper mache mixture (optional)
• Glue
• Foam brush (optional)

Instructions

1. Set out tissue paper colors for the subject. Use a pencil to draw the design on paper or parchment if desired.

2. Tear tissue paper in narrow strips for a soft effect or cut it with a scissors in strips and any other desired shapes.

3. Apply tissue paper to the background. Place the strips evenly for a basic background, or experiment with textures by overlapping the strips, adding small wads of tissue paper, tissue paper stars, wrinkled tissue paper or any other design. The 92nd St. Y website recommends putting some glue in a bottle lid and using a cotton swap to apply glue. This allows you to control the amount. Paper Crafts suggests using a foam brush to smooth bubbles out of the tissue paper.

4. Create the main design from the outside to the center. For example, for a sunflower, apply the stem, then apply the outer petals. Wad bits of gray and cream tissue paper up and glue into the center.

Tips & Warnings

• Handle tissue paper gently; it tears easily.

• You can pre-cut tissue paper in the desired shapes.

• You can make a paper mache mixture in a bowl and dip the tissue paper in the mixture, then press the strips on the parchment with your fingertips.

• Avoid getting the tissue paper too wet with the mixture as it will deteriorate.

• Allow time for the background to dry before adding the next layer.

• Applying the outer elements first and working toward the center allows you to cover any errors or rough edges.

• Parchment paper provides a strong surface for building a tissue paper collage. Due to its translucence---the ability to allow light through---it works well for faux stained glass and other artwork to display in a window or in front of a non-flammable light source. Light coming through the parchment brings the tissue paper colors to life.

References

• 92nd Street Y: Tissue Paper Collage
• Paper Crafts: Tissue Paper Crafts and Arts