T Tuesday: Tutorial

Black and white Halloween postcard

 collage on 4" x 6" cardboard.

Start by cutting scrap cardboard to 4" x 6".

Tear old book pages into strips.

Glue strips of text to the printed side of the cardboard.

I used Aileene's Tacky Glue, staggering the pages for

extra interest.

Trim around the edge of the postcard with scissors.

Paint over the text with gesso.  You can wipe off some

of the gesso with a paper napkin so more of the text

shows through. 

Use some paper scraps for the collage in colors that

you would like to use. I was going for a black and white

theme, so I used a limited palette. Scrapbook papers, 

painted papers, (as below) the inside of security envelopes,

and Dover clip art are all good choices for 

black and white designs.

The leaf on the right was from a Dover clip art book,

but you could draw or stamp one too.

I used a hair dryer to quickly dry the gesso.  I begin laying

out collage elements and moving them around to make

a pleasing arrangement.

I drew the vintage-style pumpkin myself.  These features

are pretty easy to imitate...

Notice the square of security envelope got moved up

to the top right corner, and more pieces of the painted 

paper were added to it.  It is usually a good idea to

repeat some motifs or shapes within the composition.

The leaf on the diagonal top left serves to lead your eye

into the composition.

Detail of the vintage style pumpkin, above.

"Jolly Halloween" was hand-written onto black

card stock in white gel pen.  You could certainly

stamp letters on strips of white paper and glue to 

black card stock, or even print them from

your computer.  To finish, I usually add some

pen work. Here I've added pen strokes behind

the pumpkin and behind the leaf.  I also added

an outline with a few curlicues around the 

outside edge of the card.

I hope you enjoyed this tutorial with your 

tea (or beverage of choice) today.  Visit

Bluebeard and Elizabeth at 

Altered Book Lover, for Tuesday 'T.'

Stop by again soon for more

Halloween inspired fun!