It is not necessary to be a master photographer in order to enjoy these mixed-media art adventures. Use anything ranging from a high-end camera to an average digital camera to a disposable camera. It does not matter so long the subject matter, in this case fall foliage, is captured in a way that pleases and inspires the artist.
What Can Mixed-Media Artists Do With Photographs of Fall Foliage?
- Using a leaf template (which can be found online), trace and cut the photographs into leaf shapes for collage work, mixed-media cards, book arts and mixed-media paintings. Use photographs containing the most color for the best results.
- Cut the photographs into strips using straight-edge, deckled-edge, or decorative-edge scissors. These strips make excellent borders for just about any mixed-media art project, as well as linear additions to collage and assemblage work.
- Cut the photographs into rectangles. Create borders with these rectangles; layer them with backgrounds in mixed media paintings, and use them as embellishments in book art.
Should Original Photography be Used in Mixed-Media Art Pieces?
While using original photography presents beautiful results, it is recommended that reproductions be used in artwork. Not only does this give mixed-media artists the ability to use the photograph over and over; there are far fewer restrictions when it comes to altering and other manipulations. Consider reproducing the photographs on paper without a gloss finish so paint, ink and chalk can be used on them.
What Else Can Mixed-Media Artists Do With Fall Foliage Photography?
- Use black-and-white reproductions: Deckle the edges and adhere the photograph to a canvas board. Allow the adhesive to dry completely, and then add coloring using any type of medium. Add more photography to the canvas and repeat the process, or embellish the rest of the piece with fall-themed embellishments.
- Layer photography prior to photocopying or scanning: Create an “uncut” collage by laying photography in an interesting way. Photocopy or scan the collage to make your own decorative papers. These papers can be used in book art projects, collages, mixed-media paintings, scrapbooking, and so much more!
- Reproduce the photography in sepia tones: Add the image to a piece of canvas board slightly larger than the reproduction. Use glitter gel ink, glitter glue, or medium mixed with colored glitter to “paint” the image. Add an acrylic painted border. This project also lends itself well to chalking and the use of colored pencils.
It is not impossible to take any one of these ideas and run with them in order to make these creations completely your own. Change things here, change things there and make these creations as different (or keep them the same) as you would like, so long as the inspiration is there. Keep in mind all the while: there is no right and no wrong way of creating these projects.
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