Making sig tags requires the ability to "collage", so I have put together a video on how to do Collage, which is basically taking pieces of existing images and piecing them them together like a puzzle to make something entirely different.
Here is an example of a collage that I made from individual bits and pieces from images as well as various tubes of plants, flowers and the unicorn. The image is copyright friendly as I have created much of the content and what I haven't I have purchased the rights to use. The unicorn and faery are from my website.
Here is a link to a video that will teach you how to do the above. I have used Paint Shop Pro version 8.1 but this can be done in any program that supports working with layers:
Collage Tutorial
Here is the file to download that contain the above file in .pspimage and .psd format (use whichever one is preferable to you) so you can work along.
Collage Supplies
Try and follow along and first recreate what I've done. This will get you familiar with working with layers.
When you collage you work with the following, so working along will get you accustomed to the basics of layer manipulation.
- layers
- image / flip
- image / mirror
- image / resize (single layer)
- invisible toggle
- duplicate layers
- rearrange layers
After you have worked through it and have recreated what I have done, try and come up with your own arrangement. There is no one specific way to arrange the layers or parts of a collage. Your results will vary depending on where you place the parts on each layer, where in the layer hierarchy you place a layer, and whether you flip or mirror something or choose to duplicate something you like and want to use in another spot on a different layer.
I show you in the video how to make the misted / feathered background images, so you can add your own. If you use Photoshop or something other than PSP you will have to determine how your program goes about doing a feathered edge.
Now you are all set to collage and make sigs
There is no real art to picking what you use, it's whatever you want to use and what you think will fit together. If some things don't fit in then just delete that layer and carry on.
Sometimes I have started with 10 layers and ended up with 50 layeres. Other times I've started with 40 layers and ended up using only 15 of them.
It's great fun and you can create some gorgeous pieces.
Here is an example of a collage that I made from individual bits and pieces from images as well as various tubes of plants, flowers and the unicorn. The image is copyright friendly as I have created much of the content and what I haven't I have purchased the rights to use. The unicorn and faery are from my website.
Here is a link to a video that will teach you how to do the above. I have used Paint Shop Pro version 8.1 but this can be done in any program that supports working with layers:
Collage Tutorial
Here is the file to download that contain the above file in .pspimage and .psd format (use whichever one is preferable to you) so you can work along.
Collage Supplies
Try and follow along and first recreate what I've done. This will get you familiar with working with layers.
When you collage you work with the following, so working along will get you accustomed to the basics of layer manipulation.
- layers
- image / flip
- image / mirror
- image / resize (single layer)
- invisible toggle
- duplicate layers
- rearrange layers
After you have worked through it and have recreated what I have done, try and come up with your own arrangement. There is no one specific way to arrange the layers or parts of a collage. Your results will vary depending on where you place the parts on each layer, where in the layer hierarchy you place a layer, and whether you flip or mirror something or choose to duplicate something you like and want to use in another spot on a different layer.
I show you in the video how to make the misted / feathered background images, so you can add your own. If you use Photoshop or something other than PSP you will have to determine how your program goes about doing a feathered edge.
Now you are all set to collage and make sigs
There is no real art to picking what you use, it's whatever you want to use and what you think will fit together. If some things don't fit in then just delete that layer and carry on.
Sometimes I have started with 10 layers and ended up with 50 layeres. Other times I've started with 40 layers and ended up using only 15 of them.
It's great fun and you can create some gorgeous pieces.
