Are you looking for a creative outlet that is accessible to everyone? You should definitely check out this list of 30+ collage art ideas for adults!
Do you remember making collages as a child? Or maybe you made one of those vision boards as a teen? Well, collages aren’t just for kids! There are so many different ways you can create collage art as an adult.
What exactly is collage art?
Before we get into all of the fun examples, I should probably make sure we’re on the same page. In basic terms, a collage is an arrangement of items stuck to a supporting flat surface resulting in a new piece of art.
What materials can you use in collage art?
You are probably most familiar with paper collages using newspaper, magazine pages, or scrapbook paper. Or, maybe photo collages come to mind. However, there are so many materials you can use to create your collages. Here are just a few:
- Textiles: Scrap fabric, lace trim, embroidery pieces, even crochet doilies!
- Ephemera: Old book pages, postcards, and other collectibles.
- Paints and markers: Draw on, paint, or dye elements before adding them to your art.
- Natural elements: Leaves, flowers, feathers, etc. They can be real or fake.
- Found objects: Buttons, beads, ribbon, string, broken jewelry, nuts, bolts, etc.
Basically, if it will stick, you can use it! Here is a great example of what I mean:
By Jon Lee
To keep my list of collage art relatively small, I decided to concentrate on non-photo collages that you can hang as wall art. If you are interested in seeing some other collage ideas, take a look at my vintage suitcase, sewing pattern box, baseball card table, or photo pillow.
Are you ready to be inspired? Scroll down to see over 30 collage art ideas that will bring out your inner artist…
Collage Art Ideas
Anyone can create collage art! Check out the 30+ ideas in the list below to get some inspiration.
Watercolor Collage
Learn how to make a collage with watercolors - using a canvas and Mod Podge. This is easy enough that your kids can make it!
Tissue Paper Canvas Wall Art
Don't throw away that tissue paper from your gifts! Instead, you can use it to create a masterpiece like this one. A canvas, tissue paper and Mod Podge are all you need.
Paper Collage Pet Portraits
Britt had her adult art class make paper collages of their current or former pets. There are numerous examples on her site, but this little piggy was my favorite!
Comic Book Collage Letters
Learn how to make these comic letters with Mod Podge! Perfect for a superhero themed kids' bedroom or man cave.
American Flag Wall Art
Learn how to create this American flag on canvas using small fabric pieces and Mod Podge.
Scrap Fabric Collage
Save all of those scrap fabric pieces and learn how to make a fabric decoupage collage. What a great no-sew fabric craft!
Upcycled Coloring Book Art
Adult coloring books are still quite popular—I love them! You can use those drawing to create something beautiful like this collage shown above, or this unique name plaque I made.
Mixed Media Canvas Bird Art
Learn how to make a mixed media canvas with scrapbook paper and Mod Podge! This was a fun experiment with cute chipboard accents. So easy!
Landscape Collage
This is another of Britt's projects she had her adult class try. They were to create a paper collage landscape similar to the ones that artist Shelli Walters makes. Beautiful!
Tissue Paper Collage
Inspired by a wall in an advertisement, Marybeth made a couple of collages using tissue paper. Even if you aren't artistic, you can make this fun art piece!
Mixed Media Pear Collage
First you will layer a canvas with fabric scraps using Mod Podge. Then you can paint your art over the collage of fabric!
Cactus Collage
Use patterned scrapbook paper to make a cactus collage. Find out how in this tutorial.
Mixed Media Wedding Canvas
If you haven't visited Anita's website before, you have to check it out. She makes some of the most beautiful pieces using found objects and recycled materials. This one was made using items from her daughter's wedding.
Paper Patchwork Collage
For those of you who struggle with the (sometimes) chaotic look of collage art, this collage is for you! Use paper to create a patchwork design that kind of reminds me of that game Q*bert game from the 80's.
Floral Collage & Sketch Art
I love the look of this combination sketch and faux floral collage. If you don't feel comfortable sketching, you could create the face using paper collage!
World Map Art Collage
"What a crazy mixed up world we live in."—is the title I would give this fun map craft! If you make a smaller version, you could use map pieces of places you've visited.
Comic Wall Art
Use comic books (or color copies!) and Mod Podge to make this comic book canvas wall art – a great gift for guys or any comic book lover!
The Little Button Mermaid
Yes, button art is actually a form of collage art! This is a pretty intense example (her blog tagline says "Where Creativity and A.D.D. meet"), but she goes over how to create button art step-by-step so you can do it with any image.
Orange Blossom Collage
Use a cutting machine or trace and cut these paper pieces out by hand. Then add them to a piece of wood using Mod Podge!
Magazine Collage
Learn how to make a collage with Mod Podge on canvas! This magazine collage art is easy enough for anyone to make, and it can be personalized.
Embossed Magazine Collage
Find out 3 different ways to add embossing to a magazine collage. This example is for a junk journal, but you could do it for a stand alone art piece as well.
Washi Tape Collage Background
Karen created a collage background for her mixed media art with numerous washi tape designs. The bright colors are perfect for this piece!
Jewelry Holder
Learn how to make a wooden jewelry holder that can hang on the wall! Make this with any theme paper collage you like.
Shark Tooth Shadow Box
Do you have a collection of small items? Why not use them to create a collage? Kate created this shadow box art with shark teeth she collected on the beach when she lived in North Carolina!
Geometric Lion Wall Hanging
Anita used various pieces of faux leather to create this beautiful geometric lion art piece. The use of different colors of leather looks great with the small pieces in the lion's head.
Collage Mat
If you are a collector of memorabilia like concert tickets, restaurant placements, matches, etc. this is a great collage idea for you! Elisa made some DIY photo mat collages with her memorabilia.
Wedding Card Collage
Learn how to make a wall collage using your wedding cards! Perfect for commemorating that special day.
Recycled Magazine Collage Art
Cut squares from magazine pages to create this collage. Keeping with the yellow theme throughout gives it a cohesive look.
Flower Wall Art
Create a unique floral collage on canvas using your favorite paper or fabric scraps.
Which of these collage art ideas do you think you’ll try first? Let me know in the comments below and then check out these other popular DIY art ideas: