Art work from junk materials. Theme.. BUILDINGS

I am a great believer in recycling. I hate throwing anything out that could have another use. I am fortunate to be creative enough to see the potential in objects, that other people might not notice. I also love charity shops and boot sales, which provide me with endless supplies of cheap arty crafty materials.


This is a project that would appeal to children, and possibly to some adults. I have built a fantasy set of buildings. However, it could be just as much fun to do this based on a photo of your own home.


MATERIALS YOU WILL NEED
Large piece of scrap cardboard ( from a box)
Old cardboard boxes of various sizes
Sellotape or masking tape
Tissue paper (from packaging or floral displays)
Scissors
Pva glue
Modelling material, for example air drying clay or plasticine 
Acrylic paint
Varnish ( can use pva glue)


FIRST STEPS


Have a look at some pictures of buildings, and sketch out your design. Don't put too many buildings in, or it will be too complicated to make. Some buildings need to be at the front and some behind. Two layers is enough or the work will become to heavy to hold together, when you build it.


Attach your cardboard boxes to the background cardboard with tape.This will roughly follow your design. Keep the shapes simple, as the detailing comes later.

It will look a bit of a mess at this stage!! Don't worry all will improve as you work on it!  The next thing to do is to cover the whole thing with tissue paper papier mache. Mix pva glue with water in about a 50-50 ratio. You need the water so it sinks in to the paper and makes it soft and easier to use.

Well its starting to look better, more like artwork and less like the rubbish in your bin!   It will take a few hours for this stage to dry. Remember it is important to take the tissue paper beyond the edges of the cardboard boxes. This binds it on to the background and makes it stronger.The edge bits can have the tissue go around the back. You will probably need about 3 layers of tissue paper.
If you don't have tissue paper, you can use newspaper. However, I find tissue better as it shrinks more when it dries. This forms the shapes underneath more accurately.

This is the creative bit starting now. This is why decorative and ornate buildings work best in your design. Have fun building some features on to your buildings.Roof tiles, domes, ornate windows and doors. Remember to actually glue the modelling material on to your work. It may be sticky at the start, but once it dries out it will fall off!!  So plenty of glue! It is a good idea after you have done this to put a coat of tissue paper ( as before) over the top. This seals everything in and gives a better surface for painting.
Allow time for everything to dry.

At last it looks like buildings! It is now time to add some colour. This one is only half finished. I have left it like that so you can see the "before and after" look.  You need to use acrylic paint, as it is most suitable for this type of work. You may need more than one coat in some areas though.


 You can use mosaic pieces, or small bits of real wood. You can add fabric flags and bunting. You can add mirrors for shiny windows ( or silver foil) , You can use shiny paper, jewels and sequins. 


Another idea is to mix sand and  pva glue to the paint. This gives a great texture for stone or bricks.


I hope this works out. I would love to see some of your results.