DIY Network

Collage Caricatures Have fun with friend and family photos. From "B. Original" episode DBOR-406

Dress up a loved one in fabric and trim.

You don't have to draw to create a fun caricature for a friend or family member – just follow this how-to from Michele Beschen. She shows how to B. Original with fabric scraps and trims to turn a plain photo into an art piece loaded with personality.

These caricatures make great gifts – or use them to display photos, illustrate a family tree or just poke fun at a few loved ones. It's also a great way to use up those scraps of fabric and trim that are too nice to toss out, but too small to use in most projects.

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Collage Caricatures

Materials:

thin backing board
various printed papers
matte gel medium
paintbrush
bits of fabric and trim
scissors
colored pencils
fast-grab tacky glue
wood or bamboo skewer

	Figure A
	Figure B
	Figure C
	Figure D
	Figure E
	Figure F

• Start with a thin, solid backing board. Michele Beschen used a 1/8" thick piece of plywood that was about 10" wide and 24" long. Luan, masonite and hardboard also work well.

• Gather a collection of printed papers – sheet music, old magazine pages, fabric patterns, instruction sheets – whatever you like.

• Tear the paper into some large pieces – about 4" square.

• Brush a layer of gel medium over the front and edges of the board. You also can use gloss medium, decoupage glue or white glue mixed with water.

• Press the torn paper pieces into the gel medium, covering the board in a collage effect (figure A). Brush another coat of gel medium over the paper and let it dry.

• Find a favorite photo of your loved one and print it out on regular printer paper. On the printout, their head should be about 3" tall.

• Cut out the head and neck with scissors (figure B).

• Brush the photo with gel medium and apply it to the board about 6 inches from the top, then brush gel medium over the top of the photo (figure C). Leave enough headroom for a hat and/or big hair.

• Gather scraps of fabric to give your caricature a body and clothing.

• Adhere the fabric and trim with fast-grab tacky glue (figure D). Use a wood or bamboo skewer for better control when spreading the glue. Wrinkle up the fabric to give it more dimension, and tuck raw edges under. Use pushpins to help hold the fabric in place while the glue dries (figure E).
  
  
• With the basic outfit in place, dress it up with belts, necklaces and other accessories made from scraps of trim. Also use trim to hide any raw fabric edges or unsightly globs of dried glue.

• Top off the caricature with 3-D hair. Doll hair is available at all hobby shops, or you can simply give a haircut to an unwanted fashion doll (figure F). Steel wool, bits of carpet, faux fur or fuzzy fabric also work well as hair. Attach the hair by applying a generous amount of glue to the board and pressing the hair in place.

• Bring the face to life with a little colored pencil applied to the lips and cheeks.

• Finish the piece by applying more trim as a border around the edges of the board.

These caricatures are a wonderful way to create a family tree or themed photo display. Of course, they also make one-of-a-kind art gifts. Get started today on a creation that will bring smiles for years to come!