How I make my 1" square collages~

As I've mentioned before, I followed Artist Chrysti's tutorial when I got started. I don't believe I do anything different other than add to the background sometimes. The other variations are that I sometimes collage on leftover background paper I've used for other projects like 4 x 4's or fat book pages (provided it's at least as thick as 140lb. watercolor paper). In addition I love to use the cardstock on the back of the watercolor or sketchbook tablets. I've also painted chipboard although that does tend to warp a bit. I always paint both sides as to minimize warping, but also because I like both sides having color on it. I always sign the back and now I also date them per my son's suggestion (yes, my family does get involved with my squares. lol). I highly suggest a thicker surface when you are first trying this out. It's not that easy working on something so small, so when it's thicker it makes it much easier (at least for me). I like the feel of them when they are all painted and cut. It's like working on little tiles.

As I've mentioned before, I really like working in stages. This helps with my schedule. I often prepare and cut the squares ahead, store them in my "square-ganizer" (lol) and then I collage on them on a different night. Normally at my lap desk while watching tv with my husband. I would encourage you to jump in and start and then do what works for you. Sometimes I only get to work on art at night and I like having prepped squares ready if I'm too tired to paint. Then I just get out my ephemera stash and start clipping and pasting! I never really know what I will come up with.

So, here's a typical prep for me, this one uses a 4 x 4 inch piece of sketchbook backing. This will obviously yield 16, 1 inch squares. That's about what I like because I get tired of using the same color after a while.
So, here I am prepping painting both sides of the piece 4 x 4 square with gesso (basically a white paint primer). I let the gesso dry (which in my dry heated house takes like 2.2 seconds..) then I paint on top of that. (erm...I'm not in my studio here, more like a tv tray table...):

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I usually pick one color for the background and then I will sometimes use ink on top and/or doodle on top with a watercolor crayon. I like to have a variety of supplies and pens nearby and I usually just do whatever strikes my fancy!

Images: the big question! Where do you find your images? I've discussed this before in this post, so you can refer to it here. I often collect those ahead of time too so when I'm ready to make a collage I have things ready to grab.

Prepping the squares is the part that is the most basic, after that the sky is the limit on what you can do and you can add your own individual touches to it. You need not limit square art to collage! You can sketch on them, etc.
Adding words, images, doodles, etc. is what I do and it's all pretty random. I kind of just sort through stuff and grab what I think looks right with the image. My squares are kind of like a little diary of my thoughts at times! I especially love to make them humorous. Ok, that's about it. Once prepping your squares, follow your bliss and do what you like on them. Hope this little square-torial helps you get started on squares. If not, you know where to find me! Inch by inch, everything's a cinch. LoL. (just had to add some of my square humor in there..).xo Lia

p.s. Here is my square-ganizer above and a square I collaged on last night! Square on....