torn paper collage

Working with torn paper

The key is the tear — always tear toward yourself for a white edge that reads as paper core, making the layer pop. Vary the grain direction: tearing with the grain gives a cleaner line, against it gives fuzzy fibers. Use book pages for thin, translucent layers; magazine stock for glossy opacity. A glue stick avoids warping — wet glue causes the paper to curl and lose its flat collage look.