Bird Ephemera Printables
I think my top three favorite subjects for collage ephemera are 1. Butterflies, 2. Birds, and 3. Mushrooms. I have a bounty of free printables for each of those in my collage sheet library, and now I have three more bird printables to offer. These vintage illustrations came from a book published in 1738. It was chock full of gorgeous pictures of birds. In fact, there were a hundred and one to choose from as the book states, “curiously engraven from the life.” In the preface, the illustrator prides himself in “having made all the drawings from each bird itself, and not from any other drawing or copy.”
Scroll down and you will find two collage sheets of 2.5” x 3.5” ATC-sized images, and a sheet of larger 2.5” x 4.25 journal cards.
I have quite a few free bird illustration collage sheets available for you to download and add to your journaling supplies. Make sure you also check out these cute bird illustrations or these vintage bird illustration collage sheets for more bird illustrations for your junk journal, vintage scrapbook, art journal, etc.
2.5” x 3.5” ATCs
Bird illustrations are a versatile subject for mixed media collages. One creative approach is to use these illustrations as a textured background layer. By tearing or cutting the illustrations into pieces, you can arrange them to craft a vibrant and intricate backdrop for your collage. This method can set the tone for your artwork, providing a colorful foundation upon which other materials and elements can be layered.
Incorporating a bird illustration as the focal point of your collage can be another great strategy. Whether placed centrally or off-center, a well-chosen bird illustration can draw the viewer's attention and introduce a sense of movement and vitality to the composition. Additionally, layering bird illustrations with different materials such as fabric, paper, or paint can add depth and dimension to your collage. Experiment with translucent papers to partially obscure the bird illustrations, creating intriguing layered effects that invite closer inspection.
Cutting out individual birds or parts of birds from illustrations allows you to use them as standalone collage elements. These can be creatively arranged and combined with other materials to construct abstract or representational compositions. You might also use bird illustrations to develop a thematic narrative for your collage. For example, you could create a piece that explores concepts like migration, freedom, or nature conservation by strategically incorporating bird illustrations as symbolic elements that help convey your chosen theme.
Embellishing bird illustrations with additional elements like sequins, beads, or embroidery can enhance their visual appeal and add texture to your collage. These small details can bring sparkle and tactile interest to your artwork. Another exciting option is to experiment with interactive elements, such as pop-up features or movable parts, using bird illustrations as a focal point or a central theme. This approach can add a playful and engaging dimension to your collage, encouraging viewers to interact with and explore the artwork more closely.
The key to creating compelling mixed-media collages lies in experimentation, creativity, and the thoughtful integration of printable ephemera with other materials and techniques.
2.5” 3.5” ATCs
I hope you are able to use these collage sheets as inspiration for your mixed media art journaling, junk journaling, bullet journaling, collage, artist trading cards (ATCs), scrapbooking, and other crafts.
If you enjoy these free printables, be sure to follow me on Instagram and Pinterest, so you’ll see when I post new ones.
2.5” x 4.25” Journal Cards
You may also enjoy these free collage sheets.
Terms of use:
Free to use for personal or commercial projects. You may print the collage sheets as many times as you wish for your personal crafts or in your projects to sell, including: art journals, scrapbooks, junk journals, collage art, etc. You may not redistribute or sell the collage sheets “as is" in either print or digital form.
If you wish to share the files on your own website, please do not make the files available for download directly from your site. Instead, include an image with a link back to this site.
To the best of my knowledge, these are all royalty free images that are in the Public Domain in the US. However, you should always do your own research if you plan to use them commercially.
