My collage work is arranged and composed before I use a drop of glue. First, I paint paper for the image, using acrylic paints in a variety of paint applications from very thin and transparent to layered textural surfaces.
To avoid buckling and curling of the collage, I start by taping all four edges of the support paper securely to a board. I use artist tape (like masking tape only more reversible) for smaller compositions and paper tape (the kind you wet, used to seal boxes) for larger works.
Boy with Guitar, collage, 2009