My First Attempt At Collage-Because I've Put It Off Long Enough!

There's nothing like a good creative challenge, right? Right! Last night in my picture book illustration class, we talked the benefits of using collage as a way to connect with your own characters. At first the idea didn't appeal to me, but in the course of two hours, I opened my mind to the possibility that this might be the thing I need to snap myself out of my creative funk. One of the best things about this exercise for me personally was being able to let go of the 'rules' and expectations and play like a kid in a sandbox. I love the experience. I loved the feel of glue on my fingers, and cutting, cutting, cutting, and scribbling over gouache, and cutting some more, and gluing some more. And scribbling a bit more. It was therapeutic, and a rather successful attempt to loosen up and think a bit differently about my approach to making art.

So how did I do it? I thought I'd share my process here, and maybe it'll inspire you a bit too! This was done at 11x14. Scroll down for piccies!

Step 1. I used gouache and water color on bristol vellum, and just randomly painted 5 or 6 sheets. The stuff warps A LOT when wet, and it's a bit thick which makes cutting/tearing a challenge. But it takes the paint well. I used a size 12 brush, nice and wide, to cover the background.


Step 2. I cut out a couple basic shapes for the characters from areas of paper that I liked. I have lots of paper left over...play time tonight!


Step 3. I taped the paper to my drawing board so it wouldn't buckle when I applied a light wash. I dried it with a hair dryer to pick up the pace a bit (impatient Aries that I am). Then I glued the characters down. NOTE: Elmers glue hates me. Nearly ruined the pic when I spilled it everywhere. Elmers 1, Cyn 0. I'll win the next round.



Step 4. Next I gathered my high tech drawing/painting utensils: a size 2 brush and Uni-ball Vision Liner. You can get these at Office Max or anywhere they sell pens. It's not a fancy art pen but it bleeds beautifully when nudged with water (it's not waterproof). You can get really good washes with it. Very cool, simple effects. I also painted the body of the elephant in this step. Rocket science.



Step 5. Finishing touches of Deleter white. People, add this to your collection. It's used by comic book artists as a sort of correction fluid, this stuff is awesome for highlighting. It comes in either water proof or not, and you get various effects with either. I love this stuff. It's way better to use than any other kind of white paint or ink I've ever tried.



Step 6. Oh my god! I'm done! Wow, that's cool. I hope you give it a try. What are your tips for collage? What's your process? Tell me about it!