Mini Project 1: Abstract Collage

Botanical Collage - image 1 - student project

I confess to putting off this mini project till the very end as I find it the most intimidating!

Botanical Collage - image 2 - student project

The speckles were made by flicking black paint off of a toothbrush.

Botanical Collage - image 3 - student project

The lines on the light green paper were first drawn with a candle to resist the subsequent application of poster paint.

Mini Project 2: Botanical Collage Elements

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The paper used for this dusty miller leaf was painted with a streaky, uneven mix of grey and black on green construction paper. Botanical Collage - image 6 - student project

The brown spots on the leaves were made using watercolor pencils.

Botanical Collage - image 7 - student project

Mini Project 3: Floral Collage Elements

Botanical Collage - image 8 - student project

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Final Project

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Oops. Looks like I forgot to tuck in the bits of white tack peeking out from under the rectangular pieces.

Bonus Project

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Behind-The-Scenes & Supplies

Botanical Collage - image 17 - student project

I cannot recommend the white tack adhesive enough! It's reusable, repositionable, yet strong enough to hold the cut paper pieces in place. And white tack residue can easily be picked up by blotting with more white tack.

Botanical Collage - image 18 - student project

For really small pieces, I would roll a tiny bead of white tack and stick it on the underside of the paper using the tip of tweezers.

Botanical Collage - image 19 - student project

I keep the knob of white tack on a pencil sharpener while working. This way, it is safe from the chaos of tiny papers down below, while still within easy reach.

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Where it all started for me... school grade poster paints!

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Rubber bands on a paper towel cardboard core.

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Fruit foam netting.

Botanical Collage - image 23 - student project

Printed a couple of pages off public domain publications for painting.

Botanical Collage - image 24 - student project

Waste not, want not.

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Imported a photo of a work-in-progress into Procreate to try out parts of the composition non-destructively.

Conclusion

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I’ve been meaning to try painted paper collage for quite some time. But the biggest obstacle to starting was the fear of wasting expensive paint during the learning process.

What if I overestimated and painted too much paper?

What if I underestimated and made too few?

What if I made just enough that I overthink it before I actually cut into the paper?

I was absolutely delighted when Sonja recommended using school grade poster paint for this class! Just what I needed!

I’ve still got a long ways to go. I find it hard to resist the temptation to first try out detailing marks non-destructively on Procreate before committing (say, via color pencils) on the assembled collage. I want to be able to make loose, expressive marks in a decisive way without dithering about it for ages.

But I’m hopeful. I’ve got two folders full of painted papers to work my way there!

Thank you so much for this wonderful class, Sonja.

p.s. I loved hearing about how you overcame the problem of getting running water in the classroom when you were a primary school art teacher. Such resourcefulness!

Chee

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