Collage Breakthrough course

At the start of every year I do an online art course, this year I’ve chosen Cat Rain’s Collage Breakthrough course. I’ve been doing collage for 20+ years; there’s always something to learn, and forced action increases gaining momentum.

As with any course, I won’t talk much about the process, because that is their intellectual property. Instead I’ll share my discoveries.

We started by making collage papers and I used the gelli plate. We need a mix of plain and patterned. I used my favourite stencils and, based on Cat’s videos, decided to make some patterned papers using a brush for mark making.

We made grids of small collages, using two papers each, based on her guidelines. My first set was in a warm palette and I quickly realised I had light & mid tones, but no real darks. Also, the warm colours weren’t speaking to me. I made a new set of papers using blue and purple, mixed with black and white.

I made my first grid of 6 collages using the new cool papers, and straight cut edges, which is what Cat had demonstrated. Then a second set of 6, with torn edges and more organic shapes.

The next lesson was larger pieces, using 3 papers each, and I didn’t even bother using straight edges.

What have I learned or remember so far?

• I prefer torn edges, more organic shapes.
• I prefer a cooler colour palette.
• I’m more likely to reach for stencilled papers than ones with organic mark making.
• I don’t always use enough tonal contrast in my work.