Paper Collage Birds | Sketchbook Diary | Holistic Art Process

This week, I am doing something a little different. I am working on a larger painting and will incorporate collage. I wanted to do a little experiment using patterned papers to create some collage birds in my sketchbook this week. It was just an initial play to get a feel for shapes and details.

First, I drew some simple pencil outlines of bird silhouettes, which I created from a quick Google search for exactly that. This gave me some basic bird shapes.

Then, I used some creative license to draw simple shapes that would both help me define the birds and also be easy to create collage shapes from. Next, I cut out some tracing paper and traced these shapes to help me with the collage. Then I mixed and matched different collage papers… trying to create points of interest and playfully see what emerged.

At first, I stuck pieces down with UHU glue from my daughter's craft supplies because I thought that this would give me more flexibility with placing shapes. But this only really worked for thin papers. I switched over to my professional quality Modge Podge by the end.

While I loved the idea, this process took me much longer than I had expected and hoped… I grew impatient with the fiddly process and took many shortcuts towards the end. So much so that the last bird didn’t really get a collage makeover—just some black-and-white lines! I also found that adding a black outline to the collage shapes helped with definition and impact.

This process confirmed for me that collage is fine when incorporated with other mediums, but for me, it can become frustrating and limiting if used alone.

However, this process also gave me some valuable insights before I launch into applying this concept into a larger painting… which I know will help me greatly settle into the creative process.

I particularly like the black and white collage bird.. Which one is your favourite?

Take care,

Sam x

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Sam Horton is a professional artist, passionate about the links between art, creativity and well-being.

Learn more about Holistic art practices for well-being

Sam's Art Studio and Studio Shop are based in Australia on the Sunshine Coast.

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Paints: Matisse Flow Acrylics

Surface: Moleskin Watercolour Sketchbook

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