Welcome to 2025!

I hope you all had a fabulous Christmas! Are you well rested ready for a new year filled with creativity and collage!?

I’m on week 8 of the 100 days of collage skill share course. It is run by Froyle Davies and you can find out more HERE. This takes us up to day 56!

We are exploring shape this week!

Day 50: Geometric Symphony- using Geometric shapes in collage.

In this class we were encouraged to create a collage using various geometric shapes.
We explored which shapes we preferred and why. We experimented with arranging and overlapping the shapes to compose a visually harmonious and dynamic collage.

For my first collage this week I decided to use the shape of a pentagon. I began by creating some gel plate prints using a stencil I created. I built up the print with layers of stenciled pentagons in different colours. I then used some pentagon masks I made with cardboard on the die cutting machine.

In my collage I used my gel print as a background. I then used the masks and stencils I had created as collage elements to layer up the piece. I finally added some more pentagons using a black acrylic marker pen. I really enjoyed using repetitive shapes in this collage.

Day 51: Organic Abstract Design- creating organic shapes with water.

In this class we used the organic patterns of water spray to create a splattered background. I used acrylic inks for this process and acrylic paints. I added to my organic theme by incorporating interesting under the sea creatures! The sea creatures are stickers that I backed onto paper and cut out to use as focal points. I thought the sea animals had naturally interesting organic shapes. It also went with the theme of using water to create prints.

I put a layer of paint on the gel plate for the background print and then sprayed it with water. I then waited for it to dry completely. I repeated this process in layers, adding less water each time. For the last layer, I added a full layer of yellow paint with no water. I placed the tissue paper down and let it dry completely before lifting. I love the effect it creates.

Day 52: Minimalist Shapes- using minimal shapes and a limited colour palette.

In this class we designed a minimalist collage using only a few select shapes in a limited colour palette.

We were encouraged to embrace simplicity by using basic shapes to convey a powerful visual message. The focus was on clean lines, precise placement, and negative space. This creates a composition that speaks volumes with minimal elements.

For my collage I used silver, neutral tones and black. I created the circles on a die cutting machine. It was quite difficult to make an impactful image with so little elements. I think the contrasting colours and the contrast between hard edges and curved shapes helped.

Day 53: Repetition & Rhythms- using repetitive shapes in collage.

In this class we designed a collage using repeating patterns of shapes. We were encouraged to play with repetition and arrangement of shapes to form mesmerising patterns. This in turn would create rhythm within the collage.

I used my leaf gel prints from a previous lesson to create this collage. I then used my die cutting machine to cut out lots of circle shapes in differing sizes. I used the circles and the negative space cut outs in my collage. I layered them up to create repetition and rhythm.

Day 54: Urban Geometry- using industrial inspired shapes in collage.

Here we were tasked to create a collage inspired by the geometric shapes found in urban architecture and cityscapes.
We were asked to incorporate elements like building facades, windows, and skyscrapers to capture the essence of the city.

In my collage I worked with an image transfer of a Picasso sculpture in front of an industrial building. I tried a few images to create transfers but this was my most successful image transfer. I used this as the centre of my collage. I then used the structural lines of the building as a guide to adding my other papers.

Day 55: Inspiration of the Master Matisse-painting with paper like Matisse.

In this class we looked at the shapes Matisse created in his collages. We cut out our own organic forms and designed them into pleasing compositions. I am a fan of Matisse and so really enjoyed creating this collage. I used Matisse’s The Parakeet and the Mermaid (1952) as inspiration for my collage.

I am repurposing an old glue book as my art journal. Although a plain background would have looked better my page was already covered in a array of black papers. I covered them all over with a sheet of plain white tissue paper. This enabled some of the papers to peep through. I cut out a female figure from my imagination and added it to the centre. I am liking the aesthetic of pomegranates at the moment (not sure why?!) so I decided to add red pomegranate shapes. I then cut out the blue and green leaf shapes and arranged them around my figure.

Day 56- use any or all of this week’s prompts.

For day 56 we were to use any or all of this week’s prompts. Instead of this, I created some Christmas inspired collages which you can see in my previous post. Head over to my previous post to get these collages as a free digital, plus gift tags!