Techniques for Illustrators: The Art of Collage

Cut, paste, and create art collages that bring your illustrations to life

Collage has inspired artists for generations because it breaks free from traditional image-making methods. This mixed media art form can been a catalyst for bold experimentation and fresh perspectives.

Discover what collage can do for you – and your art – on this four-week course from Leeds Arts University.

As you explore textures, mark-making and shape, you’ll develop your creative process and your own unique approach to collage. This will elevate your skills and expand your artistic vision.

Work with collage materials

You’ll begin this online creative course by experimenting with a variety of materials to create handmade textures, and learning how to layer and manipulate different elements to bring your artistic ideas to life.

Piece together collage processes

You’ll then refine your collage-making skills by experimenting with texture, shape and tonal combinations. You will explore abstract shapes and pattern in response to subject matter.

You’ll discover how to layer materials thoughtfully to create depth and harmony in your work while developing your own process for building dynamic, visually engaging collages.

Bring your collage to life

Next you will delve into designing and making collages that explore colour, texture, tone and shape.

Through sketchbook experimentation, you’ll refine your ideas, using colour and texture to add depth and personality to your work.

As you work towards your final piece, you’ll reflect on your process and consider how to further develop your concept, bringing everything together into a finished piece.

This course is perfect for artists, illustrators, and design enthusiasts looking to explore fresh creative techniques.

Whether you’re a beginner eager to flex your art skills or an experienced creator seeking new approaches to visual storytelling, this exploratory online art course offers inspiration and guidance to unlock your creative potential.

As this is a hands-on collage course, you’ll need a few materials to get going. We recommend you have a selection of black and coloured mark-making tools such as pens, pencils, paints or inks. You’l also need a sketchbook, some lose pieces of paper and some card. The more materials you gather, the more you will be able to explore texture creation.

This course is perfect for artists, illustrators, and design enthusiasts looking to explore fresh creative techniques.

Whether you’re a beginner eager to flex your art skills or an experienced creator seeking new approaches to visual storytelling, this exploratory online art course offers inspiration and guidance to unlock your creative potential.

• Create a diverse range of textures using various materials and techniques
• Explore and understand tonal values through the medium of collage
• Experiment with approaches to collage
• Apply appropriate techniques to produce a collage
• Reflect on the effective use of collage techniques