The Process of Collage Making: An Exploration of Art

Creating a collage is quite different from painting. For me, painting begins with a clear vision. It involves detailed observation, preliminary studies, and an idea of what the final piece will look like. However, collage making, especially when involving paper, is uniquely tactile. It keeps both the hands and the mind busy.

In this blog, I will share my process of taking photographs, creating mood boards, and sketching color studies as I settle on a theme. After this, the process becomes a bit random, allowing for exploration and creativity.

Starting a Collage Painting

As I dive deeper into flowers and gardens, I’ve started sowing my own seeds. This newfound interest has led me to take numerous photos, enhancing my familiarity with various subjects. My attention often gravitates toward specific colors or how the light dances on the petals and leaves. I enjoy observing plants and flowers at different stages, watching buds transition from deep pastel green to reveal the petals inside.

Some photos from around England and Wales from spring 2025

Creating a Mood Board

My inspiration for collages comes from many sources. These could be photos from my garden, images taken while traveling, or even patterns and colors from clothing or fabric. Inspiration can also come from textures on the beach. The easiest way to draw from all these diverse sources is by creating a mood board. This method allows me to identify common ideas, shapes, and moods. It helps me pick out the pieces that will serve as my "jumping off points."

Painting Collage in the Sketchbook

I’m slowly adapting to seeing my sketchbook as a space for play and experimentation. This mindset is essential for collage-making. I may begin with a simple pencil sketch, outlining major directions, composition, and lights and darks. I also explore landscape elements or floral patterns.

A typical sketchbook page, filled with many scribbles and thumbnail sketches.

At this stage, I often detach from my mood board and reference images. Instead, I draw inspiration from my initial marks and sketches. Typically, I’ve chosen a color palette by this point as well.

I prefer a limited palette, starting with primary colors, black (a recent addition for deeper contrasts), and one other main color based on the mood I wish to convey. This choice often influences the collage papers or fabrics I select.

Exploring an idea as a thumbnail and a larger study on paper, with plenty of note-taking and staring!

Additional sketchbook pages might feature a variety of ideas. This can include simple blind contour drawings to loosen my hands or more intricate thumbnails that explore different perspectives and compositions.

Often, it takes a change of direction to set me on the right path

Sometimes, the thumbnail paintings are little beauties in their own right

Painting with Procreate

Using Procreate is a favorite method of mine for experimenting with transparent layers and color palettes before committing to canvas. This powerful tool allows me to explore ideas digitally. It helps me figure out those final layers. The ability to redo, undo, and test ideas is invaluable.

The Procreate mockup and the final painting of *Jenny's Garden (right) - I think it worked

First Layers of Paint, Ink, and Paper

When I begin the first layers of the "final piece," chaos often reigns. Even after spending days refining ideas, I prefer to apply the first marks intuitively, keeping thumbnails, sketches, and color palettes close by. At this early stage, I focus on elements I like, whether it's a splash of ink, a scrap of fabric, or shreds from previous projects.

First layer of ink and acrylic paint

Adding collage, and trying not to be too literal or too careful.

The Ugly Middle Stage of Painting

Artists often discuss the "ugly middle" or "messy middle" of a painting. This is especially true in collage-making. I frequently find myself thinking, "This needs to go in the bin, it'll never work," or "I'm lost." At this point, I have a few options:

• Take a break and return later.

• Take photos, use Notan to analyze contrast, or import into Procreate for testing.

• Keep pushing forward and hope for the best.

  
  

Honestly: sometimes it doesn't work out, and it'll be in the 'paint over' pile or sadly destined for the bin. I actually removed the collage layers from this piece and tore them up to make some beautiful new collage fragments!

Bringing It All Together

After working through the messy middle, the layers begin to coalesce. I slow my pace and start applying pieces more deliberately. The process shifts to adding or subtracting elements. Questions arise: Should I add depth and contrast here? Does the texture change feel too drastic? I often paint with acrylics between collage layers to create a glazing effect, merging everything into a cohesive whole.

How do I know when a collage is finished? That’s a tough question to answer! I'll let the images below inspire your own conclusions.

Final Thoughts on Collage Art

Creating collage paintings is about exploration. It’s important to embrace the journey, the chaos, and the subtleties of the process. Every artist faces hurdles, but it's these challenges that can lead to unexpected beauty.

You can view more of my collage paintings in the Wild Gardens collection on my website, or follow me on Instagram (@paintingbeautifulplaces).

Chloe