Sketchbook Sessions: Collage to the Rescue
Hi there. How are you?
Welcome back to Sketchbook Sessions, my ongoing series where I share a glimpse into my sketchbook practice. In this 30 minute deep dive, I share how I saved a problematic sketchbook drawing with collage.
Rather watch this as a video? Keep scrolling!
The Problem
After working on this ballpoint drawing for a while, I noticed a fatal flaw. I’d split the format in half, which is a big compositional no-no! Instead of making one unified drawing, I had two. This was a compositional error that I wasn't going to be able to fix with more pen. Instead of abandoning the spread, I decided remedy the composition with some collage.
Collage to the rescue!
I grabbed a piece of purple paper, rippled an edge, and moved it around the format until it worked best with the existing drawing. I explain my reasoning right here in the video.
A Plug for the UHU Stick
For many years, collage played a major role in my work, and I've experimented with all sorts of glues. The UHU Stic is a fave. The adhesive is strong, it's acid free and it's super easy to use. So that's what I used here to quickly glue down the purple paper.
I also very much recommend the Parker Ballpoint Pen I used in this drawing. If you've been following for a while, you'll know just how much I love these refillable pens!
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How I Saved the Spread
This is a good time to watch the video! I share 30 minutes of up close drawing, walking through the whole process of saving this sketchbook spread.
It’s Done, But Not Perfect
Is this drawing perfect? Nope, but it’s done, and a heck of a lot better than where it started. There is a focal point (top loop within the loop) and the rest of the drawing flows together instead of being divided.
On social media, you so often see only someone’s best work. By sharing my good, bad, and the ugly, I hope that you’ll feel more comfortable taking risks, experimenting and learning along the way.
