How to Use Collage Scraps to Spark New Ideas
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In this video I take you into my studio to demonstrate how I use scraps of collage I have leftover from other works. This little exercise is a fun way to use up old bits and maybe even spark an idea.
By using scraps, you can practice composition and design without being too precious about materials. Watch the video to learn what I do, and then give this exercise a try with any bits you have laying around and see what you come up with!
I am on a mission to help artists find their own unique voice and make exciting, original artwork that is truly unique. If this sounds exciting, join my weekly artist's newsletter at www.louisefletcherart.com/contact
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And on my podcast at: www.louisefletcherart.com/for-artists/podcast/
@dianefallon8471 3 жыл бұрын
Love watching your process. I sit here going "Yes, yes, yes! No, no, no, I liked it the way it was! " Then you said something about "we are all different and that's not me." What fun to be you and what fun to be me.
@ThisPaintingLife 3 жыл бұрын
Yes! exactly
@ThisPaintingLife Жыл бұрын
yes exactly
@afrocubanita1969 Жыл бұрын
Chaos is Beautiful!!
@ThisPaintingLife Жыл бұрын
It definitely can be!
@craftbird1 3 жыл бұрын
A woman after my own heart, “I set the rules, so I can cheat” I love it.
@ThisPaintingLife 3 жыл бұрын
hee :)
@lorettasart3870 2 ай бұрын
Hi Louise, your kind honest words In a cheerful way is a delight to watch, and some how you always come up with something so good, your so talented 😊 thank you cheers loretta ps and so helpful x
@anacarr4795 10 ай бұрын
Thanks Louise. I didn’t like working with acrylics because they dry too fast (I live in California). I have learned so much from you. I can’t wait for another try ❤
@woollyfingers 3 жыл бұрын
You said you don't understand the Chinese characters, but you still put them up the right way: the unerring eye of the artist! I love watching your creative process and how you explain. Thank you for sharing.
@ThisPaintingLife 3 жыл бұрын
Oh that's interesting!
@jilliantoombs6975 2 жыл бұрын
This is such an incredible exercise in composition and contrast too. It really shows the value of working in our sketchbooks and of collage also. I like the parameters you set for yourself as well. It adds to the value of the exercise I think. Thanks for sharing your process here Louise!
@ThisPaintingLife 2 жыл бұрын
I'm glad it was helpful!
@wimgrapendaal4904 2 жыл бұрын
I really enjoy watching you at work. I shows me over and over just to play and not take life so seriously. Thank you.
@b.russell_art91 3 жыл бұрын
You are such an inspiration to me Louise! I just love the way you critically think about your work and what works and what doesn't. I am so looking forward to your free course. Thank you for sharing your knowledge and expertise with all of us. ❤
@ThisPaintingLife 3 жыл бұрын
You are so welcome x
@SylviaD 3 жыл бұрын
Hello Louise, i really love watching you create. You are very inspirational. Thank you very much for sharing your creative process and your beautiful artwork ❤
@ThisPaintingLife 3 жыл бұрын
Thanks so much 😊
@leilaskye8143 2 жыл бұрын
I love your technical terms. Always make me smile enjoying your informative and generous demos.
@carlyamandaart 3 жыл бұрын
Brilliant Louise. After a tough day and morning messing about with the dreaded Photoshop and after seeing your video, I’ve decided to treat myself to an afternoon of pure indulgence, being creative in my studio, no desired outcome, no agenda, just pure play ❤️
@ThisPaintingLife 3 жыл бұрын
Fantastic!
@bethmabie3775 3 жыл бұрын
I am SO happy I found you! What an inspiration you are. "I made the rules I can break them..." Thank you for sharing so much of yourself!
@ThisPaintingLife 3 жыл бұрын
You are so welcome!
@RA-sv8lr Жыл бұрын
I just LOVE this idea! All those bits I reluctantly consigned to my recycling bin are coming out again, woop, woop! Thanks for sharing.
@ThisPaintingLife Жыл бұрын
You are so welcome! Happy Collaging!
@jillpay5014 2 жыл бұрын
I am learning so much from watching your videos Louise. A lot resonates with my own processes, but so much is new creative information. I am just starting with sketchbooks and this is a great way of playing and exploring! Thank you.
@ThisPaintingLife 2 жыл бұрын
Wonderful!
@deniselini1366 3 жыл бұрын
New video!!!!😄💃🏼💃🏼💃🏼💃🏼
@aletagudelski6414 2 жыл бұрын
Thank you. This is a great way to warm up and get out of my head, yet still learn and ask questions ,
@AquaLumenStudio 3 жыл бұрын
Great ideas for inspiration... thank you Louise... can’t wait for your upcoming course! 💓
@ThisPaintingLife 3 жыл бұрын
Thanks so much! 😊
@loispeterson5560 10 ай бұрын
Tx. So much. I love that you share yr thought process. Tempted to do a voice recording on my daily 10-min collage tomorrow.
@joyceford4294 3 жыл бұрын
I love watching and listening to your process! A wonderful sharing and teaching. Thanks Louise!
@ThisPaintingLife 3 жыл бұрын
Thank you so much!
@ccthesurfingspelunker 3 жыл бұрын
Thank you for the way you show up and share 💚
@ThisPaintingLife 3 жыл бұрын
Any time!
@michelemarie4559 3 жыл бұрын
I love your spontaneity, Louise. I am very excited about the upcoming class.
@ThisPaintingLife 3 жыл бұрын
Thank you Michele!
@amybronson6006 3 жыл бұрын
I started watching your videos about a year ago. You make me laugh out loud and I always learn a lot! Thank you for your honest wit!
@ThisPaintingLife 3 жыл бұрын
Wow, thank you!
@reddoglady1 3 жыл бұрын
another inspirational exercise.......thank you.......looking forward to june course
@ThisPaintingLife 3 жыл бұрын
Wonderful!
@roskuhlmann2188 2 жыл бұрын
From Australia. Just what I've been looking for. Thankyou.
@jo-sully-anne2418 3 жыл бұрын
Perfect start to my morning Louise 😊
@ThisPaintingLife 3 жыл бұрын
I am glad you enjoyed it
@annahale3145 3 жыл бұрын
Thank you for these little weekly videos. I absolutely love your work, your process and your videos. I just stumbled on to your KZfaq videos and I am so glad I did. I'm very excited to begin your course on June 3. You are certainly an inspiration!!!
@ThisPaintingLife 3 жыл бұрын
Thank you so much!
@maryrude8796 3 жыл бұрын
How fun! Thank you for sharing this exercise and your process, Louise. Inspiring! :-D
@ThisPaintingLife 3 жыл бұрын
You are so welcome!
@gerardaingefalke1016 3 жыл бұрын
I like what you do Louise and what you are thinking when you are working that is nice to hear. I love collages and you make nice work . Thanks
@ThisPaintingLife 3 жыл бұрын
Thank you so much!
@carolinethornton9177 3 жыл бұрын
You make it look so easy, Louise!!!...I MUST be able to do something with all my bits!! Thnku xx
@ThisPaintingLife 3 жыл бұрын
You can do it!
@lorenthompson4318 2 жыл бұрын
Soo just listening to you relaxes me and helps me feel inspired! Thank you for being YOU!!!
@ThisPaintingLife 2 жыл бұрын
Thanks Loren!
@mandiewilson8977 3 жыл бұрын
Always a joy to watch and learn - Thank you
@ThisPaintingLife 3 жыл бұрын
Glad you enjoyed it
@patnewhauser7814 3 жыл бұрын
I was in an art class and the 9 principles of design were being taught. I asked “what about the 10 rule?” I make the rules and I break my rules. He was mildly amused and continued with the 9 rules. He added later in the day-when you understand the 9rules only then can you use the 10th rule. It may take many years. I’m not a great listener 🤣. The principles are a great starting point but I got so worried about understanding them that the fun and exploration became a chore. Bravo Louise! Love your view point on rules. ❤️
@ThisPaintingLife 3 жыл бұрын
do you!
@kathleensmith9307 2 жыл бұрын
This was truly a learning experience. Thank you so much!
@ThisPaintingLife 2 жыл бұрын
Glad you enjoyed it!
@annietempest1 8 ай бұрын
Love your creativity. I am so on your wavelength!
@ThisPaintingLife 8 ай бұрын
Thank you so much!
@kamaladennin7969 Жыл бұрын
Thanks to bring light in my life.You are a great artist.😊😊
@ThisPaintingLife Жыл бұрын
Thank you so much 😀
@Mekchanoid 2 жыл бұрын
This is great. I've always thought there's a brilliant niche in tutorials for those who would like an art old-fashioned art college course with lots of focus on free and loose making but without descending into pure crafting ('art' in the US). These tutorials are the closest thing I've come to that and I'm learning and enjoying myself a lot.
@ThisPaintingLife 2 жыл бұрын
thank you x
@yeatesmakes 3 жыл бұрын
Respect, I love working with text and collage but rarely totally abstract. You've given me a nudge!
@ThisPaintingLife 3 жыл бұрын
Happy to hear that!
@lindarubenfeld9783 3 жыл бұрын
This video unleashed my creative juices and inspired me to focus on collage again. I've been painting, cutting and pasting all day. Thank you for your stimulating videos and discussions
@ThisPaintingLife 3 жыл бұрын
Wonderful!
@renig5059 3 жыл бұрын
That was very helpful... thank u 👩🏻🎨
@ThisPaintingLife 3 жыл бұрын
You’re welcome 😊
@dubliniris1 3 жыл бұрын
I usually watch your videos after a particularly busy/stressful/tough week and they always always help me to decompress and get back into my own creative flow. Best viewed with a mug of hot chocolate. Thank you for that!
@ThisPaintingLife 3 жыл бұрын
You are so welcome!
@avirtualcanvas7584 3 жыл бұрын
More brilliant inspiration from you. Collaging from scraps and mark making is a great way to explore imagery and to plant seeds of ideas and to play with chance and see what it presents. I often just have days working like this in my sketchbooks,with papers, old paintings etc. It's a great way to re-energise and re-engage with your work. I love that something might apear that could be taken further. It cann be away to resolve problems say if you are working ina series and have got a bit stuck or to create starting points for new pieces. I find if I knowingly clear my mind and be receptive to what ever happens when collaging like this something amazing or inspirational could present itself and it's also a liitle bit meditative too surrendering to experimentation and play like this. It's great that you take us through your own process for working like this,that we get to see it in the sutdio in real time so to speak.
@ThisPaintingLife 3 жыл бұрын
I'm happy you enjoyed it!
@jennyhubler7553 Жыл бұрын
I love your rules. I'm learning about color mixing and composition in my sketchbook this week.
@ThisPaintingLife Жыл бұрын
That's wonderful!
@AmysCreativeArt 3 жыл бұрын
They Both look awesome ❤🖤
@ThisPaintingLife 3 жыл бұрын
thanks!
@elsatroubetzkoy7467 3 жыл бұрын
How inspiring, this is a wonderful demonstration !!! I like your collage exercice which you set up like a fun game with restricting rules which you can break if you need to do so. And I enjoyed so much seeing your atelier, I often thought oh I would like to see this or that much closer! So thank you for taking us around in your studio.
@ThisPaintingLife 3 жыл бұрын
Glad you enjoyed it!
@JournalsByLeigh 3 жыл бұрын
Really enjoying your videos Louise 🥰
@ThisPaintingLife 3 жыл бұрын
Thank you!
@brandympatterson 3 жыл бұрын
Thank you for the tips and showing / talking through your process. I was finding I was agonizing over each little piece of paper being put down as I work on collage but the tip of If I pick it up, I need to use it.
@ThisPaintingLife 3 жыл бұрын
Glad it was helpful!
@ss2003utube 2 жыл бұрын
Wow! I just found your website and I love seeing how you make all the bits and pieces work together! This has given me some organizational ideas and ways to use my abstract fodder.
@brendalivermore8187 3 жыл бұрын
Thank you Louise
@ThisPaintingLife 3 жыл бұрын
You are so welcome!
@alisonking3641 Жыл бұрын
Love this demo Louise. I usually do small collage exercises to warm up or if I do something "rubbish", I'll cut it up for the collage stash. See you soon in FYV 2022.
@ThisPaintingLife Жыл бұрын
So glad you enjoyed it!
@vibrantly50 Жыл бұрын
Recently I´ve challenged myself to create a collage piece using only a limited number of scraps, for instance 5 pieces...working in 6" x 6" or 4" x 4". It´s fun!
@ThisPaintingLife Жыл бұрын
That sounds wonderful!
@andreaharley4047 3 жыл бұрын
Thanks Louise i always look forward to yr videos. Its these kind of hints and tips that really make a difference. Its so good to know im not the only one who uses their fingers to glue things down ...lol. x
@ThisPaintingLife 3 жыл бұрын
It's so much faster!
@cynthiathomas262 Жыл бұрын
i really like your rules! it makes it interesting. more spontaneous,
@ThisPaintingLife Жыл бұрын
Glad you think so! Thanks for watching. 🖌
@alisonlyons4691 2 жыл бұрын
Oh loved this Louise, such fun. Yes l liked the second one best as well. I liked the negative space to the right of the image. A great idea for playing with no pressure. lm going to visit grandchildren this week, they love to get me doing "arty stuff" l think they will like this. l dont always comment but live the inspiration you give us all 😊 xx
@ThisPaintingLife 2 жыл бұрын
Thanks so much 😊
@laurienye7514 9 ай бұрын
I enjoyed it.
@ThisPaintingLife 9 ай бұрын
For this one, I did not :)
@marypartridge5154 3 жыл бұрын
Just a natural talent with lack of pretension so thanx for sharing. We are compulsive funny creatures us artists. I always make a mess then try to turn it around to something I feel is right.
@ThisPaintingLife 3 жыл бұрын
So true!
@pinkbunkadoo 3 жыл бұрын
Thanks for sharing!
@ThisPaintingLife 3 жыл бұрын
You bet!
@rachelleandrichard 2 жыл бұрын
I've been bingeing your channel the last few days. Inspired by your process and work. I have felt stuck and working alone doesn't help. I'll join your group to see if that shakes things up in the new year.
@ThisPaintingLife 2 жыл бұрын
We'll be happy to have you in the group! You've got this!
@SoulscapeFineArt 3 жыл бұрын
That is so cool....
@ThisPaintingLife 3 жыл бұрын
Thank you!
@luciclaireshedoe2230 9 ай бұрын
Think i've been watching too much... When u got to ur desk and one of ur sketchbooks (the canson) i glanced at some Decorative scotch tape i have and thought, oh good these will go together really well! 🙆
@terrydevries914 3 жыл бұрын
Loosie goosie😂😂love it!
@ThisPaintingLife 3 жыл бұрын
Thanks!
@sharonstratis2846 3 жыл бұрын
"I set the rules so I can cheat"! That's the joy of creating as opposed to filiing taxes at work--lol! I love both of the pages. I hope your finger heals quickly.
@ThisPaintingLife 3 жыл бұрын
Thanks - it's all better now :)
@kathhicks6439 2 жыл бұрын
Funny I have a baby pool full of scraps! LOL seriously a bit overboard~ thank you for sharing!
@ThisPaintingLife 2 жыл бұрын
Thanks for watching!
@ronyroelands5294 3 жыл бұрын
Thank you.
@ThisPaintingLife 3 жыл бұрын
You're welcome!
@jaynedough130 3 жыл бұрын
my kind of rule making!
@ThisPaintingLife 3 жыл бұрын
haha :)
@Mariafay_art 3 жыл бұрын
Great video as always Louise. What you done to your finger? 🙁 x x
@leilaskye8143 3 жыл бұрын
What a great idea being forced to use what I pick up. I've got lots of scraps of my sketches too. I'm as messy as you. I end up with a masterpiece all over my hands or even my face at the end.
@ThisPaintingLife 3 жыл бұрын
I know - it's such a waste when it's on our face instead of on the canvas lol
@andreaharley4047 3 жыл бұрын
Ditto. lol.
@parisasun2541 3 жыл бұрын
Onderful. Love the way you set up some “rules” the way you do you told us before. I make collages never made these journals. Always wanted... you are encouraging me.. thank you ! Love your art and your teaching ! ❤️ also sometimes I put too many pieces as a a composition ands then struggle a bit to glue them back the way they were.. even with a photo . Sometimes a millimeter makes a diffference! And I loose a bit of the spontaneity...because Of layers and superimposition, I need to set parts a bit in advance... but not all the time. Know how to be spontaneous.
@ThisPaintingLife 3 жыл бұрын
Thank you!
@maureenburger9121 3 жыл бұрын
Thanks Louise! ❤️ You mentioned not using something from your scrap box, so that you can save it for use on a collage. I think I would have trouble using many of my collage papers in a sketchbook, even though I have boxes of papers to use. I need to get a sketchbook mindset and actually start utilizing a sketchbook to develop ideas, I guess. (I have not developed a sketchbook habit at all.). I am looking forward to your class! As CVP is ending, it makes me feel so much better that I will be working with YOU soon. 🙂
@ThisPaintingLife 3 жыл бұрын
I am looking forward to the class too!
@stephaniefindlay120 3 жыл бұрын
Please can you tell me what the glue is? Thanks for all your great videos
@MaLiArtworks186 Жыл бұрын
Doesn't look too messy!
@ThisPaintingLife Жыл бұрын
Trust me, it's messy enough 😂
@user-bb8lj9ow6h 9 ай бұрын
What kind of glue are you using to stick the papers? Saw you put it also on top.
@DrummerGrrrl 3 жыл бұрын
Louise, have you watched any KZfaq videos of Pamela Caughey? She's primarily an encaustic painter but also uses acrylic paint and all sorts of mark making tools. She tends to work on really big pieces of paper and stretched canvas. Her work is similar to your style. ❤️😀
@ThisPaintingLife 3 жыл бұрын
Yes I know Pamela - I don't see the similarity in styles other than we're both abstract - but I think she's great
@susangiannantonio 3 жыл бұрын
your scissors crack me up
@gggorissen 2 жыл бұрын
What do you use to glue down your collage pieces? I love your videos. They have inspired me so much. I am in the middle of a limited palette watercolor, India ink, acrylic and collage exercise (so far 48 4" x 6" watercolor paper) to try different colors and compositions for my cold wax and oil paintings. So helpful.
@ThisPaintingLife 2 жыл бұрын
Whatever I have x
@jackiemcallister1942 3 жыл бұрын
Love the idea of using scraps and what you have "laying" around. Question, a minute 1:03 the paintings hanging up, are they on unstretched canvas or on paper. I am trying to find alternatives while I am down here in Mexico, not everything is easy to find or get, so wanting to keep my options open and look at other ways of painting that don't require a shipment of any type, or something that is not available. I love watching your videos and I am enrolled in the class for June. Looking forward to it.
@ThisPaintingLife 3 жыл бұрын
they're pinned to a cork wall x
@micheleholdenart 2 жыл бұрын
I love this to experiment with ideas! I love text. Where do you get you text collage?
@ThisPaintingLife 2 жыл бұрын
books magazines newspapers - anywhere that has text!
@sarawelder1 2 жыл бұрын
I am really struggling adding collage to my work without it looking so amateur . What glue are you using. This was very helpful.thanks!
@ThisPaintingLife 2 жыл бұрын
You’re welcome 😊
@mlou1081 3 жыл бұрын
Louise How much do you work at getting the collage piece absolutely flat on the page. Mine tend to buckle and sometimes there's air bubbles underneath. What's your thought on that?
@palwashafineart4839 3 жыл бұрын
The best way to avoid bubble is to use mediums under your collage and then once you put your collage then you need to press it by squeegee so that all bubbles go out!
@gertanckaert3023 3 жыл бұрын
no patience...waste not ...set some limitations..,fingers in the glue...love youLouise💗
@ThisPaintingLife 3 жыл бұрын
thank you :)
@cjsimplyscraps 2 жыл бұрын
Who cares about the mess with all the beauty in that room
@ThisPaintingLife 2 жыл бұрын
Haha thank you!
@lauranilsen8341 2 жыл бұрын
Thanks Louise…. Always loved collage… what kind of glue are you using?
@frippetlee 2 жыл бұрын
Did you find out? I also want to know!
@lauranilsen8341 2 жыл бұрын
No, I wasn’t told …
@xcygyt1768 3 жыл бұрын
What glue do u use for your collage? Or do you any suggestion?
@ThisPaintingLife 3 жыл бұрын
I use anything I have - PVA, glue sticks, gloss medium
@cheekyauschick 3 жыл бұрын
Louise may i ask the names of the black covered journals you use please?
@ThisPaintingLife 2 жыл бұрын
seawhite
@louisesharps1794 3 жыл бұрын
Yes I am going to ask which type of glue are you using ?!! 😆 It looks thicker than pva. Thanks for sharing your process in regards to composition and colour.
@candicewoodard8575 3 жыл бұрын
I think Louise uses gloss medium gel.
@louisesharps1794 3 жыл бұрын
@@candicewoodard8575 Thanks Candice!
@ThisPaintingLife 3 жыл бұрын
I can't remember what it was - could have been PVA or gloss medium
@louisesharps1794 3 жыл бұрын
@@ThisPaintingLife No worries ! Thanks for replying! 😀
@rachelbassett9973 3 жыл бұрын
What is the blue roll that you are using?
@ThisPaintingLife 2 жыл бұрын
scott shop towels
@mrgregcat Жыл бұрын
what are we using for adhesive?
@ThisPaintingLife Жыл бұрын
i use gloss medium but that's just because it's what i have
@sherrystone3307 3 жыл бұрын
I really loved your video on playing with ink as well and thought I would pass along a book I found called "MAKE INK" a foragers guide to natural inkmaking. by Jason Logan.' It is really lovely. Looking forward to your book as well.
@ThisPaintingLife 3 жыл бұрын
thanks!
@saramccracken5342 Жыл бұрын
please remind me which glue you use... I would like to be able to add it by hand as you do but the ones I have tried leave me so sticky that I get stuck everything else.
@ThisPaintingLife Жыл бұрын
I get sticky too - that's just the nature of glue!
@morwennaloe 3 жыл бұрын
what glue are you using?
@ThisPaintingLife 3 жыл бұрын
whatever I have handy
@chronicfish 3 жыл бұрын
You mentioned that the work in the Canson sketchbook, isn't for sale, it's for you, but what happens if you create something that is a "masterpiece".. a final piece. Would you rip it out and sell it, scan it and sell prints or try to replicate it?
@ThisPaintingLife 3 жыл бұрын
I suppose maybe ... but then again, I can make other paintings for sale. I am just not focused on that when it comes to my sketchbooks x
@helenballantyne3246 3 жыл бұрын
Whatdidyoudo to your finger Louise?
@joannballantyne2335 3 жыл бұрын
what is used for glue?
@ThisPaintingLife 3 жыл бұрын
whatever you have - they're scraps in a sketchbook
@paulinececere4381 3 жыл бұрын
What do you use as glue?
@ThisPaintingLife 3 жыл бұрын
whatever I have handy - it's just a sketchbook
@Mariana-ym6zf 2 жыл бұрын
How do you manage to put the glue on with your hand, yet the collage and paper stays clean....??
@tinahart-xi3vi Жыл бұрын
Question regarding your sketch/collage books: do you write on your pieces your likes and dislikes for future reference?
@ThisPaintingLife Жыл бұрын
I write notes in the books, yes x
@cynthiathomas262 Жыл бұрын
why are your collage pieces placed either vertical or horizontal but not diagonal?
@susanneengel-schuster 3 жыл бұрын
❤🇩🇪🙋
@ylezama-artes1919 Жыл бұрын
Hi Louise, thank you so much for sharing your process and techniques. It was sooooooo telepathic when l thought, what type of glue you are using????? Then you mentioned you didn't ask what type of glue l am using?????. I do ask please share the brand and also l did look for a video of you where perhaps you talk about glues and situations why you use them but not l did not find it. ???? and l know you can not use wherever glue you have, because l bought MOD PODGE for the the price and is the WORSE GLUE EVER, never dries and the pages stick to each other.,..HORRIBLE I learned my lesson, never Mod Podge or only, only, only for MACHE pieces as presents to myself and eventhough perhaps better not.
@ThisPaintingLife Жыл бұрын
I use gloss medium
@impish22 3 жыл бұрын
; )
@TimetocreateAustralia 2 жыл бұрын
You made me laugh with your, "I'm allowed to put it down to start" comment!
@ThisPaintingLife 2 жыл бұрын
Haha happy to hear!