Workshop: Susan Coupe - using mixed media to create coastal textures.

This was such a fun workshop! Susan gave a quick demo to remind us then spent the rest of the day wading through a sea of textured paper to support each artist to work out their ideas,

The aim was, working from a variety of seaside references, to assemble a handful of different small collage designs to be arranged on a larger sheet of card to create an arresting image.

It was an excellent exercise in organising a composition with regard to light values, pattern and colour. There was quite a lot of head-scratching involved, particularly towards the end when we raced to complete the larger design. How to ensure balance? How to lead the eye into the picture?

No holds were barred. Each composition could comprise textured paper, (either torn from piles of textured wallpaper, or painted, pasteled, drawn from scratch, or torn from existing artwork). Once arranged, acrylic paint or watercolour could be applied to enhance the design, along with pen, crayon, pastel. Items could be cut, torn, scraped, scratched, pleated, crumpled, shredded and spattered with paint.

We all learned a lot. (And our finished pictures were absolutely terrific!)