An affinity with acrylics

The versatility of acrylics makes them perfect for collage. Transparent colour modifies underlying marks and colours, while heavy-body acrylic retains brushmarks, providing texture for enhancement with pastel or the dry-brush technique. The water-based quality of acrylics allows them to combine with oil pastels to create a resist. Thinned colour can be splattered or drizzled, running along ridges or settling into grooves.

This month we continue with our theme of autumn leaves, finding how the same subject from last month can look quite different with collage, even while retaining the same colour palette. Begin as we did last month, by gathering reference material. Use existing material or add new – studies of autumn leaves and fruits, photos and found objects. A short walk around your home area should yield plenty of varied subject matter (above left).

Sketches

For the following demonstration, I will also be using sketches of trees (above).