Torn paper collage

Exercise Torn paper collage

For this exercise I started with newspaper print for the background and then magazine pieces for the artichoke.  I tried to find pieces with the correct colours tones, using images, text etc..  I first outlined the shape for each part and tried to follow light to dark with the shading.  As I wanted to do a mixed media piece and make it more interesting I then washed the background using acrylic paint diluted with a gloss medium.  This gave a glossy, watercolour effect and the transparency left the newspaper print visible underneath.

I then used the same technique on the artichoke itself but used more vibrant colours to suggest rather than using realistic tone.  As this is quite a bold piece I thought bold colours would be appropriate.  I used a thick black permanent pen to add to this bold look.  I am quite please with the finished result especially as it is not at all the type of work I would normally do.  This definitely took me out of my comfort zone but was great fun to do.