Abstract collage:

As an experiment in depth and texture I decide to create an abstract collage within my A4 sketchbook based on one of my coastal images. To do this I used found paper from previous work that included different patterns, colours, textures and mediums. Such as watercolour and acrylic paint. I layered each piece of paper on top of another to create a piece that I think conveys depth and perspective quite well.

while creating this collage I was ripping the paper rather than cutting and I found that this created a jagged and messy edge to the paper which I liked. Some edges of the paper had already been cut in a clean line so it was nice to have a contrast to that in the image, I also found that tearing the paper by hand often left a white edge that seemed to stand out against the colour that was there before. I think that this was useful for me when layering the paper as it made each individual piece more noticeable and seemed to stop them from blending in with each other. Because of the layered technique, I believe the structure of the work blocky and haphazard, this isn't what I was initially going for but I found that the more chaotic nature of the collage was a welcome contrast the picturesque image that I was basing it on. Coastlines are wild places and I feel that using wild and jagged lines and shapes within the collage helps to convey this atmosphere. I think the the colours that I have used and the way in which I have structured them are quite impressionist, it gives the illusion of the beach and coast while not being too pushy. It gently guides the viewer but allows them to stay open minded and able to come up with their own theory on which the image could be depicting. 

In terms of strengths, I really love the colours combinations that I have used in this work. I think that they are complimentary, natural and that when combined they work well together to create the impression of a coastline. The beige and browns are in contrast to the bolder and darker blues and they seem to create solid sections that make it clear where the water starts and stops. I believe that another strength of this work is the depth that I have managed to create. I did certain colours, such as the blue tones first to create the illusion of the sea cutting into the sand and then layered the green on top of that to show how the trees and bushes are even more elevated than the rest of the image. I think that this has been successful and clear, and I love that the more you look and the collage the more you feel as if you could jump straight into the image. 

For weaknesses, I would say that although the collage is abstract there is slightly less detail than I would have hoped for. the pieces of paper that I have used have all been reasonably big and chunky which I think causes the work to lack smaller details and this is something that I would so differently if I were to try this again. I think that another weakness within this work would be the final structure, although I love the layering, I used a regular pritt stick to glue the paper down which has then cause some of the edges to lift giving off and unfinished and shoddy finish. To remedy this mistake I would use Liquid PVA glue next time and be sure to put a final coat on top of the work to create a more final and professional look.

Although I enjoyed this experiment I don't think that I will be carrying on with collage. However, I am definitely interesting with exploring depth and perception more within this project.