Tired of coming home with an empty sketchbook? - try this before you travel.
As I get ready to head off on my summer holiday to Cornwall, I wanted to share a bit about how I prepare my collage papers before I go. If you're anything like me, you’ve probably gone away with the best of intentions to fill a sketchbook, only to come home with most of the pages still blank. I’ve definitely been there!
One of the ways I get around that blank-page fear is by making a stash of collage papers ahead of time. Having some pre-painted, textured pages ready to go means I can start creating as soon as I sit down—no pressure, no perfectionism, just a playful starting point.
In this video, I walk through exactly how I make those papers using acrylic paint, inks, some unpredictable tools, and very simple paper (even a roll of children’s drawing paper does the trick). The aim isn’t to recreate the landscape I’ll be visiting, but to capture a sense of its energy, colour, and texture—loose, abstract, and full of movement.
A few tips I’ve found helpful:
Don’t worry about the end use—just enjoy the process.
Work large and free; you can always tear your favourite bits down later.
Let the unexpected happen (wind-ripped paper and paint drips often lead to magic).
Cut or tear the papers down to a size that fits your sketchbook.
Keep them clipped together so they don’t blow away when you’re working outside (ask me how I know!).
These little bits of prep help me stay inspired when I’m out on location, especially if time or energy is low. If you're curious to see the process, you can watch the video here.
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Wishing you sunny sketchbook days ahead! ☀️