Discover collage as an accessible and versatile art form through hands-on making, experimentation and discussion. Suitable for complete beginners and returning students, this course explores composition, colour, storytelling, abstraction and
chance using paper, printed imagery and found materials. You will investigate the work and ideas of significant collage artists and designers, alongside influential art and design movements, and consider how these approaches can inspire your own work. Classes combine short presentations with practical studio exercises, reflection and discussion, helping you build confidence with materials while developing an individual and experimental approach to collage.
- 2B pencil and small notebook
- Scissors
- UHU glue stick or similar
- A4 smooth watercolour paper, approximately 185gsm, or similar
- A personal collection of papers and printed materials, such as coloured paper, magazine pages, tickets, labels, old books suitable for cutting, tracing paper and photocopied material
- Optional: scalpel or snap-off knife, metal ruler and cutting mat, for students already confident using these tools
- Students can begin with a small collection of collage materials and add to it throughout the course. Materials for initial activities may be supplied in the first class.
IMPORTANT: Please arrive to the first class with all the relevant materials. A lack of materials is not just a handicap to you but to the ability to teach. Materials cost is not included in a course fee. In the event of a course being cancelled WEA cannot be held responsible for the purchase of any course materials. We therefore suggest you purchase your materials closer to the time of the course commencing.
- Explore the work and ideas of a diverse range of artists and designers, which may include Kurt Schwitters, Joseph and Anni Albers, Romare Bearden and Rosalie Gascoigne.
- Experiment with collage methods, materials and processes through practical exercises involving imagination, storytelling and creative exploration.
- Explore visual composition using the elements and principles of art and design.
- Investigate colour theory, including the colour spectrum, colour wheel, relationships, harmonies, contrasts and palettes.
- Explore representation, abstraction, chance and intuition as approaches to making and responding to art.
By the end of this course, students should be able to:
- Apply selected elements and principles of art and design and consider composition and colour relationships when creating collage artworks.
- Use a range of collage materials, techniques and experimental processes with increasing confidence.
- Develop individual collage works informed by creative experimentation and selected artists, designers and art movements.\
The following stockists are examples of places where you can purchase art materials for your course:
- Art on King: 199-201 King Street, Newtown. Ph: 9516 2342
- Eckersley's Art and Craft Store: 93 York Street, Sydney. Ph: 9299 4151. Also located in various locations throughout Greater Sydney. WEA students receive a 10% discount on materials required for their course at the York Street store when showing their course confirmation email.
- Parkers Art Supplies: 3 Cambridge Street, The Rocks. Ph: 9247 9979
- The Art Scene: 914 Victoria Road, West Ryde. Ph: 9807 6900
- The Sydney Art Store: 7B, Ground Floor, 49/59 O’Riordan St, Alexandria NSW 2015, Australia. Phone: +61 440 130 190 Current store details: https://thesydneyartstore.com.au/pages/alexandria-store
You can also purchase materials from places such as Dymocks, Officeworks, Spotlight, Lincraft or online art suppliers such as Art Shed Online.
