Project #4 Collage Illustration

In this project, I created an illustration in the style of Eric Carle who uses painting, cutting, and gluing in collage making. I painted sheets of paper using colors and textures that I expected to use to complete my illustration. As the colored sheets of paper dried, I sketched my idea on another sheet of paper. I then cut out patterns and used them to construct the colored pieces of my illustration, layering by pasting appropriate shapes and colors to complete the illustration.

I could make this an extension activity for students in my classroom by first reading a book authored and illustrated by Eric Carle to expose students to his style of illustrating. I would create interest in the illustrations and ask students to try the style of collage making as they would compose their own illustrations for a make believe children’s book. The goal would be not only to help students be aware of different styles of illustrating, but also allow and encourage them to practice the art of collage making. Using supplies of paints, paper, sponges, brushes, etc. students would utilize materials and painting techniques in order to create original material to use in their collages. Students could personalize their creation by making up a 2 page layout of a scene from a children’s story they fabricate or from a story they already know. There would be no “right” or “wrong” way to illustrate so all children would experience a degree of success to further encourage them. Such a project would give them practice in using many different painting techniques as well as practice in cutting and gluing.