DIY Tutorial: Creative Techniques to Make Colorful Paper

Learn how to paint paper and create your own illustration or papercraft materials with Estrellita Caracol

Tell stories using illustrations, papercuts and other techniques that unblock your creativity and connect with your deepest emotions. Argentinian artist Estrellita Caracol (@estrellita_caracol) developed her own method of self-expression in beautiful collage.

She teaches you how to use simple, cheap and readily-available materials as the basis for your illustrations or anything else you can imagine. All you need are:

• White paper

• Acrylic paint

• Scissors

• Brush

• Roller

• Comb

• A cardboard box covered with glued-on matches

• Newspaper

Learn more in the video:

5 Creative Ways to Create Colorful Paper

Select your preferred color palette and try creating brushstrokes in different directions or mixing different shades to create a textured effect. You can cover the entire sheet of paper, or leave some areas plain depending on what you’re going to use the paper for once you’ve finished your design.

2. Use a homemade stamp

Estrellita created a textured stamp by covering a little cardboard box in glued-on matches. You can create your own patterns by mixing the matches around, or using other everyday objects to create texture. Then either soak your stamp by dipping it into the paint, or by applying paint with a brush, and press your design onto your chosen areas of paper to print.

3. Create patterns with a comb

This super-simple tool can create a lovely effect thanks to the parallel teeth. First cover your paper in a decent amount of paint, then literally comb the area to generate optical designs that can be very interesting. “It’s about trial and error. Just spend a lot of time playing around,” encourages Estrellita.

4. Plastic or bubble wrap

This material’s symmetrical relief patterns create super-interesting designs. Simply paint over the area you’re going to use as a stamp, place this area onto your paper and use a roller or paintbrush to apply enough pressure to transfer the bubble design onto the paper.

5. Newspaper

Any kind of printed paper can generate a lovely effect as a background for illustrations or craft work. Remember to keep your paint watery so the printed letters are visible, and apply gently using a paintbrush or a roller.

Like this tutorial? Learn how to explore all the possibilities of paper and create collage illustrations in Estrellita Caracol’s online tutorial: Story Illustration with Paper.

You may be interested in:

- Papercutting Techniques for Storytelling, a course by Karishma Chugani.
- Creating an Illustrated Scrapbook, a course by Nuria Mel.
- Paper Flower Craft Techniques, with Eileen Ng.