Illustration Tutorial: How to Create Characters With Collage

Learn to create illustrated characters using collage techniques based on customizing and combining fleeting objects, with Nuria Mel

Scrapbooking doesn’t mean gathering a tonne of clippings and putting them together at random. It’s about discovering the most interesting forms, the most creative ideas and the most harmonious compositions. Expert collage illustrator, graphic designer and creativity specialist Nuria Mel (@nuriamelworkshop) shares a few key techniques for selecting, trimming and completing the creative puzzle that is scrapbook illustration.

Learn more in the video:

4 steps to create a character using collage

1. Select and cut out random figures

Magazines and old photographs are a great source of images. You might want to collect heads, hats, hair, glasses or any other objects. Anything goes when it comes to staging a great scene. Textured details or sections of objects you’d never normally think about keeping could all be the foundation for something amazing.

2. Define your character’s style and personality

Think about exactly what you want to achieve with your collage because this will help you select the right clippings. If you’re looking for an avant-garde, stylish character, don’t be shy: give your imagination free rein to and try out a huge variety of clippings and colors.

One essential piece of advice is often overlooked: calculate the size of the backing you’re going to stick your clippings onto before you select them, to make sure everything fits nicely together.

3. Use scissors and a cutter

Scissors are the key scrapbooking tool, but it’s better to use a cutter if you want a more precise finish. Be careful: always use a cutting board, piece of wood or table to avoid injury.

4. Use different types of glue

Carefully plan your design before sticking its elements down. You might want to leave a particular detail free to stick out from the paper. In which case you only need a single drop of liquid glue.

Test things out with a glue stick if you aren’t sure about your final positioning. This type of glue is a bit less sticky and allows you to move things around a bit before it dries.

Use a paintbrush to paint liquid glue over a selected area to add a touch of shine. Remove any excess by scraping it off gently with something like a ruler.

Like this tutorial? Nuria Mel will teach you how to create a scrapbook and use this creative technique for your illustration projects in her online tutorial Creating an Illustrated Scrapbook.

You may be interested in:

- Story Illustration with Paper, a course by Estrellita Caracol
- Pop-Up Book Creation, a course by Silvia Hijano Coullaut
- Domestika Diary: Adolfo Serra