Non-digital collages – The CreativeMindClass Blog

"I live and work within Bristol UK and studied Illustration at Brighton UK. I've been a practicing artist and illustrator since 2013, and my work has slowly changed over the years from bright and vivid character designs towards more abstract and process heavy work. I usually create art with a mix of drawings, collages, a combination of both, and every so often 3D. I also self-publish a lot of zines and sometimes comics."

How would you describe your collage style?

"Primarily non-digital (though this is a personal choice, both traditional and digital approaches to work are equally appropriate as the other) that includes a variety of textures on paper. I used to work with lots of bright colors, but I've been working to become more thoughtful and quiet with my colors in recent years. I have a strong focus on the composition of shapes and patterns too. My work tends to be quite playful, as I see the drawing and collage that I create as a form of playing, or an act that is amusement."

What is the key for creating your collages?

"It's hard to pick a single 'key' to my method of creating illustrations and other artwork. An attitude of enjoyment or joy is important in the way I work. I try always to find a way to incorporate that in whatever I'm making. I always tell myself 'If I'm not having fun creating this piece, then I shouldn't make it, and I should look for a new approach'. More often than not with illustration projects, I find that to get the best outcome simplifying everything really helps. It is common for me to get caught up on details, or specific thoughts or concepts, then need to look back, and reduce everything down to the essentials. It is often the case that this applies in as many ways to the content as it could be to the format."

"I created a work for a really worthwhile project which was launched in the UK called Communitea. The project involved 55 artists like myself. asked to create a piece of work in response to our connection to Chinese tradition. The work can now be purchased in the form of a poster from Roomfifty and all proceeds go to help keep the London Chinese Community centre from being shut down and to combat the spread of hate against Asians."

Explore more collages by Ed on Instagram and his site.