The Joy of Collage Making

ONLINE CLASS

DO YOU WANT TO MAKE ART, BUT NEVER ACTUALLY DO IT?

YOU ARE NOT THE ONLY ONE

So many people crave creative expression but keep their inner artists locked inside.

You can change this by starting to make collages.

8-WEEK ONLINE INTERACTIVE CLASS

I offer an 8-week online interactive class, based on my online course ‘The Joy of Collage Making’. You can find out about the content of the online course here and take a look at the course page here.

CLASS SCHEDULE

The class starts on Thursday 4 May and finishes on Thursday 14 September. The online forum opens at Monday 1 May. There’s a timegap between week 7 and week 8 because of my thru-hike through the French Pyrenees. See the schedule below.

In the online class, we will follow the outline of the online course.

Before the course starts, you’ll check out modules 1 and 2 on your own.
In the first six weeks we’ll cover the six visual elements:
- Color
- Value
- Marks & Lines
- Shapes & Images
- Texture
- Depth.
In the two weeks that follow, you’ll be making collage paper and making collages.

Download the complete schedule HERE.

Or take a look at it below:

Overzicht online class JOY Mei September-1

ONLINE FORUM

There’s an online interactive, password-protected forum, on which you can post your work. Every Thursday, I’ll comment on each entry individually. All the participants can view and comment on each other’s work, too.

Before you register for this course, please read the Q & A below.

DO YOU WANT TO REGISTER?

Click the button below!

For several years I have dreamed about painting – or more exactly – to make pictures in an unpretentious manner. Without a lot of theory and lessons how to do it «right».

Simones videos about collage making is just «IT»; very inspiring and easily explained how to make art in an intuitive, creative, effortless and playful way.

This is so exciting! 🙂.

Else

EARLY BIRD DISCOUNT 50%

EARLY BIRD DISCOUNT IF YOU PURCHASE BEFORE THURSDAY 20 APRIL, 23:59 CET

The price of the course is $ 297. If you register before Thursday 20 April 23:59 CET, you’ll get a 50% discount. Then you’ll pay: $ 148,50 ex VAT. Use this coupon code:

EARLYBIRD50

After this date, the coupon code will not be valid anymore. You can still register though, until the starting date of the course.

HAVE YOU ALREADY PURCHASED THE ONLINE COURSE?

If you’ve already purchased my online course ‘The Joy of Collage Making’ before, you can order the class separately. To do so, follow this link.

The early bird-discount will also be valid, so enter the coupon code at the checkout.

Early Bird Discount

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DEADLINE FOR CLASS REGISTRATION

DEADLINE FOR ONLINE CLASS REGISTRATION

The class registration closes at Thursday, 4 May

Online Class Registration Closes In

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HAVE YOU ALREADY PURCHASED THE ONLINE COURSE?

If you’ve already purchased my online course ‘The Joy of Collage Making’ before, you can order the class separately. To do so, follow this link.

FOR WHOM IS THIS ONLINE INTERACTIVE CLASS?

This online interactive class is for you if:

You have never painted before, and don’t know how to start
You have painted realistically, but want to start making abstract art
You are already making abstract art, but you feel stuck, uninspired or blocked
You don’t have much time or space to create, and you are looking for ways of incorporating making art in your life.
You want to establish a regular painting practice, and find it difficult to do that with the way you paint right now.

And:

You would love to get individual feedback and advice from an experienced artist
You miss a sense of community, since making art on your own just isn’t working for you
You want to get over the hump and share your work within a safe and supportive environment
You need encouragement and accountability to start or keep painting

And:

You have a strong intention to work on the course and post every week in the forum.
You enjoy supporting other artists and receiving support from them too.

Does this speak to your heart? Then register for the class!

I have painted for many years and tried abstracting my work to do non objective art but I just found it so hard to jump off into that abyss.

Simone`s techniques made it so easy and fun.

I love her enthusiasm and her real efforts to help you understand exactly why she is doing something.

It is a very intensive and detailed program so it does take time to go through it but well worth the effort.

After studying painting for twenty years I had lost my joy of “painting like a child”.

The course has opened up a whole new understanding and allowed me to love painting again!

Sue Gunther

THE COURSE CONTENT

Take a quick look at the course page here

Click here to take a look at the course page (including the free module about materials)

MODULE 1 (PREPARATION WEEK)

In module 1, I’ll introduce the materials and tools that you need, and give you a detailed shopping list. This shopping list will be quite short since you don’t need a lot of expensive materials to make art.

You can check out the first (free) module of the course. There you’ll find a list of materials.

MODULE 2 (PREPARATION WEEK)

In the second module, I will show you the complete process of making a piece of collage paper. This is a long module, with four videos, and a fifth one in which I’ll analyze the collage paper. It is meant to give an introduction to how you can work freely and without restraints. There is no assignment in this second module.

From module 3 to module 8 I will introduce you to six visual elements that are important in making art. They are Color, Value, Marks & Lines, Shapes & Images, Texture, and Depth.
In every module, you will get an assignment designed to give you the chance to play and experiment with that particular visual element. This way you will gain experience with each visual element separately. This will make it easier to combine all those visual elements when you are making your collage paper, and also when you’re creating collages.

MODULE 3 (ONLINE CLASS WEEK 1)

Module 3 will be about the first visual element: Color. In this module, I will show you how you can mix a whole lot of colors while using only three basic colors, along with black and white. I love to get a lot out of very few ingredients, and only using three colors plus black and white has the side-effect that it will be easier to create harmony in your collages since you use only a few pigments.

MODULE 4 (ONLINE CLASS WEEK 2)

The topic of module 4 is Value. Value is about how dark or how light a color is. Of course, black is the darkest color, and white is the lightest, but all colors have a value, and it’s interesting to take a look at how the different values play a role in your collages. Value is a topic that is often overlooked, while it is essential for how you experience a work of art.

MODULE 5 (ONLINE CLASS WEEK 3)

Module 5 is about Lines & Marks. The fun thing about making abstract art is that you can be completely free in everything, and making lines and marks is one of the most exciting parts of it. Remember when you were a small kid? The first thing that you did with a pencil in your hand was scratching. When we make lines and marks, we can experience the wonder and excitement of making those first marks again, and retrieve something of that free playfulness that might have gotten lost when you were growing up.

MODULE 6 (ONLINE CLASS WEEK 4)

Module 6 is about Shapes & Images. Shapes literally shape your collage, and there are many ways of making them. You can draw them, paint them, cut them, tear them, stencil them, stamp them, etcetera. In this module, you will get ideas about how you can create shapes that you love. Images are a particular kind of shape; they seem to carry more ‘meaning.’ There are of course very ancient images, for instance, the infinity sign or other symbols. But you can also create your own images, and even use very realistic images like plants, trees, faces, humans, or whatever else you like. There are no rules in this, and even if you are really an abstract art lover, you can still integrate realistic elements into your work.

MODULE 7 (ONLINE CLASS WEEK 5)

The topic of module 7 is Texture. Texture is about the surface of the collage. Is it smooth, or is it rough? Can you feel it with your fingers? You can make texture for instance with wrinkled paper, with different layers of collage paper, and you can scratch with your knife in wet paint and make carvings in your collage. But you can also suggest texture, for instance by dry brushing your paint or using spraypaint. The possibilities for creating an exciting texture are endless.

MODULE 8 (ONLINE CLASS WEEK 6)

Module 8 is about Depth. Depth means that your painting is not flat, but on the contrary gives the impression of space. You can ‘walk into it,’ so to speak. There are different layers, and some layers hide or veil something that is underneath, which makes you curious about what stays invisible. Depth gives mystery and interest to your collage. There are many ways to create depth, for instance by using opaque versus transparent paint, by veiling, by glazing, by layering and more. Module 8 will be all about that.

MODULE 9 (ONLINE CLASS WEEK 7 & 8)

Module 9 will be all about creating your own collage paper. Now you have an overview of all the different visual elements, and you have played and experimented with each one, the time has come to combine all the visual elements in your own collage paper. This collage paper will be the basis for the collages that you are going to make in module 10.

MODULE 10 (ONLINE CLASS WEEK 7 & 8)

Module 10 is a very large module. I will show the making of a whole bunch collages from start to finish, which will give you an idea of how a collage-making process could go. Of course, your own collage making process will be your own, since you are a different person, with your own taste, your own movements, and your own inspiration.

But the main thing that I want to show is that you can let the collage unfold as it wants to, to trust the process, and allow everything to happen instead of trying to control your collage. Your inner artist is wise and will show you the way. Of course, the most important part of this module is the assignment: start making collages yourself.

MODULE 11 (ONLINE CLASS WEEK 7 & 8)

Module 11 is about analyzing your collage. This is a tricky lesson, and I did not include it in module 10 on purpose. I deeply believe that you have to give yourself complete freedom while making your collage, and never judge or criticize yourself. Making collages is pure play, pure joy. There are no standards that you have to live up to. Analyzing it too soon can get you in your head and spoil the freedom and playfulness that make creating abstract art so much fun.

Nevertheless, after you have finished your collage, you can take a fresh look at it, and analyze what is going on. Here, composition comes into play. You can ask yourself: is your composition balanced, harmonious? Or does it contains a lot of contrast? How did you use the different visual elements? Does it make you happy or excited? Does it touch you? Or does it make you bored or leave you unaffected? Taking a second look at your collage will give you the possibility to learn. And subconsciously you will take this with you when making your next collage. This way, your art will grow and mature.

MODULE 12 (ONLINE CLASS WEEK 7 & 8)

Module 12 is very practical. It is all about how you can finish your collage and protect it from dust and damage. Also, I’ll explain how you can mount your collage on wood.

ABOUT SIMONE

My name is Simone Nijboer

My name is Simone Nijboer. I’m an artist and a life coach, and I live in the Netherlands.

Being an artist, I know how fundamental creativity is for living a joyful and fulfilling life. And being a coach, I know how important it is to create change from a deep and still place inside of yourself.

The beautiful thing about making art is that it helps you to combine both. It’s wonderful to express yourself in a creative way. And it invites depth and stillness in your life, from where wisdom, truth, and power can emerge.

Making art within a community has always been important for me

Only when I started making connections with other artists, my art-making took off. Contact with fellow-artists has been crucial in my development as an artist. I loved being connected with fellow-artists all over the globe. I wasn’t alone in my creative desires, and that made all the difference for me.

That’s why I’m so enthusiastic about starting a interactive class, since I know how invaluable connection and a warm supportive environment is for growth as an artist.

Accountability is key

The other thing that pushed my art forward was accountibility. It is so easy to get stuck when you’re on your own. The fact that other people were eager to see my work helped me to keep on painting and not stay behind the curtains in my own little corner of the world.

Join me!

Making collages gave me so much joy, and I would love to share that joy. So join me in the online interactive class ‘The Joy of Collage Making’!

HERE ARE SOME OF MY COLLAGES (OR DETAILS OF THEM)

Click on them to enlarge, and then you can click through as if it were a slideshow.

FAQ

I haven’t painted before. Is this course for me?

Yes. This collage-making class is a perfect place to begin your creative art-making adventure. You don’t need to have any experience in painting.

I have already a lot of painting experience. Is this course for me?

Yes. Making collages offers a fresh perspective on the painting process, and it can add a whole new dimension to your current way of art-making.
Next, this course is all about letting go, exploration and –last but not least– making a lot of paintings instead of thinking about it. That can be very worthwhile if you have a lot of experience, but feel blocked in any way.

What materials do I need?

I work with only three colors of acrylic paint (plus black and white). One red-ish, one blue-ish, one yellow-ish. Two of them (and black and white) can be student-grade paint, and one of them needs to be professional paint. Next to that, you need some mark making and other tools, like brushes.

Check out the list of materials here.

How much physical space do I need?

Collage Making can easily fit into your life without the need for a big studio. You can just work right in a corner at your kitchen table! A table specially reserved for making art is convenient, but not necessary. Since you don’t need a lot of supplies, you can easily store them in a box and carry them around. In this course, I aim for working on a small size, for instance a postcard or a business card, which makes it even more easy to work in a limited space.

How much time do I need?

It’s difficult to estimate, but try to take at least two hours per week for this course and class, to get the most out of it. Good to know: you will have access to the class materials afterwards (see below).

Do I need to post on the forum every week?

Posting on the forum every week is strongly recommended. It helps you to grow as an artist and get the most out of the class. Of course, life can get in the way, but it’s important that you have a strong intention to participate in posting your work and supporting the other participants in their development. Participation is the ‘life blood’ of the online class. If you don’t want to participate, it’s best to follow the online course in your own pace, or check out the possibilities for individual art coaching.

Do you teach me to paint in your style?

No. You are a unique human being, and that’s why your style is or will be unique.

In the course, I will teach you a technique (collage-making from your own handpainted collage paper), and a series of fundamental principles (the six visual images, and how they can hang together). This collage-making technique and the six visual elements are ‘neutral’. With this technique and these visual elements, you can (and will) create unique paintings that express the being that you are.

Of course, you might be inspired by the kind of marks I make or the colors I choose. But if you paint a lot, your personal style will emerge all of its own.

Is the class in English?

Yes!

About the online forum: how does it work?

There’s an interactive online, password-protected forum, on which you can post your work. Every Thursday, I’ll comment on each entry individually. All the participants can view and comment on each other’s work, too. On 19 February, I’ll send you an invitation for the forum, and then you can introduce yourself.

How long do I have access to the class materials?

The class materials are hosted on the online course platform Teachable. You’ll have access as long as the course exists, or at least one year.

What do I do if I encounter technical problems using the course platform?

If you encounter any technical problems, you can get in contact with Teachable’s support desk: support@teachable. com

Also, you can find the student’s guides here. There you will find answers to a lot of practical questions.

I have already purchased the online course ‘The Joy of Collage Making’. Can I purchase the class separately?

Yes. Follow this link.

Do you offer a refund?

No, I don’t offer a refund for the class.

What about VAT?

The prices that are indicated on this page are without VAT (Value Added Tax). When you order from Europe, VAT will be added automatically (Teachable uses Geolocation to determine where you are located).

What does happen after I’ve purchased the course?

You will be sent to your ‘bundle’ (course & class). You can immediately access the online course, and take a look at module 1 & 2. During this process, Teachable will ask you to create an account. This way, you can access your course later on.

The class (called ‘coaching’ withing Teachable) doesn’t start until 26 January. You don’t need to do anything, just wait ;-). You won’t hear from me until Thursday 1 May – then I’ll send you an invitation for the online forum. See the schedule above, or download it HERE.

Does Teachable have an iOS-app?

Yes. Go to the App Store on your device. Search for Teachable (or simply click this link to be redirected to the page in the app store). Click the Get button. Click Install. Enter your Apple ID password or Touch ID if prompted. Login with your Teachable credentials, and you’re ready to go!

You can read all about it here.

Is there a minimum amount of participants?

The class starts when at least six participants take part.

What if I’ve already purchased the online course?

You can purchase the online class separately here. You already have purchased the course materials, so you only pay for the class.

I have a question that’s not on this list.

Please drop me a line at simone-at-simonenijboer.com, and I’ll be happy to answer all of your questions.

I WOULD LOVE YOU TO JOIN ME!

Join me in this online interactive class!

I am sure this class will give you the tools to get your art practice up and running or give you new inspiration to dive into your creativity.

You will love the sense of community, and I will do my best to give you all the support and input that you need.

Be welcome to join me, and experience the Joy of Collage Making!