MAKE AN ERIC CARLE-INSPIRED COLLAGE

HUNGRY Caterpillar author and illustrator Eric Carle uses collage to create his amazing illustrations. Why not have a go at home?

YOU WILL NEED:

A sketchbook or notebook; paper in different colours and thicknesses; a piece of thin card; paints; brushes/sponges; decorations such as stickers, pompoms, ribbon etc (optional); scissors; glue

METHOD

Think about the colours you will need for your picture. For example if you are making an underwater scene, you would need plenty of blue pieces.

Paint your papers in the shades you need. Just like Eric, you can use your brushes to make different lines and marks. Print with sponges and apply paint with your fingers for different effects.

Leave your papers to dry completely. Measure the front of the book you would like to cover. Cut a piece of thin card to the same dimensions.

Think about your picture and break it down into shapes. For example the body of the Very Hungry Caterpillar is made up of green ovals and his head is a red circle.

Cut the shapes you need for your design from your coloured papers. Remember you can overlap them.

Working on the thin card, begin to glue on the shapes you need in order, ie the background will need to come first, then the details (a head needs to be in place before it can have a face).

When your collage is complete, you can embellish it with decorations such as stickers, pompoms or ribbon, if you wish.

Use strong glue to stick your collage artwork to your notebook or sketchbook.