The Course
Dive into the world of visual narratives as you master the delicate craft of photo collage, paired uniquely with the whimsical technique of mail art collage. This journey will guide you through the nuances of capturing evocative portraits through abstract collage and photo realism techniques. Infusing your art with personality using mixed media approaches.
Storytelling is all about weaving thematic elements together to create a narrative. In this course our theme is “My Funny Valentine.” Rooted in inspiration of a self portrait (a la Frida Kahlo) a muse, a lover or a loved one — together we will combine magazine elements with tactile materials, to create a storytelling mosaic that speaks without words. The skills you'll learn in this course are crucial universal tools for collage; composition, color palettes and the secret sauce of continuity in visual storytelling will all come into play.
This isn't just about creating art, it's about capturing pieces of the world that sow inspiration for years to come. You'll wrap up this course not only with new techniques under your belt but also with a fresh perspective on how to communicate visually. These skills are more than just a hobby—they're a powerful way to connect, communicate, and celebrate moments in a world that's increasingly digital. Your creations could be the start of a snail mail revolution or the next exhibit in an art gallery!
Journaling
Unlocking the foundation of storytelling and collage through guided art exercises.
Moodboards
A intuitive practice designed to help you develop inspiration around emotion, color, shape, line & composition.
Elements of Art
A practice designed to help you train your minds eye to interpret the first element of art — line.
What you will learn
When I first designed this course, I had in mind the vibrant journey you’re about to embark on—a journey where you'll unlock the captivating power of visual narratives through the lens of photo portraiture and the intimate craft of mail art collages. I've meticulously structured each module to build on the last, ensuring you seamlessly weave technical skills with your unique perspective to create impactful, emotional storytelling. And it's all laid out in an easy-to-follow format, with plenty of examples and hands-on projects, so that even if you're just starting out, you'll find gaining mastery both inspiring and totally doable. This course isn't just about learning, it's about experiencing the joy of bringing your stories to life and sharing them with the world. I can’t wait for you to dive in and witness the transformation in your creative expression!
Curriculum
Your instructor
Robyn McClendon brings with her a tapestry of experience in the realms of photography and mixed media arts, deeply entwined with the principles of book arts and visual storytelling. Her journey in fine arts, paired with her years of educating aspiring artists, has cultivated a profound expertise in capturing the essence of a snap shot moment, and translating narratives onto the canvas of mail art collage. Her work is not only a testament to her skill but also an ongoing conversation with the ever-evolving art of personal expression.
Drawing upon a rich career that intersects educational fervor with artistic innovation, Robyn has been instrumental in guiding students to discover their own unique visual language. She is deeply passionate about the transformative power of art, especially the intimate interplay between abstract expression and the eclectic layers of collage. Her dedication to the course, "The Art of Visual Storytelling: Photo Portraiture and Mail Art Collage Tutorial", is anchored in the belief that every individual has a compelling story to tell – and through her tutelage, students learn to harness their creativity to share their stories with the world.