Lesley Munro: Watercolour and Collage Workshop

Lesley Munro: Watercolour and Collage Workshop

Time: 10am – 3.30pm
Venue: Babylon Gallery, Ely

Are you looking for further ways to develop your style and technique, to bring the page to life?

We can often impose constraints when using watercolour and we accept certain boundaries that are just waiting to be busted. In this workshop Lesley will tap into a number of ways to get beyond the limitations of using watercolour alone by being Intuitive and spontaneous with collage. Using painted papers we will layer geometric shapes to create collages that are stunning in their simplicity. Paint your own papers or repurpose scraps and snippets that you already have. You will make mistakes, change your mind and overcome challenges. This is a creative process, it's messy, it's unpredictable, it's beautiful.

You will be exploring how to :-

  • Loosen up, look closely and make observations using discarded drawings and paintings, scraps and different papers
  • Collect, pre stain and paint your own papers; sourcing textures and editing materials are an important part of the collage process
  • Consider subject matter and alternative interpretations, using collage
  • Composition after all is a fundamental element of the final image. Glueing the pieces down and adding finishing touches brings the collage to completion and life!

This workshop is suitable for those that are new to collage/mixed media but have experience of drawing techniques and painting and wish to build their confidence and unlock creative freedom in their work.


Equipment guide


The supply list below is a gentle guide. Lesley encourages you to use what you have and experiment with different ways of approaching collage.

  • Watercolour paper 300gsm or mixed media paper
  • Palette or plate for paint, water container, a few paper towels, scissors, eraser, old paint brush/glue spreader (I always carry spares of most things)
  • PVA Glue or Matt Medium
  • Watercolours, acrylic ink, heavy body acrylic paint - just bring a few
  • Watercolour brushes, mixed media synthetic brushes – again just a few
  • Collage materials you already have (e.g. old paintings that are ready for a new life, rice/tissue paper if you have them)
  • Mark-making supplies -pastels, paints pens, pencils, water soluble crayon (personal favourite) again only a few of these and if you have them
  • Be aware you will get glue and paint on your clothes so bring protective/old clothing

Tea and coffee will be available throughout the day, but don’t forget your lunch and water in case it is hot!


The Society of East Anglian Watercolourists (SEAW) exhibition ‘WaterWays’ is at the Babylon Gallery from Thursday 1st September to Sunday 25th September 2022. The Gallery is open Tuesday to Sunday, 12pm to 4pm with free entry.
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