Start with making a few collage papers with areas of various patterns, colors, textures, done in pencil, paint, crayon, marker, and other collage bits.
You’ll then cut these up into shapes to collage onto a solid background, with at least two or more different types of marks in each piece. As you cut, the composition process begins.
Then assemble them together in ways that the pieces “speak to each other,” either in a fitting, quirky, or comfortable way, using four or less collage pieces in each study.
It is amazing what you can do in four or less pieces. A couple of these shown in this post have only two.
This kind of work in your sketchbook will feel like play, but actually primes your pump for good finished work. This is a great warm up activity, like a musician doing scales.
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