“Not-So-Goldfish,” that’s the identify I gave to my goldfish collage above, as a result of effectively, he kinda went off into his personal colour scheme as he advanced. It occurs—particularly once I restrict myself to utilizing solely utilizing the scraps of cloth left over from different topics. A enjoyable method of working, you possibly can examine it right here, however that’s not what this submit is about.
Nope, this submit is about getting began, one of many hardest steps in any artistic endeavor. Only a couple days in the past, in our Throwback Thursday submit, Tom and I completed our six-part Cloth Collage Evaluation. At this time, I display how you can begin placing these steps to work as I start my very own preparations for February’s New Fantastical Fish Class.
Click on on any smaller images to see them bigger and to scroll via every gallery.
For numerous causes, fish are fairly inspiring material. I’ve actually created lots of of cloth collaged fish, and I’d fortunately create 100 extra. Nonetheless, I’ve chosen a single goldfish as my “Fish of 2025” topic. If you find yourself attending February’s Fish Class, the selection is yours. Selecting your topic is technically step one in any collage undertaking, and for February, I’ve made that step a bit easier for you.
February 6, 13, 20, 27, 2025 — 7 pm, Japanese Time
Fantastical Cloth Collage Fish Zoom Observe-Alongside
REGISTER HERE
Worth: $78
As a registrant you’ll obtain a code for a free fish sample from my on-line store (just a few examples above and beneath) to comply with alongside as you play with your individual material stash—however you’re welcome after all to make use of your individual fish design, or simply “waft” of your material.
For February’s class, I selected a goldfish design since that pretty spherical physique gave me a pleasant expanse to fill with a variety of colour values—the emphasis of this yr’s Fantastical Fish Class. I’m specializing in one colour vary and demonstrating what to search for in your materials to mix from mild to darkish values—the form of ability that may result in extra visible dimension in portraying a topic in material, or every other artwork medium.

Getting Began—Cloth Collage Evaluation 1 of 6: Selecting Cloth
As I used to be considering what fish and what colours for my February 2025 Observe-Alongside topic, out got here the oranges and greens—materials that final yr’s February Fish would have completely blended into (beneath left, decrease proper nook). A reminder to myself, that I’m fairly predictable in my colour selections—instantly gravitating towards a sure group of colours for nearly any new undertaking. We will all have our favorites, proper?
Trying round my studio for items that didn’t primarily include oranges and yellows, my Betta Duo and Crimson Fish, beneath, caught my eye. Appears that I additionally have a tendency to succeed in for aquas very often. Nonetheless, how about reds or blues? Since I already had a giant ol’ purple fish, I turned to my blue materials as a colour alternative for my new fish. Djinni Cat, above proper, authorised of that alternative.
Djinni additionally helped with the primary edit (beneath) of narrowing down my preliminary choose of blue materials to work with—eliminating the plain aqua blues—for the variation of colour I had in thoughts. However then I bought considering, “a blue goldfish?” Is there such a factor? And sure, there may be! A Blue Oranda and different “blue” fish are referenced beneath.
I even discovered that there’s a phrase for the bizarre lumpiness on some goldfish—a “wen”—who knew? Blue fish additionally symbolize good luck and prosperity—not a foul undertaking to start the New Yr. I often analysis my topics at the least a bit of bit, although I’ll nonetheless change them to any colour that strikes my fancy.
First edit of blue materials, sans cat, loosely grouped by values (above). Lowered to 36 materials, however I’ve discovered that getting it right down to 15-20 helps lower down on that preliminary, “the place do I begin?” overwhelm.
Beneath is 20 materials, in case you don’t depend the “inspiration material” within the middle. Sure, there’s nonetheless aqua, inexperienced, yellow, and orange to be discovered on this choice, however once more, it’s a begin. I can (and can) add extra materials and greater than seemingly change my thoughts alongside the best way, as soon as I see how my blue goldfish begins growing.
Getting Began—Cloth Collage Evaluation 2 of 6: Making a Palette
Now that I’ve bought my sample and a few materials, what’s subsequent? Lower a palette from these materials. Learn the weblog hyperlink above as to why I extremely advocate NOT to skip this step. I all the time make a palette—it the place the taking part in begins, a great way to start.
Open up each bit of cloth and utilizing the printed designs as a information, lower out assorted hand-sized shapes (one from every chosen material) for a starting palette. Drop the lower items into mild, darkish, and medium worth piles, such as you see above. It’s enjoyable to see how the materials begin to work collectively, with out even attempting.
As soon as my material palette was lower, I bought anxious to see what kind of colour and worth preparations I may make with these items. I re-grouped the palette instantly onto the enlarged paper sample (beneath)—a preview of the probabilities! I’m loving the blues—that is going to be enjoyable!
And that’s what it’s essential get began—choose a topic, choose a colour (or colours), get misplaced in your materials and are available out with a variety. Type via these materials along with your colour, topic, and quite a lot of values in thoughts. Cut back to 15-20 materials and lower your material collage palette. Contributors of the Observe-Alongside Class will get a extra detailed guidelines to arrange, however that is the gist of it.
Tune in to February’s Fantastical Cloth Collage Fish Zoom Observe-Alongside and comply with alongside 😉 as I get occurring my latest not-so-goldfish—then flip round and get going by yourself!
Inquisitive about what the subsequent Cloth Collage Evaluation steps cowl? Verify them out within the linked posts beneath:
Susan Carlson Cloth Collage Evaluation 3 of 6: Why Glue?
Susan Carlson Cloth Collage Evaluation 4 of 6: Working in Sequence
Susan Carlson Cloth Collage Evaluation 5 of 6: Backgrounds
Susan Carlson Cloth Collage Evaluation 6 of 6: Utilizing Sheers
February 6, 13, 20, 27, 2025 — 7 pm, Japanese Time
Fantastical Cloth Collage Fish Zoom Observe-Alongside
REGISTER HERE
Worth: $78
Come be part of me as I progress step-by-step via my subsequent fantastical fish, a blue Goldie
Beneath, final yr’s completed Observe-Alongside undertaking, Piscine Dreamtime