Harvest Textures: September Art Guide
Exploring Rich, Earthy Colors Through Abstract Collage
Introduction
Welcome to September's artistic journey into the rich, layered world of harvest season. As summer's brightness softens into autumn's depth, we'll explore the complex textures and warm colors that define this transitional time through abstract collage techniques.
September brings a unique energy - the satisfaction of gathering what has grown, the beauty of changing colors, and the tactile richness of natural materials at their peak. Through abstract collage, we'll capture these qualities using layered papers, natural textures, and earth-toned palettes that evoke the feeling of walking through golden fields or sorting through a farmer's market bounty.
Abstract collage offers the perfect medium for exploring harvest themes because it mirrors the process of gathering - selecting papers like choosing the best produce, arranging elements like organizing a harvest display, and building layers like the accumulated richness of the season. Each piece becomes a celebration of abundance and texture.
This month focuses on building complex compositions through the layering and juxtaposition of different papers, textures, and materials. We'll work with everything from magazine pages to handmade papers, from smooth surfaces to rough textures, creating pieces that invite both visual and tactile engagement.
Materials
Paper & Collage Elements:
Magazine pages (especially those with earthy tones and textures)
Patterned papers if you have them at home (scrapbook papers, gift wrap, etc.)
Handmade or textured papers
Old book pages or sheet music
Tissue paper in autumn colors
Natural paper samples (rice paper, lokta paper, etc.)
Adhesives:
Matte medium for strong adhesion
Glue sticks for lightweight papers
Mod Podge for sealing layers
Double-sided tape for precise placement
Color Media:
Inks in earth tones
Watercolor inks for subtle washes
Oil pastels for rich color application
Colored pencils for detail work
Fine liner pens for definition
Decorative Elements:
Washi tape in autumn colors and patterns
Additional washi tape varieties for accents
Tools:
Scissors in various sizes
Craft knife for precision cutting
Bone folder for crisp edges
Brushes for ink application
Sponges for texture
Palette knife for ink manipulation
Additional Supplies:
Mixed media paper or canvas boards
Spray bottles for misting effects
Salt for watercolor texture
Stencils for pattern work
White gel pen for highlights
Amazon Storefront Note: Find all collage and mixed media supplies organized on my "September Harvest" board on my Amazon Storefront for easy shopping!
Our Harvest Palette
Colors that capture the rich, earthy tones of autumn's bounty:
Burnt Sienna (#A0522D) - Rich earth and tree bark
Golden Ochre (#CC7722) - Wheat fields and autumn leaves
Deep Burgundy (#800020) - Wine grapes and late berries
Rust Orange (#B7410E) - Pumpkins and marigolds
Olive Green (#808000) - Late summer foliage
Warm Brown (#8B4513) - Soil and tree trunks
Cream (#F5F5DC) - Parchment and dried grasses
Charcoal (#36454F) - Shadows and definition
Abstract Collage Techniques
Building Layers
Start with larger background elements and build toward smaller details. Each layer should contribute to the overall texture and visual interest while maintaining compositional balance.
Creating Visual Flow
Use overlapping elements, repeated shapes, and color connections to guide the eye through your composition. Abstract doesn't mean random - consider how elements relate to each other.
Texture Contrast
Combine smooth and rough textures, shiny and matte surfaces, geometric and organic shapes to create visual interest and tactile appeal.
Color Harmony
Work within your earth-tone palette while allowing for subtle variations and unexpected color relationships. Let papers suggest new color combinations.
Weekly Projects
Week 1: "Golden Fields"
The warmth and abundance of harvest time
Materials for this week:
Magazine pages in golden and warm brown tones
Patterned papers (if available)
Tissue paper for translucent layers
Washi tape in autumn colors
Inks in golden ochre, warm brown, and cream
Fine liner pens
Colored pencils
Color Focus: Golden ochre, warm browns, and cream with burnt sienna accents
Week 2: "Orchard Abundance"
The richness and clustering of gathered harvest
Materials for this week:
Magazine pages with rich, warm colors
Circular and oval paper shapes (cut from various sources)
Solid-colored papers in harvest hues
Translucent papers for layering
Washi tape for connecting elements
Inks in deep burgundy, rust orange, and golden ochre
White gel pen for highlights
Color Focus: Deep burgundy, rust orange, and golden ochre with olive green details
Week 3: "Root Connections"
The hidden strength and earthiness below the surface
Materials for this week:
Dark magazine pages and papers
Textured and rough papers
Patterned papers for contrast
Washi tape in earth tones
Inks in warm brown, burnt sienna, and charcoal
Oil pastels for rich color application
Colored pencils for detail work
Color Focus: Warm browns, burnt sienna, and cream with charcoal accents
Week 4: "Grain Rhythms"
The patterns and flow of gathered grains
Materials for this week:
Magazine pages that can be cut into strips
Papers with linear textures or patterns
Tissue paper for translucent layering
Washi tape in various widths
Inks in golden ochre, cream, and warm brown
Fine liner pens for detailed work
Natural papers with grain or texture
Color Focus: Golden ochre, cream, and warm brown with rust orange highlights
Creative Freedom Notes
This month embraces the transformative nature of fall by offering you complete creative freedom within each weekly theme. Use the suggested materials and color palette as your foundation, but let your intuition guide the composition, form, and expression.
Consider how each theme makes you feel:
What does "Golden Fields" mean to your creative spirit?
How might "Orchard Abundance" translate into abstract forms?
What emotions does "Root Connections" evoke for you?
How do you interpret "Grain Rhythms" visually?
There are no right or wrong approaches - only your unique creative response to autumn's energy of change and transformation.
Creating Meaningful Abstractions
While working in abstract collage, consider how your choices can evoke the essence of harvest without literal representation:
Texture can suggest the tactile quality of natural materials
Color relationships can evoke specific seasonal feelings
Compositional flow can suggest natural growth patterns
Layering can represent the accumulated richness of harvest
Contrast can create visual interest and depth
Composition Considerations
Balance and Weight: Distribute visual weight across your composition through color intensity, texture contrast, and size variation. Heavy elements can be balanced by clusters of lighter ones.
Focal Points: Create areas of interest through color contrast, texture variation, or detail concentration while maintaining overall unity.
Edge Quality: Vary your edge treatments - some crisp and cut, others soft and torn - to create visual rhythm and prevent monotony.
Color Temperature: Use warm and cool variations within your earth-tone palette to create depth and atmospheric perspective.
Working Process Tips
Paper Preparation: Sort and organize papers by color and texture before beginning. Having a variety readily available encourages spontaneous creative decisions.
Layering Strategy: Build from general to specific - establish major shapes and colors first, then add details and refinements.
Stepping Back: Regularly step back from your work to assess overall balance and make adjustments before committing to permanent adhesion.
Happy Accidents: Remain open to unexpected color combinations or overlaps that occur during the layering process - these often become the most interesting aspects of the piece.
Final Thoughts
September's harvest theme offers rich territory for abstract exploration. The abundance and variety of autumn's bounty translates beautifully into the layered complexity of collage, while the earth-tone palette provides both harmony and subtle variation.
As you work through these projects, notice how different papers and textures can evoke specific feelings or associations. The goal isn't literal representation but rather the creation of compositions that capture the essential qualities of harvest season - its richness, abundance, and tactile appeal.
Abstract collage encourages a different kind of seeing, one that focuses on relationships between colors, textures, and forms rather than recognizable imagery. This approach can deepen your understanding of composition and color while creating works that invite extended viewing and discovery.
Remember that each layer you add changes the entire composition. Work thoughtfully but not hesitantly, trusting your instincts about color and texture relationships while remaining open to the unexpected discoveries that emerge through the layering process.
I'd love to see your harvest texture explorations! Share them on your socials and tag me in your posts.
Next month: October "Halloween Magic" - exploring the mysterious, playful, and dramatic themes of Halloween through mixed media and creative expression.
With rich creative abundance,
