Create Collage Papers with Me | Overcoming Self Doubt

I decided to dive into creating some collage papers for my art journaling, and let me tell you, it was a day full of mixed feelings. I started by grabbing a bunch of different paints that inspired me, rather than sticking to a cohesive color palette. This session was all about loosening up and letting creativity flow, but honestly, I felt pretty self-conscious and stuck in my head. Looking back, though, the papers turned out just fine, and sometimes that's all we need to remember—it's okay if not every session feels perfect. It's part of the process.

I used a variety of materials, from tracing paper and vellum to tissue paper from an old birthday present. Each type of paper brought its own unique texture and character to the mix. One of my favorites was a black piece of paper that I layered with white marks before adding colorful details. It’s funny how the papers I enjoyed the least while creating often end up being the ones I love most in retrospect. Art is a balance between intuition and pushing ourselves outside of our comfort zone.

Throughout the session, I tried to remind myself to be gentle, especially when I caught myself being overly critical. Sometimes, it’s just about using up the paint on the palette or seeing where spontaneous thoughts lead me. It’s all part of the journey, and no two paper-making sessions are ever the same. I encourage you to explore, try new things, and most importantly, enjoy the process—even when it feels a bit uncomfortable. You might find, like I did, that the end results are surprisingly rewarding.

Happy paper making!