Create your own Eric Carle imagery!
This project is inspired by the late creator, Eric Carle. Eric Carle, who sadly passed away earlier this year, was an acclaimed children’s book author and illustrator. He’s most popular for his book “The Very Hungry Caterpillar” which sold over 50 million copies in 66 languages.
Carle’s illustration style is beautifully unique making it easily recognizable. Eric Carle creates his vibrant images by first hand painting paper which he then cuts to collage into beautiful imagery. Learn more about Eric Carle here.
To begin making your own Eric-Carle-inspired imagery, grab some mixed-media paper, a paintbrush, a glue stick and some scissors. First, paint some paper (whatever colors you’d like), then, after they’ve had a chance to dry, cut the painted paper up into pieces. With your paper pieces near you, grab a fresh piece of mixed-media paper and begin to collage your image! It might help to draw an outline of your desired image on your paper before you begin to collage, artists choice! Make sure you’re gluing every piece onto your paper to really secure your collage.
Suggested Materials:
.Paints & Paintbrush
Below see examples of Eric Carle’s illustrations, my process video and my final product. Happy Making!
Image Description: Cover of Eric Carle’s book “The Very Lonely Firefly”.
Image Description: Cover of Eric Carle’s book “Mister Seahorse”.
Image Description: Cover of Eric Carle’s book “The Very Hungry Caterpillar”.
Image description: Picture of my final product!
Video of the process.
“Simplify, slow down, be kind. And don’t forget to have art in your life — music, paintings, theater, dance and sunsets.”
— Eric Carle