(by 11 people)
Cut, glue, and paint! Why would anyone want to treat a book that way? Didn't we get punished for doing that when we were children?
Come and see what can be done with books that were destined for the landfill...
What's this all about, and how do I get started?
- Techniques Book
- Jennifer Minnis gives a great tutorial on how to get started in altered books ~ by creating a "techniques book". Be sure to look at all of Jen's great art, too.
- The Altered Book
- June Campbell's site where she pulls together all the resources she wished she'd had in one place when she was first getting started.
- Altered Book Tips
- The Queen of Tarts gives you the lowdown on all the basics.
- What are altered books?
- Michael's arts and crafts stores website gives both a definition and a history of altered books.
Wait for the lightning to strike!
You wouldn't believe how many books end up in landfills each year. As long as you are not altering a priceless one-of-a-kind, you will not be struck by lightning...well, probably not anyway.One of the hardest things about altered books as an art form is that there are no rules. That can also be very freeing, but not if you are bothered by a big blank canvas. So here's what I suggest:
1 Pick a book to alter. You probably want one with sewn pages instead of glued and with a good strong spine.
2 Rip out a few pages. Scribble on a few pages. Glue a few pages together. Wait for the lightning. Be surprised that it doesn't come.
3 Start to add pictures, paint, sew, write, draw...do whatever you want. Since you have solved the problem of the blank canvas (see #2 above), you may find this is easier than you thought it would be!
What are other artists doing?
- Beth Cote
- This woman has done more to make altered books into a respected artform than any other. Beth teaches and shares relentlessly!
- Altered Arts Magazine
- Providing inspiration for altered book and collage artists.
- Karen's Whimsy
- A selection of altered books by a prolific book artist.
- Identity Seven
- Jen Osborn's amazing books.
- Queen of Tarts
- Fabulous work! You'll love it.
Who can I talk to about this?
- Yahoo Group: Altered Books
- This group exchanges information, ideas, tips, and techniques about altered books. An incredible treasure trove of information is kept in archived files.
- Delphi Forum: Mixed Media Art
- All types of altered art are discussed in this friendly forum.
- Wet Canvas: Mixed Media Forum
- Altered books and other mixed media art forms are discussed, critiqued, and taught here.
Inspirational books for more ideas
Altered Books 101The supplies are simple...discarded books, paper, glue and assorted embellishments. You'll soon have books for every theme and season plus gifts for friends and special people. Turn old books into art!
My other favorite
Altered Books WorkshopLearn to apply collage and decorating techniques used in such nouveau arts as journaling and scrapbooking to transform unappreciated hard covers into display pieces. Included are the usual tools and materials, from painting to rubber-stamping, along with instructions for methods like stitching, glazing, and image transfers.
Inspirational magazines
- Somerset Studio
- If you can only get one, make it this one. This lush magazine features paper arts, book arts, art stamping and the lettering arts. Includes how-to articles, an extensive paper-arts column, craft marketing tips, artist portfolios, artful journeys to exotic locales, and book reviews.
- Cloth Paper Scissors
- And this one is a very close second. A must for fabric lovers. The quarterly magazine covers types of fiber arts and collage work, including mixed media, assemblage, altered books, art dolls, visual art journals, rubber stamping, creative embroidery, and book arts.
More info than anyone probably needs
- More Recommended Books
- Links to more more more books on making altered books. Ideas galore, organized into categories such as collage, journaling, bookbinding, and fabric.
- The Humument
- A HUMUMENT is a treated book by British artist Tom Phillips based on the Victorian novel 'A Human Document' by W.H. Mallock. Recognized as being one of the earlier altered books.
- The Center for Book Arts
- Check out the exhibitions ~ they sponsor some of the most amazing events!
- ISABA
- International Society of Altered Book Artists. Yes, there is a professional association for this art form!
So where can I find all the cool stuff I need?
Mostly in your own trash can and local landfill, but when you can't find exactly what you're looking for, check out the resources listed in the Mixed Media lens! Guestbook ~ reader feedback
The place where you can share other resources that you think we all need to know about!
artyfax
Hi, Another great lens, some inspirational stuff here. The more I read about this technique the more I want to try it.
Posted June 23, 2007
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