Waste not, want art.
Techniques & tools to help you create altered art.
Contents at a Glance
| Altered Doll |
| Beginning Techniques |
- Lisa Vollrath
- Lisa Vollrath does a lot of altered art, and her how-to pages are worth the read.
- Cigar Box Purse
- Shows basic altered art techniques for three dimentional objects.
| Stamps |
TIP
While stamps are useful (and fun), the ones you buy are mass produced. Make stamps a little more unique by gently roughing the edges of the lines with sandpaper or an emory board, or use an exacto knife to very carefully remake or remove parts of your stamps.
While stamps are useful (and fun), the ones you buy are mass produced. Make stamps a little more unique by gently roughing the edges of the lines with sandpaper or an emory board, or use an exacto knife to very carefully remake or remove parts of your stamps.
| Altered Book |
| Sources |
Found objects are an intregal part of altered art. Sure, you can buy faux vintage images and metal whatnots, but the beauty of altered art is in re-using otherwise discarded materials: old magazines, broken jewelry and dolls, fabric scraps. The best place to search for used bits and pieces (outside of your own attic) is thrift stores.
Esty is another source, and a place to sell your altered art as well; unlike eBay, they handle only handmade or vintage items.
Esty is another source, and a place to sell your altered art as well; unlike eBay, they handle only handmade or vintage items.
Bits & Pieces
- Paper Samplers
- Need just a little handmade paper, flocked paper, Japanese, Italian, or polka dotted paper? Try a paper sampler from Print Mojo.
| More Techniques |
- Faux Peeled Paint
- Add an old, peeling-layers look.
- "Add A Little Rust" Tutorial.
- Not metal? Not a problem.
| Scissors |
TIP
Scissors and craft knives are a vital tool when altering art. If you have tools for cutting paper, use them only for cutting paper to retain their sharpness longer.
Scissors and craft knives are a vital tool when altering art. If you have tools for cutting paper, use them only for cutting paper to retain their sharpness longer.
| Altered Objects |
| Advanced Techniques |
- Propping Up The Mythos
- Learn how to make faux ancient tomes and artifacts.
- Polaroid Transfer
- How to use the emulsion from a polaroid to create prints.
- Gold Leaf
- Flat & raised gilding.
| Copper Leaf |
TIP
If you plan on gilding, consider leafing other than gold; copper has a softer look and verdigres nicely.
If you plan on gilding, consider leafing other than gold; copper has a softer look and verdigres nicely.
| Inspirations |
- Upcycle Art
- Pittsburgh recycling craft projects.
- Recyclers World: Collectibles
- Classifieds for recycling collectibles & memorabilia. You could find that one final ephemera that will pull your altered art piece together.
| Digital Altered Art |
Art may also be altered digitally. Elements may be used from multiple sources or derived from the original piece itself.
| In The End |
Someday, the altered art you make today will be old, faded, falling apart, and someone else will salvage the bits and use them in new altered art.
It's the best that any piece of art can hope for.
~~O~~
It's the best that any piece of art can hope for.
~~O~~
by JaZilla
Hillbilly, photographer, poet, artist, mom. See my designs and art on t-shirts and gifts at JaZilla ~ Pop Culture Clothing & Gifts. JaNell Golden... more »
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