

So I painted stitches on the paper shreds and added shadows around them. I decided to stay with the faux leather look. The first completed page of my altered book.
#Altered books how to
What Kind of Books Do I Need to Learn How to Make Altered Books? And of course, like you, I'm perpetually looking for new materials and techniques. For ever it seems I'm on the look out to break through a creative block. most of these you could use in other art projects too!Īs an avid altered art and mixed media artist, I'm always looking for new ideas. Over time, I'll show you all sorts of techniques. How to make altered books will be explained thoroughly. I've been told I have a vivid imagination, so anything goes!! You can paint them, cut, fold, burn, sew, collage, tear, drill, glue or adorn them in any way your imagination sees fit. Be they old, dilapidated books or new ones, their covers and pages can be altered in many ways. Altered Books are books that have been given a new life in the form of art. Artists are the ultimate recyclers, don't ya know!Ī lot of people have never made an altered book and for them I have all the help they'll need! For those of you who have made altered books in the past, let this serve as inspiration to go make more art!

I think visual guides are very important when it comes to explaining techniques.įollow along over the next while as I make art from an old worn out book destined for the landfill site. Use only the binding of the book and drill holes to string thread, then add in your own elements like a spiral bound notebook.I got to thinking that it would be fun to show you how to make altered books using some of my step-by-step demonstrations. Create tabs for books with icons to separate out different parts of the books.

(See Complete Idiot’s Guide to Altered Art ) Make an envelope album by punching holes in a stack of envelopes and binding them together with ribbon. Other Techniques to Try (cont.) Create a “packing tape” image.
#Altered books software
Alter photos using photo editing software such as Photoshop to create different effects. Thread a ribbon on inside of the spine and tie in a bow. Try pop ups! Create poems from found words. Paint over it, age it with sandpaper, rip it and put it back together, etc. Other Techniques to Try Deconstruct a picture.

Techniques: Frames From Altered This by Alena Hennessy
#Altered books windows
Techniques: Windows and Cutouts Altered Art for the First Time by Madeline Arendtįrom Alter This! by Alena Hennessy Techniques: Shadow Boxes, Weaving, and Sewing Supplies Anything used for scrapbooking Xacto knife & cutting mat Glue sticks/Spray adhesive/Double-sided tape Gesso or gel medium & foam paint brush Decorative edged scissors Stamps and hole punches Drills, fabri-tac, book binding tape Pens, markers, colored pencils, crayons, paints Gathering Materials Flash cards Old game pieces Old pictures Old magazines and newspapers Leaves Old calendars Cheap jewelry Cookie fortunes Old wrapping paper Food wrappers Old photographs Seed packets Found notes Trading cards Maps Ribbons Pressed flowers Tickets Tissue Paper Van Nice on display at the National Museum of Women in the Arts.įrom Altered Board Book Basics From Altered Book Scrapbook Nature Journals & Memory Keepers Ideas for Projects Round-Robin Story Book as Art Poetry Travel Journal Political Statement Storybook Shadow Box or Hiding Place Dream Journal Nature Journal Scrapbook īooks as Art Swiss Army Book by M. Make sure not to use originals of photos! To support additions, glue 2 or more pages together using gel medium or a glue stick and brayer. To make room for additions, “thin out” your book by ripping out every 5th page. Make sure binding is not broken or loose. Altered Books Workshop Scrapbooking and More with Found Objectsįrom the FIRST modern altered book: A Humument by Tom Phillipsīefore You Begin: Look for hardbacks or board books.
