Deconstructing a book – discovery process

altered books, artist book, book arts, collage, combined techniques / /

I am getting ready for the Book as ART Materials class, and realizing how much I enjoy the deconstruction and discovery process of take an old book apart.

deconstruct books to use as art materials

And I suggest that for this process it is okay to judge a book by its cover.

collect old books to alter

When using books as art materials, I think the older books have more surprises to offer. And they are a lot easier to take apart.

The magical parts are in the spine and the covers. The spine often has glue, mesh and other supportive materials that are great for collage.

book parts collage

Pages can be used for so many applications. Basically you can use them for any project that calls for paper:

  • origami
  • printmaking
  • painting
  • collage and more

I encourage you to find an old but not precious book and dissect it! Then see what you can make with the parts. And join us in the online class, Books as ART Materials. Read the details on the workshop page.

art projects using book parts

 

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Things I tell myself

combined techniques, mark making / /

Art making is often a solitary process. But there is still a lot of conversation during the process.

Mixed media book page

My self talk is always in the background:

  • What I am doing this for?
  • What if I fail?
  • What if I ruin it?
  • How do I know if it is right?
  • Is it good enough?

unique artist book

I try to get beyond those judgments and fears by thinking more about the process than the product. So I say things like:

  • I can trust in the process
  • I don’t need to know
  • The magic happens when I can let go of control
  • It is a one of a kind process
  • Keep what I like
  • Notice what I enjoy
  • Let go of the struggle
  • Less is more
  • Leave some empty space
  • Admire the print

Make marks artist book

I encourage my students to adopt some of these thoughts. In the class, Make Marks and Books we break the steps down into seemingly unrelated elements.

  • We work in a loose book form to give the process a final product.
  • We slowly build up layers of marks to create an intuitive book
  • It is about learning to make space and build connections
  • It is about layering simple marks to create a rich visual story

If you would like to embrace this mark making process, then join us in Make Marks and Books. Read all the details on the workshop page. Class starts soon.

hand crafted artist book

 

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Build on skills you enjoy

mixed media printmaking / /

Start with art making skills that you already have and enjoy. Then test out and add on new skills.

Mark making

That is one way that I have been growing my drawing and printmaking skills. I think it is important to enjoy the process and build in success as often as possible.

How do I build in success?

    • Know that not every project will be beautiful. This reduces pressure and expectation
    • Know that mistakes and practice pieces inform future work
    • Notice what I admire about each piece. Bring what I like into the next print.

Printmaking is a great process for building new skills. When printing without a press the feed back from your mark making is immediate. You can develop your design and composition skills in fun and fast ways.

gelatin printed book

In the Make Marks and Books class, we will print many layers in a loose book form with the goal of exploring how to create pleasing combination of a variety of printed marks.

  1. Start with an expressive scribble
  2. Layer textured gelatin print
  3. Make some tools
  4. Add stamped, stenciled and rubbing kinds of marks
  5. Continue to a complete book of your own unique style of mark making

If this sounds interesting to you, then read all the details on the workshop page and join us.

make books with linda germain

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Mark Making as a process

artist book, mark making / /

Mark making can be simple or complex. For me it is a process of layering shapes, lines, textures and colors.

make marks

It is some what intuitive and always evolving. The next mark is informed by all those that came before.

make marks

For that reason I like to:

  • leave plenty of white space
  • use transparent layers
  • be willing to not know what is next

Making with a variety of marks like:

  • drawing
  • scribbling
  • stamping or
  • rubbing

leads to prints with a complex texture and visual story. This kind of story is often powerful enough to convey a story with multiple meanings.

Knowing when to leave space and how to connect marks is unique to the maker and is developed through the process.

In the online class, Making Marks and Books we will explore this process of evolving marks to complete a book. Come to class with the skills you already enjoy and explore:

  • gelatin printing thing textures layers
  • tool making with foam and cardboard
  • release feeling and emotion with scribbles

Check out all the details and join us – class starts soon.

make Marks

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Mark making tools

mark making, mark making tools, mixed media printmaking / /

Do you have favorite mark making tools?

I do. I love black gel pens that flow smooth and easy. Of course I love to use cut glass to make marks with the gelatin plate. Below you will find more of my favorites.

mark making tools

  1. Black gel pen for contour drawings and fine line doodles.
  2. Kids water based markers for “inking” small relief blocks and drawings.
  3. Soft kids crayons for rubbings and rough line drawings.
  4. Homemade relief stamps for pattern making.
  5. Small set of alphabet stamps for printing words.
  6. Cut glass for making impressions with ink and the gelatin plate.
  7. Small brayer for linear and blocky bold marks.
  8. Red acrylic ink and an eye dropper for bold colorful lines and blobs.
  9. Round and oval caps of all sizes for stamping.
  10. Plastic doily for delicate impressions.
  11. Corrugated cardboard for making designs with the gelatin plate.

Make marks book

Often a combination of marks with different qualities creates an interesting image.

The quality of marks can be:

  • thick or thin
  • bold or delicate
  • aggressive or timid
  • smooth or ragged
  • flat or dimensional
  • and so on

The characteristic of the mark convey a feeling or mood. It is fun to use a unique combination of marks and tools to tell your own story.

We explore several mark making approaches in the online printmaking classes. Check out what classes are currently being offered.

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