 "Brazelton Makes Altering Books Look Fun and Easy" | 2008-04-04 |
| - Reviewed By tallercarol |
Altered Books Workshop by Bev Brazelton is a wonderful collage of techniques and ideas that can be used for altering books. The book is a beautiful collection of work, with each page looking like a work of art. It is an easy book to read that is lots of fun to look at. The techniques are explained in simple format with photos to lead you through each step.
The basic techniques section covers collaging, stitching, cutting doors, cutting windows, adding tags, folding pages, and adding inserts. Rubber stamping on tags is one of the many wonderful samples used in this section. These are so much fun and add so much character to the page! Pages are filled with variations and tips, and the art work on each page deserves the time to be studied.
The intermediate techniques include cutting shadowboxes, glazing, adding texture, collaging covers, and cutting covers. Cutting shadowboxes and covers was fascinating to learn. The easy to follow directions with photos makes the procedure sound easy enough for anyone to succeed doing, but the final results look like an experienced artist was involved. Brazelton suggests gluing your pages together before you begin cutting out the shadowbox. When the glue dries, you use a craft knife and change blades often to achieve the cut out that you are looking for. She recommends that you cut the whole area and not worry about how clean your edges are until you are done. Then you can go back and clean up the pages. You can then fill your cut out area with little trinkets to create 3-D collaged art.
This book achieved its goal. Not only did I enjoy reading and looking over each page, but it made me want to alter a book immediately.
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| "Great book for beginners or the more experienced" | 2008-01-24 |
| - Reviewed By User: AUXZGUUWLLPG0 |
| I really like this book a lot! It covers everything for the beginner: what is an altered book, choosing a book, supplies and tools, developing a theme, and then there are some great step by step photos of the whole process of starting the book and doing a double spread. Then is covers 18 different techniques. Some of the basic ones are collaging, stitching, cutting doors, windows, adding tags, folding pages, and adding inserts, all with wonderful examples and photos. Next, are intermediate techniques: cutting shadowboxes, glazing and adding texture, and working with your book cover. Lastly, there are the techniques that Bev calls "creative". They are designing with words, adding a drawer, hanging embellishments, adding fibers and beads, transferring images, and adding pop-ups. All of these subjects in one book is wonderful. That is why I highly recommend this book for a beginner. |
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| "Helpful "workshop" for beginners" | 2007-12-06 |
| - Reviewed By reading_mommy |
| For under five dollars, this book is a great investment for beginners or even those who are just intrigued by altered books. As the author explains, her focus is not to teach her specific style, but rather, some techniques for altering books. For example, she discusses different uses for various glues, how to fold and cut pages, and how to insert shadowboxes. The step-by-step photos and tips are very helpful. For more of an eye-candy, awe-inspiring book, try Terry Taylor's Altered Art. For detailed how-to's and encouragement, Bev Brazelton's book is valuable introduction. |
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| "A Personal Workshop on Paper" | 2007-12-01 |
| - Reviewed By User: A250DNGLGA39FO |
I'd been wanting to purchase this book for awhile before finally buying it - and I'm so glad I did! This is a fabulous book to add to any artist's collection - whether you are into altered books or your focus lies in creating different mixed media/altered art projects. The author (herself a well-known altered book artist) takes the reader from very basic ideas and explanations, to much more advanced information. She accomplishes this in such a way that the reader - independent of skill level - never feels talked down to, or is left trying to figure out what she's talking about. The examples in the book are glorious eye candy, and it's easy to forget you're looking at the flat page of a book - her texture seems to jump off the page. This is a great reference tool to use during those times your Muse has taken a vacation, or you're looking to try a process you don't normally incorporate into your work. I really appreciate the way the book is laid out - the photography is scrumptious and the writing is concise.
Altered Books Workshop is a book that will stay on the front section of my bookcase, where I keep my favorite "go to" books. This book is definitely money well spent! |
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| "Great resource, Excellent source for beginners" | 2007-08-23 |
| - Reviewed By User: A16WYJKU13G4HY |
| This book is filled with inspirational ideas and all the techniques needed to complete projects. Excellent for someone new to the craft. |
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| "Interesting, good instructions" | 2007-05-13 |
| - Reviewed By User: A29YC0MNMBNNEH |
| I bought this book, and several others, to use for a project in my highschool art classes. This is the one the kids looked at most. It had good instructions and ideas. |
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| "iI cannot put down that book!!!" | 2007-03-25 |
| - Reviewed By User: A1LZQXR2AK14TX |
I have bought this book as an introduction to altered books and since then I cannot put it down. It is true that people who are experienced in the art of altering books may find it a little limited. But Bev Brazelton is such a talented artist! It is a yummy book for the eyes!
The book itself is devided is different parts showing different techniques from the most elementary ones to the more elaborated ones.
I truly recommand this book.
It is so inspiring! |
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 "Good beginner hands-on book" | 2007-02-19 |
| - Reviewed By cat-and-dragon |
I've done almost no altered-book work, and I've done a bit more collage. I took this book out of the library as part of some research into paper art techniques.
This book's organization is straightforward. Brazelton starts by explaining the basic materials and supplies used, in an organized and detailed fashion, and then teaches one specific technique at a time. This method seems good for people who know very little about the art and like to learn by working hands-on with a specific set of instructions. The author is very encouraging.
A couple of minor criticisms: My enjoyment of the book was marred a bit because I just don't like the author's artistic style very much. I also found it irritating that Brazelton used the same basic approach over and over (multiple layers of color washes) on each segment. I wish the author had added at least a few photos of other artist's works so I could see some other ways to approach altered books. |
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| "Nice" | 2007-02-16 |
| - Reviewed By eoxley |
| This book is an awesome purchase for someone interested in learning about altered books. Detailed, good examples, techniques. Good choice. |
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| "Nice Creative Ideas" | 2006-12-31 |
| - Reviewed By ada_g |
| I would recommend this book to someone that is already into altering books, and is looking for new creative ideas. I am fairly new to altering books, so this was useful. I like that the instructions are easy to follow and the illustrations make sense. |
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