Wednesday, May 03, 2006

Book of Dreams: Week Two {Layers}

When you think of altered books, you may think of pages with lots of stuff. Lots of layers of color, images, ephemera, and text. This week we're going to work on having some depth to our pages, by exploring layers. Here some inspiration for creating with lots of layers.

Let us begin with some basic collage work. Rip or cut out whichever items you'd like to use and adhere them to the page. I use Golden Gel Medium for adhering collage work. Once you have them on the page how you want them to look, then we can start adding color. You can use a make-up sponge and ink and apply it to the entire page or just in certain areas. This will help to start unifying all the pieces of the page together. With this layout I stopped there.
On this layout, which I shared the other day, I "distressed" with ink and then I did a layer of glaze. To make glaze I use regular acrylic paint and add Golden Glaze. This will make the paint more transparent when you brush it onto your page. It's sometimes neat to see the text of the page through the paint. You can also wipe off some of the paint when it's still wet to achieve more of a transparent look.

This page was really fun, because I layered backwards. I ripped a hole in one page, then a smaller whole in the page after it and then a smaller one after that. It gives a "window" layered effect. I then painted and adhered the pages together.
On the corresponding page I used napkins to add layers. I peeled the napkins to the very last sheet, so it's just the image and it's very, very thin (and fragile). I then put Golden Gel medium on the page and carefully laid the napkin down on top. I waited a few minutes for it to dry and then I peeled away some of the napkin to expose some of the text on the page. You could also leave it as is. I then used glaze acrylics on top to add color.
This topic is truly endless. Have fun playing around with layers. You can layer paper, napkins, tissue, fabric, images, whatever you want! Can't wait to see what you create.

I also thought I'd show you my updated pocket page from last week. I used a simple polka dot stamp I got from Paperbag Studios. Roben has the most amazing stamps!!

23 comments:

Anonymous said...

can't wait to get started on layers tonight. Thanks for the fantastic links! they are truly inspirational!

Lilli in Vancouver said...

This is just the perfect topic for this week. Layering appears to be a fundamental technique for this kind of art. Thanks for the inspiration :)

Anonymous said...

love, love , love the poka dots and diamonds, so fun!Thanks for stopin' by my blog, talk soon.

Anonymous said...

Excellent! This is the fun part...all that good mess! Thanks Kari! And thank you for including all the links. Great inspiration!

Tongue in Cheek Antiques said...

Thank you for the lessons!! So fun your ideas and clever ...thank you for generously sharing with us!

etre-soi said...

great links thank you so much, layers love to have a good background :) here's mine. I was late from week 1 now I'm on time finished week 2 too :)
http://lafeecoriandre.blogspot.com/2006/05/my-book-of-dreams.html

Jana said...

Was thinking the book you were using looked real familiar, & just popped upstairs to check---yep, we have a whole set of those My Book House books including the one you're using---The Magic Garden! We grew up with these books, and one year for my birthday my brother gave me a set he'd found---I'd love to alter one, but he'd kill me!! I'll have to look for a single to tear apart some day....saving the set---would love to use some of the illustrations.

Need to get to work on my own book---ran into a road block when my old pva glue was discovered to be rather stiff---added some water & was able to use some, but when I called the book binding shop I purchased it from in the past, I found out they won't sell to the public any more. Am going to give this old stuff a try again today and work on catching up.

Fun to see the layer technique!
Thanks!

harmonyinline said...

I just found your site and I would love to join I am wondering if it is to late or not?

Lu said...

your talent is truly amazing. I have to start my book today!

Jeanne said...

oooooh wheeeeee! This week looks like fun. I can't wait to get started.

Lita said...

My life is rich in layers right now...so many things going on, some good, some bad...if I can do this it will be an accomplishment in itself...not so good with layers you see. My road is simple...I wonder where this will take me.

Jessie said...

I am really in love with your book of dreams--especially the page with the mother and baby. You keep getting better and better!

Anonymous said...

I am falling a little behind, but I will catch up and when I do I will post my pages on my blog. Love your pages. Thanks for doing this.

Kim

Ashley Calder said...

gorgeous work! I love that layered window effect.. and the napkin!! very cool :)


Ashley.

Christi said...

I FINALLY got to start my journal!!! Whoohooo! My cover and first page are on my blog and I can't wait to try the layers and then hopefully, I will get a chance to go see what everyone else has been doing! Smiles!

Lia (artjunkgrl) said...

what a beautiful book you have here! wow! I love the colors, variety, everything. It's quite a work! you must smile when you hold it in your hands (esp. the cute picture of your daughter, very sweet addition!) great descriptions and links. I love all the various photos and step by step. it really helps me learn. I am going to start layering tonight. also, I have glaze but have never used. now I can try. do you use a small amount or 1/2 and 1/2? Off I go. this is so much fun!

Maggie Lamarre said...

Morning:
I am trying to follow the instructions I did manage to create teh folded look, but the medium golden I'm not able to find it. Any hint on what else can be use as a medium?
Thanks
Maggie

Sharon Tomlinson said...

layering is going on in my brain right now and I need stuff to layer with. But first I have finally set up my blog and posted my pocket page. Yeah for me. Jump over and take a look at
http://allnorahsart.blogspot.com/
I am Sharon from Texas on the list now you can change me to Norah's (with a blog).

AnneMarie said...

love seeing your work- so inspiring! I love to layer... from my life to my art :)

Anonymous said...

i posted my entry for week 2. I love layers! it's my favorite technique.


http://thisismeangib.typepad.com/my_weblog/2006/05/may_62006_dream.html

gudrun said...

The pages and all the work you are putting into this project really amazes me, Kari.
I'm so in love with your layered pages.
I have done a couple of pages as well, and still working on one more layered page. This is SO fun. Feel like I'm learning something new each time.
Thanks alot!

Unknown said...

I love your altered book, Artsymama. I have done my first page to my very first altered book. Thank you... :)

Jeanne said...

Sorry, I am a little behind on my Book of Dreams. Just posted week 2...better late than never!

http://jeanneszewczyk.blogspot.com/2006/05/book-of-dreams-week-two-layers.html