How to Alter Books

Altering books can be as simplistic or as complex as the artist desires. The beauty of book altering is two-fold: You have the opportunity to bring new life to something that may have seen better days, and you are not faced with an intimidating blank canvas. If you are new to altering books, the tips found below will help you get started.

Things You'll Need

• Book to alter
• Scissors
• Craft knife
• Glue sticks
• Distress ink
• Black ultra-fine sharpie
• Acrylic paint
• Paintbrushes
• Small containers of water
• Rubber stamp of your choice
• Magazine clippings
• Ruler
• Pencil

Instructions

1. 

   Choose a damaged or unwanted book from you collection. Other good places to find books to alter are yard sales, flea markets and thrift stores. Gather your materials and spread them all out in front of you. You might need to plan ahead for the magazine clippings portion of this step. Spend some time finding images, interesting text and other items that stand out to you. Collect them in a large envelope or shoebox.

2. 

   Open your book so it rests flat. It doesn't matter if it's in the beginning, middle or end of the book so long as it will open flat. Apply a color wash over both sides of the page spread in any color combination you choose. Let the paint dry completely before moving on to the next step.

3. 

   Apply distress ink along the edges of the pages by rubbing the inkpad directly on to the paper. Use the rubber stamp in random places, at least two or three, through both pages in the spread. Collage over some areas of the page spread using the magazine clippings. Try to find interesting text and images to portray the theme or message you are trying to express with this work. Or you can be completely random and make no sense at all with your selections.

4. 

   Use the ultra-fine black sharpie to write journal entries, quotations, song lyrics, poetry or anything else that comes to mind.

5. 

   Use the ruler to draw a square in the top left corner and the lower right corner of the page spread. Cut the squares out so the text on the pages beneath show through. Save these squares for future art projects, or incorporate them into another part of the page spread.

Tips & Warnings

• Place a piece of waxed paper under the pages before painting to protect the pages beneath. Speed drying time during the paint application by using a heat gun or hair dryer. Place a piece of cardboard under the page before cutting out the squares with the craft knife in order to protect the pages beneath.

• Do not use too much water when painting, or it will cause the pages to wave and buckle. Do not use too much glue when adding the collage work, or it will cause the pages to wave and buckle. Make sure your craft knife is sharp, or the paper will tear.

Resources

• Mixed Media Arts