Altered Books

Level: Eighth grade. VA8MC.1 Engages in brainstorming and sketching to generate and visualize ideas. VA8PR.2e. Selects specific media and processes to express themes and ideas. VA8PR.3e. Develops three-dimensional artworks.

Objectives: Students will study examples of altered books. Students will list various features of altered books studied. Students will plan and create themed altered books. Key questions: • What is an altered book? • What is ? • What are some features of altered books? • How do I create an altered book? Steps: 1. Students will first study examples of altered books on LCD projector. • What is an altered book? (a mixed media work of art that changes a book’s appearance and/or meaning) • How would you categorize Altered Books as an art form? (, mixed media) • What is “mixed media?” (the use of different artistic media, e.g. paint, photographs, and , in a single work of art, similar to assemblage) 2. Google “altered books.” • Examine several books and pages from books. • Save at least 3 of your favorite images to the Raymer folder on the S drive. 3. Study saved images. • What is unity in terms of the Principles of Art? (when all parts of a work of art seem to belong together) • What creates unity in an altered book? ( a theme, repetition of certain elements or ideas) • What are some themes featured in altered books? (beauty, nature, music, family, fairytales) • What materials did the artists use? (Pencil, colored pencil, oil pastel, crayon, marker, rubber stamps, watercolor paints, acrylic paints, collage materials, fabric, , found objects including stickers, postage stamps, and 3D objects, such as a key - mixed media) • What are some interesting features of the books? (paintings, drawings, -photos or letters cut from magazines or newspapers-, stamps, stickers, photographs, pockets, hand written letters or notes, windows, pop- up pages, burned edges, niches, wallpaper, ribbon, plants, leaves, flowers)

4. Brainstorm for ideas for themes, subjects, materials, design elements, and special features. See and review handout. o Select and list possible topics/themes related to your interests. Themes must be BIG ideas such as: ▪ Nature, animals, music, beauty, love, children, family, friends, yourself, people, toys, fairytales, cartoons, musicals, plays, TV shows, favorite books, movies, travel, places, video games, board games, food, products, celebrities, outer space, science, scientists, art, famous artists, architecture, dance, technology, school, death (Goth), vampires. 5. After you decide on topic, skip cover section, fill out last. 6. For each topic list 3 possible related subthemes and: o objects to draw or paint o objects to collage o text - lyrics/poems/quotes/personal writings o unusual 2D materials- , ribbon, wallpaper, stickers, map, sheet music, ticket stubs, newspaper, magazine articles, candy wrappers o 3D objects – key, game pieces, scrabble letters, ballet slipper, tesserae, , dog tags, jewelry, charms, nails, bolts, locks, mirror, lock of hair, guitar pics, strings, earphones, corks, bottle caps, etc... o special features ▪ pocket ▪ pop-up ▪ ▪ drawer ▪ drilled holes ▪ niche (could be as big as book, making it one large box) ▪ window (with flap) ▪ flip book ▪ stitching – pages together, words in pages, appliqué ▪ burned edges, woven pages, hole punch o colors o patterns o YOU CAN LEAVE 1-2 LINES BLANK IN EACH SUBCATEGORY AREA, you will only need 1 3D object in book, two patterns 7. Select strongest theme/topic (with most/best ideas). 8. Collect found objects for special features. 9. Collect lyrics, poems, quotes, personal writings for text. 10. Sketch 5+ objects to draw from worksheet in practice sketch section. Check off each object on worksheet as you draw it. 11. Design 6 double-page layouts including front and back cover to fill 6 pages in sketchbook. Include all, or most, objects from worksheet. Check objects off as you include them. Remember 1 double page spread = 1 design! Sketches should look like:

12. Seek teacher approval. 13. Create book: o Steps: ▪ Select book keeping in mind size of 3D object. If you have a large 3D object, you will need large book. ▪ Rip out every 6th page carefully and save. ▪ Put wax at double page layout locations. You will need more space between layouts where niches and other special features will be. ▪ Glue all other pages together with glue/water mixture and paint brush. Put glue on one page only – close to edges. This should take no more than two class periods. Put on drying rack. ▪ Paint background of all layouts with watercolor paints. Circle related words on page first – do not paint over. Dry. ▪ Begin first double page design. Sketch ideas in book and seek approval before beginning. ▪ In pencil draw 1, 2, or 3 large and simple items to fill space in an interesting way – overlap, tilt objects. Paint with acrylics. ▪ If adding pictures (from magazines or other) cut images out precisely on outline. Approval on layout, glue neatly. ▪ Add related text – text should enhance design, not look like last minute doodle. See Graphic Design handout. ▪ Complete front and back covers last. 1. Sand covers to grip paint.

Materials: Old hard cover chapter books, all art materials, x-acto knives, glue, mod podge, paint, all available art materials.

Summary: Answer key questions.

Assessment: Altered book must: 1. Feature an obvious theme/ be unified. 2. Include a variety of materials. 3. Include 3-5 well-designed layouts. 4. Include 3+ drawn or painted images. 5. Include meaningful text. 6. Text enhances designs. 7. Change in size and font. 8. Well-designed cover. 9. Cover includes title, artist, image. 10. Creative title. 11. Be neatly drawn, painted, glued.