When artists begin making an altered book, one of the first questions that comes to mind is usually what kind of materials to use. The truth is, you can use almost anything that your creative muse calls for. There is no right or wrong when it comes to book altering.
That having been said, some products do not lend themselves particularly well to this enterprise. Water based glues and adhesives are the biggest offenders in this category. Water will cause the pages to buckle in a most unattractive fashion. Unless you are going for that particular look as called for by your creative design idea, you will want to avoid these products. Water color paints are big on the list of things to avoid. They will cause buckling and wrinkling. Instead, look for a coloring medium made without water. Many of us like using fabric paints, because along with little or no water, they tend to be flexible when dry. Luminiere paints by Jacquard seem to be a favorite. Where I live, you can buy them at Michaels in the fabric paint section. As for adhesives, avoid water based products. Gel mediums work well. Many of the altered book artists I know use Golden's Matte Gel Medium, but I am sure any brand would work just as well. Mediums are good because they are versatile and have many uses. You can use them as an adhesive, as a medium to mix with other acrylic paints or as a surface sealer and glaze. These products are also sold at Michaels, in the section with the acrylic paints and such. You can get them at any artist supply store, or online. Choosing the paint and adhesive for an altered book is always an adventure.
That having been said, some products do not lend themselves particularly well to this enterprise. Water based glues and adhesives are the biggest offenders in this category. Water will cause the pages to buckle in a most unattractive fashion. Unless you are going for that particular look as called for by your creative design idea, you will want to avoid these products. Water color paints are big on the list of things to avoid. They will cause buckling and wrinkling. Instead, look for a coloring medium made without water. Many of us like using fabric paints, because along with little or no water, they tend to be flexible when dry. Luminiere paints by Jacquard seem to be a favorite. Where I live, you can buy them at Michaels in the fabric paint section. As for adhesives, avoid water based products. Gel mediums work well. Many of the altered book artists I know use Golden's Matte Gel Medium, but I am sure any brand would work just as well. Mediums are good because they are versatile and have many uses. You can use them as an adhesive, as a medium to mix with other acrylic paints or as a surface sealer and glaze. These products are also sold at Michaels, in the section with the acrylic paints and such. You can get them at any artist supply store, or online. Choosing the paint and adhesive for an altered book is always an adventure.
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