Customer Reviews

The Art and Craft of Collage

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I own several books on collage and I found this one to be completely different from the rest. Rather than step-by-step projects it focuses on explaining a wide variety of techniques you can use in your artwork. There are lots of new ideas here that are not discussed in the other collage books.

The book starts out a brief history of collage and an overview of art styles such cubism and pop art. Then various collage assembly methods and approaches are discussed. Some include using different adhesives, varnishes and paints. There are some great tips on three-dimensional construction.

Many mechanical methods that use computers and copiers are next. Some techniques include blurring, distorting and altering the color of images. This is great for those unfamiliar with computers who would like to use them to make fantastic pieces of art.

My favorite section focuses on manipulating photographs. It starts out with basic information on cameras & films. Then it a reviews photographic editing techniques including bleaching, toning, lith-printing, film sandwiching, creating multiple exposures, making photograms and using liquid light to transfer your image to a variety of surfaces.

There are also many inspiring full-color artwork examples throughout the book. I found the artwork here to have a different tone than the other collage books I own. You won't find lots of flowers of butterflies here. It tends to be more eclectic or modern than pretty. The accompanying captions in combination with a listing in the back tell the title, size and artist's name as well a bit about the piece and how it was made. Each of the artist's (most are British) addresses are listed as well. A glossary, index and a small list of suppliers are also included. If you are looking for some fresh ideas and new techniques to use in your next collage, this is the book for you.

Larbalestier provides and excellent mix of photographic examples and explanatory text. The wide variety of themes and methods stimulates creativity. Just skimming through the pages may cause you to run for your scissors. (of course, you should never run WITH scissors.) This is a great book to have, whether it's your only collage book or part of a collection.

This book is one I bought a while back when I had some money burning a hole in my pocket and it has stood the test of time. The focus is not on specific projects (like decoupaging your wastebasket) but on an overview of collage history and techniques. The book doesn't give step-by-step information- what it does give is specific information on the processes used to create the numerous collages beautifully depicted in the book.

Between the collages shown and the techniques described, I get fired up every time I look at this book. It has inspired me in photography, collage and digital imaging. Collage is definitely something that can be created through a multiplicity of methods and Larbalestier's numerous examples and technique tidbits illustrate the point well. This is a book that works well in conjunction with more specific technique oriented books, specific classes (like photography), or as a visual boost when looking for a new approach or inspiration.

Books of this calibre aren't easily found on the typical Arts and Crafts bookshelf at the store. I almost wish that I hadn't seen this book so I could have the pleasure of discovering it all over again.

These days 'collage' materials can be found at most craft stores. And many, many books are being churned out with the
main goal of making money. Most of these books are so-so and some are a waste of paper.

I feel this book takes a step away from the 'recipe' type collage books. It comes from a design perspective with emphasis. It's about choosing images and manipulating them to create a new meaning.

If your interest is in images and type I'd also like to recommend It Is Beautiful...Then Gone by Martin Venezky.

The only reason I didn't give this a 5 star rating is because I am not interested in applying photography processes or photocopying in my artwork. Atleast not at this point. I'm still pretty new to collage art and found this book a little over my head. While it might not have had what I was looking for, I was impressed by the way this book was put together.

The pictures are amazing. if you need inspiration get this boo

one of my friends had this book way way back in the day, like in grade or middle skool. i thought it was the most amazing thing before or since sliced bread. especially cuz i couldn't find it anywhere and his was the only one i'd ever seen.

anyway early last semester i came across an old notebook with the title and author written on it, and it had been a long time since i'd even thought of this book, but i remembered how great i used to think it was and instantly looked it up and scored a copy.

i was prepared to be disappointed the way that you are when you watch an old episode of he-man and you can't believe you ever liked anything quite that...whatever. in this case, it's not that bad. this book looks elementary, and it is. it's not even so much a "how-to" as a general overview of various techniques and materials. but for what it's worth, the illustrations are quite nice, although not exactly as astounding as they were when i was 12 - joseph cornell has since ruined me for all rivals. it's helpful in that it tells you (in many cases) which media and techniques were used for which pieces, so that you might visually learn about crackle varnish or photomontage or some other process or medium with which you were previously unfamiliar.

basic, elementary, but decent, with pretty pictures.