Customer Reviews

Collage : A New Approach

5 star:		(13)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

This book has totally changed the way I work when I create collages. Don't be put off by the low page count -- there is more information packed into these 55 pages than in the 3 books on collage that I own, combined.

This is a technique book, not a book on collage design or color theory. In this book, Talbot battles the biggest challenge for collage artists: once you've got your elements arranged as you want them, you have to pick them up again to apply adhesive -- and then remember how they were arranged in the first place. Talbot solves this problem with the use of readily available materials, and leaves the artist free to create instead of worrying about what goes where.

In addition to the technical information, I found the appendix and source list invaluable. Talbot tells the reader how to easily obtain every item that is mentioned in the book, as well as suggesting alternatives. I have not yet seen another book on collage as well planned and thought-out as this one.

I am a very beginning beginner at collage and am so glad I found this little gem of a book! The method that Talbot has devised is ingenious and makes so much sense.

I liked the way he organized the book...first he did an overview of the process and then went into great detail about each step in this process. For a beginner like me, his careful explanations of how to do this and of the tools involved was marvelous and much appreciated.

In addition to exlplaining his technique of adhering materials without using liquid adhesives, Talbot touches on the history of collage, some collage artists to look for, why to varnish, the kinds of papers to use as a substrate, how to prepare a surface for adhesion, and how to present the finished collage.

As another reviewer mentioned, the appendix is a great resource, especially the appendix that explains all of the materials and tools used. I also liked the appendix that gave web sites of interest to collage artists.

This book has more solid information than most of the collage books out there. I appreciate the detailed references to products and the step-by-step instructions. Most collage books fill space with projects that are often not things I would ever make, although the techniques used are of interest. I prefer this book for I don't have to read through projects to glean ideas (although that has its place too).

The image transfer is SO easy! I bought the paper he recommends but use a clothes iron and the backing paper that contact paper/stickers come on instead of the tacking iron and release paper. I love the freedom to choose my own images to transfer and being able to use them without destroying the originals.

I highly recommend this book-- just remember that you can do this process with a home iron, sticker backing paper, magazines and any brand of gloss gel medium. You don't have to go out and buy everything he recommends and you can get all of your images from magazines although I highly recommend the special paper for greater image choice.

Having done many fine art collage pieces employing the usual method of fusing artifacts while still wet, I was intrigued when I saw the title which includes the words "Collage Without Liquid Adhesives." To me this is partially deceptive, and I wonder if this statement should not be used in the title. You still have to coat your artifacts with a wet acrylic medium the usual way. The difference here is you let it dry and then fuse the artifact to the surface with a heating iron (using a silicone coated paper as a buffer to prevent any heat or burn damage), bonding one coat of medium to another. This is highly important because you can assemble your collage without taking it apart and forgetting what was supposed to go where. As an aside, I often use a digital camera to record the setup and use the LCD window on the camera to help me remember, scrolling and zooming around the image. There is mention of other methods to attach items to your collage, like screwing them in, sewing, nailing, etc. For a small book you get lots of great tips and ideas for proper execution of assembling collages, and opinions and facts on the best mediums and supports to use.

If you're a beginner you will get a lot out of this book technique-wise, but you may not be ready for further chapters on employing higher quality materials and archival considerations because this involves greater financial expense, an issue most students are not yet equipped to deal with. I think this book is geared for the more advanced and serious collage artist, for an experienced artist who is interested in creating the best they are capable of--imagery with integrity and finesse. For me this means you must also incorporate the use of archival materials, and employ them from the bottom up. The supports, mediums and artifacts must be stable. You must integrate methods and materials that will better withstand fading and disintegration so your clients and conservators won't be cursing you 10 years down the road. This is critical nowadays because marketing and manufacturing is not interested in longevity anymore. This book explains how to deal with this significant problem. As another aside, you can now get printers that use pigmented inks, not dyes. This is great because you can now scan a magazine image and print it out on 100% rag paper and have an image ready for collage that is designed to last 80 to 100 years. Going further you can then spray the finished collage with that print out with a ultraviolet ray protective spray and probably get some more decades use out of it. If it's on paper and can be covered in a frame with glass you could even use UV glass and still push the longevity. Several generations down the road your future family will say "This is one amazing collage our great, great, great grandparent left for us."

The subtitle of this attractive, concise little book is "Collage Without Liquid Adhesives." The techniques explained in the book were a real eye-opener for me (I'm a collage artist myself). Most traditional collages are made using liquid adhesives, which means you have to be really careful when you position each item in your collage. Once you've glued each element down, you're "stuck" with that arrangement. However, Talbot has devised new techniques that are extremely liberating and foster your creativity. Photos and diagrams throughout make every step crystal-clear. A number of exciting new techniques are explained (including a great image transfer method), and there are excellent sections discussing various adhesives, varnishes, and other supplies. Mounting collages and archival concerns are also covered. One of my favorite parts of the book is the Appendix, which gives contact information for sources for all the materials and supplies you need to make collages, as well as a great list of books about collage and collage artists. The Appendix alone is well worth the price. I recommend this book to every artist I meet, whether beginner or professional.

Painter, printer and collage artist Jonathan Talbot's book, Collage A New Approach, is a fresh approach to introducing anyone to the art of collage.
Living up to his quote in the book, 'Technique is but a small part of collage making', the author takes his readers hand and then fills it with inspiration, information, the love and joy of creating works of art and the courage to share that work with others.
After reading Talbots book, I read it again. Then I began following his easy step by step instructions on a variety of techniques and was thrilled with the results.
If one, (like myself) is an artist or considering taking up art for the first time, Talbots book is must tool for all. The author gives answers to questions a reader may not even have thought to ask.
Talbot has removed the word, 'fear' from creating and displaying ones work by giving the reader his years of experience and insight into the art world.
The author has included an introduction to the history of collage and collage artists, a list of materials, books by other collage artists and websites to artists creating collages today.
Talbot doesn't just give a list of tools, he actually took the time to explain what they do and how to use them correctly.
If success is measured by the quality and generosity of knowledge an artist shares with others, then Jonathan Talbots book, Collage A New Approach will certainly prove successful and an asset to those who read it.

I was SO curious when hearing references to the "Talbot method", and HAD to know what the method was that would remove the wetness from the normal collage techniques.

I guess he's got a good idea here. However, I personally am way too impatient to go thru this process. Also, I imagine it would take a LOT of space to spread out the elements while they dry. When I'm thinking collage, I cut out so much stuff, and it just doesn't seem a practical way to work. I'm sure many people who have more patience and space like this method.

The book is more like a lengthy pamphlet, so while I'm glad to have it as a reference, I'm glad I didn't pay more for it than I did.

I have employed the methods detailed in this slim but jam packed volume. Talbot has devised an ingenious technique that allows the artist the ultimate fredom to alter collage elements prior to permanence. I have found this improves my compositions a great deal and it makes the day to day process of creating so much easier. He has also addressed other technical processes that are helpful.

Although this is among one of the smaller instruction books on collage, it is among the best. Mr. Talbot is a thoughtful writer and he succeeded in packing lots into a small compartment.

I was hoping for samples of his work and ideas on how he creates his artwork. Instead it was a dry lecture on his philosophy of collage and how he approaches his artwork. Helpful perhaps to advanced collage artists who already have technique and style and are looking for a new slant, but totally useless to me!