Customer Reviews

The Complete Guide to Altered Imagery : Mixed-Media Techniques for Collage, Altered Books, Artist Journals, and More

5 star:		(24)
4 star:		(11)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

I first encountered some of Karen Michel's ideas for altering photos for use in art within the pages of the magazine "Cloth Paper Scissors." As one of the legion who have photos that are less than spectacular, but that still have some sentimental value, I could see the possibilities open up. So I was thrilled to discover she has written an entire book of her ideas, and picked up my own copy as soon as I could find one.

I am not disappointed.

Filled with examples of complete works, including the works of other artists such as Lynne Perella, Nina Bagley and Carlo Thertus, the book shows a multitude of ideas for altering not only real photographs, but images from other sources, such as magazines and postage stamps. Techniques are numerous, ranging from those that are easily done with tools around the house, such as scratching designs in the photos, to more complex techniques, such as the gum dichromate process.

My only wish might have been to have some step-out photos to demonstrate the some of the image transfer processes, but the text gives detailed directions.

Of special interest is a section on using your computer and photoediting software to alter your images. Anyone who has ventured into this area will have tried some of the ideas she suggests, but there's lots more to explore.

I've already played with scraping and sanding, using watercolor markers and messing around with some of the artistic filters in my Photoshop program. I look forward to trying many more approaches, especially ways to make use of substandard photos in some of my scrapbook designs. Thank you, Karen, for helping push me into the next wave!

This book is full to the brim with inspiration, eye-candy, and how-to's for the artist who knows how to take an idea and run with it.

If you want a book that lets you precisely duplicate someone else's results, this might not be right for you. But if you want a book that kick-starts your imagination and makes you want to grab some supplies and try new things with your own spin, this is it. It's definitely a well you can return to again and again.

I liked this book, it covers a number of altering techniques I was interested in. Although the instructions are brief, it is enough to get you started. I am particularly interested in image transfer, and I tried some ink jet transfers after reading this book.

I have found it takes quite a bit of experimenting to find the right combination of type of paper, to gesso or not gesso the paper beforehand, and the amount of gel medium to use to get good results. I had the best luck printing on ink jet transparencies and transferring to watercolor paper. You can get ink jet transparency sheets at Staples or Office Depot, I found it near the transparency projectors rather than in the paper section.

Having dabbled in multi-media art for some time, I purchased this book hoping to learn further technique I didn't already know. Score! This book, right from the very first page, is easy to understand, and the techniques are more like "you might try this," rather than "you MUST do it this way!" Good images for creative suggestion, too. I'm very happy with this book!

I was so excited when I heard Karen Michel was writing her first book and was willing to share her incredible photo altering techniques with us.

These techniques will get you to break out all your old and not quite "perfect" photos and will help you turn them into amazing works of art.

The instructions are clear and the graphic design is beautiful! This book has a permanent place with my other favorites on my night stand so I can look at it again and again!

- claudine hellmuth
author, Collage Discovery Workshop and Collage Discovery Workshop:Beyond the Unexpected

Karen Michel is one of my favorite artists, and this book not only showcases her incredible work, but reveals her secrets for altering photographs in myriad ways. By altering photos, you can make unique elements for collage and beyond. I love that she shows work by other artists using the techniques featured in the book, and it all looks different. This isn't a book that shows the reader how to make art that looks exactly like the author's; Michel demonstrates the technique and encourages the reader to create in their own unique style.This is a book that I will use again and again; I highly recommend it!

When I see a book claim itself to be "a complete guide" I expect it to be, well, more comprehensive than this book is. I also expected the techniques to be described more thoroughly, which they were not. It does not contain all the techniques possible in this world. It contains lots of great art but is very sketchy on actual how-tos. And if you already have several altered image-type books or collage books on your shelf, and have done some of this art yourself, the contents of this book will not say anything new. The book's best value is in the gallery section and pictures of projects. These are interesting to look at. This would also be a book for fans of the author or of the gallery artists, who consist of the same group of divas you see in most collage books for sale lately: Nina Bagley, Sarah Fishburn, Claudine Hellmuth, Lynne Perella, Judi Riesch, Michelle Ward and others. I for one would like to see some new artists featured, but since the market is being driven by these ladies and by several art zines that shall remain unnamed, I think it will be awhile!

i took a couple of altered photo workshops with karen many, many years ago (before the word altered photo became a phrase in itself) & was so pleased when her book came out. it's like one of her workshops in a book! what i enjoyed best about this book is that it is not a step by step how to book. the artist shares her techniques and then encourages you to take those techniques and experiment some more. i am always amazed when artists share the techniques they've developed so that others can benefit & grow from them as well. this is not a book for those who need their hand held through the creative process, it is a book for those who want to introduce some fun, new tips and tricks into their own artwork. if you enjoy a rougher, not so polished approach to the creative process, you'll enjoy this book. if you need things laid out neatly with tight clean edges, well, you may want to visit elsewhere.

I *TOTALLY* disagree with the reviewer who complained that this book doesn't tell you "how to do it".
While there may not be an exact, step-by-step list & diagram for someone to copy & thus exactly replicate each of the pieces shown (which, anyway, why would one want to, as most of the art is done using highly personal iconography for each artist?), I fail to see how one can help but learn "how to do it" from the extensive discussion of techniques at the beginning of the book, not to mention the detailed commentary & artist's tips accompanying all of the art shown in the Project Gallery.
And if that's not enough, the contributing artists all supplied contact info, so if one is still at a loss, well, the artists are generously offering a way to get ahold of them for further clarification!

TAhis book MAKES you want to collect everything you find on the street. Its terrible. But wonderful. Re-using everything and everyway, and with hands on approach. I love it!!!! its perfect for designers with 'illustration issues', for getting over it.(!!) Like me.