Dreaming From the Journal Page: Transforming the Sketchbook to Art [Paperback]

Melanie Testa (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 8, 2012

Transform your sketchbook to art!

The artist's journal is a great place to start a library of personal marks, doodles and ideas. The reader is introduced to basics such as choosing a journal and then immediately guided into techniques such as color mixing, drawing and a variety of surface designs. The reader is encouraged to experiment and play in the journal to try out new directions for creating works of art. The art journal becomes the starting point for bigger projects.

In addition to step-by-step techniques for working in a variety of media, each chapter features one or more jumping-off points to show the reader how to move out of the journal and onto an actual project. In the final chapter, Melanie steps out three journal spreads to show how many techniques learned previously are layered and worked together. By using the art journal in this way, the reader learns confidence in developing their ideas into tangible works of art.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Melanie Testa is an accomplished textile and quilt artist. She attended the Fashion Institute of Technology in Textile/Surface Design and exhibits her fiber art at various galleries and quilt shows around the country. She is the author of Inspired To Quilt: Creative Experiments in Art Quilt Imagery (Interweave, May 09). Testa often begins her work by sketching in journals using paint and pens, then interpreting her ideas into her fabric works of art. She teaches workshops at major art retreats and other venues nationwide.

Product Details

• Paperback: 128 pages
• Publisher: North Light Books (May 8, 2012)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1440314349
• ISBN-13: 978-1440314346
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 0.5 x 10.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (16 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #154,554 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #99 in Books > Arts & Photography > Other Media > Mixed Media

More About the Author

Melanie Testa is an accomplished textile and quilt artist. She attended the Fashion Institute of Technology in Textile/Surface Design and has taken many courses from well-known quilt and surface-design artists including Ann Johnston and Jane Dunnewold. She exhibits her fiber art at various galleries and quilt shows around the country. Melanie teaches the techniques used in her art form both locally and nationally. Her articles have appeared in Quilting Arts Magazine, the Studio Art Quilt Associates (SAQA) Journal, and on Quilting Arts Television. She lives in Brooklyn New York.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

45 of 49 people found the following review helpful

3.0 out of 5 stars Her work is Amazing May 3, 2012

By Love Books

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

The Author's style is simply stunning and incredibly original. I am very inspired by her work and the way she views life.

I am giving the book 3 stars because there is nothing particularly new here and it is a technique lightweight.

BUT if you want inspiration and/or you don't already own many mixed media technique books this book is very sweet and will likely make you very happy.

I happen to have many many mixed media books so it isn't really pushing me to further places...

Please do not consider this a negative review. I want to help get this book sold to those who will really appreciate it. If you love eye candy and inspiration and love to collect these lovely books, I do recommend it.

31 of 33 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars sure to become the one must have book for art journalers April 23, 2012

By Susan Bleiweiss VINE™ VOICE

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

This book covers everything you'll want to know about how to begin your art making journey through the pages of your sketchbook. Broken into 5 main categories opening with a chapter on "the what" Melanie starts with a choosing a journal, paints & brushes, pens & pencils, glues and more. You'll find a very helpful chart that cross references techniques with both paper and cloth so you can see at a glance which techniques are compatible with paper or cloth and in some cases both.

Chapter 2 is all about color and she has several fun and easy exercises designed to help you get to know the colors in your paint box and how they interact with each other when mixed. Learn wet and dry techniques for working with watercolor and for those who want to incorporate textiles into their art journaling she has directions for easy low water immersion fabric dyeing techniques that include how to create two color gradations and how to create your own hand dyed color wheel.

Chapter 3 is jam packed with techniques that include working with resists such as frisket and mediums, transfers using tracing paper and saral paper, carving your own stamps and making them from fun foam as well as working with a ruling pen and stencils and more. You'll also find a section on soy wax and how to use it as a resist on both paper and fabric.

There are tips and techniques for drawing covered in chapter 4. She starts with some simple loosening up techniques and learn some easy shading techniques and then moves into some fun and easy drawing exercises that are sure to inspire you to pick up the pencil and start drawing. For those of you who prefer using stitch as your drawn line you'll find directions for using your sewing machine to draw your images on cloth to create stitched outlines you can add color to later using the techniques from Chapter 3.

The last chapter is the "Throw Downs" chapter and it's here where Melanie encourages you to create journal pages rich with imagery and complexity by combining and layering the techniques that she's covered in the first four chapters of the book. You'll find single, double and triple technique challenges that are designed to help take the guesswork and fear out of where to begin and which techniques to combine with each other. The gallery of Melanie's work at the back of the book is rich with eye candy and is sure to inspire.

Melanie has an easy conversational tone that makes the book an enjoyable and engaging read and the entire book is illustrated with clear, bright, beautiful photographs of step by step directions, examples and artwork. This book is sure to become the one "must have" book for art journalers so whether you're a beginning or experienced art journaler I highly recommend adding this book to you personal library!

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Art book May 9, 2012

By L. Chin

Format:Paperback

I consider myself an intermediate artist. I've drawn for years but am still learning. I feel as if a beginner or advanced artist could pick up Melanie's book and learn something new. Melanie takes you through everything you'd like to know about creating your own art journal. She introduces the reader to the materials they will need (and even recommends inexpensive options for those who still aren't sure if they want to invest a lot of money) , how to work with color, techniques to use and exercises in drawing. Some of the best parts for me are the explanations of different grades of paint (I knew professional grade paints were the best but didn't know why!), and papers, as well as the drawing tips and the challenges that help pull all these skills together to make awesome art. Melanie is an accessible artist who loves to share and help others become better. I think this comes across well in her book.