book arts

Fun with Books

book arts, collage, inspiration / /

I have been exploring ways to use books and book parts as art materials. (This Months featured class – On sale save $30 – now only $95)

book pages and cloth as collage materials

Above I used part of a black out poem and book cloth and book pages for collage.

hunting for books to take apart

I love hunting for books with special qualities. I like the large font of children’s books. I am lucky to have a great thrift store close by that sells 6 books for just $1.00.

spine cover with book pages

Today I borrowed the spine cover idea from one of the 18 projects in the Books as Art Materials class for my current sketchbook. These signatures are worked up separately and then glued together.  The book page spine cover will give it a nice finish.

Black out poems from book pages

Black out poems are always fun and an easy way to get started.  Sometimes I cut them up and use them as collage bits.

drawing reference

Lastly I am inspired by images in books. I love finding new ways to draw trees. So take advantage of the June sale and enjoy the 18 projects in Book as ART Materials. Get all the details on the workshop page.

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Take books apart – play

book arts / /

This month the Books as ART Materials class is featured and  on sale. Save $30. It was $125  now only $95. Get all the details on the workshop page.

kids books to inspire art making

Almost any book can have value as art supply or inspiration. I found the 6 books above all for just $1.00.

  • The fish book will a nice reference for drawing
  • The adult coloring book will inspire shapes and patterns
  • The Snowy Day book inspires collage with big shapes
  • I will probably take the old Trixie Belden book apart and use the pages for poems and collage

I did a whole post about the qualities that I look for in books that I use for art materials here.

I think that I enjoy the hunt for special books to use as art materials as much as I do using them for different projects.

collage words into sketchbook

Lately I have been adding collage book bits to my sketchbook. recycle old books into new art

If you want to explore was to use books and book parts to make new art then check out the Books as ART Materials class that is on sale the month of June.

There are:

  • 30 short videos
  • 18 projects
  • plenty of inspiration
  • Save $30 this month of June

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Explore mark making in a book form

book arts, combined techniques, mark making, mark making tools / /

I am pleased to share that I am offering a $25 discount on the Make Marks + Books online class for the month of February 2025. Read all the details on the workshop page.

layer marks for an artist book

After completing the 15 short lessons you will have:

  • at least one cohesive artist’s book
  • a growing collection of found stamping tools
  • a few hand made cardboard relief stamps
  • a box of foam block stamps
  • a selection of raised rubbing tools
  • confidence to explore hand drawn fonts
  • a deeper understanding of your mark making vocabulary

make some stamping tools

This class is about discovering and combining different types of marks to use in a mostly abstract artist book.  After looking at the Make Marks style books that I have created, I felt that they were a cohesive expression of how I was feeling at the time. They feel more precious than the journal style books that I have been making lately.

make mark a mixed media class with Linda Germain

The class was originally designed as a weekend workshop. But as a self study you can do the lessons in an order and pace that fits your lifestyle.

Save $25 this month. Read all the details on the Make Marks + Books workshop page.

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Make FREE events fit your style

book arts, drawings, inspiration, mark making, sketchbook ideas / /

I am a speaker in this years Sketchbook Revival hosted by Karen Abend. The event is packed with:

  • artist teachers
  • topics and materials and
  • Bonus resources

working in multiple sketchbooks

For me it can be a little overwhelming. But I have found a few ways to make the information manageable and to fit my learning style.

  1. I sign up for the FREE subscription
  2. I skim the daily videos
  3. Do only the lessons that inspire me
  4. Tweak the technique to my process

These approaches take the pressure off and let me experiment with new skills that I might want to incorporate into my sketchbook practice.

upside down thumbnail practice. And be sure to adjust the event to your learning style.

I am teaching my upside down thumbnails technique on October 1st. Hope to “see” you in class.

upside down thumbnail practice by linda germain

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Sketchbook revival – get inspired

book arts, sketchbook ideas / /

I am happy to share, that I am one of guest artists in this year’s sketchbook revival. It’s free so sign up today.

There are 30+ FREE art lessons over the course of two weeks. Some will resonate. You decide. I have participated as  student for the last few years and always got new ideas for my art practice.

Once you register you have access to three welcome lessons. I just enjoyed the French Link book binding tutorial by Chanel Ly. I have made a little french link sketchbook and I am waiting for the glue to dry.

french link binding

The daily lessons will start on September 23rd.

I am sharing the Upside Down Thumbnails exercise on October 1st.

thumbnail studies

There are extended bonus options available too. Hope to “see” you in class.

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