The Altered Book Syllabus

This week there are lots of words and not many photos. Since I am all about structure, which includes following a syllabus, I thought it was time to present this one. I know I should probably have started with the syllabus, but it didn't really occur to me until after I made up the new schedule. By that time, I realized people were chomping at the bit to get started, so a bunch of words would not have sufficed for Lesson 1.

For the class I taught before, I broke it down to a total of 12 weeks. I have extended it to 20 weeks. The syllabus I used before has been modified, too. I found that I lost a lot of students after they realized there was going to be things like "history" and "design principles of composition," etc. that they had to take in. For some, it was simply overwhelming. That's why I have broken the lessons down even further and spread them further apart. That way, each person who wants to play, can learn, then create the technique, or pass on that week. Of course, there is nothing requiring you to show your work. It's totally up to you. Be aware that each lesson builds on the next. I hope to even get over my fear of "Mr. Linky" before then, too (grin).


For those of you who may have missed the first lesson, or must miss a lesson in the future, or just want to review one, please look for Bleubeard on my right sidebar. Click on that lesson and you will be instantly taken to it.

I would like to add that providing Mr. Linky works properly, we will be visiting your blog. So I hope you share what you have made. That will encourage your readers and followers to take an interest in this class, too.

Feel free to print off this syllabus for your own use, or to share with others who might want to take the class. Please do not use my words, my syllabus, my tutorials, or my art for your own gain, such as teaching an AB class in your community. There are enough tutorials on the web, many of them more advanced than what I'll be teaching.

Lesson 1
Picking a book and theme

Lesson 2
A brief history of altered books
Choosing your theme
Gathering ephemera
Basic supplies
Prepping your book by removing pages

Lesson 3
Prepping the outside cover of your book
Prepping the inside end pages
Creating a niche

Lesson 4
Pros and cons of glue and adhesives

A word about gesso
Playing with glue and adhesives
Playing with gesso

Lesson 5
Composition (part 1-Design Principles )

Lesson 6
Composition (part 2-Design Principles continued)
Repetition
Lines and movement

Lesson 7

Composition (part 3-Design Elements)

Lesson 8
A word about color
Playing with color

Lesson 9
Collage
Making your own backgrounds

Lesson 10
Playing with magazine images
Frames

Lesson 11
Pockets

Lesson 12
Folded pages

Lesson 13
Doors and Windows

Lesson 14
Zippers

Lesson 15
Beyond the Basics: Decorative edges

Lesson 16
Beyond the Basics: fabric

Lesson 17

Beyond the Basics: polymer clay

Lesson 18

Beyond the Basics: student's choice

Lesson 19
Bringing it all together

Lesson 20
Decorating the cover

As you can see, we will cut our niches after we prep our books and before we begin decorating them. It makes it easier to create a niche when there is nothing in the book.

I will be teaching one lesson that you, the students request. It will be Week 18 and I will get your input at the end of week 15. Wire or beeswax are possible considerations, but please be aware that if I don't have a product, I will not go out and buy something for this class. Remember, I am all about using up what I have this year.

Totally optional: In the comments section, if you have decided on a theme, please let us know what it will be. I have decided to make two books: one on rocking horses and one on techniques using houses.

I'm not sure why these photos won't center, but it may be because I saved them in the "new and improved" blogger format. Because I am sharing this post on CED, and because there has been only one photo so far in this post,

I thought I would use Leah's word for February, which is night. I have added a few photos that have nothing to do with altered books, the syllabus, or my themes, but everything to do with night.