Painted Paper: Techniques & Projects for Handmade Books & Cards

by Alisa Golden

Create decorated papers as beautiful as any found in an art store! The results will be more distinctive and personal, too, with exactly the colors, themes, and design desired. In her uniquely imaginative style, Alisa Golden helps novices approach the blank page and make the creative process their own. Focusing on ways to paint paper using water-based media—primarily acrylic inks and gesso—she supplies all the necessary inspiration and information for mastering such techniques as washes, dropper outlines, brush-handle painting, and masking borders. Her exquisite examples range from repeating patterns and freeform designs to customized stencils and translucent layered looks, and projects include an origami envelope, accordion-folded album,and decorative box.

Genres: Art, Nonfiction, Crafts

176 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2008

Reviews

[liberal sprinkles · Rating 5 out of 5]

I would have titled this book just "Painted Paper: Techniques & Projects". It's not really a how-to for handmade books (check out Making Handmade Books: 100+ Bindings, Structures & Forms instead) but it's a great reference book for painting techniques in general. What you learn from this book can easily be applied to loads of projects from painting on a simple canvas to art journals.

There is an introductory chapter on different types of papers and painting tools, and other chapters on using acrylic inks, gesso, masking and paste. A final chapter details projects like an origami envelope, a shikishi (a Japanese-style framed artwork) and various book forms - and yes, Golden does explain with diagrams how to make these books in this section.

I am astounded at the amount of information contained in the book. Among the techniques covered that I like most are how-to's on creating a granite, marble or wood grain look on paper. The tutorials are well-worded and illustrated with photos and best of all, there are photos of some really beautiful Golden creations throughout this book.

I borrowed this from my neighborhood library; now I want one for my own library at home. It's a super way to get ideas and learn techniques for embellishing paper for all kinds of uses.

[liberal sprinkles · Rating 5 out of 5]

I would have titled this book just "Painted Paper: Techniques & Projects". It's not really a how-to for handmade books (check out Making Handmade Books: 100+ Bindings, Structures & Forms instead) but it's a great reference book for painting techniques in general. What you learn from this book can easily be applied to loads of projects from painting on a simple canvas to art journals.

There is an introductory chapter on different types of papers and painting tools, and other chapters on using acrylic inks, gesso, masking and paste. A final chapter details projects like an origami envelope, a shikishi (a Japanese-style framed artwork) and various book forms - and yes, Golden does explain with diagrams how to make these books in this section.

I am astounded at the amount of information contained in the book. Among the techniques covered that I like most are how-to's on creating a granite, marble or wood grain look on paper. The tutorials are well-worded and illustrated with photos and best of all, there are photos of some really beautiful Golden creations throughout this book.

I borrowed this from my neighborhood library; now I want one for my own library at home. It's a super way to get ideas and learn techniques for embellishing paper for all kinds of uses.

[Wendy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Details a nice selection of paper painting techniques and then projects to make with your painted paper.

Techniques I especially liked/want to try:

washes with rubber stamps
ink dropper outlines with dry brushes
masked borders
origami envelopes
circle accordion book

[Marie Z Johansen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an utterly delightful book that packs an incredible amount of information into it's 176 pages.
This has become one of my favorite painting techniques books and I find that I refer to it often. It’s brimming over with great information- all in one wonderful book!

[Dolldiva]

Nice paper-painting projects.

[Sher · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well-written directions for many techniques to try. Lots of nice photos of examples as well.

[C · Rating 5 out of 5]

Some great ideas in here. I may need to buy this one....