Mixed-Media Self Portraits: Inspiration & Techniques: Inspiration and Techniques - Softcover

A very practical book, looking at how the reader can examine this genre by self-exploration and translate their personality into self-portraits in all forms of art. The book is very well set out, with quotations from famous people about the self, blogging as a way of finding your artistic self, 'warm up' exercises to explore colour as expressions of emotions and a 'who lives here' quiz to help you pinpoint things about yourself you might not have thought about. It's all quite fun. There are moments of introspection, from some artists' work, but on the whole the work contributed shows a wide range of thoughts and feelings, artistic styles and approaches, and lots of exercises to get you thinking about what will challenge you. About half the book is taken up with warming you to the idea of embarking on something new, and then you are introduced to all the different ways of expressing these new-found thoughts about yourself - art dolls, an art journal documenting a year, masks, object collage and photographs. Instructions are given for these, and examples of other artists' work illustrates each technique. Very few of these examples of work are straightforward painted self-portraits - artists use aspects of their personality, old photographs, words and pictures in fabric, painting and 3D work. The 'Box of Inspiration' by Mary Beth Schwartzenberger was my favourite (fill it with slips of paper with inspirational phrases on - you get to choose your own). So my initial worry about what kind of a book this would be was unfounded - it's a perfect way to try a new technique and there's plenty packed in it to cajole you out of your comfort zone.-Workshop on the Web

The first mixed-media book to focus on this hot trend, Mixed-Media Self-Portraits features a range of artists who explore creative self-portraits through exercises, introspective essays; fast, easy, and enjoyable exercises; and a variety of artist's perspectives and artwork representing different styles. Filled to the brim with a wealth of inspiration, creative prompts, techniques and compelling artwork, this book is an artistic guide to representing the self creatively in mixed-media, featuring a range from art quilts and assemblage to art dolls and collage. Makes of all skill levels and media - collage, mixed media, art quilt, paper craft, and book arts, will enjoy the focus on this very popular art form.