Artist Trading Card Workshop by Bernie Berlin (2006, Paperback)

An Atc is described as a tiny original work of art. They are collectors cards that must never be sold- only exchanged and they must be made in the size of 2.5"x3.5" only. Atc's are usually traded at ATC conventions and are collectables, like the older sports player trading cards.
The Atc card was first introduced in Zürich, Switzerland in 1996. On the back of each Atc the artist writes their name, contact information, title of the ATC and number. ATCs are made in limited numbers and are mostly one of a kind. Sets of identical ATCs are called editions. Sets of Atc's that are based on one theme but each one is different are called series.
Workshop is a super book to not only learn about Atc's, but to learn how to create art. Each chapter is presented with easy pictorial instructions. One thing I liked about this book is that all the artist tools are items any one could buy at any art store. Some books require and feature the artists line of materials but not this one. The first chapter opens with using baby wipes! Every type of art material from magazines, foam, gesso and fibers plus much much more is given in short easy to understand chapters. Each chapter has color photo examples of each stage of the art process through several completed examples of the finished artwork.
Anyone interested in the creation and making of art can benefit from this book. One of the chapters features using metal repair tape plus a silicone mold and utee. Another offers making transfers using your ink jet printer and gel medium. Using string- yes string in another. This book is full of great ideas for not only the medium of artist trading cards but for other art too. In addition there are chapters on digital art, children's art, book making and various storage ideas for your collected Atcs.