Thread: Witch's Spellbook

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If the book is going to be sitting open, then it doesn't really matter what is on the cover, nobody would be able to see it because the book is open.
If the book is going to be closed, then it doesn't really matter what is on the pages inside of it, nobody would be able to see them because the book is closed.
In designing or drawing a page or pages for you, you need to decide the kind of theme or feel. Should it be ornate and in the Disney witch tradion, with an ornate initial cap and calligraphy covering the page? Or more like period handwriting like a cook would jot down a recipe, with ammounts of individual ingredients, chants, mixing, and cooking instructions. Or are you looking for something that is strictly verbal, a rhyming chant in verse? The witches in hamlet do their chant while mixing up their brew, hence the "Boil, boil, toil and trouble". Is there something in particular you would like the spells to be about?
If i write these and do the typesetting and illustration, is there anybody else interested in having a copy? Emailing it to twenty people is the same as emailing it to one, and since you don't live next door to each other, the chances of someone saying that they saw the same pages at your neighbors house are fairly slim.

I saw a cardboard craft box at Michael's craft store today that was shaped like a thick leather-bound book. It could easily be painted to look like a spell book, and is very light. It was about 9"x7'x2"

Originally Posted by FontGeek

If the book is going to be sitting open, then it doesn't really matter what is on the cover, nobody would be able to see it because the book is open.
If the book is going to be closed, then it doesn't really matter what is on the pages inside of it, nobody would be able to see them because the book is closed.

Heh, beat me to it, I was going to say that.

There are sites out there devoted to the mythos of H.P. Lovecraft (Cthulhu mythos) that have some tricks for making Necronomicon props, which would be basically the same thing in many ways. I have a web page that contains some of the page-art I drew for something similar here: http://necrobones.com/mythos/

A few other interesting links:

Making A Mythos Tome

Necronomicon Covers

Hi NecroBones, the other parts of this equation are that the size of the book is needed so that the page can be laid out to those dimensions, and I would also want to know whether the guests are supposed to be able to read it or not, if they are, how close will they be to the book? The farther away they will be, the larger the text and images will need to be. While all these requirements may seem trivial, there is nothing like jumping through all the hoops on all the rest of the stuff for this scene, only to have the whole effect ruined or spoiled because one part of the scene didn't convey the info or feel you needed. If the whole thing is basically sitting there in the scene, but tilted up and away from the guests, then any big book would do the trick. If it is to be a script for an actor to read, then it should be done in as simple a way as possible, with the most readable lettering style, and it would probably have cues or prompts for the actor in the scene.

Found a couple of pictures...not real good, but it's what I have...

One before beginning...one after completed...

What I used for a Pirate Log Book:
http://halloweengallery.com/displayi...up&cat=0&pos=0

What it looked like once complete - we used this as a guest book at our Halloween party, and had as many people sign as we could - however they wanted, and some took up a few pages in their creativity...
http://halloweengallery.com/displayi...up&cat=0&pos=1


Hope that helps give an idea what the carving looks like...like I said, start with a "tile" of foam, cut away the outer edges (for whatever shape - in your case, a bat), and use some sandpaper to etch detail...this was my first effort at trying to make an emblem - for anything...

Another trick I have used to get the carved or embossed look is to use dense foam or foamcore, draw or trace the desired pattern or patterns onto it. Then I used burnishing tools to push and shape the foam. This gives the effect of well worn carving or embossing, unlike using a soldering iron, which burns/cuts sharp edges into the material. Burnishing is also a lot less likely to burn you or set the place on fire. If you don't know what a burnishing tool is, it is kind of like a ballpoint pen, but without the ink. The rounded tip lets you push or depress the foam or material by drawing with the tool like you would with a pen or pencil. Burnishing tools come in a variety of sizes, and can be purchesed at most arts and crafts stores or suppliers. I also use a typical teaspon for doing larger areas where I want a smoother texture.
No matter what technique you use to do your cover(s), make sure you have a sturdy and well padded container for the book when it is not on display, foam has a tendency to be fragile, so bumping, dropping, etc. will destroy it in a hurry. Also avoid setting anything on top of it, and be very careful when handling it. Place the finished book inside a plastic bag that can be sealed, this helps avoid mold and insect damage. Place the bagged book into a box with soft foam supports that will suspend the book without pushing against the carvings or embossing, place the box inside another plastic bag that can be sealed and marked. Marking the box and the bags with the contents lets you know what is inside without having to open everything up each time you come accross it. A basic explaination of the contents and the scene it was built for will save you a lot of time, money, and damage.

Nice work on the book Ugly Joe! Where is or was "El Diablo"? It looks like Knott's Berry Farm.

FontGeek...many, many thanks about the book...and what you mention about storing the foam? That's part of the reason I was okay with giving the book away...I don't have to worry about what to do with it now - the real fun was in making it...

That book turned out pretty good... Never thought a composition book could look like that... Hehe... I always used to color the white blotch's on those things when I was in school. I don't have alot of money or time so hopefully I get time tomorrow to check out the local used book stores. Haven't decided on how I want to use the book, meaning open or closed. Guess it will all come down to what I find at the book store. That is if I find anything?!?

Well, how did your book turn out?
I am curious to see what you ended up with.
Will the book be opened or closed, I want to see pictures either way!

not the best photo, but here is my witches table.

the book is an auto repair manual, that I soaked with water to swell and age it.
some black spray paint hepled.

although you cant see it the cover reads SPELLS AND POSIONS.

http://community.webshots.com/photo/...84551664hzjJNi