Artist Trading Cards

1
Artist Trading Cards

• Or ATCs

2
What are ATCs?

• ATCs are masterpieces in miniature that are
  swapped and collected just like baseball, hockey
  and trading cards.

3
Original art

• Unlike other trading cards, ATCs are miniature
  pieces of art created by artist and strictly
  traded or swapped, never sold.

4
Size

• When creating a card, you are limited by just one
  thing size.
• The cards must measure 2 ½ inches wide by 3 ½
  inches tall or 64mm x 89mm.

5
Small Canvas

• Artist have found all kinds of ways to fit
  painting, collage, rubber stamping, watercolor,
  transfers, beading, found objects, stitching,
  photography, computers graphics, and even
  metalwork onto their cards.

6
3-Dimensional Cards

• Although the base of most cards is cardstock,
  some can be made from fabric, metal, and even
  dried gourds.
• They can be 3-d and interactive, with pop- ups,
  doors, rotating wheels, levers and other playful
  features.

7
One of a kind

• Unique ATCs are called originals.
• The cards can be created as one of a kind
  originals, or a set of identical cards called
  multiples.

8
Editions

• A set of identical ATCs are called editions and
  are numbered.
• Editions can have small differences like color.
• They will be the same repeated image, example a
  print or stamp.

9
Series

• ATCs that are based on one theme and are
  different are called a series.

10
ATCs An Unofficial History

• After admiring a collection of hockey trading
  cards, Swiss performing artist M. Vanci Stirneman
  was inspired to develop a concept of A
  Collaborative Cultural Performance in 1996.

11
1000 trading cards

• He then created over 1000 Artist Trading Cards,
  displayed them in his Zurich book store and on
  the last day encouraged anyone who wanted one to
  create their own ATCs to trade.

12
Internet

• ATCs might still be known by just a few if not
  for the Internet. Unencumbered by borders, ATCs
  have now spread worldwide.

13
Trade sessions

• These days you can find a ATC trade session
  occurring regularly in most major cities, and
  swapping cards is as close as a computer keyboard.

14
Theme

• ATC trades have been based on all kinds of ideas,
  interests and obsessions.
• ATCs can be academic or silly.
• ATCs are as diverse as those who create them.

15
Art Class Restrictions

• I will always say NO to the following subjects.
• Alcohol
• Drugs and paraphernalia
• Nudes
• Sexist or Sexual content
• Racial or Bigotry
• Gangs and gang symbols
• You can explore these on your own.

16
Trade

• ATCs are not about money.
• Cards are typically trade one-for-one, but just
  like baseball cards, some artists are more sought
  after.

17
1,2,3,

• One of the biggest challenges for those that are
  new to this art form is using too many images
  that are all of approximately equal in
  proportion.
• This results in ATCs that seem very busy to the
  eye.

18
Your first project

• You will be creating a total of nine ATCs.
• The first 3 are to be
• 3 original art works
• They can be pencil, computer generated, or pen
  drawings.
• You can add color using color pencils or
  watercolor paints.

19
How to get started for an original.

• Rules for an original art work.
• One main focal image.
• Fill up the entire card
• Can be abstract or non objective.
• Can focus on an element of art like
• Line
• Shape
• Color

20
Your second project

• A series
• 3 of a series
• Must have the same theme.
• They can be a collage, pencil, computer generated
  or pen drawings.
• You can add color using color pencils, markers,
  gel pens or watercolor paints.
• You can collage on paper, stickers, written notes
  and found objects.

21
How to get started for a series.

• Rules for a series.
• One main focal image.
• Two pieces of background paper
• Three tiny embellishments.

22
Your third project

• An edition
• You must have 3 of the same image. The only way
  they are to be different is by their color or
  backgrounds.
• They can be a collage, pencil, computer
  generated, or pen drawings.
• You can add color using color pencils or
  watercolor paints.

23
How to get stated for an edition.

• Rules for an edition.
• The same image must be used 3 times.
• One main image repeated 3 times.
• Colors and bacgrounds can be the only changes.
• Must be number
• 1/3, 2/3, 3/3

24
Working on your own

• You are required to
• Come in at the start of class and get all your
  work and supplies out.
• Ask me if you need something at the beginning of
  class. Do not sit in your chair doing nothing and
  then say something at the end of class.
• Work on your own and do not bother other people.
  This may include loud talking, tapping, singing
  and other bad habits.
• Tell me when you are finish with all 9 ATCs.

25
Turning in project

• All 9 must be turned in at the same time.
• You can paper clip them together or use a rubber
  band.
• Or place all cards in a trading card plastic
  sleeve holder.
• They all must have your information on the back
  fill out the card information and glue to the
  back of your ATC.
• Place your competed project in the turn in box.

26
Back information

• Fill out and glue to the back of your ATC.
• Artist Name__________________
• Grade___________________
• School __________________
• Type of ATC Original Edition Series
  Other____________
• Number ________________
• Artist Statistics ___________

27
After turning in your project

• If you understand the project, you will be
  allowed to create some ATC for trading.
• I will allow you to post or display your extras
  for trading.
• You will be allow to continue trading cards all
  year long.

28
Rushing or dragging your feet

• If you rush the project and turn in bad work you
  will have to do all the work over until I am
  happy.
• If you drag your feet, you will have to come in
  after school to complete your assignments or have
  homework.

29
Trade center

• Open trade - cards to be traded between all my
  art classes are to be posted on the bullet board.
  
• If there is a card you want you must trade it for
  one of your own.
• Do no just steal the card or replace it with a
  bad or unappealing card.
• If you do not want your work in open trade you
  can offer to trade in your class.

30
Deadlines

• This project is due one week after it has been
  assigned to you.
• If you have any problems you must talk to me.

31
Groups or Forums

• artcards.com/photosatcuk.blogspot.com
• artisttradingcards.meetup.com/
• groups.yahoo.com/groupartisttradingcards
• Flickr.comgroups/95067770_at_N00

32
Works cited

• Internet
• dogpile.com
• artist-trading-card.ch
• empressdragon.com/ATC.html
• cedaeseed.com/air/atc/html
• Books
• Artist Trading Cards
• Trading Cards Techniques ATCs