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Rating: 
Summary: A fine canvas of technique and materials.
Review: A medium and the tools applied to it are only the beginning. Along with exstensive introductions the the history and content of medium, there are wonderful examples and exercises which encourage experimentation. Well written, well illustrated and an excellent reference tool for anyone interested in art, technique or the tools of the trade.
Rating: 
Summary: An informative book for Artists and Craftsmen /Artisans
Review: An excellent layout on the materials used in the fields of Fine Art and Craft . Special mention is to be made of secret mediums not used in old master painting , with reference to research done at the National Gallery [London]. A welcome addition to the educated Artist's study, should sit well along side one's Ralph Mayer .Also in keeping with todays emphasis on health , there are more than adequate references , to ASTM standards.The only noticeable grey areas are the weak chapters on Vitreous Enamelling and Ceramic Tiles ,perhaps added as an after thought.
Rating: 
Summary: Good but contains some bad advice
Review: I agree with the preceding reviewers but must add I found this book to be so general as to require supplementation by other books such as those by Ralph Mayer(somewhat out of date but still useful) or Robert Gottsegan. Ray Smith does offer some very dubious advice in parts of the text eg. he suggests that after priming your support with the traditional lead primer, you should sand it to smooth the surface. This is a TERRIBLE suggestion. Lead is very dangerous when inhaled--it only becomes inhalable when sanded or when used in pigment form. Sanding it is an absolute no-no.Ralph Mayer is a chemist, so his advice on safety issues is a lot more reliable than Mr Smith's. Of all three books, that by Gottsegan is probably the one I would recommend most as it is far more up to date than Smith's or Mayer's.
Rating:
Summary: Get this book!
Review: Quite simply this is a fantastic book. The things you can learn from it are amazing. Starting from the very first chapter a very in-depth analysis of pigments, their types, chemical structures, lightfastness, reactions to different types of binders, etc. are given. And that's only the beginning because the next chapters cover different types of oils, resins, glues, starches, gums, solvents, waxes, and additives...and all of this just for the paint in the tubes or the mediums you use with it. Then the author moves on to an in-depth look at various supports (wood, canvas, steel, copper, fiber, etc). Paper and grounds each get its own chapter. All this before ever discussing the media you can choose to use. The obligatory big four are covered in detail (watercolor, acrylic, soft pastel and oil) but what makes this book such a treasure is the coverage of so many less well-known media. Just some of the media that get their own chapters are pencils and graphite sticks, colored pencil, oil pastel, chalk and conte crayons, charcoal, silverpoint, scratchboard, pen and ink, brush and ink, egg tempera, gouache, encaustic, fresco, dry wall (aka mural) painting, stained glass, ceramic tiles, enameling, and a bunch of chapters on various kinds of print-making (woodcut, linocut, intaglio, lithography and screen printing). There are chapters covering color theory, perspective, painting restoration, making frames, repairing damaged paint films, varnishing, photography, computer art and even a chapter on how to set up a well-lit, well-ventilated artist studio and exhibiting your art. The last chapter gives formulas for making your own paints or pastels. The book finishes up with a glossary, bibliography and an index. The only things I would've liked to see included but didn't (maybe they'll add them in a second edition?) are chapters on casein, calligraphy and various types of sculpting and glass etching. Even so, that is a minor quibble. Overall, I really have high praise for this book. Definitely give it serious consideration as a reference for your bookshelf.
Rating:
Summary: A great resource for artists
Review: This book is an important resource for artists. Ray Smith has a complete knowledge of art materials, and he gives a complete and detailed description of each material and how they are used. It covers a wide range of art materials including paints, grounds, pencils, inks, printing equipment, cereamic tiles, stained glass, and so forth. Also included is information on color, perspective, framing, photography, and exhibiting your work. Basically it's a complete guide to the 2D mediums of art. if you're interesting in 3D arts such as sculpture or pottery, you're not in luck. Those fields aren't covered. For me, it's interesting to just look through this book and examine the wide range of techniques and materials presented in it. You can find a lot of new ideas to try out. Even if you're an experienced artist, I think you can find something new that you will be excited to try. Check it out. It's worth it.
Rating:
Summary: A great resource for artists
Review: This book is an important resource for artists. Ray Smith has a complete knowledge of art materials, and he gives a complete and detailed description of each material and how they are used. It covers a wide range of art materials including paints, grounds, pencils, inks, printing equipment, cereamic tiles, stained glass, and so forth. Also included is information on color, perspective, framing, photography, and exhibiting your work. Basically it's a complete guide to the 2D mediums of art. if you're interesting in 3D arts such as sculpture or pottery, you're not in luck. Those fields aren't covered. For me, it's interesting to just look through this book and examine the wide range of techniques and materials presented in it. You can find a lot of new ideas to try out. Even if you're an experienced artist, I think you can find something new that you will be excited to try. Check it out. It's worth it.
Rating:
Summary: ADDIT TO LAST REVIEW I SUBMITTED
Review: When recommending an alternative text in the last review I wrote of this book, I suggested Robert Gottsegan's book. His real name is Mark David Gottsegan. Apologies for this mistake.
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