Celtic Art : The Methods of Construction

Rating:
Summary: incomprehensible
Review: If you want to see examples of the variety of Celtic design, this book is a good resource. If you want to reproduce any of it and you aren't experienced, it's not very helpful -- there's too little comprehensible instruction. I've tried to draw by the diagrams but without luck. If you're a beginner (as I am) this book won't be of much help. Perhaps for artists with more experience and understanding of Celtic art this book would be of value.

Rating:
Summary: Beginning to Advanced Celtic Pattern Construction
Review: Not too long ago I got the idea for a series of paintings with a celtic-medieval themed look. This book was one of the two books on celtic designs I bought. The type of patterns shown are very diverse and range from simple borders, to spirals, zoomorphs (animal-designs), calligraphy to examination of designs from Lindisfarne and the Book of Kells. It is also the most extensive of any of the books on this subject that I've seen. The only drawback is that the method for constructing these designs is not easy. As one earlier reviewer stated, the main method is to set up a grid pattern, draw out every line then erase the ones not needed. There are other books with simpler, better step-by-step details for constructing celtic designs. However, no other single book covers such a wide range as this one. It also covers a lot of complex designs and shows how to recreate them that no other celtic pattern books demonstrate. Quite a lot of the history of these designs is covered too. For anyone who can only afford one book on this subject this one will be all they'll ever need.

Rating:
Summary: The first book any beginning Celtic artist should have.
Review: This book is a great introduction to the various aspects of Celtic art. George Bain takes the reader through step by step on how to construction knotworks, borders, spirals and key patterns. Bain also talks about lettering and zoomorphics (interlaced animals). Almost every page contains several black and white illustrations with reference to the historical bookgrounds of the designs. This is a must for any artist new to the Celtic world of illuminated manuscripts, symbol stones and metalwork

Rating:
Summary: Good, but difficult.
Review: This book is a wonderful reference to the types of celtic designs available. For those who have had plenty of experience in creating Celtic art, and are familiar w/ several techniques (and probably have a preferred technique), this book is a must. For those who are just beginning to explore the wonderful world of Celtic art, however, the book is difficult, and might be discouraging. My suggestion for beginners would be to learn to draw Celtic art from a more basic source, and the use this book as inspiration.

Rating:
Summary: Good, but difficult.
Review: This book is a wonderful reference to the types of celtic designs available. For those who have had plenty of experience in creating Celtic art, and are familiar w/ several techniques (and probably have a preferred technique), this book is a must. For those who are just beginning to explore the wonderful world of Celtic art, however, the book is difficult, and might be discouraging. My suggestion for beginners would be to learn to draw Celtic art from a more basic source, and the use this book as inspiration.

Rating:
Summary: :)
Review: This is the best book for people who want to learn how to make celtic knotes. My art teacher had this book and i knew i had to buy one for my self.