The Artist's Illustrated Encyclopedia: Techniques, Materials and Terms [Paperback]

Phil Metzger (Author), Philip W. Metzger (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 2001

From à la poupée to Zinc White and everything in between, more than one thousand art definitions and descriptions are detailed here for the reader's benefit. Every art term, technique and material used by the practicing artist is included. Packed with hundreds of photographs, paintings, mini-demos, black & white diagrams and drawings, this is the most comprehensive and visually explicit artist's reference available.

Artists will also find sidebars about specific entries and charts for a wealth of interrelated information in one convenient listing. For example, "art movement," includes both the definition and a comprehensive chart listing each individual movement, style and school along with their approximate time periods and insightful descriptions.

The Artist's Illustrated Encyclopedia will quickly become the artist's most prized reference--supplying the illustrated world of art in one easy-to-reference volume.

* A "must have" reference for every artist, beginner to advanced
* Entries are laid out in a fashion that's easy to access and understand

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

Metzger's six previous books include the excellent North Light Artist's Guide to Materials & Techniques (LJ 11/15/96). Here he tackles the more daunting task of an encyclopedia of art terms used by the practicing artist, including those associated with art movements, techniques, materials, history, and conservation. To keep it lively, Metzger packs in hundreds of photographs, paintings, mini-demos, diagrams, and drawings. The result is more of an illustrated dictionary than anything truly encyclopedic. Most entries are a few lines or paragraphs, and many subjects, such as computer art, aren't adequately treated. While this may be an accessible and useful dictionary for students or amateur artists, it is not an essential purchase if Ralph Mayer's The HarperCollins Dictionary of Art Terms and Techniques (1995) is already in the library.
Copyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist

Metzger explains in his introduction that this book is intended to define terms, techniques, and materials but not explain how to use them. His goal is achieved with a dictionary arrangement of definitions supplemented with many illustrations and cross-references. The definitions are limited to how the word applies to art. Emphasis is on contemporary usage, although older usages are sometimes indicated. Where there has been some confusion (as in Watercolor), it is noted. Most terms are familiar, but when pronunciation is not obvious, a simple phonetic guide is provided.

Definitions are easy to understand. Although most entries consist of only a few sentences, some, such as Design, are longer and more detailed. Cross-references refer the user to related entries. Some brand-name products (Colour Shapers, Liquin) are defined. Many entries (such as Air eraser and Printing press) have a picture of the object being defined or small reproductions of artworks that demonstrate the results of using a technique or material. As one might expect in a resource intended for artists, the reproduction quality is superb. Entries are supplemented by occasional boxed information, some brief (e.g., in the entry Hardboard, the description of how Masonite came to be developed) and some lengthy, such as the seven-page table of art movements. A bibliography lists books and magazines but no Web sites.

This book will be useful for beginning art students who need to understand the specialized vocabulary of artists. Recommended for public libraries.

RBB
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 486 pages
• Publisher: North Light Books; 1 edition (May 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1581800231
• ISBN-13: 978-1581800234
• Product Dimensions: 10 x 7 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.5 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #357,372 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

27 of 27 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Must Have Reference Book for all Artists, July 9, 2001

By 

ArtTechie - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Artist's Illustrated Encyclopedia: Techniques, Materials and Terms (Paperback)

As an artist, this is the book that I've been in search of for several years! There have been many times that I've run across an art-related term or technique in a magazine or book that was not defined or fully explained. I would attempt to look up the term in my standard dictionary or encyclopedia but I would never find the information I was looking for. This book clearly defines those terms and describes specific techniques and materials in a very simple and detailed way. The book is very much "illustrated" as the title suggests. There are numerous full color photos of tools, materials and beautiful artwork to visually aid in the definitions. There tables that describe art movements, paint comparisons, and how to read paint labels. I also own "The Artist's Handbook of Artist's Materials" by Ralph Mayer. That book is also very good but it is much more scientific in terminology and explanation. "The Artist's Illustrated Encyclopedia" is much easier to understand and the illustrations make it more interesting. It is user friendly because it is alpabetically arranged. I would definitely recommend this book to artists of all levels; beginner to advanced. It is a wonderful addition to my personal library!

4.0 out of 5 stars Art supply instruction tome, August 20, 2010

By 

Laura A. Fitzgerald (CAMBRIDGE, MA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Artist's Illustrated Encyclopedia: Techniques, Materials and Terms (Paperback)

The Artist's Illustrated Encyclopedia carries a great wealth of art supply usage & lesson volumes all in one heavy book. I often use it when I get stumped over a certain item, and need to find out about a particular object. It's an excellent recommendation for educational purposes mainly - thank you!