Celtic Art: The Methods of Construction (Dover Art Instruction) [Paperback]

George Bain (Author), Art Instruction (Author)

Book Description

Series: Dover Art Instruction | Publication Date: June 1, 1973

This unique volume clearly demonstrates simple geometric techniques for making intricate knots, interlacements, spirals, Kellstype initials, human and animal figures in distinctive Celtic style. Features over 500 illustrations.

Product Details

• Paperback: 160 pages
• Publisher: Dover Publications; 1 edition (June 1, 1973)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0880297832
• ISBN-13: 978-0486229232
• ASIN: 0486229238
• Product Dimensions: 11.8 x 8.9 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (21 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #44,298 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #1 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Arts & Photography > Art > Instruction & Reference > Calligraphy
  • #3 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Arts & Photography > Art > Art History > Regional
  • #4 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Professional & Technical > Architecture > General

More About the Author

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

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

73 of 75 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Indispensible, undecipherable?, January 2, 1999

By 

Bronwyn P. Noble (Madison, Wisconsin) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Celtic Art: The Methods of Construction (Dover Art Instruction) (Paperback)

Among those in my acquaintance who are fond of Celtic art, George Bain's Celtic Art is the one which most buy first. I did. Then I read it and found that some of his instructions (particularly for creating knotwork) seem totally off-the-wall and totally indecipherable. However, for some reason, he seemed to be the only one who has ever come up with a way to recreate impossibly complex knotwork panels, and do more than just plain fretted knotwork. Fear not, Dear Reader! If you follow his instructions, practice the designs as he shows them, you will ultimately discover what he is trying to say. And when you do, the entire world of complex, bewildering and magical knotwork will open up to you.

However, knotwork is not the only type of art that Bain covers in this book. He also analyzes fretwork (mazes), spirals and zoomorphic forms (animal and human forms which can sometimes even be interlaced), as well. These, comprise the entire corpus of form used in the great books of Celtic and Anglo-Saxon art which were created in the 6th through 8th centuries.

Let me also put a good word in for Bain's survey of Hiberno/Anglo-Saxon calligraphy as well, in which he assembles many of the fanciful letter forms for which this form of writing is known.

I do own all of Aidan Meehan's books (and also recommend them), but if you can only afford to buy one book, buy this one. Then, as you can afford others, branch out into Meehan (and even Bain's son, Iain has written a book on knotwork!), and begin purchasing surveys of the Books of Kells and Lindisfarne so that you can study from the true masters.

Enjoy!

18 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Beginning to Advanced Celtic Pattern Construction, January 15, 2002

By 

hamsterdance (TX) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Celtic Art: The Methods of Construction (Dover Art Instruction) (Paperback)

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.

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good intro to Celtic Art, February 8, 2003

By 

R. Clampitt "seeker" (Palmdale, CA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Celtic Art: The Methods of Construction (Dover Art Instruction) (Paperback)

I can't add much more than the last previewer. But it is a good introduction to Celtic Art and patterns, plus he covers its history and shows you how to even difficult patterns. Drawing Celtic Artwork is not easy, a gifted artist and craftsman Bain makes it look easy but its not. Howeverf if you practice the basic patterns you can get pretty good at it in a reasonable period of time. I have several of Aidan Meehan's books and this one is by far the best for beginners imho. Use Meehans works when you can replicate a good many of the patterns found here.

It is also a fine resource for the more elaborate patterns which are not covered very well in other works. Many of these patterns can be transferred to leather, clay etc, you name it.

Overall if you only get one book on Celtic Art get this one and with a bit of practice your effort will be rewarded.