Celtic Knots: Mastering the Traditional Patterns (Celtic Design) [Paperback]

Aidan Meehan (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 2003

A new step-by-step guide to the most popular form of Celtic design.

Celtic knotwork is the single most widely appealing form within the rich repertoire of Celtic design. Aidan Meehan's new book provides step-by-step instruction for anyone who wants to master the traditional methods of freehand Celtic knot design and then progress to designing fresh knotwork patterns and variations.

First, Meehan carefully and clearly explains how to draw the basic knot. Once that technique has been mastered, Meehan shows how to create designs with more complex knots, and how to draw border layouts. The book takes you through every step of the process, and exercises at the end of each unit ensure that you have mastered the techniques before you proceed to the next stage. 2843 illustrations.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Aidan Meehan is well known as a teacher and practitioner of Celtic design. Artists, designers, calligraphers, and craftspeople everywhere will find this book invaluable.

Product Details

• Paperback: 192 pages
• Publisher: Thames & Hudson (June 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0500283990
• ISBN-13: 978-0500283998
• Product Dimensions: 10.8 x 8.4 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.5 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #308,586 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #92 in Books > Arts & Photography > Schools, Periods & Styles > Folk Art

More About the Author

I am a Celtic artist who has written and illustrated 15 books on Celtic design, and now works as a full time artist exploring the art form in new ways, mainly as a painter. I also like to draw with the goose quill, and still enjoy doing calligraphy, mainly copperplate with the quill, and flourishing, which, it seems to me, is a continuation of the early Irish tradition, down through the centuries, by way of generations of scribes.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

39 of 40 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Knot that difficult, May 20, 2003

By 

stephen walker - See all my reviews

This review is from: Celtic Knots: Mastering the Traditional Patterns (Celtic Design) (Paperback)

In a day when computer programs can generate knotwork and clip-art sources for Celtic art abound, it is refreshing to see a new and serious effort being made to train the hand, eye and mind in the skill and understanding of this art form. The technique is interesting in an historical sense because it shows how human hands could accomplish 'the work of angels' and it is also of great value to the modern hand-craftsman who wishes to continue in this tradition. The method of knotwork construction that Meehan teaches is remarkable for a reason that the author only casually mentions. This is that the layout marks are absorbed into the finish piece. An artist working in permanent ink, as did the medieval scribes who illuminated such masterpieces as the Book of Kells, after they have mastered the technique, can draw complicated knots without erasing or leaving messy layout marks. The book begins with a series of three grids, illustrated by dots and lines. These are necessary to illustrate the system, but unfortunately may give the reader the impression that the system is overwrought. Perhaps the author says a bit more than is needed at first, because the system is pretty easy to use once you understand it. In fact, by thoroughly illustrating the simplest knots in relationship to the grids in the first lessons, Meehan is making it possible (if the student perseveres) to layout more complicated knots with an economy of effort and ink. I highly recommend the book, but with the caution that the first lessons require patience. Had he cut to the chase without quite so much preliminary analysis I would gladly give it 5 stars. Stephen Walker

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Much easier than the Bain books, September 2, 2006

By 

Catherine (Redmond, WA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Celtic Knots: Mastering the Traditional Patterns (Celtic Design) (Paperback)

I had a few books by George and Ian Bain but could never figure out what they were trying to get at. This book finally broke it down in a way I could understand. Now that I know the basic technique, I have expanded to all sorts of interesting knots. I can also go back to my Bain books and figure out where the break lines are so I can reproduce those knots without driving myself crazy.

I agree with the other reviewers that at first the system seems a bit complicated, but the break-line and center-line drawing methods in this book have made it really easy for me to freehand knots on anything. I like not being a slave to clip art or stencils. I've gone to those pottery painting places and just plopped a gridwork of dots out and then penciled out my outline on uneven or unusual shapes. When I'm in meetings, I doodle knots on scratch paper.

I gave the book four stars instead of five because I bailed out after 2/3 of the book, when it got to making corners, 3-cord and 5-cord plaits. After I understood the basic method, I figured out how to turn corners all by myself. The 3-cord and 5-cord plaits aren't as interesting to me because they can't be used in standalone knots. Also, Meehan tends to document every single variation on a knot even if it's not very pretty.

I definitely recommend this as a way to train your brain. I am hoping to find a similar book that makes it easier to do triangular and circular knots.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Very useful book, January 27, 2006

By 

Karen Tiede (Raleigh, NC) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Celtic Knots: Mastering the Traditional Patterns (Celtic Design) (Paperback)

Agree with the reviewer below; the construction methods can seem a bit complex. But this ain't clip art, and the meditation needed to grasp the framework is part of why we're doing this particular form of art in the first place, no?

Even as a straightforward source of material to adapt to your own artwork (I work at a scale of roughly 1/4" to 1'), it's rich. I love the pages of permutations.

I think this is my third favorite Meehan (fils?) book, after Knots and Spirals.