Customer Reviews

Celtic Knots: Mastering the Traditional Patterns (Celtic Design)

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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

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.

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.

Let me begin by saying that this was my first experience drawing celtic knots.

As the author, Aidan Mehan, states in his introduction, the book contains twenty chapters and is designed for a coverage rate of one chapter per week. I'm retired and have plenty of spare time. I have covered 12 weeks worth of material in three weeks, I still have eight chapters remaining. The principles of construction and drawing are covered in the first eight or so chapters the rest of the book deals with application of the principles and design of borders.

The intent of the book is to teach a person how to draw celtic style knots. This is accomplished by teaching the basic knot and building upon that skill.

If you do the exercises at the end of each chapter and review your errors and correct your mistakes and misunderstandings, then the book is a very good means to learn how to design and draw celtic knot borders and other very elaborate and symmetrically balanced decorations and ornaments.

Some of the exercises can be very time consuming, such as: taking one style of knot and applying it to seventy-five different variations. It took me days to complete some of the exercises. But the practice which the exercises provided allowed me to develop the skills I desired to develop..

In short I highly recommend this book to any novice "celtic knotsman" willing to invest the time and effort to learn and enjoy designing and drawing celtic knots.

As head of the Scribes guild for the local SCA chapter(Caer Galen), I am always on the lookout for something to help teach my new scribes. This was a very good step by step book for those who think in a linear manner.

I was hoping for an easy way to lay out a pattern and not get lost. This was way too complcated and time consuming. If I had nothing else to do in my life I might could read this and figure out what he was trying to tell me.