Since 1940, when it was originally published, The Artist's Handbook has become indispensable for thousands of practicing artists and art students. The book has remained continually in print through many editions and has sold more than a quarter of a million copies. A detailed index makes a wealth of information readily available. Charts and line drawings throughout.
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Book Description
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Editorial Reviews
About the Author
Ralph Mayer (1895-1979) was a painter and art conservator. Educated as a chemical engineer, he worked in paint manufacture and studied painting at the Art Students League of New York before going on to teach at Columbia University. He founded the Artists Technical Research Institute in 1959. He is best known as the author of The Artist's Handbook of Materials and Techniques (1940), which is still a point of reference for artists today, and he also wrote The Painter's Craft (1948) and A Dictionary of Art Terms and Techniques (1969).
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
58 of 58 people found the following review helpful
By AliMcJ
Format:Hardcover
This is the Artist's classic, and the Artist's Bible of not only what materials are but when they came into use, how they are formulated and why. Want to learn how to make your own gesso for silverpoint? Want to cut a quill pen? Want to make your own pastels? Can't remember how to make your own sizing or gesso? Want to try your hand at encaustic or egg tempera painting? Want to know which colors in the spectrum are likely to fade (are fugitive colors) in watercolor and which are not? It's here.
62 of 63 people found the following review helpful
By Damon Denys
Format:Hardcover
Probably the best, most available and comprehensive book on the technical aspects of painting. Very useful for artists who pursue absolute soundness of technique with a mind for permanence of their work. Explains in detail the wide range of supports, grounds, primers, pigments, media and application methods, as well as their respective benefits and defects. Certainly not for the casual reader.
19 of 19 people found the following review helpful
By Edward Falis
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
I had this and an earlier edition of the book and found both to be exceptional resources. We are buying this book for our daughter, who after 3-1/2 years of high priced college study in art conservation still doesn't know how to do so many of the basic, time tested procedures that are the foundation of enduring artwork. Ralph Mayer's approach takes the mystery out of the science of art. Every student of art should have this book.
32 of 35 people found the following review helpful
By David Sauer
Format:Hardcover
After 50 years of painting I still find this book the most used book in my library of art materials and technigues books. An artist may as well be without his brushes as to be without this book. The help on difficult to answer questions is a wonderful resource in the studio.
17 of 17 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
After all my searching and looking I found this book.It covers everyting from the materials used in painting to techniques used,be they murals or encaustics.I cant leave it down.It pushes me even to try new things and consequently new work.It is a book for alchemists and artists alike.I got the hardback and it stays close to me at all times even when I fly!I have my copy smudged all over with blues,greens,etc.You will also read about picture framing and reparation of work...how to tackle mildew..the list just goes on.Its not for painting by numbers thats for sure.I set out to write a short review!A real tome of a book.Get it for reference or for its "secret" knowledge.Opens worlds for artists.Good luck
25 of 27 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
The book was useful, but it was a real hard slog to read it all; unlike other books on this subject.
To be fair, this book is really a reference book rather than one designed to be read all the way through over a few days.
Probably the biggest problems I had with was that many of the materials mentioned... I had no idea what they were because they are called something different in the US, plus many other newer materials weren't mentioned. The book was quite dated, and it made me wish I'd sprung a few extra dollars to get the 5th edition.
But still, this book (perhaps the 5th edition rather than the 4th) IS essential reading for any serious oil painter. (If you can understand all the very technical and long-winded information!)
I wasn't taught MOST of the technical information on oil paints at all at art school! It is great to have a bit of information on how to make your paintings last for many years. (I hate the thought of putting all that work in only for them to warp or crumble or peel in time!)
This book is not suitable however for beginners or amateurs who only want to know the basics about materials and so on. (This is a difficult read and very technical, in my opinion. I don't mean to say it isn't necessary and useful information though, it is.)
A great book that does that is Encyclopedia of Oil Painting Techniques by Jeremy Galton which is suitable for beginners and serious painters alike (and has a LOT of pictures in it as compared to this book which is 500 pages or so of all TEXT!).
To be fair, this book is really a reference book rather than one designed to be read all the way through over a few days.
Probably the biggest problems I had with was that many of the materials mentioned... I had no idea what they were because they are called something different in the US, plus many other newer materials weren't mentioned. The book was quite dated, and it made me wish I'd sprung a few extra dollars to get the 5th edition.
But still, this book (perhaps the 5th edition rather than the 4th) IS essential reading for any serious oil painter. (If you can understand all the very technical and long-winded information!)
I wasn't taught MOST of the technical information on oil paints at all at art school! It is great to have a bit of information on how to make your paintings last for many years. (I hate the thought of putting all that work in only for them to warp or crumble or peel in time!)
This book is not suitable however for beginners or amateurs who only want to know the basics about materials and so on. (This is a difficult read and very technical, in my opinion. I don't mean to say it isn't necessary and useful information though, it is.)
A great book that does that is Encyclopedia of Oil Painting Techniques by Jeremy Galton which is suitable for beginners and serious painters alike (and has a LOT of pictures in it as compared to this book which is 500 pages or so of all TEXT!).
20 of 21 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:Hardcover
it was a required book at a county college. once i got it i realized it was very informative. it has very good information and i refer to it all the time. the professor said it would be our "bible for art" and he was right. it has techniques such as how to do egg tempra, suggestions on types of paints, etc. i would highly recommend it.
14 of 14 people found the following review helpful
By clifford
Format:Hardcover
If you are searching for a book that will explain materials and tools for the artist this is the first book you should turn to. I have been referencing this book for a decade now and still have a lot to learn from Ralph Mayer, a man who spent his life investigating various techniques of painting.
If you open this book up, you will come across just about any question you might have. For instance, I recently used Mayer for egg tempra painting. In his book he has a few pages regarding the subject, not many, but enough to fully explain the basics and get you started properly. He covers brushes, pigments, paints, from the obscure to the most basic.
One section of the book that I am keenly interested in is his break down of a massive number of pigments where he goes into more detail on each than any other source I have come across.
This is not exactly a how to paint or draw book. This book is intended for those who want to make a serious study of process practices in the correct manner for archival purposes. This is a must have book that should be in any painters studio.
One last item of note: If you have used this book before and found it of interest, I highly suggest that the next time you are around New Haven CT that you visit the Yale 'Ralph Mayer' center. Yale itself has many museums and buildings worth visiting and the Mayer center is just one small highlight. Its staff was very kind when I visited. When I showed an interest in Mayer, they were eager to share some of the more interesting aspects of the collection.
If you open this book up, you will come across just about any question you might have. For instance, I recently used Mayer for egg tempra painting. In his book he has a few pages regarding the subject, not many, but enough to fully explain the basics and get you started properly. He covers brushes, pigments, paints, from the obscure to the most basic.
One section of the book that I am keenly interested in is his break down of a massive number of pigments where he goes into more detail on each than any other source I have come across.
This is not exactly a how to paint or draw book. This book is intended for those who want to make a serious study of process practices in the correct manner for archival purposes. This is a must have book that should be in any painters studio.
One last item of note: If you have used this book before and found it of interest, I highly suggest that the next time you are around New Haven CT that you visit the Yale 'Ralph Mayer' center. Yale itself has many museums and buildings worth visiting and the Mayer center is just one small highlight. Its staff was very kind when I visited. When I showed an interest in Mayer, they were eager to share some of the more interesting aspects of the collection.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
A bible for the painters
It's a classic. I bought it because of the pigment especifications, which I need for my work, but the book is full of informations even to me, an adept of acrylics and simple... Read more
Published 3 days ago by Horacio Kahn
4.0 out of 5 stars
The artist handbook
I bought the book trying to get information in how to fix some of my canvases that i had painted. Well, the book mentioned different techniques but, unfortunately I didn't get a... Read more
Published 11 days ago by christine blackman
5.0 out of 5 stars
Very objective, very technical, very must to have academic book.
The book is for those who has an interest in: oil, acrylics, pastel, mural, tempera painting and a bit extra. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Marius Kucinskas
5.0 out of 5 stars
Mayer vs. Smith
There are two books entitled "The Artists Handbook": the one here by Ralph Mayer, the other by Ray Smith. Read more
Published 4 months ago by AJ
5.0 out of 5 stars
A wonderful reference book
This is an extremely well orgainized reference book that has the secrets that all of the old t ime artists used. A must for any artist!
Published 4 months ago by Nevada Sam
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great Recipes for oil Painting
The book covers in depth, the traditional method of color mixing and mediums. This is a must have book if you are serious on thinking of painting as materials and how to preserve... Read more
Published 6 months ago by W
4.0 out of 5 stars
Should be on your shelf
If you are an aspiring artist and want to really do well with your medium, than you need to have this book on your shelf. Read more
Published 8 months ago by CCJ
3.0 out of 5 stars
Technical Detail High
The text is detailed written in language of yesteryear. It probably has all the information you need to know about paints and materials but the prose is dense and readable with... Read more
Published 11 months ago by Ian the Artist
3.0 out of 5 stars
Decent Book
I had thought of as this book as "The Joy of Cooking" for artists...However there may be quite a bit of information for artists, but in someways I felt as if the book was lacking. Read more
Published 15 months ago by Jason S. Jarvis
5.0 out of 5 stars
This book answers so many questions that I have.
I am an amateur artist with some very serious questions about the painting process. I have a need to understand in depth the materials that I am working with. Read more
Published 22 months ago by brhino
Citations (learn more)
This book cites 89
books:
See all 89 books this book cites
23
books
cite this book:
See all 23 books citing this book
- Materials and Techniques (Practical Course in Watercolors) by LEMA Publications in Back Matter (1), Back Matter (2), and Back Matter (3)
- The Practice of Tempera Painting: Materials and Methods (Dover Art Instruction) by Daniel V. Thompson in Back Matter (1), and Back Matter (2)
- Dictionary of Art Terms and Techniques by Ralph Mayer in Front Matter, and Back Matter
- Lives of the Painters (Everyman's Library, Vol. 4) by Gilorgio Vasari on page 18, and Back Matter
- A History of Engraving and Etching (Dover Fine Art, History of Art) by Arthur M. Hind in Back Matter (1), and Back Matter (2)
See all 89 books this book cites
- Color: A Natural History of the Palette by Victoria Finlay on 5 pages
- Kevin McClouds Complete Book of Paint and Decorative Techniques by Kevin Mccloud on page 12, page 78, and Back Matter
- The Guild Handbook of Scientific Illustration by Elaine R. S. Hodges on page 22, and Back Matter
- Drawing and Painting Animals: How to Capture the Essence of Wildlife in your Art by Edward Aldrich on page 69, and Back Matter
- Fine Woodworking on Finishing and Refinishing: 34 Articles by Fine Woodworking on page 27, and Index
See all 23 books citing this book
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