Celtic Tattoos (Paperback)

~ Andy Sloss (Author) "Although this book is in black and white, virtually all Celtic designs were originally coloured..." (more)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

Celtic designs are among the most popular for tattoos on both sides of the Atlantic, a cutting-edge trend that actually began in pre-Roman times to frighten opponents in battle. This stylish reference explores the history of the intricate, evocative designs of the ancient Celts, offering many ideas to help readers create their own images, from icons of Celtic art such as dragons and crosses, to torcs, spirals, and key patterns. Complete step-by-step instructions for designing one-of-a-kind Celtic knotwork patterns are included, as is full information on creating temporary tattoos with henna or body paint. All patterns can be traced and enlarged to adorn any part of the body.

About the Author

Sloss is a printer, typographer and freelance graphic designer.

Product Details

• Paperback: 72 pages
• Publisher: Carlton Books (July 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1842229125
• ISBN-13: 978-1842229125
• Product Dimensions: 7.6 x 5 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 2.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,012,108 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

36 of 36 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars dissapointing, September 10, 2003

By	AE (USA) - See all my reviews

I was really dissapointed with this book. I have one tattoo and have been trying to design a few more, based on Celtic Art. I bought this book with the intention that it would give a broad array of spiral, circular, and knotwork designs that I could use for inspiration, or even just copy to use.

What I got was a 70 page "book" that looks more like a pamphlet, with about 15 pages total of designs....most of them very common that I've already seen and could have gotten off a cheap internet site.

Not to mention that they are all very small, in black and white, and not clear detail.

There is some useful information on how to draw your own knotwork, which I might use...but I'm going to have to buy another book to get what I want. I should have spent my money elsewhere, and you should too.

30 of 31 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Don't be disappointed, December 27, 2003

By	Andy (UK) - See all my reviews

This was written as the 3,000 word booklet to accompany the Celtic Tattoo Gift Pack, and as such wasn't aimed at serious tattooists. The aim was to give an idea of the 'look and feel' of celtic art, though trying to do that without any colour seems to miss most of the beauty. The lack of colour or even any celtic art on the cover should be a giveaway.
If the idea of celtic tattoo transfers interests you have a look at the Celtic Tattoo Pack here at amazon.
If you're a serious tattoo artist buy George Bain's 'Celtic Art', the classic bible on the subject and explore the web for the modern variations.
I was given 3 weeks to write and draw this booklet and don't get royalties, so can honestly say that you can do better than this - I did.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Unfortunate Purchase..., September 19, 2006

By	Cookie Contessa "cookie queen" (Byron, CA) - See all my reviews

I am in the process of going to a Celtic tattoo specialist @ Lucky Fish Tattoo in Santa Barbara, CA. I have 1 celtic tattoo, 10 total tattoos and in a month will have a custom celtic tattoo done. I have been waiting to get this book for a bazillion months and when I finally did I found it to be the biggest waste of time. I never imagined with the great subject matter that a book could be more insignifigant. The designs lack uniqueness in the book, there are few, and they also lack the detail of the meaning. This book trys to take the beautiful and amazing art of tattooing celtic design and verbalize it and use black and white pictures. Wasted $$ and time.