Celtic Art: The Methods of Construction

by George Bain

The construction principles of Celtic art were re-discovered in the middle of the 20th century by George Bain. Until his writing, the intricate knots, interlacings, and spirals used in illuminating The Book of Kells and in decorating craftwork and jewelry seemed almost impossible, the work of angels. In this pioneering work, George Bain shows how simple principles, no more difficult than those used in needlecraft, were used to create some of the...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0486229238
• ISBN13: 9780486229232
• Release Date: June 1973
• Publisher: Dover Publications
• Length: 160 Pages
• Weight: 1.10 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.4" x 9.0" x 12.0"

Customer Reviews

The best of the best

THis book is the most helpfull i ever seen. You buy this, and you need no other book to draw celtic knots. You start with no knowledge and you really can make extraordinery things after a feel training. Its really works. I strongly recommend.

Lots of ideas

This book was just what I needed. It has lots of ideas and how to make them.

Perfect addition to Book of Kells, Lindisfarne Gospel

How Bain has managed to come up with this method is beyond me, but God bless him for it! I have used his methods for creating cross stitch patterns, a complicated matter but well worth the results.

A "HOW-TO" DRAWING REFERANCE AND MAINSTAY TO LAUNCH YOU

A "HOW-TO" DRAWING REFERANCE FOR ARTISTS AND BEGINNERS ABOUT TO EMBARK ON THE CELTIC AND PICTISH MYSTERIES. A GOOD MAINSTAY FOR THE DRAWING PHASES OF YOUR WORK, WITH HAND-DRAWN EXAMPLES FROM THE BOOK OF KELLS, LINDISFARNES, AND DURROW. ALSO COMPARES THE SIMILAR TYPES OF LINES AND KNOTS FROM OTHER EARLY CIVILIZATIONS, AND SOME EXAMPLES OF HIS OWN WORKS.COMPARIBLE TO HIS SONS (IAN BAIN) OWN "HOW-TO" BOOK,BUT MUCH LESS RIGID.GEORGE BAIN ALSO SHOWS YOU HOW TO DO SOME ZOOMIPHORICS (ANIMALS) AND SPIRALS NOT FOUND IN HIS SONS WONDERFULL BOOK FOR BEGINNERS. HERE IS TRUTH IN TITLE.

The first book any beginning Celtic artist should have.

This book is a great introduction to the various aspects of Celtic art. George Bain takes the reader through step by step on how to construction knotworks, borders, spirals and key patterns. Bain also talks about lettering and zoomorphics (interlaced animals). Almost every page contains several black and white illustrations with reference to the historical bookgrounds of the designs. This is a must for any artist new to the Celtic world of illuminated manuscripts, symbol stones and metalwork