The Bottom Line
I consider The Artist's Handbook an indispensable reference in my studio, particularly for information on pigments which takes up some 180 pages of the book. If I'm looking for an answer to an art materials or techniques question, this is usually the first place I look. If I'm wanting to browse through a book to refresh my knowledge, this is often the one I select from my shelves.
Pros
- Explains the materials and techniques painters use, what they are and how to do so correctly.
- Includes medium-specific info, recipes, techniques, and technical advice.
- Written in a straightforward, accessible style with a comprehensive contents and index
Cons
- To find a specific color in the index, you need to know what group it belongs to e.g. blue, red..
- Not illustrated except for a few black-and-white line illustrations in the text.
- Published in 2003, so doesn't include latest development in acrylic mediums for instance.
- Out of print, so can be hard to find a copy.
Description
- Flexibound book, 520 pages. Published in 2003 by Arcturus Publishing, London. ISBN 0572028660.
- Chapters deal with pigments, drawing materials, egg tempera, oils, watercolor, gouache, soft pastels, and acrylics.
- Also covers encaustic painting, lime-fresco painting, brushes, storage and preservation of finished artworks.
- Author Pip Seymour collated info from hands-on experience, other artists and art tutors, paintmakers and conservators.
- Artist and teacher Pip Seymour studied at the Bradford College of Art, Winchester School of Art, and Brighton Polytechnic.
Guide Review - The Artist's Handbook by Pip Seymour
The subtitle of Pip Seymour's Artist's Handbook is "A complete professional guide to materials and techniques", and it certainly is. If you've ever wished for a series of lectures teaching you about the materials you paint with, this would be the equivalent. I can't imagine being without it.
The Artist's Handbook explains the practical aspects of using different types of paint, the techniques and materials available. It generally doesn't prescribe a "best way", but gives you the info to decide for yourself. For instance, after describing your options for oil painting mediums, it them gives sample recipes so you can try for yourself.
The pigments listings is one of the sections I refer to most frequently and about the only thing it doesn't give you for a particular color/pigment is a color picture of it or where to buy it (the book doesn't contain any photos, just some black-and-white line drawings). If I'm researching info a color, I'll look it up in this book which has great comments in addition to the fundamental info, then use Mark Gottsegen's Painter's Handbook as a cross-check.
Being British in origin, there aren't health warnings inserted at every possible spot in the text where an artist might possibly use something that could harm them that soon become so annoying. So do read the relevant health sections where they do occur, as knowing how to sensibly use your art materials is fundamental but often neglected knowledge in an age of buying everything ready made.
Keep in mind this book was published in 2003 so doesn't include the latest developments in acrylic mediums, water-soluble crayons/pencils, and water-soluble oils. But this isn't to imply it's short of info, on the contrary, it's packed with technical and technique know-how.
