The Artist's Handbook

by Ray Campbell Smith

The definitive, practical guide to all the tools, techniques, and materials of paintings, drawing, printmaking and related visual arts. Over 1,000 illustrations and 175,000 words of text.

Genres: Art, Nonfiction, Reference, Art Design

352 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1987

About the author

Internationally noted artist Ray Smith has exhibited in solo and group shows around the world. A lecturer at the Chelsea School of Art and at Exeter Art College, he was recently Artist-in-Residence at the University of Southampton in the UK. Smith has received many distinguished awards for his work, including an Arts Council Award, a Lindbury Trust artist's award, and the Deutscher Jugendbuch Preis. He has written several titles in The DK Art School series, and is the author of The Artist's Handbook and How to Draw and Paint What You See.

Reviews

[Corey · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great run-down of a wide variety of materials and how they work and techniques for 2D art. Easy reference for beginning artists with nice tricks and details that an experienced artist will appreciate.

I keep a copy in my studio and use it for myself as well as students. There are photo examples for just about everything- from various underpainting techniques to what the same paint will look like over several different types of gesso. Different marks, painting on glass, watercolor, acrylic, ink, oil, pastels, charcoal, various types of brushwork... It's well organized, easy to find things in, and a generally great short reference.

[Ryan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a really nice book. It's not overly detailed by any means, but gives a little bit of useful information about every type of art outside of sculpture. I have a bunch of art supplies stored up from years of experimenting with different methods, and this helps to point me in the right direction. Over the years, I have been through a lot of art books and most are just fluff, more written to sell and rehash well worn information. This, on the other hand, is a complete reference.

[Precious Lyda Atriginio · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a major steal from Booksale. Bought it at a cheap price. Seriously, I am a Booksale kind of person. This book is really helpful for frustrated artists (ehem) and beginners. It is a technical book with detailed information along with pictures and stuff. This is a book that should be on your bookshelf if you want to practice the craft of art, amateur or not. As for me I bought it because I wanted to familiarize and learn more about art. I am really glad to have found this wonderful book.

[Wouter · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm surprised so many people rate this book 4+ as it's essentially a compendium and feels a bit stiff to read compared to modern blogs or nicer to read articles on the internet. I like the rundown of all the different techniques I didn't even know existed but nothing is explained in detail. It even briefly covers subjects like lithography and egg tempera. I picked up some trails but I'll also have to pick up another book to get my questions answered.

[Kathryn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Every artist, crafts person should have this book as reference in their studio, work room as its guide for materials, helps aid in ways to do arts, crafts. Also helpful for art teachers, parent who sees their child loves doing art. Look for newest updated edition of this book as will have newest art techniques listed. I've had a copy of this hand book in my studio since 1980s, always updated to newest edition & gave previous edition to new artist friend for inspiration.

[Jekloneo · Rating 4 out of 5]

So far? I haven't touched much of it, only the parts on lithography/printmaking.

I'm not intending to read everything; I borrowed it from the library.

I haven't finished it, actually. I skimmed through. A handy guide for the beginner/intermediate artist, with comprehensive tips and tricks (methods) along the way.

[Patti · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a BRILLIANT book for anyone with an artistic bent. It explains artistic themes and styles and includes how- tos. It explains the many tools, paints, medium, and products available to unleash your inner artist. I am buying my own copy!

[Elisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

A marvelous, useful reference book on art materials. Beautiful to look at as well.

[Billy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Informative and helpful for experimentation. Nice for dabbling in different styles to see if anything strikes your fancy.

[Luis Torres · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Reference book

[Tamara · Rating 3 out of 5]

An excellent beginner's introduction to various media and their basic uses; the section on health and safety was also extremely useful, as the section on pigments was interesting.

[Amyelyse · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the best Book for the care and feeding of art supplies.