Book Description

Book Description

Reviews (4)

Greatest book ever
It took me 10 years but I finally own it. I fell in love with the pictures in this book in 7th grade art class.

Animals 1419 copyright free illustrations
This book is an excellent book for artists and art teachers to use for ideas. It is all in black and white which helps people see values that are so difficult for some to see. It has wonderful detail.

A wonderful resource!
This book is an awesome resource/refernece book for drawing almost any animal you wish to draw. It includes many images of animals in action, which helps as a reference when you don't have the option to see the animal in the flesh. Some images include the native scenery of more exotic creatures. I use it to help an idea in my head come to life on paper, for pen & ink, colored pencil, or printmaking designs. This book is my first source to draw an animal (if the option of a live model is not possible!) The illustrations have more depth and interest than a straight forward encyclopedia of animals, adding to a more creative treatment of subjects. Easily my most often used resource book.

Excelent Resource
I use this book as a reference as I sculpt. It has at least one picture of almost every animal that I need with only a few exeptions. It has fish, mamals, reptiles, birds... even a FEW dinosoars. I recomend it for any artist looking for a general animal reference. ... Read more

Book Description

Reviews (1)

An excellent design reference book
A wonderful and wide range of designs great for motifs and decorative design development. Don't miss it! ... Read more

Amazon.com

Rather than a project-driven craft book, Collage Techniques is an exciting presentation of the medium as a fine art. From the famous practitioners (Matisse, Picasso, Hockney) to the many accomplished artists represented throughout the book, the images are stunning, sometimes startling. A thorough coverage of materials, supplies, and basic methods lays the groundwork of the first section; chapters then focus on various types of papers, fibers, photographs, and technologically enhanced imagery that can be incorporated. The second section explores design considerations for various subjects (still lifes, landscapes, human figures, social commentary, abstract imagery, three-dimensional works). There are no step-by-step objects here, but instead an amazing collection of work that utilizes collage by bringing together painting and sculpture and provides colorful, inventive, thought-provoking inspiration for experimenting with the medium. ... Read more

Reviews (5)

#1 COLLAGE BOOK!
This is a fabulous book on the collage medium. Everything is
thoroughly covered from collage history, technique and
guidance for design, etc. This book will also inspire
you with its fine examples. I am very pleased with book
and highly recommend it to others.

Add me to the list
I ordered this book after reading reviews of collage books.
The praise of this book, I find, is well deserved. It comments
on many techniques and provides examples with color photos.
I feel I can take off on my own now, and don't need technical
advice, even though the book is not a technical read. A good
addition to anyone's bookshelf.

A Beautiful Overview of Collage
I had heard that Brommer was a highy respected collage author and teacher, so even though I am not an artist or illustrator, I figured that this book would be a good one for me to have. I was right!

Brommer covers almost every facet of collage art, beginning with its history/background, progressing to the various collage techniques, and also elaborating on the materials used to create collages. These materials include painted papers, Japanese papers, found objects, photographs, etc.

Rather than a how-to book, this is a book that presents many finished pieces in all their beauty, and explains how they were done by these very accomplished artists. It is a terrific resource and a lovely addition to any art library.

Great for inpiration and ideas, wonderful varitey
This is a great book for any collage artist looking for inspiration and ideas. It is packed with a wonderful variety of collage examples and techniques.

The book starts out with some brief history and attitudes toward collage. Then the author explains materials and tools. This includes an overview of papers, adhesives, surface media and finishes. Basic collage techniques are also covered.

In the next section you are shown numerous collage pieces using a wide variety of materials including washi, stained, prepared and found papers, photographs, fibers and fabric. Concepts are discussed from the point of view of both technique and subject matter. Although not a project book per se, there are a number of examples of artists working in a step by step sequence that can be followed.

Design elements and principles including line, shape, color, texture, unity, variety, balance, emphasis, pattern, rhythm and contrast are covered. The book wraps up with sections discussing specific subject matters such as still lives, flowers, landscapes, people, social commentary, architecture, abstract and three-dimensional pieces.

Paper suppliers are listed in the back. While suitable for a beginner, this is a great intermediate level book with much to offer for those with some collage experience as well.

This is a "must read" book for the beginning artist!
This book gives encyclopedic information on collage and art principles, and other artists as well. There are step-by-step demonstrations,that are easy to understand, yet there is enough advanced techniques for the experienced artist. Well worth the price, and inspirational. ... Read more

Book Description

Remarkable revelations of nature’s diversity, revealed in hundreds of snowflake images taken by American photographer W .A. Bentley during a 50-year period. Over 850 illustrations of snow crystals, with no two designs exactly alike, will inspire artists, designers, and craftspeople in search of extraordinary patterns for textiles, wallpaper, and other creative projects.
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Reviews (1)

Interesting browsing on a snowy day.
This book is mostly a collection of photographs of snowflakes done over many years by the author, "Snowflake" Bentley. His story is a fascinating one and knowing it adds value to this book. Some of the photos are somewhat clumsily prepared and look less than professional but the infinite designs are fascinating. My children enjoy it and other adults enjoy looking at it when visiting. Overall, an interesting though somewhat amateurish cololection. ... Read more

Book Description

Book Description

Reviews (1)

A Plethora of Copyright-free Patterns
This book is a great additon to the library of all paper crafters and rubber stampers. It makes creating collages and artwork so much more convenient--just sit back and browse through 361 full color background patterns, and best of all they are all copyright-free! The author offers a delightful variety of colors and styles, inspirations from the 15th through the 20th century. It looks like some were taken from fabric, and even have a textural quality. With simply the use of a color copier or better yet a scanner, you will have no limit to your imagination and creativity. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Fantastic guide to all kinds of collage, inspirational
This is a fantastic book on creating a wide variety of great collage projects. It covers numerous collage techniques including using paper, mixed-media, fabric, decoupage, photomontage, computer art, found and three-dimensional objects. The beautiful galleries after each collage type are sure to inspire you.

In addition to the collage techniques you also get the basics of papermaking, papier mache, marbling and batik as well as painting and dyeing fabric. There are step-by-step instructions accompanied by demonstrating photos for all the techniques and projects. Don't expect to make exact replicas of the projects since your sources and materials will vary. Rather, the author expects you will follow her assembling directions to create a unique masterpiece of your own.

Some of the sixteen projects include a gorgeous butterfly lampshade, a painted paper fruit bowl collage, a clock decorated with magazine scraps and nature objects, and a sewn fabric book cover. Another great project is an easy to make yet sophisticated looking Japanese box covered with scraps of yuzen or chiyogami papers.

This book filled with fresh and interesting ideas is sure to help you create gorgeous collage artwork.

A delight - I'm so glad I bought this book!
I wanted to explore collage as an aspect of other paper crafts I'm trying to learn. I picked this one first and I really like it. Many other collage books are meant for people narrowly focused on collage who see beauty in their collages ..... that is truly not obvious to other people - so esoteric it appeals to a very narrow audience. The Crafter's Complete Guide to Collage is different. It's visually attractive. The samples of collages have much broader appeal. The excellent how-to photographs are tremendously helpful and NOT intimidating. It opened my mind up to more than paper possibilities - it discusses collages of paper, found objects, mixed media, fabric, multi-dimensional, decoupage, photomontage, even computer collage. Its a treat - I think you'd enjoy this book! ... Read more

Reviews (2)

I Love This Book
I purchased this book as a reference book for my personal library and found that my children also love it. The illustrations are stunning and helpful on both an artistic and scientific level.

I highly reccomend this book for artists and for anyone interested in nature (including children). My 10 year old lovers to try to draw the images and identify them.

This book is not for someone looking for photographic images.

Science can be art and art can be science
Many patterns in nature are often overlooked. Haeckel captures the natural beauty of living creatures, presenting them in such a way as to spotlight their delicate forms. This black and white rendition of Haeckel's artwork is very impressive, adding a quality perhaps more pleasing to the modern eye than the color originals. Although no written text accompanies the plates, one still understands what the artist is conveying. Haeckel's grouping of the organisms in a very detailed, scientific manner is at the same time aesthetically pleasing to both scientists and nonscientists. ... Read more

Book Description

Reviews (10)

Matsuya Crest Catalogue Outstanding Resource
The Matsuya catalogue of crests is a resource of remarkable depth and breadth for serious students of Japanese design history. Although it lacks the interpretive text of John Dower's classic study on Japanese crests, the unusually large number and relatively complete range of crests pictured allow readers to draw solid conclusions about the relative popularity of certain motifs, like plum blossoms or oak leaves, in Japanese history and to examine how different motifs--such as the Big Dipper and crescent moon or rabbit and high waves--were combined. If one is able to read Japanese, the names of the specific crest designs convey additional valuable information. One of the many copyright-free books published by Dover, the Matsuya catalogue also provides a treasure trove of reproduction-quality design material.

Great source of motifs for needlework and graphic arts
When I was cleaning out my books last summer, I got rid of this book by mistake and have regretted it ever since. Now I'm ordering another copy. Many times I have looked through it for ideas for self-contained, elegant motifs in a circular form. I have adapted these designs for corporate logos, and seen them used in patchwork and quilting patterns. If you are a designer and have a library of design elements this is a good addition to it. There is not a great deal of written text or documentation, however, so I do not recommend it for readers.

Fantastic for Graphic Design Inspiration
Page, after page, after page of great designs.

Not something you can use for research, but it you are looking for inspiration, this is a book for you. I started putting yellow post-its on the designs I wanted to use (quilting, cross-stitch, stained glass), but I soon gave up when I realized that I was marking almost every page.

This is one of those rare design books that is well worth the money.

Well worth the price...
I've lusted after this book ever since I saw it in the library years ago. Unfortunately, I couldn't remember the name (I should've stolen it then!). So what a delight to finally rediscover it. The images in this book have haunted me, and defied my attempts to recreate even a few of them from memory. There are more permutations on each motif than one can possibly think of. An endless wealth of source material for logos, symbols, backgrounds, graphics. This book is a must-have for any designer interested in or influenced by Japanese design!

Japanese Motifs
So far the only Ra-Mon book that I have found with my family Crest. For me it is worth the money. ... Read more

Book Description

Reviews (1)

great if you're going to make a persian rug
This book is perfect if your planning to make a nice rug. We bought it for henna designs. The patterns in this book are not good for mehndi. Nice designs though! ... Read more

Book Description

Primarily a catalog of ancient motifs contains over 760 vigorous, powerful, stark designs from pre-Columbian clay stamps made by Aztecs, Maya, Zapotecs, Toltec, Olmec, Mixtec. Depictions of serpents, gods, priests, dancers, florals, geometrics, more. Brief text identifies motif and location of origin.
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Reviews (3)

Interesting Designs
Good reference book. Full of designs that can be reproduced. If one is trying to teach a unit on Aztec designs this is the perfect book to get. Students can reproduce the designs and have fun. If the purpose is to create graphics, there are several great designs to choose from.

Valuable resource book
This book is a bargain and especially useful for artists working in various mediums that want to include the ancient designs of Mexico. All of the motiffs are authentic and come from extensive research with such collaborators as Mexico's National Museum and it's diretors and associated profesors. Numerous individual contributors, such as artists like Diego Rivera and Miguel Covarrubias have contributed their own personal collections for reproduction. The author, Jorge Enciso, first published this book in 1947 and it has been out of print for quite awhile, that is until Dover Press came out with a paperback edition. The designs are all magnificent reproductions of stamps used in various parts of ancient Mexico. Many of the designs you've probably seen before in artwork where a Mexican motiff is used but there are countless others that are unique and rarely seen. Intricate, geometric designs abound as well as drawings that feature the natural world and the use of animal figures both real and imagined. The decorative patterns are eloborate manifestations of the cultures of pre-Columbian Oaxaca, Veracruz, Azcapotzalco, Yucatan, Puebla and Teotihuacan amongst others. Many of these designs are still used in the arts and crafts that are produced in these areas.There are more designs than any one artist could ever use. These designs are useful as well as springboards for other ideas inspired by the ancient designs. Dover Press has given permission to use up to ten designs for any project without permission so any artist can use them without copyright infringement. A very handy book for people interested in preserving the artistic traditions of Mexico.

an excelent source of ancient Mexican designs
I love this book! There are images in various shapes and sizes from very detailed to very simple. All designs have been reproduced in sharp black-and-white so they are easy see, copy, enlarge, etc. I reproduce the images in artwork and crafts and this book has proven to be EXACTLY what I need for my work. Also, each design is labeled with a brief description of it's use and where it was found. The designs are put in helpful categories by subject so if you are looking for a certain animal, that particular design is easy to find. Anyone even slightly interested in ancient Mexican designs will find this to be a beautiful book. ... Read more

Book Description

black-and-white illustrations--all permission free--offer a unique opportunity for those interested in graphic and decorative arts to study and enjoy the splendid 1,000-year-old Turkish design tradition. Plant and animal motifs, chain patterns, geometrical and symbolic motifs, architectural forms, stylized suns and moons, rosettes and borders, calligraphic lettering and Turkish adaptations of rococo--all derived from authentic sources--are among the many types of design illustrated in clear, easily reproducible images.
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Reviews (2)

turkish children's coloring book would be better
Just a mish mash of designs with no information on originality of the designs, or even a mention of what century. Just thrown together to dupe a person. VERY disappointing.

great for artistic endeavors
This is a most helpful book if you wish to decorate anything with a turkish motif. I found the text as the bottom of each graphic informative and helpful. However, some motifs are so intricate that they're a bit difficult to trace and/or transfer. ... Read more

Book Description

Book Description

Book Description

Copyright-free designs—all taken from authentic Indian art and artifacts—include lovely animal and floral motifs, striking paisley designs, intricate geometrics, with many border elements, spot illustrations and more. Ideal for direct graphic art applications, they will also serve as inspiration for textile design, home and furniture decoration, and a host of other art and craft projects.
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Reviews (7)

Pretty clip art, but no stencils
I got thrown off by the use of the word stencil in the book title. This isn't a book of stencils, it's a book of clip art. :(

Disappointing
Personally I was not impressed with this book. I expected for 250 designs the author would have included a greater variety of indian, turkish, african, egyptian and other mehndi designs.The designs mainly resemble each other although there are a few pretty ones in between. Also for the novice the book does not offer any information on the history of a design pattern, or identifies them and gives no clue to the significance or meaning of any of the designs.
The author also does not offer any advice on how to go about attempting some of the patterns included.

pretty designs
We bought this book for the sole purpose of finding inspriation for henna/mehndi designs. Some designs are great for mehndi. My husband made a really nice elephant on my leg.

Great ideas for Mehendi
I am fairly new to this stuff, I started doing henna tattoos on my feet and hands last summer. This is hard stuff! This book was full of great designs. It is not a book of stencils, please dont buy it if that is what you are looking for. If you are looking for ideas, and designs- this is a top knotch book for you!

the book is amazing
the book is really cool it is very useful art. the artist has used really original ideas never sen before.we need to have more titles (new) from the artist. ... Read more

Book Description

Reviews (3)

No Vector...
When i first saw this book, i was very excited because it said that i had .eps files, which to me, mean vector, easy to use etc. These files are all raster, thus if you are seeking full vector, you might need to order a copy of Adobe Streamline and covert these. Big disappointment.

joshua
(...)

I agree with the Graphic Designer from Los Angeles...
And unfortunately I was looking for true clip art! However, I must say that the ornaments presented are truly stunning, and can easily be used in paper crafting of any kind. I used this book to create labels for gifts and to address holiday envelopes. I am a novice desktop publisher and was not disappointed.

Cris Cunningham

Graphic Designer in Los Angeles
The ornamentation is very nice but something anyone buying any of the Dover Electronic Clip Art series books should take into account is that they are not actual clip art items. Dover has just scanned the art and put it on a CD, the items are not scalable or changeable in a usual clip art format. It is very helpful to have the images already scanned but if you want true clip art, this book is not for you. ... Read more

Book Description

Masterfully executed designs in reproductions of two rare catalogs: ornamental borders, corners and frames with intricate floral and foliated patterns, architectural ornaments and design elements, religious symbols and figures, animals, mosaics, landscapes, much more. Invaluable to artists and craftspeople working with textiles, wallpaper and other decorative items.
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Reviews (2)

Cache of Design for Decorative Painters
2289 Traditional Stencil Designs is the reprinting of two catalogues (circa 1918 & 1920) from "Excelsior" Fresco Stencils. It is a rich resource of ornamental motifs providing an invaluable record of American decorative tastes during the first quarter of the 20th Century. Restoration and Renovation enthusiasts will find some of the anonymous English and American inspired designs representative of the Aesthetic Movement and Early Arts and Crafts Movement useful for their projects. Lyrical and expressive motifs abound, along with French inspired friezes, Neo Classical laurel wreaths, architectural elements, festoons, medallions, rosettes, drops, cartouches, damask designs, and classic acanthus, egg and dart, and anthemion variations. The professional will delight in using document colorways to great affect. Subtle elegance of tone on tone designs produced from the 1880's to the turn of the century by Wm. Morris' original wood blocks are there for the masterly to emulate. These stencil designs are not for the faint of heart. They are small and do not have instructions. Many suites of companion designs offering wall, ceiling, and frieze groupings abound, but only for the practiced eye to locate. There are no arrows pointing the way. This book may be utilized to it's best advantage by professional artists, designers, and experienced stencilers who possess both a projector and a knowledge of document design. However, one needn't be a Renzo Mongiardino to produce a satisfying result. I was slow to warm to the book due to what I feel are a good many "dated" and clumsy designs that no wizard could dazzle. If only 25% of 2286 designs are of use to me, I'm content. I now own two copies. One for the projector, and one for the resource library. The cover art typifies the best of the book's content. It is not a fluke or teaser cover. Those finding this style of motif to their liking, will also enjoy the book's content.

Good Resorce book for Victorian stencil designs
This book has many beautiful stencil designs and is a good resource book for the professional stenciler. The designs are all copy right free. The only complaint I have is that some of the designs are printed very small and it can be quite difficult to enlarge it to the right size. Also some of the designs can be a little difficult for a beginner to cut themselves.This book is more suited for a professional or someone very experience in cutting their own stencils. ... Read more