The Artist's Handbook

I'm a college student in my third year at an art school pursuing a double degree in Art Education and Illustration. I was required to purchase this book for one of my ArtEd classes and expected to get a really simplistic book that I would never use - and I was wrong. This book is very specific and has pictures of every material and process they talk about, even step by step. They cover everything from painting to printmaking to drawing and more. They even delve into color theory and composition. Definitely worth it and I'm happy I've got it.

This book answers loads of "How do they do that?" questions that the non-artist would never be able to figure out, even with the internet. Every page has something I never knew and didn't know I didn't know. Techniques, materials, tools...they are all there with the proper depth for someone who just wants the basic info. Other than nature and travel guides, this is the first reference book I have found extremely useful since the internet took over most of that function from my home library.

Great book for anyone interested in art - from the beginner to the expert. An excellent mix of science (particularly chemistry) and the creation of art itself. Very informative and easy to read. I look forward to purchasing and reading the follow-on edition.

This book is an important resource for artists. Ray Smith has a complete knowledge of art materials, and he gives a complete and detailed description of each material and how they are used. It covers a wide range of art materials including paints, grounds, pencils, inks, printing equipment, cereamic tiles, stained glass, and so forth. Also included is information on color, perspective, framing, photography, and exhibiting your work. Basically it's a complete guide to the 2D mediums of art. if you're interesting in 3D arts such as sculpture or pottery, you're not in luck. Those fields aren't covered.For me, it's interesting to just look through this book and examine the wide range of techniques and materials presented in it. You can find a lot of new ideas to try out. Even if you're an experienced artist, I think you can find something new that you will be excited to try. Check it out. It's worth it.

A medium and the tools applied to it are only the beginning. Along with exstensive introductions the the history and content of medium, there are wonderful examples and exercises which encourage experimentation. Well written, well illustrated and an excellent reference tool for anyone interested in art, technique or the tools of the trade.