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The Artist's Handbook of Materials and Techniques
Since 1940, when it was originally published, The Artist's Handbook has been indispensable for thousands of practicing artists and art students. The book has remained continuously in print through many editions and has some more than a quarter of a million copies. It is, as American Artist Magazine calls it, the "artist's bible," an invaluable reference for the painter, sculptor, and printmaker. During the past few years, however, new art movements and new research have led to many changes in the technology of artist's materials. With the assistance of Mayer's window, Bena, and his colleagues, Viking and Steven Sheehan, Director of the Ralph Mayer Center at Yale University, have prepared this latest revision of the book, which is now completely updated and expanded.
784 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1940
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
January 23, 2013
Ralph Mayer's Handbook is an excellent resource for practicing studio artists. I've referred to it many times over the years and would recommend to artists who want to expand their overall knowledge of art materials and their practical use.
December 8, 2013
As near a "complete reference book" can be. This is a technical reference book not a "how to guide", but covers innumerable artistic disciplines, the bulk taken up by: Oil Painting, Pigments, Solvents and Gums, Basic Chemistry, Artwork Conservation Issues, Studio devices and tools for the painter.
Its left wanting in a few major area - principally of sculpting and Installation art. Which is obviously a subject so vast and varied as to require volumed editions unto itself: Drafting and engineering, construction, understanding of complex materials; resins, fiberglass, plastics, glass, clay, electronics and of course "new media". These well overextend the areas covered by this book, though its hardly a drawback.
Many people have complained about the lack of technical information about acrylic paints in this book. Clearly not grasping that with all the skills and techniques needed to master oil painting, the luxury and benefit of acrylics on the other hand is in not needing to worry about the changing properties of the painting's structure, as you work in layers this makes an oil painting susceptible to cracking or other kinds of fissures and distortion. Acrylic paint is not hassle free, but much less complicated by the definition of its very properties.
I highly recommend this book to any artist who works in oils.
Its left wanting in a few major area - principally of sculpting and Installation art. Which is obviously a subject so vast and varied as to require volumed editions unto itself: Drafting and engineering, construction, understanding of complex materials; resins, fiberglass, plastics, glass, clay, electronics and of course "new media". These well overextend the areas covered by this book, though its hardly a drawback.
Many people have complained about the lack of technical information about acrylic paints in this book. Clearly not grasping that with all the skills and techniques needed to master oil painting, the luxury and benefit of acrylics on the other hand is in not needing to worry about the changing properties of the painting's structure, as you work in layers this makes an oil painting susceptible to cracking or other kinds of fissures and distortion. Acrylic paint is not hassle free, but much less complicated by the definition of its very properties.
I highly recommend this book to any artist who works in oils.
October 25, 2017
Made obsolete by the internet, before that I found it very useful. Mine was the 1970 edition which is missing most of the really new art materials. Latest edition may still be OK if you are a Luddite without net access.
(And how would they access this review?)
(And how would they access this review?)
March 6, 2018
The quintessential non-fiction book for artists. Even if it's outdated (to you) if you work in some form of traditional media I think it's useful to have. How could you scoff at the precisely detailed and scientific breakdown of each of the mostly widely used pigments used in painting?
And before you say "google", it's nice to have something I can have on a shelf and refer to without needing an internet connection and a screen to be distracted by when I'm trying to get work done and just need a quick answer without referring to several different websites.
Even as a reference book I found that I could simply read it from beginning to end just for the interesting anecdotes and history found within.
Here is my favorite quote about a discontinued pigment from the 19th century, " [Egyptian Brown] Mummy. Bone ash and asphaltum, obtained by grinding up Egyptian mummies. It's use was suddenly discontinued in the nineteenth century when it's grisly composition became generally known to artists.(52)"
And before you say "google", it's nice to have something I can have on a shelf and refer to without needing an internet connection and a screen to be distracted by when I'm trying to get work done and just need a quick answer without referring to several different websites.
Even as a reference book I found that I could simply read it from beginning to end just for the interesting anecdotes and history found within.
Here is my favorite quote about a discontinued pigment from the 19th century, " [Egyptian Brown] Mummy. Bone ash and asphaltum, obtained by grinding up Egyptian mummies. It's use was suddenly discontinued in the nineteenth century when it's grisly composition became generally known to artists.(52)"
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August 23, 2007i have the 1949 edition.. "acrylic paints are as yet untested"...
December 7, 2007
Everything you ever wanted to know about the technical side of making art, and a whole bunch of things you didn't know you wanted to know.
February 25, 2008
A must have.
July 17, 2008
Text book from a college course that I added to my collection rather than seling back, it's okay, but not as good as my other one
May 27, 2009
the only book you need to learn everything you need to know to make art. well, the technical stuff anyway. art & fear for the rest of it.
January 15, 2012
A venerable workhorse, but important parts of this book are seriously out-of-date.
This book is long overdue for thorough revisions.
This book is long overdue for thorough revisions.
March 9, 2014
Old or new, an edition of this is a must have for an artist.
January 17, 2014
It's great to have an explanation for many of the procedures and practices I've been taught. This is a manual of great worth.
June 11, 2014
This resource book is a MUST in every artists studio....it comes in handy! More than you could imagine!!
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April 2, 2013Good reference. Must get the fifth addition if you're living past 1980.
January 4, 2021
Comprehensive and detailed, this handbook is still a touchstone for artists, art historians, art conservators and anyone interested in the messy business of making art. Yes, a lot of this information might be available online, but Mayer's book is reliable and well-written.
February 10, 2021
I'd often be lost without it. A great resource for practicing artists and/or art educators.
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November 20, 2016The artist's handbook of materials and techniques. (1991). Viking.
Citation by: Carlie Crowe
Type of Reference: Handbook
Call Number:
Content/Scope: A handbook targeted to high school art students and covers drawings, pigments, and other forms of painting. It also has an appendix and bibliographies.
Accuracy/Authority/Bias: Viking has a list of extraordinary authors in both fiction and nonfiction. They publish about 75 books a year and are have bestsellers across the world.
Arrangement/Presentation: Arrangement is classified. Included in the 784 pages of the handbook include diagrams, terminology, types of form, and techniques.
Relation to other works: There are many other handbooks on visual art; this handbook meets requirements for the libraries that need a comprehensive handbook at a high school level.
Accessibility/Diversity: This handbook is specific for high school students who are on a career path for visual arts. All students can use this book when taking a visual arts class as well.
Cost: $30.49
Professional Review: L.S.H. (1991). The Artist's Handbook of Materials and Techniques. American Artist, 55(590), 82.
Citation by: Carlie Crowe
Type of Reference: Handbook
Call Number:
Content/Scope: A handbook targeted to high school art students and covers drawings, pigments, and other forms of painting. It also has an appendix and bibliographies.
Accuracy/Authority/Bias: Viking has a list of extraordinary authors in both fiction and nonfiction. They publish about 75 books a year and are have bestsellers across the world.
Arrangement/Presentation: Arrangement is classified. Included in the 784 pages of the handbook include diagrams, terminology, types of form, and techniques.
Relation to other works: There are many other handbooks on visual art; this handbook meets requirements for the libraries that need a comprehensive handbook at a high school level.
Accessibility/Diversity: This handbook is specific for high school students who are on a career path for visual arts. All students can use this book when taking a visual arts class as well.
Cost: $30.49
Professional Review: L.S.H. (1991). The Artist's Handbook of Materials and Techniques. American Artist, 55(590), 82.
June 7, 2008
This book is probably the best reference book for making art and all it's technicalities. I do wish there could be a newer edition as this was written in '94 and many new developments have been made. Many things COULD be added. Over all this book is one of the top on my "comes in handy" list.
December 19, 2014
If there is any technique or material an artist wants to understand better, this book will do the trick. Every artist should own a copy, and non-artists should peruse it as well. You can't open this book without learning something.
November 14, 2010
I love this book. It's so technical but illuminating.
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July 2, 2012I haven't really read it but I own it now and it's just a reference book.
August 3, 2015
Excellent reference book for artists.
November 15, 2015
Such good information in this book, I feel like any artist can find one interesting thing in this book
February 26, 2008
great source of info.
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May 26, 2017i hope this book will help me to know about art.
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews