Celtic Art Source Book

"Provides historical overview of Celtic art; step-by-step instructions for creating twists, braids, and knotted lines; over 200 patterns; a guide to using color in your work; and a gallery of the author's art using Celtic knot work"--

The line drawings in this book have been reproduced so that the professional or amateur alike can use or adapt the designs for their own purpose. The chapters include knotwork borders, key patterns, spirals, zoomorphic designs and ornamental initials suitable for the calligrapher. The 50 superb colour plates will be an aid to the stimulation of creativity - bringing a new flow of free and original artwork to illuminate the present.

Available at a new low price! Intricate, richly colored, and full of symbolism, Celtic art has inspired painters, woodworkers, needleworkers, and other craftspeople for centuries. These exquisite designs--including 50 superb color plates--will continue the tradition, stimulating creativity among professionals and amateurs alike. Chosen by Courtney Davis, one of the most acclaimed Celtic artists working today, the designs include knotwork borders, key patterns, spirals, zoomorphic figures, crosses, and ornamental initials suitable for calligraphers. Some are classic; others are modern but steeped in Celtic style, including one album cover. In addition, Davis provides background throughout, incorporating legends and prayers, and explaining the symbols' meaning and origins, so that artists will have a greater understanding and appreciation of the glories of Celtic culture.

“Acclaimed designer and author David James...captures the intricacy that distinguishes Celtic style. Close-up enlargements make selected areas more visible...and easily copied. There’s a virtual art gallery of projects....for whatever medium and technique you use-painting, dyes, leather, fabric, enameling, wood or slate. These lovely and engrossing patterns will make you glad you’ve joined the many who have discovered Celtic design.”—The Celtic Connection.

This unique volume clearly demonstrates simple geometric techniques for making intricate knots, interlacements, spirals, Kellstype initials, human and animal figures in distinctive Celtic style. Features over 500 illustrations.

Artists, illustrators, designers, and craftspeople in search of exceptionally bold and inventive motifs will find them in this versatile treasury brimming with 125 royalty-free designs. Taken from authentic Celtic and Old Norse sources, they include an amazing array of birds, human figures, and mythological creatures, all ingeniously woven into an intricate network of spirals and interlacings. Meticulously adapted from artwork that graced ancient rune stones and religious symbols, furniture, manuscripts, bronze mirrors, sword hilts, cooking utensils, and other artifacts, the illustrations depict a crucifix; decorative creatures that adorned the pages of the Lindisfarne Gospels; interwoven designs from stone crosses of Ireland, Scotland, and Cornwall; and many other designs and motifs. Convenient and inexpensive, this collection offers inspiration and a wealth of immediately usable dramatic ornamentation rich in character and distinctive in content.

A fantastic source or reference book for anyone seeking inspiration for Celtic projects or ideas. These clearly drawn illustrations include flowing knotwork images, stylised frames and borders, decorative motifs, beautifully woven crosses and much more. A colourful gallery of finished pieces is included to show how the designs, which can be reproduced to any scale, can be applied to finished pieces of work. This book uses material from the Design Source Book series, Celtic Glass Painting and Classic Glass Painting by Judy Balchin.