The Artist’s Handbook of Materials and Techniques
The Artist’s Handbook of Materials and Techniques
By Ralph Mayer
Published: 1940
Content: This book was created to give the artist a complete and up to date reference to the materials and methods of his/her craft. Because of this The Artist’s Handbook has remained in print and has various editions. The Book is often referred to as the “Artist’s Bible”.
“The artist studies his materials and methods in order to gain the greatest possible control over his manipulations, so that he may bring out the best characteristics of his chosen technique and express or convey his intentions properly, and in order to ensure the permanence of his results. Haphazard departure from approved methods will often involve a sacrifice in one of these directions, but those who have acquired a complete and intelligent grasp of underlying principles are usually able to vary the established procedures successfully, to suit their individual requirements.”
—-Ralph Mayer, 1940 excerpt form Preface of The Artist’s Handbook of Materials and Techniques.
