CELTIC ART : THE METHODS OF CONSTRUCTION, by George Bain
New York, Dover Publications [1973]  159 p. illus. 31 cm. Reprint of the
1951 ed. published by W. MacLellan, Glasgow. ISBN: 0486229238
Review: Lavishly illustrated with line drawings and photographs. This is
the grand original that has inspired the Celtic revival and is an
excellent start for understanding the creation of knotworks and braids.
Not an easy method to master, but the best single resource book
available. 

CELTIC KNOTWORK, by Ian Mackintosh Bain
Constable 1986, 115 p., 8"x10", paper. ISBN 0-09-469810-4
If his father's work confuses you (above), take heart and try this. He
teaches a method for creating knotworks in a grid that is surely close
to the method used in the past. 
[Currently available as: Celtic knotwork / Iain Bain. New York :
Sterling Pub. Co., 1992. 115 p. : ill. (some col.) ; 25 cm. ISBN:
0806986387 : $14.95]

CELTIC KEY PATTERNS, by Ian Bain
ISBN 0-09-471820-2, Constable 1993, 88 pages, 8"x10", paperbound
The definitive text for learning how to create and reproduce the
interlocking key geometric patterns. 
[May be available as: Celtic key patterns / Iain Bain. New York:Sterling
Pub. Co., c1994. xi, 88 p. : ill. (some col.) ; 25 cm. ISBN: 0806907401
: $14.95]

THE LINDISFARNE GOSPEL, introduction by Janet Backhouse
ISBN 0-7148-2461-5, Department of Manuscripts, British Library
illuminated pages reproduced in color, paperbound
The second most influential of the ancient manuscripts from the 9th
century .Beautiful inspiration, not possible to trace patterns because
they are so tiny, but colors are vivid.

THE BOOK OF KELLS : SELECTED PLATES IN FULL COLOR, Blanche Cirker,
editor
New York : Dover Publications, c1982.  32 p. : col. ill. ; 31 cm. ISBN:
0486243451 (pbk.)
Review: An inspirational source, provides a reality check on the scale
and intricacy of the original 9th century masterpiece. Much too
miniscule in scale to be of use for tracing out patterns, but awe
inspiring to study. Of particular use for coloring ideas.

CELTIC DESIGNS AND MOTIFS, by Courtney Davis
New York : Dover, 1991.  44 p. : chiefly ill. ; 28 cm. ISBN: 0486267180
(pbk.) : $3.95
Excellent flash source.Many knotwork and zoomorphic designs.

CELTIC STAINED GLASS COLORING BOOK, by Courtney Davis
New York : Dover, 1993.  16 p. : chiefly ill. ; 28 cm. ISBN 048627456X
(pbk.)
Possible flash source. They lend themselves well to reproduction on a
large scale, heavy black linework very well composed.

CELTIC IRON-ON TRANSFER PATTERNS, by Courtney Davis
New York : Dover . 48 p. : 65 transfer patterns, 28 cm. ISBN 0486260593
(pbk.)
Excellent flash source. Armbands, knotworks, zoomorphics, all ready to
go as stencils on tissue paper. 

THE ART OF CELTIA, by Courtney Davis
London : Blandford, 1993.  128 p. :ill. (some col.) ; 29 cm. ISBN:
0713723092
Evocative use of traditional Celtic artforms in superb artwork.
Discussions of symbolism and the historic signifigance of the designs.
Very inspiring.

CELTIC MANDALAS, by Courtney Davis, with text by Helena Paterson
London : Blandford, 1994, 96 p. : ill. (some col.) ; 29 cm. ISBN
0713723890 (pbk.)
Beautiful use of Celtic motifs in symbolic art, discussions of Celtic
mythology and zodiac signs.

CELTIC BORDERS AND DECORATION, by Courtney Davis, text by Helena
Paterson.
London : Blandford ; New York, NY : Distributed in the United States by
Sterling Pub. Co., 1992.  95 p. : ill. ; 28 cm. ISBN: 0713723300
Wonderful guide to bands, braids, and designs suitable for expansion
into armbands, anklets etc.

CELTIC ART SOURCE BOOK, by Courtney Davis
London ; New York : Blandford : Distributed in the United States by
Sterling Publishing Co, 1988. [128] p. : chiefly ill. (some col.) ; 26
cm. ISBN: 0713719826
The ONLY negative thing I can say about this inspirational work is that
it will raise the expectations of tattoo clients too high for what can
reasonably be accomplished in the skin format. Any of these designs
could translate, but many only at backpiece scale. For the use of color
examples alone it stands out as a must-have in any Celtic art library.

THE BOOK OF CONQUESTS, by Jim Fitzpatrick
Dutton : 1978. ISBN 0525475117 (pbk.)
Beautiful use of Celtic design motifs in service of storytelling,
bringing the tales of the Old Ones alive. Possibly also available: NUADA
OF THE SILVER ARM.

ART OF THE CELTS : FROM 700 BC TO THE CELTIC REVIVAL, by Lloyd &
Jennifer Laing
London : Thames and Hudson, c1992.  216 p. : ill. (some col.) ; 21 cm.
ISBN: 0500202567
More of a text for historical grounding.

159 CELTIC DESIGNS, by Amy Lusebrink
New York : Dover, 1988. 48 p. : chiefly ill. ; 28 cm. ISBN 0486276880
(pbk.)
Excellent flash source. Unfortunately rather poorly drawn, most would
have to be re-drawn for precision before being used as a tattoo stencil.

CELTIC DESIGN : A BEGINNER'S MANUAL, by Aidan Meehan
Thames & Hudson , 258 illustrations. ISBN 0500276293 (pbk.)
If you want to begin to draw your own braids, this is the text.

CELTIC DESIGN: KNOTWORK: THE SECRET METHOD OF THE SCRIBES, by Aidan
Meehan
New York : Thames and Hudson, 1991.  159 p. : ill. ; 21 cm. ISBN:
0500276307 : $14.95
Even more esoterica. For those who would be druids.

CELTIC DESIGN: ANIMAL PATTERNS, by Aidan Meehan
New York : Thames and Hudson, 1992.  160 p. : ill. ; 21 cm. ISBN:
0500276625 : $14.95
Known as zoomorphics, a guide to the twisty beasties.

CELTIC DESIGN : SPIRAL PATTERNS, by Aidan Meehan
New York : Thames and Hudson, 1993.  160 p. : ill. ; 21 cm. ISBN:
0500277052 (pbk.)
The spiral forms a vital part of Celtic design, and this book explains
the symbolism and methods for incorporation.

CELTIC DESIGN : ILLUMINATED LETTERS, by Aidan Meehan
New York : Thames and Hudson, 1992.  160 p. : ill. ; 21 cm. 
ISBN: 0500276854 : $14.95
Insights into the creation of manuscript iluminations. Many stand alone
for lovely initials or monograms.

CELTIC DESIGN : MAZE PATTERNS, by Aidan Meehan
New York : Thames and Hudson, 1994, c1993. 160 p. : ill. ; 21 cm. ISBN:
0500277478 (pbk.)
Guide to the geometric patterns also known as key patterns.

A HANDBOOK OF CELTIC ORNAMENT, by John G Merne
Mercier, 1992. 103 p., 11 cm., ISBN 0853424039,  (pbk).
Presents a systemized method of construction for most forms of Celtic
decoration. Examines the various motifs and expands on them, guiding the
reader to develop their own variations. Highly reccomended resource.

CELTIC STICKERS AND SEALS, by Mallory Pearce
New York : Dover, 1995.  16 p. : chiefly ill. ISBN 0486284190 (pbk.)
90 full-color pressure sensitive seals and designs. Mostly letters of
alphabets, useful for monograms and such.

DECORATIVE CELTIC ALPHABETS, by Mallory Pearce
New York : Dover, 1992. ISBN 0486270416 (pbk.)
A pleasant alternative for lettering styles.

CELTIC BORDERS ON LAYOUT GRIDS, by Mallory Pearce
New York : Dover 1990.  64 p. : chiefly ill. (77 illustrations,
one-sided for clipart use) ; 28 cm. ISBN 0486265188 (pbk.)
Mostly useful for print advertising, letterhead, etc., but also a good
source for clear simple braids.

CELTIC MOTIFS : STICKERS, by Mallory Pearce
New York : Dover, 1995.  4 p. : chiefly ill. (4 black-and-white pressure
sensitive stickers) ;8 cm. ISBN 0486284085 (pbk.)
A possible source for a few animal patterns.

AN INTRODUCTION TO IRISH HIGH CROSSES, by Hilary Richardson & John
Scarry
Mercier, 1990, 152 p. ; 28 cm., ISBN 0853429413
Very thorough photographic record of Irish high crosses with many
examples of stone carving and guides to interpretation of the symbolism.

CELTIC CROSSES OF BRITAIN AND IRELAND, by Malcom Seaborne
Shire, 1989. ISBN 0747800030
Good quality photographs of many major surviving high crosses, examples
of Celtic designs in stonecarving.

KNOTS: USEFUL AND ORNAMENTAL, by George Russell Shaw
Bonanza Books, Unabridged replication of the original 1933 edition, ISBN
0517460009 (pbk.)
Encyclopedic reference for knots, the base for Celtic knotwork braids
and illuminations. 

CELTIC DESIGN COLORING BOOK, by Ed Sibbett, Jr.
New York : Dover, 1979.  48 p. : chiefly ill. ; 28 cm. ISBN 0486237966
(pbk.)
Simplistic but nice. Not much that would be useful as flash.

CELTIC CHARTED DESIGNS, by Co Spinhoven
New York : Dover, 1987. 64 p. : chiefly ill. ; 28 cm. ISBN 0486254119, 
(pbk.)
Over 300 designs in charted grids for use on needlepoint, embroidery,
knitting. Probably not useful as flash.

CELTIC STENCIL DESIGNS, by Co Spinhoven
New York : Dover 1990. 64 p. : chiefly ill. (130 designs) ; 28 cm. ISBN
0486264270, (pbk.)
Excellent design source for patterns so perfectly reproducible as bold
blackwork they qualify as Celtic Tribal. 

CELTIC CUT AND USE STENCILS, by Co Spinhoven
New York : Dover, 1992. 64 p. : chiefly ill. (61 ill.) ; 28 cm. ISBN
0486272389 (pbk.)
Less useful than CELTIC STENCIL DESIGNS but has a few nice patterns. All
bold blackwork.

AUTHENTIC CELTIC IRON-ON TRANSFERS, by Co Spinhoven
New York : Dover, 1994.  16 p. : chiefly ill. ISBN 0486283097 (pbk.)
A treasure of designs! For the $1 price you get elegant, clearly drawn,
immediately useful flash. Gets the BEST BUY award.

TWELVE CELTIC BOOKMARKS, by Co Spinhoven
New York : Dover, 1994.  6 p. : chiefly ill. ISBN 0486279448 (pbk.)
Every bookmark an armband design. Will require re-drawing from colored
versions.

THE BOOK OF KELLS, by described by Sir Edward Sullivan
Studio Editions Ltd, Facsimile reprint of 1920 edition, ISBN 1851700358
A guide to knowing what you are seeing in the intricate pages of the
Book of Kells. 

CELTIC AND EARLY MEDIEVAL DESIGNS FROM BRITAIN, by Eva Wilson
New York : Dover. 128 p. ISBN 0486253406 (pbk.)
Unabridged republication of the original 1983 British Museum Edition,
407 illustrations. Overview survey, not particularly useful as an art
reference.

User Contributions:

1

Yusuph

Aug 16, 2012 @ 12:00 am

I real to know much the history of tattoo, from the begin. Please send for me the all details/summary or imformation of tattoo. You can find me also on facebook as Toto mbata chico. Thank u

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