Illustration Books

Great resource for any fan of Frances Brundage. The images are excellent and without a doubt scanned or photographed from the originals. Every one is clear, sharp, and bright. The book had many images I'd never seen elsewhere.

I just recently became interested collecting vintage children's books. A Bit of Brundage: The Illustration Art of Frances Brundage is an outstanding resourse book. The beautiful pictures of her illustrations makes it easy to pick and choose what to look for. It provides a visual that you just don't get just from a description. I wish there were more reference books available like this one. OUTSTANDING PLUS! On a scale of 1-10, this book is a 12. Please do more books like this on other illustrators. This book is outstanding, even if you don't use it as a reference book. Great coffee table book.

Blake's Illustrations for the Book of Job makes me want to take a Bible study course, just to learn as much as I can about the compelling sketches so beautifully printed on the pages of this eye-catching book. Each lovely oversized page of this book depicts a Scripture episode found the Biblical Book of Job, all of them worth meditating on. I am particularly impressed by the images Blake paints of God, who appears consistently benevolent even in the face of Satan. This book creates fascinating imagery, painted by a man whose life was, apparently, somewhat fixated on this particular subject. Blake painted these images sometime in the early 19th century, but they are still contemporary and memorable. I really love this book for its artistic interest and as a subject for an art history course.

I was shown a copy of this book 25 years ago. Blake's art transformed my world. I have been a student of Blake ever since. I still go back to this book often. This book, in a few pages, gave me an entry into Blake's system.

This book was revolutionary when it hit the stands. It still is. Take a visionary artist like Jim Fitzpatrick (who is immersed in the styles of Mucha, Hal Foster, and the Book of Kells) and give him the chance to edit the Irish epic "Lebor Gabala" into a meaningful whole and you have one of the most dynamic synthesis of myth and image to emerge in the last half of the 20th century. It may be said that it is an ethnocentric project with an egocentric edge, but since that "edge" is competently rendered, then the project can be praised for it's daring. Bringing a myth into a new age is no small feat and to do so with such flair can only recommend itself to those who seek a Celtic Revival.

What a truly beautiful book! If you like Keltic artwork, fantasy, and mythology this is one of the best! While the book is VERY hard to find and rare, if you can get it, it is worth the time!

Fabulous illuminations;
I became fascinated with and got attached to those stunningly beautiful initials, the most amazing calligraphy I ever examined in my life. I have been also amazed by and curious about the four Symbols of the Gospel writers, since I first encountered in the Chapel of the Episcopalian Bishop of NC in Raleigh, and was informed that they were influenced by the preaching Coptic Monks to the Celts and Scots.
Only people of developed artistic orientation, could appreciate how beautiful these genuinely original decorations reach out to the overwhelmed reader. Alas that parts of the Gospel according to St. Luke are missing from the original Codex.

Religous Celtic Art:
Long before the coming of St. Augustine of Canterbury in 597, Christianity has been introduced among the Brittons, by Coptic missionaries who reached as far as the British Isles. "We do not yet know how much we in the British Isles owe to these remote Coptic hermits...Everyone knows that the handicraft of the Irish monks in the ninth and tenth centuries far excelled anything that could be found elsewhere in Europe. Their unrivaled illuminations, can be traced to the influence of Egyptian missionaries, we have more to thank the Copts for than has been imagined." Eminent historian: Stanley Lane-Poole.

Kells' mini hardcovers:
The variety of exquisite little hardcover reproduction volumes are reproductions of parts of the original illuminated manuscripts. They are magnificent, with gold-leaf detailing and sumptuous full-color illustrations, making them a perfect gift for all who cherish the rich legacy of Christian art. The original illuminated manuscript, is permanently on display, since the 19th, in the Library of Trinity College Dublin.
It is one of the most beautiful of the world's most famous manuscript. It contains 680 pages (or 340 folios). Just two of the pages are without ornament, while about thirty folios, including some major decorated pages, have been lost. Two volumes can normally be seen, one opened to display a major decorated page, and one to show two pages of script.A CD-ROM version of all 340 folios from the Book of Kells is available for purchase.


Origin of Book of Kells:
The Book of Kells, was most probably copied by hand and illuminated by monks around the year 800 A.D. Its name is derived from the Abbey of Kells, in the Irish Midlands, where it was kept from at least the 9th century to 1541, it was probably begun on the island of Iona. It is uncertainly presumed, that portions of the book were made at Kells, after Viking raids on Iona forced the monastery to retreat to the isolated location. It contains the four gospels, preceded by prefaces, summaries, and canon tables or concordances of gospel passages. It is written on vellum and contains a Latin text of the Gospels in insular majuscule script accompanied by magnificent and intricate whole pages of decoration with smaller painted decorations appearing throughout the text. The manuscript was given to Trinity College in the 17th century and since 1953 has been bound in four volumes.

Book of Columba:
This same Irish manuscript containing the Four Gospels, is known also as the "Book of Columba", probably because it was written in the monastery of Iona to honour the saint. Some small portions at the beginning and end of the manuscript have been lost, but otherwise it is in a very good state of preservation. It was apparently left unfinished, since some of the ornaments remain only in outline. It is written in part black, red, purple or yellow ink, and it has been thought that the hands of two scribes, neither of whom is known by name, are discernible in the writing and illumination of the manuscript.

Book's Beauty:
This is the most copiously illuminated manuscript of the four Gospels in existence. No words can describe the beauty and splendour of the richly coloured initial letters, which are more profuse in the "Book of Kells" than in any other manuscript. The artist possessed a wonderful knowledge of the proportion of colour and the distribution of his material -sienna, purple, lilac, red, pink, green, yellow, most often used, and the shade tinting of the letters was managed with fine taste and skill. A series of illuminated miniatures, including pictorial representations of the Evangelists and their symbols, the Blessed Virgin and the Divine Child, are worthy of notice. It is no wonder that it was believed that the "Book of Kells" could have been written only by angels (very artistic indeed!).

Composition and Loss:
The date of the composition of the book can hardly be placed earlier than the end of the seventh or beginning of the eighth century, It is likely that it is to this book that the entry in the "Annals of Ulster" under the year 1006 refers, recording that in that year the "Gospel of Columba" was stolen. According to tradition, the book is a relic from the time of St. Columba (d. 597) and even the work of his hands, but, on palaeographic grounds and judging by the character of the ornamentation, this tradition cannot be sustained. This must be the book reported at Kildare in the last quarter of the twelfth century, described in glowing terms. Later, it was located at the cathedral of Kells (Irish Cenannus) in Meath, a foundation of Columba's, where it remained for a long time, until the year 1541. Archbishop Ussher presented it to Trinity College, Dublin, In the 17th century where it is the most precious manuscript in its library and by far the choicest relic of Irish art that has been preserved.

Manuscript Ornaments& Designs: The most characteristic ornaments of the Book of Kells, as of other illuminated Irish manuscripts of the period, are the coloured representations of fanciful beings, or of men, animals, birds, horses, dogs, and grotesque, gargoyle-like human figures, twisted and hooked together in intricate detail, a system of geometrical weaving of ribbons plaited and knotted together.
The versatility and inventive genius of the illustrator surpasses all belief. Lines diverge and converge in endless succession, and the most intricate figures, in lavish abundance and with astounding variety of ornament, are combined and woven into one harmonious design. In spite of the extent of the work and its thousands of exquisite initials and terminals, there is not a single pattern or combination that can be said to be a copy of another. The artist shows a wonderful technique in designing and combining various emblems, the cross, vine, dragon, fish, and serpent. The drawing is perfection itself. It has been examined under a powerful magnifying glass for hours at a time and found to be, even in the most minute and complicated figures, without a single false or irregular line.

*Most of this review material are from Trinity web & New Advent

Lots of nifty pictures. A few too many naked winged toddlers for my taste, but I'll live. Just looking through the book gives me ideas.

Terrific for adding a special touch to letters! There's something for everyone. A little slow to print on my outdated system though.

This is truly a brownie experience! More than 100 recipes involving some 62 different ingredients and combo variants thereof. This is brownie heaven!

Brownie the author aptly defines as "a sqare or rectangle of rich, usually chocolate cake often containing nuts or other crunchy morsels; can be chewy, cakelike, or fluffy; thin or thick; frosted or plain' baked or unbaked."

And there you have it, so much to try and then taste.

There is neat section of Health Conscious Brownies, which are the few I've tried so far: Papaya Paradise Browines, Pina Colada Brownies, Luscious Avocado Nut Brownies, and on and on it goes.

There is elegant, and wheel, and non-chocolate, and a brownie orgy extravagance, and "oh, my" is this stuff great!

The author on top of all this brownie creativity does all the illustrations and unique calligraphy.

A treat from front to back, and then some. Try this with cold glass of milk. Now this is living.

I have owned this brownie cookbook since 1985. I have made all the recipes, and find myself returning to it again and again. The illustrations and lettering are beautiful, and each recipe is very reliable. This would make a nice gift for anyone, and an even better one for yourself!

I am the author of 2 books on amateur rocketry. This book, titled "Building Your Own Rocket Motors", was my first book, and I wrote it in 1983 under the name of my publishing company, the Teleflite Corporation.

In 2004, following 6 years of extensive R&D, I authored and published my second book titled "Amateur Rocket Motor Construction".

"Building Your Own Rocket Motors" was just 144 pages in length, and it described a simple method of making homemade rocket motors. It contained 1 rocket fuel formula and 9 motor designs.

"Amateur Rocket Motor Construction" is 514 pages in length with more than 100,000 words, and more than 600 photos and drawings. It contains 5 rocket fuel formulas and 54 proven and tested motor designs plus a vast amount of new information, including extremely detailed instructions for making homemade motor casings, new and improved test equipment, homemade igniters, and a homemade ignition system. And to top it off, I've included ALL the information from "Building Your Own Rocket Motors" in condensed form in Chapter 18 of the new book.

"Building Your Own Rocket Motors" is currently out of print, but you'll find ALL the information from this book plus MUCH MUCH MORE in the NEW book, "Amateur Rocket Motor Construction", which you can buy right here on Amazon.

David Sleeter/Teleflite Corporation
Author and Publisher of "Building Your Own Rocket Motors" AND "Amateur Rocket Motor Construction"

I have read this book,by "Sleeter" and the reread it, it is very informative, and educational as well, it tells you the do's and don't of motor building , how to make, and get, and improvise, your own motors. Step by step instructions and I only wish there were more books written about technical "Hobbies" like this one, since most Americans shy away for fear of local state and federal laws, when in fact you can make excellent Model Rocket Motors with sugar and a simple safe easily obtainable nitrate! Not a thing more to make it "blast off"


Even if you don't make the motors,its a FUN read and very educational for the novice chemistry and physic students.

I loved it!

I recommend it....

99.5% of illustrators are now self employed. At one time there were full-time employed illustrators on staff in most advertising agencies, but now that has drastically changed, and an illustrator has to learn how to start his/her own business just like any other entrepreneur. This book is great in giving you realistic advice and guidelines. I strongly disagree with the person that wrote that an illustrator needs a rep for their business. Your statement was correct, you are not an illustrator. I am a career advisor that also helps students with placement at an art college. (As well as being in the art field as a graphic designer and illustrator for 20 years.) The business of illustration is supply and demand. You must promote and market yourself, just like any other business. You also have to be good, fast and learn how to develop good communication skills. Yes, an artist can learn those skills if they choose to. Art as a profession demands the same respect as any other field. It is not a hobby when you are making a living at it. A rep is always an option, but never a must. My advice to any student who wishes to pursue illustration as a career is, you have to be serious, dedicated and willing to put your heart and soul into it. The art field as a profession is probably one of the most demanding fields. It is extremely deadline oriented and does not have 9-5 hours. As a self-employed business, you will have peaks, sometimes working 7 days a week, 12 plus hours a day. You have to learn how to deal with different personalities, understanding you may not have ownership of your work. Not every artist is cut out or willing to make the sacrifices necessary to make art their career. It is very rewarding though, if you don't let your ego get in your way.

I hate to disagree with the other reviewer but, frankly, he doesn't know what he's talking about. Mr. Heller has written a wonderful book explaining the ins and outs of the illustration industry and it's crucial that ALL illustrators read it. The illustration industry is going through a terrible time at the moment with large corporations preying on the lonely illustrator, so it doesn't surprise me that the businessman below feels that illustrators shouldn't know their business!! Illustration IS a business, not a hobby and should be treated as such. Business and art can co-exist and illustrators can be some of the most creative business people I know.

Mr. Heller is a well respected Art Director/Author and you would do well to head his advice.

Bernadette Moyer has created a forum for child writers and child illustrators that works very well. This title will have universal appeal as food is the main topic! The illustrations are cute and most of the poetry is funny! The poets ages are from six to teenage and therefore most kids of today will find something humorous to read. Cafeteria food seemed to take some fun criticism. All three of the Editor's Choice Awards are great! "Milk and Bread" is short but so cute. "Caviar" is also well written and fun, loved the back cover poem titled "Slimy Black Bananas." You can tell that this was just a fun book to be a part of and what a great inspiration to all child writers and illustrators!

I loved this book! The poems are so funny and cute! I'm the author of "Caviar", and I'm so excited seeing this book published! I didn't know whether to write this on author's review or customer's review, so I just put it here. I hope one day to be writing in the Author's section! Well, back to the book. I loved the poem "Slimy Black Bananas" It definitely deserved the editor's choice award! I look forward to seeing them write another poem for "My Chocolate Mouth!" I strongly reccomend this book, because I think the children who wrote it know what they want to hear.

This is a really good book, especially for anyone interested in aircraft, and particularly anyone interested in art. You have both here. It's one of those books that you really enjoy looking through, and it's one of those books that you pick up time and again...you never get tired of looking at it.

If you grew up loving models and model airplanes, you probably built at least one Airfix kit. If the dramatic box top illustration encouraged you to dig a little deeper into your pocket and purchase that kit, you probably have Roy Cross to thank. Looking through this beautiful book, you will be struck by how many of these pictures seem familiar; it was Mr. Cross's tenure at Airfix in the 1960s and 1970s that helped make him famous. Presented is a fine representative selection of Cross's work, much of which graced the boxes of Airfix kits. What makes this book particularly enjoyable is the inclusion of the artist's own commentary throughout.

I must point out that Mr. Cross is better known as a maritime artist; for the "other half" of his work, you will have to turn elsewhere. After all, the book's subtitle is "The Aviation Art of Roy Cross." Check out Arthur Ward's "Airfix: Celebrating 50 Years of the Greatest Plastic Kits in the World," for more on the Airfix kits themselves and some of his pictures of ships. Nevertheless, this high-quality book presents a feast for the eyes and a nostalgic journey for the heart.