By Jim Stevens Scrimshaw Techniques: With Gallery of Contemporary Artists (Schiffer Books) [Paperback]

by Jim Stevens

This guide is a dazzling showcase of this uniquely American art form. The pages are filled with tips, techniques, and insights that both educate and demonstrate the steps to creating authentic and beautiful scrimshaw. An examination of ivory includes a wide range of alternative natural and man-made ivory substitutes, including bone, horn, and nuts. Without question, this is the most complete technical and aesthetic book ever written in the field. With over 200 color photos, this step-by-step guide addresses scrimshaw tools, patterns, inking, and inlays. Originally written as a training manual for studio apprentices, this knowledge is now available to you.

Unknown Binding

First published January 1, 2008

Reviews

[David · Rating 3 out of 5]

Where I live, in the Pacific Northwest, there was a resurgence of the art of 'Scrimshaw'... This is a book created by a local artist, about other local artists, and about the artform itself. It is a VERY good sourcebook for the way in which this artform is viewed in the specific context of the resurgence in the Pacific Northwest... but do not think for a moment that it represents anything else. Even the styles shown, the history of the art given, and the tools and materials are specific to this area and this wave of art.

Scrimshaw is an amazing artform, and has a RICH history, and is in no way 'uniquely american' nor 'uniquely NW'... it is, however, facinating and wonderful as it suddenly re-blossomed here on fossilized ivory and mock-ivory during the 1980's and 1990's. As long as you know that is this book's limitation/weakness, it's a fantastic book to read. Just don't take it as gospel for everything!

[John Valesano · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short but informative book about scrimshaw techniques and display of various artist's works. Makes me want to give it a try.