The Complete Photo Guide to TEXTILE ART

by Susan Stein

This book is a great reference to go back to as Stein covers many surface design techniques in a concise easy to follow manner.  My points to return to reference are:

• The burn test for finding unknown fabric with undetermined fiber content
• spraying discharge solution through cheesecloth for an interesting pattern and making sure to use Anti-Chlor to neutralize the fabric
• Using transparencies to transfer images to fabric - Gel Medium Method and Dye-na-Flow Method
• bending wire in to interesting shapes and then placing under fabric for rubbings
• Making a string stamp by wrapping around a wood block
• Rust Dyeing
• Paper-Cloth Layering Basics

Merge art. craft.design

by Gingko Press

A great coffee table book of interesting designers.  My personal favorites from the book are:

• Brian Dettmer
• Yu Jin Young
• Debbie Smyth
• Kako Ueda
• Gehard Demetz

Digital Painting for the Complete Beginner

The author includes easy to follow steps for concepts in Photoshop and Corel Painter.  Each concept is presented with drawn digital art to show the application.  

by Carlyn Beccia