From the Blurb: Effective costume design is a subtle art, for the impact of stage dress can immediately convey historical perspective, insights into individual characters, and a visual complement to the setting. Douglas A. Russell, whose years of experience as a costume designer have made him a master of the craft, examines every detail of the complex process. From script to production, Professor Russell guides the reader towards a complete understanding of costume design, for his work encompasses critical, aesthetic, practical, and historical viewpoints. On the one hand, Stage Costume Design is a practical manual which provides a step-by-step scheme for the construction of a costume. Every technical aspect-sketching, design and composition, color, fabric and pattern selection, accessory construction, ornamentation, and production organization-is here discussed with precision and clarity. Probing beyond mechanical problems, the author also investigates costume in terms of color association, the effect of fabric under light, and the structure of costume as personal expression. At the same time, this exemplary guide is the first in its field to emphasize costume design as an art as well as a craft; no other volume has so thoroughly explored the relation of costume design to the other arts of sculpture, architecture, and painting. By comparing period style to costume design, Professor Russell offers an entirely new artistic perspective too often overlooked in traditional texts. Although costume designing is shown to be a very complicated process, Professor Russell's introductory text will surely reward all who study it with care.