Solar Spectrum Press grew from a simple truth: artists deserve access to the knowledge that shaped the generations before us. Many of these books vanished from circulation, even though their ideas haven’t lost relevance. We bring them back so they can live in classrooms, studios, and well-loved backpacks again. 

Happy reading and creating!

Our Process

Selecting the Right Books

Every book we reprint is chosen with intention. We focus exclusively on instructional art texts that offer clear, practical guidance on tools, materials, and techniques. These are books written to teach, not simply to discuss art in theory.

Visual instruction is essential. Because art is a visual medium, we only select books that include illustrations, diagrams, or visual demonstrations that directly support the written lessons. Text-only instruction is not sufficient for learning artistic technique and is not included in our catalog.

Before a title is approved for reprinting, it is reviewed page by page to ensure the material remains useful, structured, and understandable for today’s students and educators.

Reviewing & Preparing the Text

Once a book is selected, the restoration process begins with a close, deliberate review of the entire text.

Each page is hand-typed in full, preserving the original wording and instructional intent. When minor issues are present, such as spelling errors or typographical mistakes, light editorial corrections are made to improve clarity and readability, while remaining faithful to the original work.

No content is modernized or rewritten; the goal is accuracy, not reinterpretation.

Preserving & Enhancing Visual Material

Original illustrations are a vital part of these instructional books and are carefully preserved and included in every reprint. These images are essential to understanding the techniques described and are treated as instructional material, not decoration.

When additional explanation is helpful, particularly in areas such as color theory, materials, or technique, we may introduce new color charts or supplementary diagrams. These additions are created to support learning and clarify concepts, while respecting the structure and spirit of the original text.

Creating Books Meant to Be Used

Each reprint is designed to function as a working instructional tool. These books are intended for artists, students, teachers, and homeschool families who value clarity, structure, and visual learning.

Our process balances historical respect with practical usability, restoring classic art instruction so it can continue to teach effectively today.

Supporting Modern Practice with Worksheets

Many of the books we reprint were originally published over a century ago. While their instructional principles remain sound, some readers may find it challenging to translate historical methods, materials, or classroom language into a modern studio or learning environment.

To bridge that gap, we create modern, up-to-date worksheets designed to help artists apply the principles and techniques taught in these books today.

Each worksheet is developed to reinforce core concepts, such as observation, technique, color, or materials, using clear prompts, structured exercises, and contemporary examples. These resources are not meant to replace the original texts, but to support them by offering practical ways to practice and apply the instruction in a current context.

Our worksheets are especially useful for:

• Independent artists seeking guided practice
• Teachers and homeschool families adapting historical instruction for modern classrooms
• Students who benefit from step-by-step exercises and clearly defined objectives

Together, the books and worksheets form a cohesive learning system, grounded in time-tested instruction and supported by tools designed for today’s artists. You can explore our available worksheets to further support your study and practice.