I have the e-version of this book on my kindle and, looking through it, I liked it. It has step by step instructions, with diagrams to accompany the tI have the e-version of this book on my kindle and, looking through it, I liked it. It has step by step instructions, with diagrams to accompany the text, on how to draw Manga characters.
What’s more is that it also goes into proportions, poses, and even scenery; touching on perspective, crosshatching, comics layouts, etc.
I haven’t really gone in depth into many Manga drawing books other than this one although I know that there are a lot out there. What I saw in this book is that it’s really good.
If you’re aim is to draw Manga or to just get an idea if you’re simply curious, this book meet both goals.
I’ve given this book a 4 out of 5 not because I’m not entirely satisfied with it but because it’s not exactly a “must have� book. It helps with, prettI’ve given this book a 4 out of 5 not because I’m not entirely satisfied with it but because it’s not exactly a “must have� book. It helps with, pretty much, what the title says, “Drawing and Painting Landscapes and Cityscapes�. The book doesn’t go in depth to teaching you step by step and stroke by stroke how to draw landscapes and cityscapes but what it does do I found helpful and excellent.
The book begins in touching on basics art basics such as colour, moods, perspective, size, space, etc. Obviously it won’t go in depth with these things because that’s not the type of book it is nor is it this book’s intention. Then, the book spends a good set of pages discussing different elements like weather, snow, trees, whatever. It points out things that some people often take for granted. After this section, the book discusses main aspects of 12 different types of land/city scapes. This, I found extremely helpful as it gives you an idea of how to use reference images and photos. After all, environment design and landscape/cityscape drawing is very much a reference-based practice. Environment designers usually have a set of 10 to 20 photos around their actual canvas and then pick out features they find helpful in some, if not all, of those photos.
I bought this book wanting hints and tips regarding landscape design. What I got was a little more. I was expecting to use this book simply for ideas. What I got was a touch up on 12 different types of landscapes, cityscapes, icescapes, seascapes, and what to look out for in each. It definitely gets your mind and vision working together so that your environment works out as a whole picture rather than having separate aspects of your environment contradicting each other. One example is having a storm in the background with a plain standing tree on a hill. The remark made is that the tree should be leaning with the storm [in that example it was leaning to the right]. This is something we take for granted. Surely, a storm will effect everything in its way. The problem is, when some artists draw environments, they often separate the environment and, although it may look fine at first glance, if one was to study the artwork it would become apparent that there are some crucial laws of motion that were disregarded by the artist. Before long, the environment becomes a pain to the trained eye.
This books points out these sorts of things and more. If you’re wanting to do environment design and just paint landscapes on any medium [drawings, paintings, digital, etc], I recommend this book. It’s not a must have but definitely worth mentioning and having a look at. I bought it and don’t regret it at all. In fact, I’m glad I bought it.
A comic book about understanding comics; brilliant.
I’ve always loved comics but never really understood the many attributes of comics that artists tooA comic book about understanding comics; brilliant.
I’ve always loved comics but never really understood the many attributes of comics that artists took into account when putting together their work. Scott McCloud, in writing this book, gives the reader an in-depth look into the world of comics. From defining comics to portraying time and motion in your comics, McCloud explains it all in a memorable and entertaining style.
Having read other reviews on this book, I have come across some who say that it’s an old book; I can assure you that the information this book shares cannot be outdated. In short, you’ll never again look at a comics book without appreciating all the hard work put into engaging you by using artworks and speech bubbles brilliantly.
I highly recommend this book to any person pursuing a career, or hobby, in comics.
Visit to see some photos from inside the book....more
Quote from the book, “Before you can draw anything, you need to learn how to draw with perspective.�
Regardless of what sort of artworks you do, if you�Quote from the book, “Before you can draw anything, you need to learn how to draw with perspective.�
Regardless of what sort of artworks you do, if you’re going to draw/sketch or paint, you need to know perspective; it doesn’t matter if you draw people, objects, environments, you cannot have a successful art work without a good understanding of perspective.
Certain books teach that sort of information and I find that Vanishing Point is one that achieves this brilliantly.
As most art books, Ian Roberts starts his book by showing the tools you need to do all the exercises shown in the book. Yes, I said it: exercises! Roberts includes exercises for the reader after he discusses each of the different types of perspective: One-Point, Two-Point, Three-Point, Four-Point, and Five-Point.
He gives step by step guides to each topic and explains how to draw different objects. What I also like is how he includes examples of his artworks that accompany what he has explained which makes it easier to understand.
Note: This book gives examples mainly of comic style art but the information on perspective can be applied anywhere else.
It is a really good book and I highly recommend it!
Juliette Aristides is brilliant in her art as well as her teaching skills. The way she brings forth the points she’s trying to make are easy to undersJuliette Aristides is brilliant in her art as well as her teaching skills. The way she brings forth the points she’s trying to make are easy to understand and clear as a bell.
In this book, Aristides highlights important topics that any beginner artist will require in their art. These are issues you are constantly faced with whenever you draw and making a good practice of them early will help you through your journey.
She begins with putting down basic lines and contours, and then leads on to different relationships in your art, composition, and finally, lighting and shadows.
I've grown to like Tom Bancroft's books and style of teaching. He has a way of really drawing you into what he's trying to say and gets you involved aI've grown to like Tom Bancroft's books and style of teaching. He has a way of really drawing you into what he's trying to say and gets you involved and interested. Some may see his style as a little too cartoonish but you can't exactly blame him since he worked from many years as an animator for Disney.
In this book, Tom Bancroft discusses the importance of adding personality to your characters and giving them life. His focus is to get you thinking from step 1 to plan your character so that when a passer by sees him/her, they can immediately tell what sort of person your character is.
Bancroft discusses things such as poses, body shape, expressions and the like for characters of different types including humans (male and female), animals as well as monsters.
I would recommend this book to beginners although it can also be helpful for intermediate artists. The only thing I'll add is to say that this book is definitely not a must have. It doesn't have secrets in there that you can't find anywhere else. Having said that though, Tom Bancroft teaches with a rich background and portrays things quite simply encouraging you to try it out as he teaches through....more
This is a really fun book to read. It is a summary of a sci-fi art book.
The beginning of the book runs you through, quickly, on tips and fundamentals This is a really fun book to read. It is a summary of a sci-fi art book.
The beginning of the book runs you through, quickly, on tips and fundamentals of art. Then, it goes through a couple of demos and tutorials on how to draw different Sci-fi characters and a weapon or two.
It's not so much a Sci-fi reference book so make sure you're clear on that. It's a drawing-guide using sci-fi as the genre.
As far as the tutorials go, they're good. There are hints, tips and enough guidance in comparison to other books of the like.
I give it a 3 only because I'd have liked the book to be thicker. Not for more tutorials but so it can be used as a reference book with loads of different environments, weapons, vehicles, etc. It has some, but I'd have liked to see more.
But it is a good book. It's not one I'd recommend as a must have or need but if yo're an absolute beginner and would like to get some quick hints and tips; and you have some extra money on the side, then consider it. Or, borrow it. It's a fun book and you'll enjoy it. Just make sure that you don't use it as your basis for art and that's all. Go into depth with regards to the fundamentals but this will give you a nice taste of it all....more
I’m still going through this book so I will write up a more complete review in time but I will comment on what I think of it so far.
Betty Edwards seemI’m still going through this book so I will write up a more complete review in time but I will comment on what I think of it so far.
Betty Edwards seems to express herself quite well in the way she teaches and the methods she uses to bring an absolute beginner from nothing to actually having a chance at art. She focuses so much on activating the creative side of the brain, or the right side of the brain. In order to do that, she teaches you how to train your eyes to see properly and then drawing exactly what you see and not what you think you see.
The text in this book is well worth the read so if you are thinking of buying this book, make sure you are willing to sit down and just read and read. It’s truly rich in its content. The book also includes exercises you should do in order to advance from being a simple beginner in art.
If you feel like drawing just doesn’t seem to be working out for you and are considering buying a book to help, this is definitely it. I highly recommend it.
George Bridgman's illustrations are, at first glance, not as appealing as you'd like. However, as you read his information and try to understand what George Bridgman's illustrations are, at first glance, not as appealing as you'd like. However, as you read his information and try to understand what hes's showing, you start to build an appreciation for his work.
In his "Complete Guide to Drawing from Life", Bridgman takes the human figure step by step explaining the function and shape of every part of the human body.
I recommend this book to anyone wanting to understand figure drawing. This book is great for all levels of artists. There is a lot of content in this book.
Bridgman dedicated chapters on all the main parts of the body and explains, in detail, the framework behind it.
It's good for an absolute beginner to just copy Bridgman's drawings as you'd be training your eye-to-hand coordination on something that is foundational but I'd also recommend that you read every bit of text on the pages. As one person once said about this book, "The text isn't just there to fill up empty space". Bridgman teaches you things you'll carry on for a long, long time.
Definitely worth having in your art library. Highly recommended!
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