Drawing & Painting Fantasy Figures: From the Imagination to the Page

Drawing and Painting Fantasy Figures: From the Imagination to the Page The book is amazing. It got here fast and in good condition. I enjoy it and find it extremely useful. Thank you!

An excellent step-by-step workshop on the how-to of fantasy illustrating. I've seen some other workshop books that consist mostly of the author conveying a message of: "This is how I paint, draw, etc..." but that usually does not explain how to get there. Not this book. I highly recommend this book, for it clearly gives you detailed lessons and drawing exercises you can do to get started.

excellent book. great how to pictures that guide you step by step. gives a great deal of info regarding reference material and ideas. storyboarding, anatomy, foreshortening, costume, perspective, architecture and much more. also for each subject there is an "over to you" section. this gives great ideas on how to get started and find you own unique style. must have for anyone interested in fantasy art!

Although R. Crumb's "Want to improve your art? DRAW. Wishing won't make it happen!" is the best "How-To" advice anyone can give/get, books like this are still quite helpful and inspirational. I bought this book, ended up loaning it to a friend also interested in it during an OT period at work. Later, I just bought another copy for myself!!! It is that good.

I've been drawing for over seven years. This book is helping me considerably. Cowan gives a good emphasis on the fantasy genre. Before, I knew nothing of how to draw armor or if I was drawing the female and male anatomy correctly or if my drawings even could be considered fantasy. In the beginning of the book, he explores the different ways you can receive inspiration (scrapbooking, mementoes, museums, art books, et cetera) and different helpful tools. He also explains opportunities that fantasy artists can receive (work in film, games, et cetera). In the drawing portion of the book, he focuses on the basics: faces, expressions, bodies/anatomy; and helpful intermediate things: archetypes, foreshortening. Throughout the book are drawings and paintings (both digital and traditional) that give both inspiration and help considerably. There is also the topic of wizards and mythical creatures (dragons, gryphons, et cetera) and non-mytical (horses and owls...). The back of the book deals with painting and inking as well as digital art (3D and Photoshop). This book is very helpful. The only flaw I see is that it doesn't go into too much depth. I only wish that he went into more depth with the costumes. Otherwise, everything else was fine! This is two books for the price of one! (When I was in the bookstore, I couldn't decide on a book on to get. I had two in my hand - together it would have been over $50.00. Then I saw this book that covered everything I wanted: dragons and fantasy themes. So, I don't agree with "A Classicist"'s review about it being two books.) I find this book perfect!