Making Comics. by Scott McCloud May 23, 2009
Posted by kaslkaos in graphic novel.Tags: art, comics, drawing, graphic novels, reference, scott mccloud
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Full Title: Making Comics: Storytelling Secrets of Comics, Manga and Graphic Novels
This book did not immediately catch my eye. It’s done in comic format and when I initially flipped through it (something I’m in the habit of doing with reference books) it seemed both too busy and flip. Since it was at the library, borrowing costs nothing and I brought it home.
Wow!
Once I started reading it in the manner intended, I realized this book divulges in entertaining detail the innermost secrets of the graphic novel world. This is not a beginners art book, it will not teach you how to draw; it will teach you how to tell stories in words and pictures. How to express emotions through changes in facial expressions and body language, how to slow down time with wordless frames and how draw the reader into a created world with a panoramic scene. I would tell you more, but I’m breathless with wonder. All these secrets are revealed with fully realized examples in every panel, and detailed, but fun explanatory breakdowns so that even the most technical phrases are simple and memorable. If you are an artist, this book is a treasure, if you are a comics fan, this is a fascinating read. I’d buy it if I had too, but I’ll just keep borrowing. Don’t expect to find it in the Whitchurch Stouffville Library any time soon–it’s with me.
The Fantasy Figure Artist’s Reference File March 31, 2009
Posted by kaslkaos in fantasy.Tags: art, fantasy, figure drawing, reference
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Book by Peter Evans
This one’s for artists only; not a reading book, but I am so excited to own it that I just had to blog about it. I’ve always been frustrated and confused while trying to draw fantasy figures, as in, ‘just where exactly do you wear the sword scabbard’, and ‘how exactly do you hold the gosh darned thing’. This book, with full colour costumed photos answers these questions and more. Such as, what does a fairy look like when backing away from sudden danger? And how does the face contort when going ‘mu ha ha ha ha ha’.
The book is ring bound on the inside, and hard covered on the outside and comes with it’s own CD at no extra cost. It is divided into sections on common body types and stock fantasy characters. Each character is shown in full costume in several useful dramatic poses, with sidebars showing clothing from bottom up (chemise, fur bra, etc.) and close ups of suitable facial expressions. Supplementary photos show the same model in plain black underwear so that you can clearly see the body structure underlying the costumed pose. This was the nicest surprise, as it takes away the guesswork that happens when drawing clothed models. The back of the book also shows useful close-ups of hands doing typical fantasy things like holding orbs, staves, praying, tying boot laces, & picking coins from a drawstring bag. I absolutely can’t wait to start some gnarly sketching.
If you have any ambition to do fantasy art, buy this book.
