(Part 3) Best drawing books according to redditors
We found 1,730 Reddit comments discussing the best drawing books. We ranked the 414 resulting products by number of redditors who mentioned them. Here are the products ranked 41-60. You can also go back to the previous section.
I love urban sketching so much and really want to get better at it. I've been bringing my sketchbook with me on vacation for a while now, but have had a tough time using it more than once or twice until my most recent trip. Here are some of my favorites.
My very first time! - this was in Cordoba, Spain. It's not at all what I was trying to do, but I still really like how it turned out. I was hoping to fit a lot more in the scene, but I drew things too big and just went with it. A french guy walking by saw it and said it was nice (I think) and gave me a thumbs up.
Killing time in Tokyo - The Fuji TV building by the Aqua City mall. My wife and I got there early and were waiting for places to open, so we found a bench with a nice view. (Bonus yoyogi park on the other page)
The river in Kyoto - This was the most relaxing place I've ever drawn. It's also when I realized the importance of sunscreen for urban sketching.
The park by my house - I try to get out and do stuff here once in a while too, but it's hard. I live in the deep suburbs surrounded by cookie cutter houses, so it can be tough finding something interesting to draw.
Some memorable things that have happend while I was out sketching:
When I look back at the sketches I did I remember all these things and more. I take a ton of photos on vacation too, but I don't feel attached to them in the same way. Probably because a picture is so much faster to take... you're really forced to stop and take things in when you draw the scene. There's probably a life lesson in there somewhere.
Anyways, that's more than enough about me. Here are some resources!
But really if you're at all interested in urban sketching just grab a sketchbook, some supplies, and get out there. Even if you end up not liking your art at least you spent the day outside doing something you enjoy, and that's tough to beat.
The biggest runs are Miller, Bendis/Brubaker and Waid. I've listed all four runs in both their Deluxe/Omnibus formats and their standard paperback versions. I imagine they're all available digitally, as well.
Frank Miller (1980-1982, 1986)
Brian Michael Bendis (2001-2006)
Ed Brubaker (2006-2009)
Mark Waid (2011-2014)
Mark Waid (2014+)
I'm fine with the font, I'm just getting kind of irritated that I'm seeing people pass it off as their own almost every day at this point. It's from this book, which I think a lot of people got for Christmas: https://www.amazon.com/Creative-Lettering-Beyond-Inspiring-techniques/dp/1600583970
There's a lot to improve. Let's see...
There's a lot more I could say, but I'll stop here. Regardless, thanks for the compliment!
Example 1
Here is my red line, the legs was what I think could be improved on. I just put the legs in perspective and fixed it up.
Example 2
Here is the version showing the shapes to think about. Think about shapes and how they wrap around the body.
Another example showing the perspective.
Example 3
I would recommend is to practice drawing form. Here is a video explaining it.
The Basics: what they mean
Also read some books on animal anatomy I recommend :
Animal Anatomy for Artists: The Elements of Form
Science of Creature Design: understanding animal anatomy
Also here is a book about perspective:
Perspective Made Easy (Dover Art Instruction)
I hope it helps :)
Do you want to read digital or physical copies of comics?
I can give you some recommendations for Daredevil if you want, but I've never read digital comics before, so I'll just show you physical copies.
You can start with Frank Miller's run, which has three volumes and another story later (Born Again). The trade (trade paperback, it's a collection of issues bound into a paperback book) you read, "The Man Without Fear" is Frank Miller's re-imagining of Daredevil's origin.
Volume 1
Volume 2
Volume 3
Born Again
After Frank Miller's run you can read Bendis' run. It is also in three volumes.
Volume 1
Volume 2
Volume 3
Then Brubaker's run, again, three volumes.
Volume 1
Volume 2
Volume 3
And then Waid's run. You can collect this in two different ways, a bunch of smaller trades, or five larger hardcover copies. I'd recommend the hardcovers, they're easier to read and I'm too lazy to link all of the trades.
Volume 1
Volume 2
Volume 3
Volume 4
Volume 5
And now you're all caught up to the current run. There was some stuff in between these other runs, like "Yellow" and Kevin Smith's run, but this is the main stuff. I'm guessing the five issues you picked up last week are from this run, so all you need to do is tell the comicbook shop guy you want to add Daredevil to your "pull list". This means every time a new Daredevil issue comes out (once a month) the shop will put it aside so you can pick it up whenever you want.
If you want to read digital comics, that's something different though.
Thank you kindly. The only tutorial I can link is this. I worked through this book recently and it's the best lesson in drawing I've had. Even though it deals with realism, once you know how to see (since that's what is taught in the book) drawing anime things should be easy.
I second the other comment. All the guys that do amazing western style comics are masters of the figure and anatomy. They studied their craft, and drew their subjects as realistically as possible. They learned to understand how things are put together, or constructed.
A good start is to locate a figure drawing class you can attend. Alternatively, you can also go quite far by practicing using some of the excellent figure reference out there on the web. Just do a google-drain on it and get drawing. Suppliment your learning by studying human anatomy. I recommend the following books:
[Atlas of Human Anatomy for the Artist] (http://www.amazon.com/Atlas-Anatomy-Artist-Stephen-Rogers/dp/0195030958/)
[Master Class in Figure Drawing] (http://www.amazon.com/Master-Figure-Drawing-Robert-Beverly/dp/0823030148/)
Get the 4 Frank Miller Daredevil things, and The Animal Man Omnibus from Grant Morrison.
Oh and Jeff Smiths Bone.
http://www.amazon.com/Daredevil-Vol-1-Frank-Miller/dp/0785134735
http://www.amazon.com/Daredevil-Vol-2-Frank-Miller/dp/0785134743
http://www.amazon.com/Daredevil-Vol-3-Frank-Miller/dp/0785134751
http://www.amazon.com/Daredevil-Born-Again-Frank-Miller/dp/0785134816
http://www.amazon.com/The-Animal-Omnibus-Grant-Morrison/dp/1401238998
http://www.amazon.com/Bone-Complete-Cartoon-Epic-Volume/dp/188896314X
Hi,
This is a good first effort!
Drawing the human body is tough. There are all kinds of shapes involved, they move around and change shape in crazy ways, and people are really finely attuned to the details so it's easy to make a noticeable mistake.
If you haven't already, I would first focus on drawing simpler things -- simple geometric objects like cubes and boxes, then a bit more complicated but still basically geometric shapes like buildings and chairs, then biological things that don't move much like plants, and so on. At the very least, it's important to be able to draw boxes in perspective pretty well. (I'm not sure if you can already do that or not -- just saying in general.)
If you want to just dive right into figure drawing, I would recommend picking up a book on artistic anatomy. There are a lot of good ones out there. One I can recommend (kind of intermediate level) is Master Class In Figure Drawing, by Robert Beverly Hale. He looks at drawings from the greats and breaks them down. It's not a complete reference, and there might be better books/online tutorials out there now, but it helps you think about drawing the human body in general.
More or less, his approach is to go from the largest masses of the body (the rib cage, the pelvis) to the smallest (the nose, fingers, etc.). He describes them in terms of simpler geometric shapes like boxes.
I find that more than half the battle is just drawing boxes for every body part in the right proportion and in the right place relative to each other.
Good luck! Keep it up.
First off, welcome! We’re glad to have you :)
A lot really depends on how you want to learn. Everyone has different styles and techniques. Some pay for lessons or workbooks. Some trace and trace and trace some more. Some freehand copy. This sub is a good start!
Practice strokes from u/MyOwnGuitarHero (our tireless lead mod) if you don’t have access to a printer
https://www.reddit.com/r/BrushCalligraphy/comments/7wwcrs/practice_drills/?st=JDQI7DMR&sh=34264b22
https://www.reddit.com/r/BrushCalligraphy/comments/7p1cau/daily_drills/?st=JDQIB6UG&sh=515b6075
If you do have access to a printer there are lots of free printable PDF practice sheets to use. Below is just one I found from just a google search. Pinterest is a good resource as well
http://lghttp.56260.nexcesscdn.net/8037E40/tombowusa.com/media/wysiwyg/Tombow/pdfs/Tombow-Dual-Brush-Pen-Practice_Full.pdf
If you’d like a book to work from these are a couple of good choices or any from amazon with good reviews.
https://www.amazon.com/Lettering-Beginners-Creative-Alphabet-Projects/dp/1546947299
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/1948209004/ref=pd_aw_fbt_14_img_3?ie=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=W7TYCZCT757T7MJ9TAZH
And don’t forget some good quality paper as soon as you get a chance. Rhodia is good or some just use laser print paper. They’re both really smooth and hold ink well.
the animation field is very very competitive. and little by little, jobs are being cut out from the field. if you go for animation, you better have passion. without it, you may as well have no chance...
i wanted to be an animator ever since i was a kid, i love cartoons. animation is a wonderful medium.
Do you know who Richard Williams is? I hope you do. In his book, The Animator's Survival Kit, He talks about his journey into the world of animation. please read that section which is located in the very first pages of the book.
i watched your video SidMonqay, and i will tell you to forget about animating right now. No, i don't mean lose the passion to animate. What i mean is forget about the technical part, which is animation. First, learn how to draw. No, i don't mean learn how to draw cartoons, i mean really REALLY learn how to draw. Study classical drawing and painting...trust me...if you focus on this you will be able to draw ANYTHING:cartoons, anime, illustration, comics, etc. because this is the HARDEST and most DIFFICULT art there is. (Jason Manley from ConceptArt.org https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vh37Mtex67w) you don't have to 'master' it, but learn from it. once you know you are ready, you are ready for animation.
I am 22, and studying classical drawing at a studio in Chicago under a very great and talented artist who i call my mentor. he has connections to some of the biggest studios of animation out there, and knows A LOT of well known artists. He teaches classical drawing and painting but also works as a storyboard artists and is grateful to make a living as an artist. He told me he has plans to grow the studio into a small 'academy' where he and other artists will teach classical/digital/animation. I am so happy i found this place. it beats all the art colleges i have gone to.
I now go to the studio and study mechanical design technology at a community college(as a back up, if animation doesn't work out..)
I will introduce you to Bargue drawings(intro to classical training)
http://ricardopontes.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/34_plate_I_7_the_foot_of_the_gladiator.jpg
This book my mentor suggested me to read, which i did "Lessons in Classical Drawing: Essential Techniques from Inside the Atelier"
http://www.amazon.com/Lessons-Classical-Drawing-Essential-Techniques/dp/082300659X/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1409106710&sr=8-2&keywords=classical+atelier
This artist who has great drawing/painting demos DVDs which i learned a lot from (Robert Liberace)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nyC4sxFrr9w
An animation news website
http://www.cartoonbrew.com/
Calarts which is the best school(they say) for character animation
http://calarts.edu/
(but listen, you DO NOT need a degree for animation. you DO need a kick ass portfolio. and i mean it. kick ass...you get the job and recognition from your portfolio and skills, not the piece of paper.
I myself am not getting a degree in art or animation.)
here is my tumblr. i post my art there.
http://cigaretteclub.tumblr.com/
if anything SidMonqay, try art at a community college. it's cheaper than larger institutions. be careful of for-profit institutions and people that just want your money. that is where i messed up, and i lost all hope, until i found this studio. I highly recommend you go and find a studio or atelier and study drawing and painting there. there are also art workshops every year for illustration/animation/drawing/painting you can find each year around the U.S! like this one http://www.artconnectionacademy.com/SaturdayLectures.aspx
but, choose your own path! any questions, feel free to ask
[edit] of course! Richard Williams book on animation! http://www.amazon.com/The-Animators-Survival-Kit-Principles/dp/086547897X
Good Morning!!
This happens to me a lot too. I have an active imagination and get bored easily. I've noticed I get these kind of like, day dreaming spells when I feel burnt out, tired, or particularly bored with the routine of school.
Something that's helped me is finding a different, non-school thing to be completely engaged in. I find/learn skills that are easy to pick up, and that you can get good at quickly. This gives my brain something to focus on besides day dreaming, but that is also not school. For example, I'm currently learning how to draw (look up this book: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B004MYFV0O/ref=dp-kindle-redirect?_encoding=UTF8&btkr=1) and learning to code HTML through code academy. I didn't have any art or coding experience previously, and I've gotten good at both really quickly!! Whenever I feel like I'm drifting off to day-dreaming world, I just pick up a pencil and sketch something or log on to code academy. This keeps me grounded better.
I can't speak to an ADHD diagnosis, if you think it's something worth investigating, certainly seek medical attention!! I hope this helps and best of luck!!
I’m no expert but I’d say to separate gesture from structure.
Start with a sweeping line to the express the overall pose. That’s the gesture, it will inform everything that comes after.
Next turn the gesture into a stick figure with head and chest just like you’ve done and a little box for a pelvis and triangle feet and hands. This is the beginning of structure.
This is the time to make sure all the proportions and slants are correct. Consider how wide and high the figure is and if that matches your stick figure. Where is the highest/lowest/leftist/rightest points and do they match in relation. This is the foundation for structure.
I’d recommend Steve Huston
Figure-Drawing-Artists-Making-Every-Mark-Count
a book that helped me immensely was this book.
Start out by drawing spheres, boxes, etc with different lighting; there are lots of beginning tutorials on the internet (and that book) for stuff like that. Then, begin to post your work on here and ask for feedback.
EDIT: OMG when did coloring socks become a thing?
--
Creative Swearing
Unicorns are Jerks
Dinosaurs with Jobs
Existential Coloring Book
(current fave) Alphonse Mucha
Cats
Fantasy Forest
And finally
Antistress Dot to Dot and coloring book
I think I may have a problem......(and I think they may need to go on their own wishlist. They seem to be getting a bit out of hand)
I love to color! Here's my current book: https://www.amazon.com/Unicorns-Are-Jerks-Coloring-Exposing/dp/1492647209
From the Library I've taken out
A few I haven't read, but have heard good things about here and elsewhere:
Not rat-specific, but the book drawing on the right side of the brain by Betty Edwards is an absolutely marvellous book for learning to draw realistically. If you follow all the exercises it trains you to see differently and enables you to draw what you are actually seeing rather than a series of symbols that represent what you are seeing.
For anyone who also wanted it I found it on Amazon and Barnes & Noble websites. Also found the other ones too
Amazon : This book | Draw More Furries | Furries Furever
Barnes & Noble : This book | Draw More Furries | Furries Furever
How to maps!
https://inkarnate.com This is the website I used to make most of the map. I actually made 4 maps and blended them together in photoshop, then I added the roads, text, etc.
https://drive.google.com/open?id=0BzS5fqP5rugETE9aX0dCY0Z2Y1E
Here you can find some map-making resources. Things like photoshop brushes, fonts, textures, and pdfs explaining different techniques! There's a nice folder of 'how to draw coasts' that's really helpful. And if you're super into map making, I recommend this book:
https://smile.amazon.com/How-Draw-Fantasy-Art-Maps-ebook/dp/B013KZ269Y/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1499372509&sr=8-4&
This guy actually did the maps for the Horde of the Dragon Queen 5th edition adventure. He's also super nice. I met him at Gencon last year! I highly recommend his book if you're just getting into drawing your campaign maps. It also covers city maps, heraldry, etc.
I recommend getting Steve Huston book on figure drawing. It helps me a lot in my beginning year. https://www.amazon.com/Figure-Drawing-Artists-Making-Every/dp/1631590650/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1535985514&sr=1-1&refinements=p_27%3ASteve+Huston
If you're into omnibuses, you should go for this and this.
If you're into tpb's, you should go for this, this and this.
If you're interested these are the books on my wish list:
Art of Pixar: The complete colour scripts
The art of How to Train Your Dragon
Beginner's guide to digital painting in Photoshop: Characters
Drawing on the right side of the brain
http://www.amazon.com/Figure-Drawing-All-Its-Worth/dp/0857680986
http://www.amazon.com/Classic-Human-Anatomy-Motion-Dynamics/dp/0770434142
https://www.youtube.com/user/ProkoTV
In the meantime, draw everything. Everything. EVERYTHING.
Keep a sketch book with you always! Draw people waiting for the bus, cars parked outside, city blocks, landscapes, trees, ideas, concepts, doodles, nonsense.
Take pictures of things and use them for reference. Constantly! Can't figure out how an arm looks like in a certain pose, get someone to pose the same way and take a shot with your phone. Its not "cheating" and most artists worth their salt will stare at you like you're insane if you told them to do a large scale project with no live or photo references.
Go to figure drawing meetups. There's usually some at art schools or in any big city. You will be terrible at first but drawing people is a good way to train your eye.
Copy your favorite artist. Not just draw from, but try to copy a whole piece of art, from start to finish, line for line, as closely as possible. Do this a lot! It will help you understand why they put this thing there, and put that thing here, and drew that thing like this.
Its the same reason musicians practice other people's work before they start composing their own!
Figure out who their influence are, and do the same thing with them.
If you're looking for books to get you started, here are some good ones.
The show's plot doesn't really follow the comics. It incorporates things from various different plotlines.
If you want to read the comics that inspired the show though, and see some hints as to what may happen later, you should read these:
https://www.amazon.com/Classic-Human-Anatomy-Motion-Dynamics/dp/0770434142
This is my go to Human Anatomy/Figure Drawing art book. It breaks down each part of the human body. This includes muscle and skeletal structure. 10/10
Look up life drawing groups in your city, in Vancouver there's a bunch - slice of life, Emily carr, basic Inquiry etc. Etc.
The other obvious one is to just practice drawing more. Since you've been working in cgi you must have some idea of what works with poses and how to push em, so use those skills to your 2d and then those skills you build on will transfer right back to your CGI. it's like a mutually beneficial trade deal.
FORCE: Dynamic Life Drawing: 10th Anniversary Edition https://www.amazon.ca/dp/1138919578/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_0NGJAb952ESM9
I also would recommend this book to you.
Have fun!!
I really liked Valerie Winslows "Classic Human Anatomy in Motion" for drawing the human form. Hope this helps.
https://www.amazon.com/Classic-Human-Anatomy-Motion-Dynamics/dp/0770434142/ref=pd_lpo_sbs_14_t_0/134-3765150-0983443?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=0FGCP5TYV0P0TCXP69FA
I have two on my artsy fartsy wishlist! [
Unicorns Are Jerks: A Coloring Book Exposing the Cold, Hard, Sparkly Truth] (https://smile.amazon.com/dp/1492647209/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_nS_ttl?_encoding=UTF8&colid=3LIYPQ0D532OZ&coliid=I8HILAQPIZ45B) and [Fat Ladies in Spaaaaace: A Body-Positive Coloring Book] (https://smile.amazon.com/dp/1492647233/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pd_nS_ttl?_encoding=UTF8&colid=3LIYPQ0D532OZ&coliid=I29NRQ5RG7KBZG) both look awesome ;)
This'll help you get started. It's honestly very good.
I'm learning to be a professional artist atm, but I'm also eighteen so take what I say with a grain of salt!
Something that I do from time to time when I'm learning how to draw in a specific style or medium is that I look at what other people have drawn and I replicate their drawings as an exercise. Or sometimes when I'm on a flight or on the bus, I'll draw the people around me. I guess what I'm saying is you should just keep practicing and do what comes naturally!
Note: a really, REALLY good book on drawing people can be found here: http://www.amazon.com/Drawing-People-Portray-Clothed-Figure/dp/1581803591
Im new to zbrush, but have done a fair amount of sculpting in clay. This book has proved really helpful in understanding the way clothing will react when wrapping around the human, or any other form.
https://www.amazon.com/Drawing-People-Portray-Clothed-Figure/dp/1581803591
As a non artist, I cannot vouch for the quality, but I have seen these mentioned before
https://www.amazon.com/Draw-Furries-Anthropomorphic-Fantasy-Animals/dp/1600614175
https://www.amazon.com/Draw-More-Furries-Anthropomorphic-Creatures/dp/144031473X
But there's tons and tons of free tutorials online as well.
Hey thanks. I’d like to recommend a book - The Urban Sketcher by Holmes
Take as long as you want, but never so long that you start to fidget. The reason people set time limits is just to make sure they don't get lost in detail. Never worry about "finishing" a gesture. If you draw a torso with an arm and nothing else that's just fine as long as it rings true and you've done your best at capturing it. If you didn't have time for more, fine. In time and with practice you'll get better and spend less time figuring out the same things. That's what practice does to us.
Use a pen or other permanent mark maker. Don't feel bad about drawing the same line twice to get it right, but don't make your lines fuzzy by carefully etching them bit by bit. If you draw a line from here to there, you draw the whole line. If it's wrong, try it a couple more times. If it's still wrong, leave it and go to the next part. You'll try to be more accurate next time. When later you compare your drawings to your references, you can see "Oh, I was totally off on the angle with this one". And hopefully you'll focus more on that with your next practice. You don't have to feel bad about getting things wrong. Every thing you get wrong is an opportunity to learn more.
Gesture is a matter of experience. So don't worry too much about feeling lost. The reason why I brought up simple forms is that there's a certain amount of spacial understanding you'll need that will definitely help you see the body as something other than... well.. a body. But more like the sum of the parts.
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In my own experience it gave me a lot more benefit to work on simpler forms than to tackle gesture for a thousand drawings when I had little understanding of form. It was easier for me to find gesture when I could visualize parts of the body as different shapes (and the choice of shapes is up to you. Just find something that's characteristic of the thing you're looking at. Wow. That's Steve Huston talking again).
As for your specific drawings, I could talk about the skill or technique which would serve nothing other than making you try to fix small insignificant details.
The main thing I think would be more helpful is that you are lacking that form connection. Since you are not understanding each part of the body as individual forms, you are missing some proportions as well. You can by all means focus on learning proportion (or anything else) for instance without considering simple forms, but you're making it harder on yourself to try to think of an arm as "AN ARM OMG MUSCLES BONES TENDONS" instead of "a slightly bent tube that connects to another bent tube at a different angle" The inability to simplify forms often leads to a difficulty in choosing lines as well, making you focus way too much on the complicated outer shape rather than the simplistic solid form and the underlying long axis gesture.
This is turning into a Steve Huston infomercial, but I'm pretty sure the guys theories would help you.
He released a book not too long ago:
https://www.amazon.com/Figure-Drawing-Artists-Making-Every/dp/1631590650
It's available on kindle and hard copy and it's well worth the price. Maybe Huston ideas aren't for you, but I will still recommend that book. If you have the 12 bucks to buy it on kindle, again, I highly recommend it. It's not a beginner drawing book (which I think you might also benefit from) but it does go through the ideas an concepts you'll need for figure drawing.
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And again I have to stress. Don't be too hard on yourself. Figure drawing takes a long time. Just try to enjoy what you're doing instead of getting too frustrated. Patience is your best tool with drawing. Patience and persistence. It's like doing pushups. You can train in many ways. You can try to do as many reps as you can in a short time. You can try to spread it out over a day. You can increase fast or slow. But no method within it will be helpful unless you are consistent and stick to it. So don't give up. You'll get there.
You need to learn anatomy. Get books on artistic anatomy.
An Atlas of Animal Anatomy for Artists (Dover Anatomy for Artists)
The Art of Animal Anatomy: All life is here, dissected and depicted
Animal Anatomy for Artists: The Elements of Form
Start simple and learn the different techniques you'll need. Then build your knowledge by combining things as you learn.
I'll just take time and practice. Lots and lots of practice.
If you plan on animating them, then you will need ...
Muybridge's: Animals in Motion (Dover Anatomy for Artists)
and watch videos of them.
This pretty much sums it up: The Road to Learn Blender
Am Centaurpede. Same arm/ hand that was holding the CZ is holding the camera in this pic. Centaurs are very smart, and afaik, are the only part-humans that can legally register to vote. Btw, libs are wrong; unicorns are dicks.
Thank you! I used this book- Lettering For Beginners: A Creative Lettering How To Guide With Alphabet Guides, Projects And Practice Pages https://www.amazon.com/dp/1546947299/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_qpcyCbJ57DMH3
Hi, first some background. I am currently in the hell process of getting my first industry job. Keep getting interviews/test but so far I haven’t gotten a job yet...though it’s only been two months since I finally started to apply haha. I originally applied for RISD MICA MCAD SVA Art Center and CalArts and I got accepted into all of them besides CalArts, which I got waitlisted for. Every school I got into offered me scholarships but once I factored in living/food I still couldn’t afford it. So I swallowed my pride and went to community college for a few years then besides reapplying to art schools I decided to make a hour and a half commute every few days to take classes at Concept Design Academy, Which I’m still currently doing. My original plan was to go to Calstate Long Beach or Cal State Fullerton, both have really good animation programs but I could live with my family while I went.
I’m so happy I didn’t go to a traditional art school. I was about to reapply when one of my friends who now works at Dreamworks told me to just do Concept Design instead. I trusted her opinion since she went to SVA and graduated and ended up not having the exact skills she needed for employment and she was super in debt.
I’d say it’s 50/50 with people I know that attended college and currently work in the industry, other half did what I am doing/didn’t get any higher education, some of my closest friends are currently attending SVA. I’m going to be honest most think it’s useless and wishes they went to a state school with a good art program rather than SVA or did what I ended up doing.
If you really want to work in TV/Movie animation look into Concept Design Academy in Pasadena CA or CGMA online or something similar. If you are dead set getting a degree I’d recommend looking into state schools. Art school isn’t worth the debt. If you have to take on all the loans yourself it’s not worth it it will destroy your credit forever and you won’t be able to move where the industry is.
This is about art center(where I originally got accepted and planned on going too) but all my SVA/MICA/RISD friends have similar experiences
http://ghostbri.tumblr.com/post/178516711920/dude-i-really-wanna-go-to-art-center-what#notes
This specific artist also has great resources for finding alternative education.
DONT RUIN YOUR LIFE BC YOU FEEL LIKE YOU WONT SUCCEED IN THE INDUSTRY WITH OUT ART SCHOOL. THERE IS OTHER WAYS.
If you live in/around LA area or are willing to transfer:
http://conceptdesignacad.com/
https://animationguild.org/about-the-guild/education/
https://laafa.edu/
Online recourses:
https://www.cgmasteracademy.com
https://www.schoolism.com
https://www.theanimcourse.com/courses/
Alternative book based educations:
The Animator's Survival Kit: A Manual of Methods, Principles and Formulas for Classical, Computer, Games, Stop Motion and Internet Animators https://www.amazon.com/dp/086547897X/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_U7xwCbZNA4X74
Framed Ink: Drawing and Composition for Visual Storytellers https://www.amazon.com/dp/1933492953/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_m8xwCbE8TH4VS
FORCE: Dynamic Life Drawing: 10th Anniversary Edition (Force Drawing Series) https://www.amazon.com/dp/1138919578/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_U8xwCbTRGJHWJ
(This one is currently out of print because they are changing the cover it should be back in a few weeks and be around 15 bucks)
Also here is a few good YouTube channels:
https://www.youtube.com/user/ProkoTV
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCS3ZMbzTOXdDuJlhAZuXgaw
https://youtu.be/uDqjIdI4bF4
If you(or anyone reading this) have any questions please feel free to DM me!! If I don’t have a direct answer I know one of my friends that work in the industry will and I could ask. Art School isn’t the only way to obtain a good quality art education and a ton of talented artist make it in the industry without it!
Also sorry this is so LA centric, I grew up in the great LA area and currently work exclusively in it so it’s all I know in-depth.
Quick Edit; I’m a purely 2D based artist. I work mostly in concept and I’m currently working on transitioning into Boarding/Revisions. I don’t work on the animation end of these but that’s Bc most outsource to other countries now.
Ok, realistically, if I started again from zero but had knowledge of how to learn here's what I would do:
Go on amazon and buy these 4 books (technically 5 but yeah):
I would read those books cover to cover, do exercises in them, copy their drawings, etc. I would also listen to Feng Zhu's youtube channel while I'm eating dinner or whatever. I'm a pretty experienced artist now so I know what books are good and what books are bullshit. Those 4 books I listed have really good content. Scott Robertson's book teaches you technical 3D drawing, that figure drawing book teaches you anatomy in a 3D sense, the Framed Perspective books give an intuitive yet thorough introduction to perspective (arguably the most important skill in art), and Alla Prima gives a great introduction to laying down colors.
I would also get into anime, because anime relies on art to make money so their artists are really really good. I would copy and study the paintings of Kazuo Oga, Yoh Yoshinari, and look and study the backgrounds of Studio Ghibli and Makoto Shinkai films
What really helped me was that i went into the dissecting room with a friend when it was free and we discussed it thorough and put all the puzzles together. It's actually not that hard, try to take it layer by layer starting from the top.
​
Also what helped me was this book https://www.amazon.com/Animal-Anatomy-Artists-Elements-Form/dp/0195142144
Except i didnt buy it, i downloaded it somewhere for free 😃:DD just google a bit or try piratebay.
Here are a few sites that I have found useful in developing as a furry artist:
As others have said, focusing solely on anthro art isn't as effective a method as developing as an artist as becoming a well rounded artist in general, even if your only goal is to become a great furry artist. Becoming thoroughly familiar human and animal anatomy and being able to draw them well will bring you 90% of the way to where you need to be to draw good furry art and the rest is putting them together through lots and lots of practice. Good luck!
I recommend these two books for general art learning.
https://www.amazon.com/Drawn-Life-Classes-Stanchfield-Lectures/dp/0240810961
https://www.amazon.com/Drawn-Life-Classes-Stanchfield-Lectures/dp/0240811070
For pixel art, you need basic art knowledge, and practice making pixel art. If you are a super beginner a good exercise is to copy 1:1 a square of a pixel art sprite you like without using the color picker. Do that a bunch of times, and you'll learn which kinds of colors work well together and many of the techniques that go into producing good looking pixel art.
I do figure drawing 3 or 4 times a week, and try to join special events if available. I find it extremely relaxing.
There are so many books out there but my favorites are Mike Matessi's Force dynamic drawing and Bill Buchman's Expressive Figure Drawing. Those two books should bring you a very long way!
Here are my drawings from last night's session
the book How to Draw Fantasy Art & RPG Maps by Jared Blando has been an absolute lifesaver for me. It goes step by step through the map making process. It's a phenomenal tool and I highly recommend checking it out.
Thank you very much. I had a big assist from Drawing Realistic Textures in Pencil by J.D. Hillberry. Highly recommended.
Just a side note, THE BEST book on anatomy I have ever read and better than all the video tutorials I've ever watched is 'Classic Human Anatomy in Motion' by Valerie L. Winslow.
It covers everything you need to know about anatomy with a focus on movement (something most anatomy books don't cover), has tons of drawings and diagrams, even tells you how to pronounce each body part. This book is truly amazing and in my opinion a much better learning tool than the usual Loomis and Bridgeman books everyone loves to recommend.
https://www.amazon.com/Classic-Human-Anatomy-Motion-Dynamics/dp/0770434142
It could use some work, if you have the time read Draw More Furries
I second the prismacolors, I swear by them as an artist and an art teacher. I also suggest a battery-operated electric eraser, they are a game changer in prismacolor drawing. Here's a cheap one:
Depending on your mom's taste and sense of humor, here are 3 of my favorite off-beat coloring books (way better than just mandalas and stuff):
This crass one is my favorite
Unicorns are Jerks - funny but not offensive
[Thrill Murray, the Bill MUrray coloring book (weird but fun, lots of Wes Anderson film stuff) ] (https://www.amazon.com/Thrill-Murray-coloring-book-Coley/dp/0957490909/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1482086999&sr=1-1)
You could also consider making her your very own coloring book. One of my art students made me one that was all pictures of dinosaurs and cats riding on bicycles (my 3 favorite things). If you can't draw, it's super easy to turn photographs into drawing pages with Adobe Illustrator or similar.
You could also get her some frames so she can display her favorite completed pages.
One sec, I don't remember the name of mine but I'll check. Also, you can use whatever you want for hand lettering, that's what makes it cool :)
Edit:
Creative Lettering and Beyond: Inspiring tips, techniques, and ideas for hand lettering your way to beautiful works of art (Creative...and Beyond) https://www.amazon.com/dp/1600583970/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_jQhyybFXWCKBQ
This is the most common one people buy. Tbh there could be better ones.
Draw More Furries: How to Create Anthropomorphic Fantasy Creatures https://www.amazon.com/dp/144031473X/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_Mix0DbT5TJTJK
I know it isn't a site or subreddit, but if you really get into the drawing this could help later on too
Are you using a book of some sort?
I learned when I was little by using a book similar to these:
1 2
Seriously, no matter what type of stuff you want to be able to draw, from scenery to cityscapes to still lifes to people, get a book similar to the ones I linked. Getting a good grip on shading, perspective, and general "drawing boxes correctly" is the best place to start.
The best thing to do is to draw everything very lightly. Sometimes I'll go over a line ten different times before it's the right shape I need it to be. Then you just erase all the extra that didn't work right.
Just don't let it stress you out too much, as I'm assuming you're doing this as a hobby and not for work or anything.
Come over to /r/sketchdaily to try to get some more practice in too. Every day a new prompt is posted. If you like drawing people, you could also go to /r/redditgetsdrawn for more practice.
Drawn to Life: Volume 1
Drawn to Life: Volume 2
I bought a book from Amazon, which helped me up my game a bit.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B013KZ269Y/ref=oh_aui_d_detailpage_o00_?ie=UTF8&psc=1
I use Photoshop on my Dell Latitude 12-7275 and an active stylus. I'm still working on my test maps, which may become my real maps. The ability to draw layers is critical to me.
I've played with paint.net as well, but it doesn't seem to accept the stylus input nearly as well as Photoshop CS. The Gimp has similar issues, sadly.
My ultimate idea is to be able to crop out parts of the map to zoom them in for more detail. That way I can simply have a nested stack of maps... Such as 1 continent, 4 regions, 16 sub regions, then zoomed in to areas of interest such as city maps and specific forests/lakes/etc... It should make it easier to create a consistent geography with all of the same areas, just at different scales.
If anybody is interesting in learning classical drawing, I'm really enjoying:
I personally have no experience with the books you have mentioned but Drawing for the Absolute Beginner is a good place to start.
Once you're comfortable with the basics, I definitely recommend getting Drawing Realistic Textures in Pencil by J.D. Hillberry. Great book for a beginner to start and grow with.
Here's a picture of something I'm still working on. I'm a self taught artist and I truly believe that there is no such thing as "natural talent." You get what you put into it. Dedicated time and hardwork pay off, so never be discouraged!
If you ever want any tips/advice, I'd be happy to help. :)
If you want to draw people:
I recently found the perfect book (for me, at least). Not too technical with anatomy (pretty much everything but), but also not too simplistic. Has a ton of helpful tips! Drawing People: How To Portray The Clothed Figure by Barbara Bradley. I've never read anything by Andrew Loomis, but I'm always seeing him being recommended so I'm just going to recommend him too lol
Books and videos aren't the only things available, though. I think you should search all over online for drawing tutorials to start out. It's free!
I personally watched DrawWithJazza a lot when I started out. Sycra is incredibly helpful. You might like Mark Crilley and Proko too.
There are little infographic-type things all over deviantart and tumblr. They usually cater towards digital artists, so you're in luck! It's inactive, but this tumblr has tons of posts, and they're all organized!
There's Ctrl Paint, which is a free video library specifically for digital artists. I love this one, it's got tons of stuff.
Really just searching "how to draw ____" will get you tons of stuff.
A few random tips:
Good luck + have fun!
edit: formatting
Here are two books I'd recommend, https://www.amazon.ca/Animal-Anatomy-Artists-Elements-Form/dp/0195142144
And
https://www.amazon.com/Anatomy-Sculptors-Understanding-Human-Form/dp/0990341100
Spencerian Handwriting: the Complete Collection of Theory and Practical Workbooks For Perfect Cursive and Hand Lettering.
It's on Amazon, and was written by Platts Roger Spencer, the guy who invented Spencerian. Has all the lessons and the copy books in one complete edition. Bought it myself to learn Spencerian, and am finding it really useful.
https://www.amazon.ca/dp/1612435289/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apap_7txAq2OXRbkQW
Handwriting isn't magic. It's just a skill. Schools used to teach specific classes in handwriting, and people used to work to cultivate different styles using manuals to teach themselves. They still sell copybooks and stuff on Amazon. You can learn to do this too.
Sure. Amazon has them here
https://www.amazon.com/Spencerian-Handwriting-Collection-Practical-Workbooks/dp/1612435289
Or here as one single volume
https://www.amazon.com/Spencerian-Handwriting-Collection-Practical-Workbooks/dp/1612435289
Drawn to Life Volume 1: 20 Golden Years of Disney Master Classes: (and/or Volume 2).
Check page 16 of "Master Class in Figure Drawing" Robert Beverly Hale
Well you can always check for local calligraphy classes.
Additionally, if you're a student, your school may offer Calligraphy or Typography courses you can check out.
If neither of these appeal or apply, you can always check out some books on Amazon. Some good ones under $20:
Here
Here
And the pencil
There really aren't any requirements for the contest, except that it has been completed within the last two years, and the size requirements, because if you win, your piece is included in a traveling show for the next year. This is actually the only piece I've finished in the last two years (besides some commissioned portraits), so I didn't really have a choice on what to enter. I haven't entered anything in the last two years, and I hadn't started this one with that in mind, I was actually just experimenting with the grey paper because I've always used white paper in the past. And as for having a good handle on charcoal, I feel like a bit of a fraud, because I use the techniques I learned in this book and they're pretty fool proof. I pretty much hated charcoal before I read that book. I only used graphite, but I wanted to do a piece that required really tricking the eye, and graphite is too reflective for that to work, unless you're standing right in front of it. This was actually my first charcoal drawing since high school, ten years prior--now charcoal is one of my favorite mediums. If you like charcoal, you should read that book!
Edit: Oh, and thanks for your compliments and suggestions. :)
The book is Creative Lettering and Beyond, created with three other lettering artists. It comes out in November and shows the process of this piece and others from start to finish. :)
http://www.amazon.com/Creative-Lettering-Beyond-Inspiring-techniques/dp/1600583970/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1408587802&sr=8-1&keywords=creative+lettering+and+beyond
Glad I could be of help!
Watts Atelier is really amazing. It is beginner friendly - anatomy knowledge helps, but you wont be drawing the figure immediately. It will still be a good idea to learn anatomy while you continue through the program - I'll link you to some great anatomy resources.
To give you a rough breakdown of how the course works, you start by drawing simple shapes (spheres, cylinders, boxes, cones) focusing on form and value. Then you will start drawing other simple geometric forms applying the same principles. Then drawing fundamentals is finished with still life drawing. Next you move into portrait drawing fundamentals, then figure. If you are interested in painting, you can continue the course to portrait and figure painting, along with other specialized classes (landscape, drapery, composition, etc.)
On the issue of sizing, that is a problem that will solve itself naturally over time. It has to do with proportions and measuring, which is a skill that takes time and practice to get a handle on. Eventually you can visualize where everything goes and place it on the page in the right spot. But yeah, Watts Atelier will definitely help.
The difference between Watts and other free tutorials online is 1.) professionalism and structure: The course is taught by the founder of the atelier Jeff Watts, and it is structured like a true academic art class. Learning online gives you random bits of information which are helpful, but you can't contextualize them. The course is designed to take you from beginner to master. The tutorials online are fun, but don't have that structure.
2.) The teachers are world class artists. To give context, here is some of Jeff Watts work. You may not want to be a painter, but you can be confident that you are learning from a master. You can also google his drawings, they will blow you away. Also, the guy Stan Prokopenko who I recommended - and is often mentioned in this sub - was trained at the Watts Atelier by Jeff Watts.
You probably get the picture, its a great program. My experience with it has been an absolute joy. I wish I could go back in time two years when I started pursuing a career in art and taken these classes immediately. It would have saved me so much time and effort wasted trying to figure out how to grow as an artist on my own. What I do is pay for a month and watch all the videos and print out the handouts for the module (currently on portrait II), and then spend however long I need to get a good handle on it before I spend the 100$ for the next month. Also, if you have the cash to blow, you can spend extra money to get 1 on 1 coaching with teachers at the atelier.
I will note that it can get boring drawing spheres and still life all the time, so make sure you schedule time to draw stuff you love. Once you get into portrait and figure things get way more fun, but just be ready for that in the early stages.
Anyway, glad I could help at all! Feel free to PM me at any time, I have tons of resources I've hoarded over the years that can be helpful. Here are some links that might be helpful:
Here is a video of Jeff Watts drawing and answering questions, it will give you an idea of what his teaching style is like and who he is. Also the drawing is really good.
New Masters Academy is another great tool that has been huge for me. The anatomy and figure drawing courses are amazing. They aren't as structured as Watts, but can be very useful for when you have specific areas you want help for.
This book is superb for figure drawing. Also, this book is the equally amazing book on perspective. Also, a lot of books don't talk about drawing the clothed figure (which is pretty dumb considering most of the time, commercial art has to do with clothed people), which is why I also love this book. You are probably familiar with Bridgman's book, but if you don't have it - get it.
A lot of professional artists in many different industries (concept art, comics, film, animation, 3D, etc.) make gumroad tutorials for a decent price, here is a massive list of tons of these great tutorials.
If you want some inspiration while you work, I love listening to Creative Trek and Chris Oatley's Artcast. They both are mostly interviews with other professional artists and contain all sorts of wisdom and inspiration to help you out.
I have more, but I'll leave it there. I hope the best for you man! Keep up the hard work! Feel free to PM me for whatever reason.
See if you can check out this book from your universities library
http://www.amazon.com/Master-Figure-Drawing-Robert-Beverly/dp/0823030148/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1302539682&sr=1-1
It helped me a great deal to really understand how the great masters would do to draw the human form.
btw what university do you attend?
This: https://www.amazon.com/How-Draw-sketching-environments-imagination/dp/1933492732/
This: https://www.amazon.com/Drawn-Life-Classes-Stanchfield-Lectures/dp/0240811070/
This: https://www.amazon.com/FORCE-Dynamic-Drawing-Anniversary-Force/dp/1138919578/
And this: https://www.amazon.com/Figure-Drawing-All-Its-Worth/dp/0857680986/
oh and a few more books I just thought of, don't bother with any other books than these as most of them are crap:
http://www.amazon.com/Force-Dynamic-Drawing-Animators-Second/dp/0240808452/ref=pd_sim_b_11
http://www.amazon.com/Creating-Characters-Personality-Animation-Graphic/dp/0823023494/ref=pd_sim_b_13
http://www.amazon.com/Stop-Staring-Facial-Modeling-Animation/dp/0470609907/ref=pd_sim_b_19
http://www.amazon.com/Dream-Worlds-Production-Design-Animation/dp/0240520939/ref=pd_sim_b_23
http://www.amazon.com/ILLUSION-LIFE-DISNEY-ANIMATION/dp/0786860707/ref=pd_sim_b_20
http://www.amazon.com/Drawn-Life-Classes-Stanchfield-Lectures/dp/0240811070/ref=pd_sim_b_7
http://www.amazon.com/Film-Directing-Shot-Visualizing-Productions/dp/0941188108/ref=pd_sim_b_24
http://www.amazon.com/Acting-Animators-Revised-Performance-Animation/dp/032500580X/ref=pd_sim_b_46
http://www.amazon.com/Vilppu-Drawing-Manual-Glenn/dp/1892053039/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1330652274&sr=1-1
http://www.amazon.com/Artistic-Anatomy-Practical-Art-Books/dp/0823002977/ref=sr_1_3?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1330652258&sr=1-3
http://www.amazon.com/Draw-Looney-Tunes-Dan-Romanelli/dp/B0032FO6G4/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1330652405&sr=1-1
http://www.amazon.com/Bridgmans-Complete-Guide-Drawing-Life/dp/0517255464/ref=pd_sim_b_95
And this book two of my teachers wrote, it has a lot of the concepts from the Ringling course: http://www.amazon.com/Ideas-Animated-Short-Finding-Building/dp/0240808606/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1330651988&sr=1-2
Everyone is going to have their own favourites, but I found these helped me a lot with understanding shot dynamics, use of lighting & colour, and use of negative space which setting up a scene.
Heavy handed writing/script re-writing
https://www.amazon.ca/Your-Screenplay-Sucks-Ways-Great/dp/1932907459/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1550249661&sr=8-1&keywords=your+screenplay+sucks
Coffee Break - Taking an idea and developing it
https://www.amazon.ca/Coffee-Break-Screenwriter-Writing-Minutes/dp/1615932429/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1550250497&sr=8-3&keywords=coffee+break
​
Same author as Coffee Break - Explaining Screen/Script Writing Rules + How to Break/Maneuver through them
https://www.amazon.ca/Coffee-Break-Screenwriter-Breaks-Rules/dp/1615932828/ref=pd_bxgy_img_2/145-0041365-5668007?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=1615932828&pd_rd_r=4e0b95bd-3144-11e9-9e0c-9751a1337b94&pd_rd_w=W1ULF&pd_rd_wg=Tlx63&pf_rd_p=163ac593-0f51-4882-9080-de6873217880&pf_rd_r=0NAKF4E94N1Z2JPD08KM&psc=1&refRID=0NAKF4E94N1Z2JPD08KM
​
Use of Perspective & Camera moves with negative space/lighting through visual storytelling (it has many illustrations and examples )
https://www.amazon.ca/Framed-Perspective-Vol-Technical-Storytelling/dp/1624650309/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1550250880&sr=1-2&keywords=perspective
​
For Cinematography and blocking a scene ( Five C's I would second, another Redditor listed link below)
https://www.amazon.ca/Master-Shots-Vol-2nd-Techniques/dp/1615930876/ref=pd_sim_14_1/145-0041365-5668007?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=1615930876&pd_rd_r=4e2a9d2b-3149-11e9-98e2-37d5230d235d&pd_rd_w=4OHbQ&pd_rd_wg=evCOq&pf_rd_p=29a85b27-a36a-4f8d-94ca-61aa962c5f39&pf_rd_r=88P1HWPW9D86QFXB8F81&psc=1&refRID=88P1HWPW9D86QFXB8F81
​
There are 3 versions of the book above, I would get the revised version of the first, as the next two are more of the same with basically just shot variance ( can get them down the road if you like the first one)
​
As a side note, down the road as well, the interview of Hitchcock/Truffaut is a staple to many. Also, I am not sure where you are located, but finding out if directors or filmmakers are doing talks (usually are first come first serve for tickets or lightly costed 10-25$ range) as those can be extremely insightful.
​
There is also a single book version you can get: Spencarian Handwriting: The Complete Collection of Theory and Practical Workbooks for Perfect Cursive and Hand Lettering
here's the Amazon link you can also search on google for some of the pages inside
I'd look in to general anatomy books for artists, like this https://smile.amazon.com/Animal-Anatomy-Artists-Elements-Form/dp/0195142144?sa-no-redirect=1
and look at reference footage for animals: http://www.rhinohouse.com/
​
There's not much in the way of CG specific literature unfortunately, so the best places to look are video reference and books that break down the anatomy. I don't know of anything outside veterinary books and general biology books that go in to properties of fur.
I've actually started just drawing basics shapes and trying to figure out shading using a biro and some lined paper I had around the house, but when my stuff comes I'll be following this, it's for complete beginners and only 20 minutes a day for 30 days which I can do no problem. I like the added structure it gives and I hope there are more books like this one for when I'm done.
We will just have to agree to disagree then. Because you are obviously curious about learning art, but you can't get over your own mental barrier of "I am not capable of artistic expression". Don't deny yourself an opportunity right now and look back in 20 years in regret.
Before I go, I want to leave you this, and I hope you can give it a shot. Patience and time is all you need.
Where did you get the book?
I just started down this road @a week ago.
I found this book but is it the same?
http://www.amazon.com/You-Can-Draw-30-Days-ebook/dp/B004MYFV0O
For a first painting this is good, to get a better likeness pay attention to proportion. Check and recheck the eyes, nose and lips, if you get the relationship(measurements) between them right the rest of the picture falls into place. If you really want to improve check out these books, they'll give you some great pointers:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Lessons-Classical-Drawing-Juliette-Aristides/dp/082300659X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1346328001&sr=8-1
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Classical-Painting-Atelier-Contemporary-Traditional/dp/0823006581/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1346328001&sr=8-3
Good luck and keep at it :-)
My upcoming D&D campaign has allowed me to start exploring drawing more seriously, which has been a really awesome side effect. I like doing everything out on paper, although given that my players are spread out across the country I have yet to decide exactly how I will disseminate the information. I got this book along with a drawing pad and a set of nice pencils, and it has been really fun coming up with my world. It's less focused on towns and cities, and more the larger layout of the land, but I think that can be important in informing how a town or city is formed.
Rather than thinking of yourself as a map maker, I would suggest thinking of yourself as a city planner. Pretend you are actually overseeing the construction of the town. What will be important for the citizens to access, how will the layout of the town facilitate that? How will they get food, water, social interaction, entertainment? Start in the middle with the most important stuff, and work your way out.
ORIGINAL DRAWING
FOUND IN: Drawing People: How to Portray the Clothed Figure
My girlfriend wants to get into hand lettering and modern calligraphy. I know nothing about it and she's an absolute beginner. I want to get her good guide book for beginners and a pen (or multiple pens?). I found this book to have good reviews. I'm looking for something that would give her a taste of a few techniques. Any help would be appreciated!
Read this, it will teach you how to do this. Really.
And well done to your sister in law.
This one https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/0285641778/ref=mp_s_a_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1523419360&sr=1-2&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_QL65&keywords=right+side+brain+drawing&dpPl=1&dpID=514vjaa0MkL&ref=plSrch
Heh, maybe my old high school teacher. I don't remember much of it to be of use. That one does look very helpful, reminds me of Guptil's Drawing in Pen and Ink. This was the book I was thinking of: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1624650309/ref=ox_sc_sfl_title_1?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER
It definitely has a section on spheres in perspective and I saw one example image in curvilinear but I haven't bought it just yet to find out how in-depth it is. The one book review on the page flips through it briefly.
I just started and personally find this book helpful. For more practice, you can also buy tracing paper and trace lettering as well.
Does anyone know anything about this copy of "spencerian handwriting" on UK amazon? Is it the same (more or less) as the one that people here recommend (a theory book and 5 copy books). Should I wait till Feb to get this?
https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/1612435289/