Editorial Review

Scott McCloud's Read more

Reviews (8)

Amazing

Great book for establishing your comics
Scott Mccloud's Making Comics resembles a constitution for those want to establish their comics either as a hobby or as a carrier. It goes through so many details regarding creating your panels, establishing scenes, storytelling, characters designs and feelings, drawing styles, and the list goes on. Simply, the book gives you a guideline for establishing a living world in papers. What makes "Making Comics" unique is that it can teach you how to be a comic artist even if you're not good enough in drawing. The book illustrates the fundamentals of drawings comics and let you be creative for starting your own comic book. All in all, I really enjoyed reading this book, and it will help me a lot for my comics' drawings.

Disagree with review below--this is a remarkable book!
The previous reviewer accuses Scott McCloud of lacking the authority to write a guide to making comics. But McCloud's book is based on clear demonstration, not on authority.
Read more

Subjects:  1. Cartooning    2. Comic books, strips, etc.    3. Comics & Cartoons    4. Comics & Graphic Novels    5. Drawing Of Specific Subjects    6. Educational    7. Fiction - General    8. Fine Arts    9. History & Criticism    10. History: World    11. Humor    12. Technique    13. Techniques - Cartooning    14. Comic book & cartoon art    15. Comics & Graphic Novels / Comics & Cartoons   

Reviews (5)

Wonderful !!!
Not only the content is insightful, but the design of this book is just wonderful. It is a good source of international drawing's world and a good coffee table book. Get it now!

poor quality images
I am disappointed with the quality of the images.They are the quality of an ink jet printer set at draft quality.Most of the images are so faded it is difficult to see at all.I have returned this book, which is something I do once every 1000 books I order, and it is the first art book I have ever returned in my life.

obsessed drafter
Beautifully bound and a pleasure to hold...what a book is all about vs the digital stuff.
Read more

Subjects:  1. Art    2. Art & Art Instruction    3. Fine Arts (Specific Aspects)    4. History - General    5. History Of Fine Arts    6. Techniques - Drawing    7. Art / Drawing    8. Drawing & drawings    9. History of art & design styles: from c 1900 -   

Reviews (1)

THIS IS SURPRISINGLY ENTERNTAINING!
The authors spent about four years collecting doodles from as many presidents as possible. The results are presented here. Did you know Hoover's doodles were used for a line of baby clothes? Did you know Johnson's administration was filled with doodlers? The authors give context to each president's times along with the reproduced doodles. I read about this book online, but when I actually saw a copy and picked it up, I was hooked! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. American - General    2. American Satire And Humor    3. Art & Art Instruction    4. Government - Executive Branch    5. History    6. History - General History    7. History: American    8. Subjects & Themes - General    9. Topic - Political    10. United States - General    11. United States History (General)    12. Drawing & drawings    13. English    14. Political leaders & leadership    15. USA   

Reviews (15)

EXCELLENT rendering help
My rendering skills have improved HUGELY scince recieving this book.It helps with marker, colored pencils, pastels, how to treat light, etc.My renderings look amazing and it is a great reference for when I'm not sure how to treat a surface/object.I would absolutely recommend this book.

Color Drawing Book
I needed this book expedited and it got to me even before the dates listed on my confirming email. Very pleased.

Color Drawing: Design Drawing Skills for Interior Designers
Excellent reference book for explaining techniques for drawing with Prismacolor markers and pencils, which are the primary instruments used by interior designers to use in color renderings.Book has the shortcuts and techniques needed to help take what you learn in drawing class to a higher level. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Architectural Drawing    2. Architectural rendering    3. Architecture    4. Art & Art Instruction    5. Color drawing    6. Design & Drafting    7. Drawing    8. Technique    9. Techniques - Drawing - Colored Pencil    10. Architecture / Design & Drafting    11. Art techniques & materials    12. Drawing & drawings    13. Graphic design   

Reviews (27)

Great For Technical Specifications/Flats
I can say that Chapters Four and Five alone is worth their weight in gold. This book is used on a daily basis by our CAD department as a reference when making flat sketches for specs.To take a designer's drawing or a sample of the garment and turn it into detailed, flat sketches takes skills.That particular section is great when it comes to drawing details for sewing such as types of stitching, where pleats/folds/darts should go, placements of notions/trimmings, etc.Flat sketching for specs is very important when a garment is produced in huge quantities by numerous operators. There's also a section in the front on proportion drawing using the croquis which is also very helpful. Since the company I work for produces a wide range of theatrical costumes that has tons and tons of details (think odd shapes and sizes), this book has come to the rescue many times.
Don't buy this book
I've had this book for awhile and I've noticed that some of the drawings, especially the fashion illustrations look rather unprofessional.There are drawings, renderings, that you would never see in fashion world. Some of the drawings look like they are fine art life drawings; others look very much like student work, some look just badly drawn and should not be shown as explemary work for those who wish to learn.I think that they are better books out there and this is not one of them.

Are U Kidding Me!!!
Anyone who says this book is a waist of your dollar is obviously not looking at this book closely.The art work is incredible and the attention to deatil is unrivaled.9 HEADS is one of the most incredible books in regards to fashion sketching I have ever seen.If you are looking to improve your know how and skill of fashion sketching I highly recommend this book.It's worth every penny.By the way, the drawings are not cartoonish nor are they amateurish.I doubt anyone at Parsons would look down on this book. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Art    2. Art & Art Instruction    3. Design - General    4. Drawing    5. Fashion    6. Techniques - Drawing    7. Art / Design / General    8. Drawing & drawings    9. Fashion design   

Reviews (11)

not beautiful, but certainly effective and fun
This book is set up much like a textbook and would work well for an independent study in design. It has clearly organized chapters with projects at the end of each; the projects work on a theoretical and practical basis, and allow the student to employ a hands-on approach. It is fun, engaging, easy to follow, and manages to be technical without feeling pompous. It takes the designer from inspiration and mood boards to the final designs and a cohesive line. It breaks down the process into smaller tasks in the most fun way I have yet seen.
Too basic
I was looking for a more detail book and I found this one too basic.

made the right decision
i have been going to community college for a while now and i have always wanted to be creative so i decided to go to Institute of Design and Technology for fashion design i start 06/10/2006 and bought this book to inspire me. Well in reading this book i know that i have made the right decision for myself. And actually cant wait to start even though i was a little intimated at first due to no experience reading this book has opened up many possiblties. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Art    2. Art & Art Instruction    3. Commercial - Fashion Design    4. Design - Textile & Costume    5. Fashion    6. Fashion drawing    7. Study & Teaching    8. Techniques - Drawing - Specific Subjects    9. Art / Fashion   

Reviews (5)

Thorough Guide to Fashion Drawing
This book is a thorough guide for learning the art of fashion design illustration. The book features a plethora of examples to teach how to draw faces and poses in correct proportion, as seen in professional fashion illustrations. The examples in the book are large, facilitating the use of tracings prior to free-hand drawing. Anyone who wants to learn fashion design, especially teenagers interested in the field, will find this book an invaluable asset.

cool
i thought this book was great and easy to read you learn alot from just copying and praticing your drawing technigues, its amazing and loved the art.its a must buy for a fashion student or for some interstead in fashion illustration.

Better than expected!
I ordered this book as a hobby figuring that the 200+ pages must have some decent methods to improve my drawing skills. I have been looking for a fashion design instruction book for a long time now.This is certainly an elusive topic to find information on -- even on the web I couldn't find any website that offered any helpful instructions.I have never been able to find anything suitable, especially since I didn't want to invest a lot.This book was a good price that I didn't think would be too much of a loss if I didn't find it useful.
Read more

Subjects:  1. Art    2. Art & Art Instruction    3. Art Forms, Treatments & Subjects    4. Design - Textile & Costume    5. Fashion    6. Industrial / Commercial Art & Design    7. Techniques - Drawing - Specific Subjects    8. Techniques - General   

Reviews (15)

book review
This is an outstanding introduction to drawing with exercises along with the text.It is like a course with the lab included.Starts with the basics.If you actually do the exercises, it's a lot of work but well worth it.By beginning one's drawing with this book, one can easily understand any others on the subject.It's a perfect - Drawing 101 - course.
Very helpful book for serious beginners
The book provides excellent instructions to master the foundation for good drawing. I have a very competent and professionally successful instructor. He has pointed out to me the areas that I need to improve. The book has become my 'in-home instructor' now. I needed to work on my perspective(mostly for objects above eye level), tonal values (light and shadow, reflections within and transitions) and translating the local color to black and white(the author has done a great job explaining this). After completing just one exercise, I could see significant improvement in my drawing. I highly recommend the book.

Wonderful book for both beginner & expert
I'm an instructor for digital art online and find this book to be a MUST for ANY artist.It has lots of illustrations and simple, well-written explanations!I would recommend it to any of my students who want to know theory and application, from perspective to tones and shading.Everything is in black and white, so you can really see the tonal changes in the renderings. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Art    2. Art & Art Instruction    3. Drawing    4. Study & Teaching    5. Study and teaching    6. Techniques - Drawing    7. Techniques - General    8. Art techniques & materials    9. Drawing & drawings   

Reviews (20)

New Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain Workbook
Excellent.It really helped doing it step-by-step.Amazing results!

Too advanced for beginners
This book is way too hard for a beginner. After I read it, I set it aside and got the book So You Thought You Couldn't Draw by Sandra Angelo. That is truly a workbook for rank beginners. She starts you out with copying the masters, then photos and then from life. Edwards starts you off working from life which is too hard for a novice.
Worth Every Penny
This workbook comprehensively develops the skills that natural-artists take for granted. I am currently working my way through it for a college design class and I saw improvements in my drawing with the first 6 exercises (out of 40). The workbook hones skills that many artists have difficulty explaining to beginning artists. The accompaning text book is not necessary, but is an interesting read. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Art    2. Art & Art Instruction    3. Drawing    4. Individual Artist    5. Technique    6. Techniques - Drawing    7. Techniques - General    8. Art / Drawing   

Reviews (114)

Highly enlightening- great for beginners!
...it's a solid treatment on the basics of drawing, yet it's not geared towards my *main* interest: learning to draw from memory.
An effective way to learn drawing !
I discover the book in a previous edition, and this one resume lots of experience and tips to help the aspirant "artist" in the process. It definitely help to supplement it with the workbook, but not necessary. I also had the opportunity to take the class this summer in Cambridge (UK) and I will sum it up in two words : It works !
a great read
this book has alot of needless right brain/left brain info that to me is just there for page filling and with that said... this is pound for pound the best book on learning to SEE really well and really fast. I have many drawing books and this one really helped me alot as far as seeing goes after I finshed the book and all its exercises I was doing like like portrates for the first time in my life
Read more

Subjects:  1. Art    2. Art & Art Instruction    3. Brain    4. Cerebral dominance    5. Creativity    6. Drawing    7. Reference    8. Technique    9. Techniques - Drawing    10. Techniques - General    11. Visual perception    12. Art / Drawing    13. Art techniques & materials    14. Drawing & drawings   

Reviews (6)

very original designs
I found this book very helpful in my artwork. I also was very pleasantly surprised to find it enjoyable to read. There are stories of folklore explaining the beginings of the differents dragons and thier formations from one type to the other. The designs themselves are beautiful to look at. I am constantly researching diffrent designs/drawings of dragons and find few that I like. I was very pleased with this book and its one of my favorites among the rest of my collection.

Great Book of Dragon Patterns:the Ultimate Design sourcebook for Artists and craftspeople
I love not only do you get help with drawing and patterns, you get a history lesson on types if dragons.

Dragons galore
Dragons galore, the renditions of the dragons in this book are great as far as they go, there are a lot of dragon heads, there could have been more on the body, having said that I would like to congratulate the writer on the dragon law and types of different dragons, even though short and concise it was very interesting giving the reader a reasonable amount of information on different breeds and sub species of dragon.
Read more

Subjects:  1. Arts And Crafts    2. Crafts & Hobbies    3. Crafts / Hobbies    4. Dragons    5. Dragons in art    6. General    7. Hobbies/Crafts    8. Reference    9. Subjects & Themes - General    10. Techniques - Drawing    11. Crafts & Hobbies / Woodwork    12. Decorative arts & crafts   

Editorial Review

"A is for Amy who fell down the stairs. B is for Basil assaulted by bears. C is for Clara who wasted away. D is for Desmond thrown out of a sleigh..." The rhyming couplets of this grim abecedarian are familiar, of course, to devotees of macabre humor, but the darkly crosshatched drawings are (as Poe put it) "the soul of the plot." Several years went by during which Read more

Reviews (80)

Satisfied customer!
I was very pleased with the product that I ordered as well as the time it took to receive it - hardly any time at all!

Great book - fast read ;o)
One of the most imaginative books I've ever read - I put it out when friends come over so we can laugh and talk about the images.I'll definitely be getting Gorey's other books!

A childs' first ABC book
What can you say about the quintessential Edward Gorey book that hasn't already been said?
Read more

Subjects:  1. Alphabet    2. American wit and humor, Pictor    3. American wit and humor, Pictorial    4. Art & Art Instruction    5. English language    6. General    7. Humor    8. Individual Artist    9. Techniques - Cartooning    10. Techniques - Pen & Ink Drawing    11. Art / Cartooning    12. Cartoons & comic strips   

Reviews (3)

Wonderful rendering tips!
This book was very helpful in showing me different rendering techniques used by varying artists.From minimalist, neutral shading to full blown, vibrant color renderings, this book covered them all.
I absolutely love this book!
This book got me through architectural school.Hand renderings were never my strong point until I got this book. My rendering skills went up considerably (along with my confidence and grades) and I still reference this book today in my professional career.The book gives great examples and the tips from the professionals are very informative. This is definately one of the best books on how to make profession looking presentations.

Questions Answered Here
The question and answer format of this book is useful and allows a different kind of organization to its contents.It also incorporates the work of a broad cross-section of designers.This allows the editors toexpose you to many of the best in different fields in which markers areused to increase the effectiveness of visual communication.Whilecertainly useful for the beginner, it will also stimulate the moreexperienced designer. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Architectural rendering    2. Architecture    3. Art & Art Instruction    4. Design & Drafting    5. Dry marker drawing    6. Interior decoration rendering    7. Techniques - Drawing    8. Architecture / Design & Drafting    9. Interior design   

Editorial Review

Read more

Reviews (27)

Body guide for art
Very good surce of material for developing paints, draws and even sculpture.

Pretty pictures, not much information
I was looking for a book that would give me real understanding of the way that muscles connect to bones and how they work in motion. This book doesn't do that, and some of the drawings of muscles are so stylized as to be almost useless -like the drawing of muscles of the shoulder on page 103, which seems to have been compressed vertically simply because it looks cooler that way.
Beautiful photos, could use morefull body shots showing face
The photos and book are beautiful.I am happy with the book in that regard.Also it has a wealth of information necessary for a solid education in figure drawing.The transparent overlays of muscle over skeletal structure is great.I would have liked to have seen more full body shots, head to toe, with faces pointed towards the viewer.Really though, it is an invaluable addition to my artistic reference library. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Anatomy, Artistic    2. Art    3. Art & Art Instruction    4. Artistic anatomy    5. Figure drawing    6. Human figure in art    7. Pictorial works    8. Reference    9. Study & Teaching    10. Techniques - General    11. Techniques - Life Drawing    12. Art / Techniques    13. Art, Architecture & Photography   

Reviews (6)

Not as Expected, very disappointed!
Sadly I purchased this volume based upon other reader reviews. Although I have given it 3 stars- as the book production itself was very nice- oversize square small coffee table book, printed on high quality thick stock, with well printed art work- makes this volume attractive on the outside. The contents and sketchbook is rather a let down. 60% of the sketches are very crude and unattractive (even considering them just sketches from a sketchbook) and the remaining art being just okay, maybe there is 10-12 eye opening pieces. If your looking for inspiration or eye candy this is not your book

Ever feel like you've been swindled?
I'm not an artist, but I do have a few tattoos. Just over 100 hours of custom work all done at the Smilin' Buddha in Calgary, Alberta. I've even managed to get 3 pictures of my work (one full page) in Paul Jefferies' vanity press book celebrating his 25 years in the industry.
Crappy Bar napkin sketches
The following is an opinion for which we are all entitled: Although this book does tell you something about each artist and shows one sketch from each artist, it is more like a "Collection of bar napkin sketches". Most are of poor quality as if the artist could care less when he/she had drawn them and a very few are of some quality. As an award winning artist of over 35 years experience, I felt it was a complete waste of money as far as being helpful to further my talents or to "just plain enjoy". I would never show such "doodles" in a book to represent what I can do. For something to glance through to kill time, I would say fine, go nuts. Overall....I AM NOT IMPRESSED! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Art    2. Art & Art Instruction    3. Asian    4. Handbooks, manuals, etc    5. Tattoo artists    6. Tattooing    7. Tattoos, Mehndi, & Body Painting, Etc.    8. Techniques - Drawing    9. ASIA    10. Art / History / Asian    11. Body art & tattooing   

Reviews (4)

This work contributes to graphic design education
I am particularly impressed with the strength of the sections and introductory texts for each section. It is very cleverly planned and well written. More importantly, the strength of the book for me lies on the fact that the assignments do not illustrate but on the contrary, strengthens your observations, aims/objectives, methodology, structure and propositions for the design education. A Unique Approach to Graphic Design Education
Professor Resnick's new text, Graphic Design for Communication offers a fresh, innovative approach to teaching visual communication in general and graphic design in particular. She presents many conceptual design principles in a format that is easy-to-understand, practical, and clear in its organizational hierarchy. The book provides intelligent, pragmatic lessons about design that will be of use to both students and teachers alike. Design for Communication: Conceptual Graphic Design Basics
This new book, like Elizabeth Resnick's earlier one (Graphic Design: A Problem-Solving Approach to Visual Communication), that was published in the early '80s, has a generous amount of student work on its pages, providing the reader with some wonderful and useful examples of solutions to the problems presented. There's even a section with some of these shown in full color!Read more

Subjects:  1. Art    2. Commercial Art    3. Communication in art    4. Computer Graphics - General    5. Computers - General Information    6. Drawing    7. General    8. Graphic Arts - General    9. Graphic arts    10. Technique    11. Techniques - Drawing    12. Art / Graphic Arts    13. Graphic design   

Reviews (33)

Got me drawing again!
Thanks to Danny I was able to re-energize my love of drawing/sketching.
Freedom to draw
After reading Everyday matters you must own this book.It's liberating to realize that at 48 I have given my self permission to draw.The way that he instructs each "lesson" is ingenuis.This book is well written and illistrated (dahhh). Take the time to feel this free in your drawing creativeity. He guides you in a new way of thinking.
Draws You In
This book motivated me to start keeping a journal and drawing more. I'd been journaling for years but stopped soon after I read "SCRAPS: Adventures in Scrapbooking" (very funny essays but the book promotes journal slacking) then I picked up Danny Gregory's and I'm glad he shared his take on really noticing what's all around us in life in this book. Very cool, this guy. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Creative ability    2. Creativity    3. Drawing    4. General    5. Psychology    6. Self-Help    7. Study and teaching    8. Techniques - Drawing    9. Art techniques & materials    10. Drawing & drawings    11. Mind, body, spirit: disciplines & techniques    12. Self-Help / Motivational   

Subjects:  1. Art    2. Art & Art Instruction    3. Drawing    4. Painting    5. Technique    6. Techniques - Drawing    7. Techniques - Painting   

Reviews (14)

A must-have
I am a landscape architecture student in new zealand, this is basically the text book we use for a couple of our design studios. The graphics in the book are so helpful to my projects and it sure helped me improve my graphic skills. I reckon it is a definitely must-have for all landscape students or landscape architects:) highly recommand!

Landscape Graphics Plan, Section, and Perspective Drawing of Landscape Spaces
Excellent resource for learning how to draw trees, vegetation and other elements for architectural presentation drawings.Many of the drawings can be photocopied and pasted on your own drawings and the author encourages you to do so if you are sketch-ability-deficient.Very good value.

Great For Beginners!
I am a beginning landscape architecture student, and I found this book to be extremely helpful, as I am beginning to learn how to design proper plans. This book breaks down the basic tools to use for drafting, basic concept diagram info, great info on plan views, sections and section elevations. There is also a really helpful library of symbols (both plan and section) that I use all the time! Highly recommended for beginners! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Architecture    2. Designs and plans    3. Landscape    4. Landscape architectural drawin    5. Landscape architectural drawing    6. Landscape architecture    7. Drawing & drawings    8. Landscape art & architecture   

Reviews (15)

Say "cheese" cake
I ordered this book because of the glowing reviews.Even the review that was negative sited "faults" that I view as pluses. I returned this book as soon as it arrived because I found the poses to be cliched cheese cake for the most part.

YOU MUST PURCHASE THIS BOOK
This book is essential for all artists. each shot is posed and designed so beautifully, that it reaches the level of perfection. your drawings will tremendiously improve if you study from THE FEMALE NUDE I. it's impossible to flip through the book, without getting an intense desire to draw. and then you sit in awe, from the fact that a book can have such an impact on you. YOU MUST PURCHASE THIS BOOK!!!!!

A MUST MUST ABSOLUTELY MUST HAVE... and here's why
If you really want to learn to draw... buy this book. Don't hesitate. This is the best pose book I have ever seen! Carefully designed by an artist for artists. Each pose is a full page. It's in black and white, so you can really work out your values / tones without getting distracted by color. The model is perfection itself, not a stick figure but curvy, streamlined with amazing muscle tone. Loads of varied poses and so well arranged. She poses barefoot and in heels. In heels she strikes a totally different attitude, you don't see this in other books. No dull expressionless faces, she's alive from head to toe. Having a great model is half way to a great drawing.
Read more

Subjects:  1. Art / Study & Teaching    2. Art / Subjects & Themes / Human Figure    3. Art / Techniques / Life Drawing    4. Art    5. Artists' models    6. Figure drawing    7. Figure painting    8. Nude in art    9. Study & Teaching    10. Subjects & Themes - Human Figure    11. Techniques - Life Drawing    12. Women in art