Books

Dragonart: How to Draw Fantastic Dragons and Fantasy Creatures

Average customer rating:

Amazing book!
Dragon RW by SL.
A playful perspective on Dragonart
artistic improvement
creative basics for beginners

Dragonart: How to Draw Fantastic Dragons and Fantasy Creatures
J. "NeonDragon" Peffer , and Jessica Peffer
Manufacturer: Impact Books (OH)
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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Similar Items:

Drawing & Painting Fantasy Beasts: Bring to Life the Creatures and Monsters of Other Realms
Great Book of Dragon Patterns: The Ultimate Design Sourcebook for Artists and Craftspeople
How to Draw and Paint Fairies: From Finding Inspiration to Capturing Diaphanous Detail, a Step-by-Step Guide to Fairy Art
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ASIN: 1581806574

Book Description

How to Draw a Dragon: "Cautiously approach the dragon, offer it a piece of candy or a little sister, and draw while it happily munches away."

From the creator of the wildly popular website NeonDragonArt.com, DRAGONART shows you how to create awesome, delightful and frightening beasts, armed only with a pencil and ink pen. You'll begin your quest by conquering a super-easy dragon that even the most foolish of ogres could draw. You'll forge onward to discover simple secrets and spiffy tricks for making creatures friendly or fierce, sorrowful or cynical… drawing them from all different perspectives, in flight or at rest (so vain, those dragons - they love to strike a pose!). You'll also learn how to incorporate various details to make each beast original.

Because dragons enjoy having others around to terrorize, disembowel and occasionally hang out with, this book will also teach you how to create a whole cast of creatures, including mythical griffins, guardian gargoyles and deadly basilisks. All this within the curiously compelling, beautifully beastly and brightly colored pages that you will soon hold in your hands, which by now are no doubt trembling with keen anticipation. So quit dragon your feet! (Ugh, wyrms hate puns!) Kindly buy this dragon favorite and make your wildest, wickedest, fire-breathingest fantasies come true!

Customer Reviews:

Amazing book!.......2007-06-26

This is a beautiful and amazing book. The pictures are of excellent quality and the pages are colorful, thick and glossy. I purchased this book as a gift for a 13 year old girl who likes dragons, but who has no training in drawing or art. When this book arrived at my house, I wanted to keep it for myself I was so impressed with it! When the girl unwrapped this book, her face immediately lit up! The next day, her mom reported to me that she'd been up until 3 a.m. going through the book! The following weekend, the girl had drawn several nice pictures of dragons and she was still carrying the book around. We went to another kind of party with lots of kids, dancing, music etc. etc. But I could hardly believe my eyes an hour into the party. Because the vast majority of the young people at the party, aged 11-18, were all sitting at a table, quietly going through the book and drawing dragons! There they sat, enthralled for hours on end. It was like magic! I think that any kid (aged 10+ maybe?) or any adult who likes fantasy creatures would enjoy this book. The book contains information about fantasy creatures (the different kinds etc.) which is why I think the concept works so well. It mixes informational content about the art of sketching, with the anatomical features of dragons and fantasy creatures. So kids (and people interested in fantasy creatures) are as interested in the text and the skill involved, as they are in the actual pictures. And boy do I feel great about getting the right gift for a 13 year old girl. Do you realize how hard they are to buy for?

Dragon RW by SL........2007-05-14

This is a graet book, it will give you a step by step walkthrough about how to draw dragons, I found it very helpful, and easy to use.
It dos not just have dragons in it, there are other mythelogical beast like the chimera, the griffon, gorgyle ect.

But not just is it a drawing book, it is funny too, the artist have alot of humor in the book, something that actually made me read the damn thing (I don't normaly read drawing books).
The only bad thing about this book is that it ends.

A playful perspective on Dragonart.......2007-05-13

As a freelance artist I have perused many art books and I find this one to be quite a catch. Dragonart is aimed more toward the beginner artist then the experienced one, but even I have found a few new ideas to try from this book.

The book takes a friendly laid back approach to drawing. It begins with basic anatomy, the subject that perhaps is the greatest obstacle to an artist, discussing how to properly design your dragon so that it looks pleasing and has a sense of weight and realism. The book then refines your drawing skills with details on drawing those difficult body parts such as hands, paws, wings, and maws. The pages are filled with colorful examples and the text is easy to read and understand.

I recommend this book to other artists, both novice and experienced, who enjoy drawing one of the most inspirational creatures ever to appear from our imaginations. If you are not an artist, but are a collector of dragon books, this one might be a nice touch to your collection.

artistic improvement.......2007-05-12

I bought this book as a birthday gift for my 11 year old daughter. She is a big fan of fantasy creatures, and loves to draw-however, is not especially gifted at it. This book makes it easy for her to draw dragons and other creatures with much more skill and detail. It was a big hit. I would reccomend it to anyone who loves fantasy creatures but may need help w/ drawing them.

creative basics for beginners.......2007-05-07

This is a nice book on the basics of drawing cartoon style dragon characters and other mythic creatures. Basic dragon anatomy, color, facial features, poses, and creative ways to draw them once you master the basics are all covered along with a bit of personification, wit and humor. While it is mostly for young adults, more accomplished artists might also gain some inspiration and ideas or at the least get some laughs from Neondragon's colorful creatures.

How to Draw and Paint Fairies: From Finding Inspiration to Capturing Diaphanous Detail, a Step-by-Step Guide to Fairy Art

Average customer rating:

you can teach an old dog...
How To Draw Faeries
One Of The BEST Books On The Market For Learning Fairy Art!!!
How to Draw and Paint Fairies
Great book for fans of Linda Ravenscroft

How to Draw and Paint Fairies: From Finding Inspiration to Capturing Diaphanous Detail, a Step-by-Step Guide to Fairy Art
Linda Ravenscroft
Manufacturer: Watson-Guptill
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0823023834

Customer Reviews:

you can teach an old dog..........2007-03-18

...a new trick or two. i got more out of this book than just fairies...tips for the cobweb filled artist! trying to find the time and get back into my passion for art, i believe this book has done it! peace, angie

How To Draw Faeries.......2007-03-13

I think this book is fabulous. It helped tremendously. I like that the book explains the different mediums to use.

One Of The BEST Books On The Market For Learning Fairy Art!!!.......2007-03-01

The detail in this book is absolutely AMAZING!
This book is NOT for the complete beginner.
I would classify this book as being for the more advanced artist.
Explanations are clearly given in great detail.
I actually purchased this book for myself then GOT a SECOND copy from a friend of my mine who KNOWS just how intricately I draw fairies.
She didn't think I had the book yet so she sent it to me!
Definitely one of the all time BEST books ever made on designing fairies.
You will NOT BE DISAPPOINTED!

How to Draw and Paint Fairies.......2007-02-20

The book was beautifully illustrated and the several mediums explained in detail. The choices in designing a Fairie from the choices given of the faces and clothes were well detailed. I am enjoying trying new ideas and mediums.

Great book for fans of Linda Ravenscroft .......2007-02-09

This book gives really good step-by-step instruction on drawing fairies. From what materials to use to general drawing techniques. I really love Linda's work so that is an added bonus.

Average customer rating:

Great Help.
genuine sham
Boris/ Bell rulez!
Boris reveals more but not all
great tips

Fantasy Workshop: A Practical Guide
Boris Vallejo , and Julie Bell
Manufacturer: Thunder's Mouth Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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Drawing and Painting Fantasy Figures: From the Imagination to the Page
Sketchbook
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Twin Visions: The Magical Art of Boris Vallejo and Julie Bell

ASIN: 1560254866

Book Description

From initial concept through to finishing touches, for the first time, Boris and Julie give an in-depth description of how they paint their masterpieces, taking the reader through every stage of the creative process. As well as teaching the main techniques, the premiere fantasy-art team shows the reader how to use a wide variety of media to create a whole range of different types of painting, and explain how they create the effects for which they are so renowned, such as Julie's legendary "metal flesh," with its mix of fluidity and hardness contrasting with the sensual softness of the skin. Illustrated throughout in full color, the Practical Guide to Fantasy Art includes step-by-step photographs that Boris and Julie have taken as they've worked as well as a selection of their finished art appealing to art students and fantasy-art admirers alike.

Customer Reviews:

Great Help........2007-01-04

Truly helpful and a Great Help with learning textures and techniques from professional artists. Certain pictures of Boris Vallejo's and Julie Bell's work are shown in a step by step process that you can follow in your own works. If you are not interested in learning how to paint this book is also a great collection to admire, either way you will not be disappointed. It's truly helped me with my digital painting I cannot wait until I have the free time to practice the techniques shown in the book.

genuine sham.......2006-10-06

The claim that step by step the artists reveal their secrets is a sham, they reveal nothing, and their text is just airy rap about nothing. The artwork must be their left overs, including several pages devoted to a tedious ad campain for a fruit juice. In addition there are several ridiculous repeated images just for fill out. A shoddy and hastily book put together for self promotion. It's amazing how two such capable fantasy artists dont have the IMAGINATION to put together the genuine article. Buy this only if you are a die hard fan with no sense of discrimination!

Boris/ Bell rulez!.......2006-03-15

painting technics and a lot of work, and coposition tips. Its not for beginners , but essential!

Boris reveals more but not all.......2006-02-25

I'm hungry for Boris's painting technique. The first book of his was enlightening but skipped the critical part of his process, rendering the final product. This book gets closer to revealing his and Judy's magic but still left me wondering how many things are accomplished. It is an essential book for anyone fascinated by Boris and Judy's painting technique just don't expect to be shown how they do everything.

great tips.......2006-01-22

This book could help any artist; no need to have an interest in Fantasy. Lots of good tips and the art is great. I found it inspiring and anxious to try out all the good advice.

The Art of Warhammer 40,000 (Warhammer 40,000 Novels)

Average customer rating:

Wow! - The Blacklibrary jsut stepped it up a notch
Fantastic collection of artwork.
Good Compendium of WH40K Art
Smashing artwork
Not much original art.

The Art of Warhammer 40,000 (Warhammer 40,000 Novels)
Matt Ralphs
Manufacturer: Games Workshop
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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Similar Items:

Insignium Astartes (Warhammer 40,000)
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The Horus Heresy: Collected Visions: Iconic images of the Imperium, betrayal and war (The Horus Heresy Omnibus)

ASIN: 1844162842

Book Description

A lavish hardback art book for the general trade, showcasing the best Games Workshop artists' work. We reveal, in their own words, how they produce such wonderful art and discuss their methods, techniques and inspirations. A must for all fans of SF art.

Customer Reviews:

Wow! - The Blacklibrary jsut stepped it up a notch.......2007-05-17

Owning a lot of the Black Library's art books already (pretty much everything except the horus heresy collection), I think that makes my opinion here somewhat valid. Being a writer too (don't expect too much proof reading here though), that makes me appreciate the work that has been done here.

This is without doubt the best collection that the Black Library has put out. The quality is astonishing. The paper quality, excellent. Exceptionaly well bound, and just an altogether great collection. This book makes the ownership of adrian smith's art book (though this is still worth grabbing - brilliantly done), the dave gallagher art book, the inquisitor sketchbook, and inquis exterminatus a waste. I say this because much of it is duplicated and in better quality in this book.

That said, there are plenty of new pieces in this. For the price, I don't think you will be able to do better. I own many art books, and this is the best put together by far. I imagine that the Warhammer book coming in June might trump this (as it should ahve more diversity with the array of fantasy species covered (skaven, skinks, etc.), but for 40k, this is excellent.

I should mention that I also own some anime art books (trigun, kingdom hearts, etc) as well as some games art-books (monster hunter mainly) and this blows them out of the water. I'm still looking for some art from confrontation, but this book really is impressive. Until I find something better for value and presentation, which I don't think will be soon, I think I will remain more than satisfied with this one.

Fantastic collection of artwork........2006-12-29

For the price, this book is incredible. The book is bound very well, and is hard cover. Each page is glossy and the print is fantastic. From a design and quality standpoint, this book is as good as it can get. 40k art fanatics will not be disappointed. This is top quality, and I hope the Black Library never cuts any corners for future products like this.

From a content standpoint, I would have liked more detailed descriptions on some of the artwork presented. Most have short one line quotes from the artist, or the other artists critiquing each other. Which isn't bad, but for the most part they all say the exact same thing over and over "SoandSo's art is dark and gritty, he inspires us all!". Other than that, the selection of artwork is a good mixture of drawings, sketches, and paintings. They split the book into sections dealing with various armies and groups, which is pretty nice. And there is a LOT of content. A nice thick book.

And there is also a lot of missing artwork still out there, which probably means they could put together a second, and possibly third art book.

Needless to say, no matter what the cost, if the quality is as good as this one was, I'll be first in line to buy it.

Good Compendium of WH40K Art.......2006-08-26

This collection provides an eclectic sampling from artists working within the WH40K universe. Most of the art has been used on other WH40K products such as novels, graphic novels, comic books, rule books, codexes, model boxes, game boxes, etc. That said, this is no retread of that art by any means. The pictures are much larger and clearer, some pieces spanning a page or two, and the artists provide some insight into their particular styles and influences. I found it interesting how some artists approach their work for the WH40K universe. The bulk of the art is fantastic, with jaw-dropping details.

I have two tiny complaints, however. One, there are some pieces that could have used a better treatment, particularly those by John Blanche. I find his drawings okay, but often times it's very hard to see any significant detail in a particular piece because it's composed of scratches and scribbles. My only other complaint deals with the focus of the book. Maybe half of the book covers art used for Space Marines and Imperial Guard. Some races and subjects only get cursory treatment, and I would have liked to see more art about those races and subjects. The potential exists for extravagant pieces from the outer reaches of the WH40K universe.

All in all, it's worth the price. For WH40K players, it will provide inspiration. For others, it's a great collection of finely detailed art. Here's hoping for a volume two to be in the works or available soon.

Smashing artwork.......2006-07-27

The hardcover arrived in emaculate condition. Content wise, I really liked the coverage on space marines, especially Horus Heresy pics & posters. Overall, there's too little coverage on eldar and other races. Perhaps the publisher should have another "Chaos" edition, dedicated to Khorne, Slaneesh, Nurgle etc.

Not much original art. .......2006-05-03

This book has a lot of fantastic art that has been published in other sources by Games Workshop. It is nice to have all a majority of the highlights in one place. The only major let down of this book is that very few if any art work were made specificaly for this pulbication. There is very little information on how the art was created by any specific artist.

This book includes a LOT of pictures of space marines. It has minor sections devoted to just about every other aspect of Warhammer 40,000 as well.

Overall this book should be in every Warhammer 40,000 fan's library. I only wish it were bigger and had more to it.

Creating Fantasy Polymer Clay Caracters: Step-by-Step Trolls, Wizards, Dragons, Knights, Skeletons, Santa, and More!

Average customer rating:

A Polymer Clay Fantasy Figure Book
Great step by step explanation
One of the best art/craft technique books ever
Awsome Book
Gorgeous, but fantasy means trolls here

Creating Fantasy Polymer Clay Caracters: Step-by-Step Trolls, Wizards, Dragons, Knights, Skeletons, Santa, and More!
Dinko Tilov
Manufacturer: Quarry Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 1592530206

Book Description

Whether you are experienced working with polymer clay or a novice, you?ll love this new book from Dinko Tilov which takes you step by step through sculpting 10 all new projects, including a fairy tale cast of trolls, magicians, elves, knights, gnomes, wizards, a dragon and dragon baby, and a horse/giraffe, as well as fantasy holiday characters?a glow in the dark skeleton, a Santa, an Easter bunny, and a silly guy holding a heart for Valentine?s day.

Projects are designed for beginner, intermediate, and advanced clayers. As skill level and artistic ability increase, clayers can turn to the bonus tips the author provides that encourage creativity outside the basic project, such as how to transform a basic humanlike character into a magician or wizard by adding appropriate features and accessories.

Well-known polymer clay artist Dinko Tilov walks readers through each step and provides instructions for creating his renowned ?Dinko? critters with their silly, cartoonish faces.

Customer Reviews:

A Polymer Clay Fantasy Figure Book.......2007-03-09

A cute book for anyone who likes to dabble in the fantasy world of polyamer clay.

Great step by step explanation.......2007-02-07

The characters in this book are somewhat goofy, however, the author provides excellent basics on armature building for creatures like horses and dragons. If you are looking for a lighter side to the fantasy world and would like to sculpt some fun creatures, this book is perfect. I think that kids will really love how achievable the sculptures in this book are for them.

One of the best art/craft technique books ever.......2006-12-04

Superb from start to finish. If you have any interest in sculpting fantastic creatures in polymer clay this is the best place to start bar none-- and it will take you far. I've done most of the projects in the book and am now very comfortable creating my own critters from scratch. The photos are fantastic with just the right amount of detail (no shots taken from halfway across the room!), the text is very clear (and funny!), and the book is simply a lot of fun overall. Can't recommend it highly enough for anyone interested in the subject.

Awsome Book.......2006-05-10

I love this book it is step by step. I made the first smiling chicken and he looked just like the pictures. Super book.

Gorgeous, but fantasy means trolls here.......2005-08-31

This book is gorgeous, with unique, detailed projects and explicit step-by-step directions. Just be forewaarned that it interprets fantasy to mean troll-like, so even Santa and the Easter bunny are trolls. I am therefore returning my copy, and just wanted to warn you what to expect. But it is an absolutely gorgeous, well-done book, and most people will love it.

Average customer rating:

Good, but could be better.
Dragon Magazine

The Art Of Dragon Magazine
Larry Elmore , Keith Parkinson , Jeff Easley , Wayne Reynolds , Brom , Todd Lockwood , Tony DiTerlizzi , Tim Hildebrandt , Daniel Horne , Den Beauvais , Clyde Caldwell , and and more!
Manufacturer: Paizo Publishing, LLC.
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0977677869

Book Description

For 30 years, Dragon magazine has published genre-defining fantasy masterpieces. This beautiful treasury features classic pieces by undisputed masters such as Larry Elmore, Keith Parkinson, Jeff Easley, Wayne Reynolds, Brom, Todd Lockwood, Tony DiTerlizzi, Tim Hildebrandt, Daniel Horne, Denis Beauvais, Clyde Caldwell and more!

Customer Reviews:

Good, but could be better........2007-05-06

While many of the picures within are visually stunning, I felt they left out some of the best artwork in favor of some rather crude ones. All in all I'd say I liked about 30% of the artwork in the book, and I wish the other 70% could have been exchanged for better works I've seen in past issues of Dragon. Maybe there will be a volume 2.

Dragon Magazine.......2007-03-12

I bought this as a gift and my wife was very pleased. She was a avid reader of Dragon magazine and loved the art!

Average customer rating:

A great starting point!
Good for beginners
A must have for any digital artist's collection
Very Well Done
Visit a Web Gallery, Save Yourself Some Money

Digital Fantasy Painting
Michael Burns
Manufacturer: Watson-Guptill
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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Digital Sci-Fi Art: A Step-by-Step Guide to Creating Stunning, Futuristic Images
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The Photoshop and Painter Artist Tablet Book: Creative Techniques in Digital Painting

ASIN: 0823015742

Book Description

There's a powerful fascination in creating fantasy characters and their bewitching environs on the computer screen. Written for anyone who works- or plays-in 3D graphics, Digital Fantasy Painting supplies a treasury of tested techniques that can be applied to any illustration software package. This extraordinary resource is packed with dozens of step-by-step exercises for designing photo-realistic 3D creatures and their strange worlds. Readers will see how to produce simple human skin and bone textures, as well as an entire host of ethereal creatures such as ghosts, spirits, robots, and cyborgs. They'll discover how to design realistic atmospheric effects as well as capture the surreal world of nightmares, futurescapes, and planetscapes. Computer artists will also find tested techniques for modeling, surfacing, staging, and lighting as well as creating water, glass, and other true-to-life motion effects. Digital Fantasy Painting features a dazzling showcase of the very best fantasy artwork, complete with dozens of tips, examples, and shortcuts that help put the creative process on the fast track. Plus, a special section outlines the myriad software illustration packages available on the market today. For graphic designers, fans of fantasy and science fiction art, and anyone else who wants to try their hand at creating incredible creatures on their computer screen, here is a definitive one-stop resource.

Customer Reviews:

A great starting point!.......2005-07-12

Hello there. I am a 3D artist and a wannabe indie game designer. A year or two back I had no clue how to start on making art and or what to use. I didn't know what NURBs meant, I didn't know about rigging, texturing, animation, rendering, anything like that. Well, this book isn't going to tell you how to do that but it certainly helped me start out. This book contains breath-taking art from a massive amount of programs and tells you a short walkthrough on how they made it. This is a great book for beginners to get started on, learn some technical terms, know the names of these programs so they can do a little research on them, and get inspiration. This book is amazing! Even if you are an artist you should get this book. It's great!

Good for beginners.......2003-09-13

This book mostly contains some step by step screen shots. The book talks mostly about using photoshop as a tool for texturing, and painting. It goes a little bit in other 3d programs such as Maya, 3d max, and Poser. But only covers a few modifiers or special effects. There is no real indepth explanation. As someone who works with 3d max and photoshop, I only recommend it if you are a beginner. The instruction are more like tips here and there.

A must have for any digital artist's collection.......2003-03-17

How this book slipped under my nose for so long is amazing. I just recently found it and the book contains some amazing artwork. True, a lot of the book is just gallery work and the "step-by-step" section is more of a step-by-step overview of how certain effects were created. If someone is looking for a how-to book, this isn't the one. The interesting part is that the book fails to focus on any singular 3D app. One masterpiece may be done with poser, another with Lightwave, another with 3D max, another done strictly with photoshop, and yet another may use multiple application.

It truly opens your eyes on the quality available with soem of the apps. This book belongs on your shelf alongside the other non-app specific titles like Digital Lighting and Rendering and Digital Texturing and Painting.

Very Well Done.......2003-02-08

Despite the other reviews, I found this book a worthwhile buy as a beginning digital artist. It does not provide an in depth explanation of every program in it, however, it shows a wide variety of artwork from various fantasy artists and gives basic tutorial steps and multiple tips. The work can be found online with some of the tutorials admittedly, but I found it very handy to have good examples and techniques for work sitting in front of me rather than clicking back and forth between multiple online tutorials and whatever program I was working on.

I am not familiar with 3d programs yet but this book gives examples of many different programs and gave me an idea of what programs I might like to try later. The tutorials were comprehensible and easy to follow as well as showcasing a variety of styles. They were not just sketch-detail sketch-end product the way that I've found many other tutoral books to be. Instead it shows the layering and painting process with each of the pieces, which is exactly what I was looking for. If you want nitty-gritty details, I suggest buying the "bible" for whatever program you want to find out more about. There's only so much you can do in a 160 page book, especially if you want an index and title page and whatnot ^.~

Visit a Web Gallery, Save Yourself Some Money.......2003-01-13

I was kind of rushed when I bought this book so I chanced it figuring I could return it later.

This book has no substance to it beyond what you can already find on the web. It just goes through basic "I did this, then that, then the other thing." No indepth look at any creation. I've found crap tutorials on the web with more information.

The gallery at the back is available on the web pretty much. One of the featured artists in it posts his work on forums I happen to moderate. I can see other works of similar caliber on the various community web sites.

One editorial note is I saw WAY too much Poser and Bryce work in this book which took away a LOT of credibility with me. I am sorry but those programs are not artist tools but cookie cutters. Tools would be Alias|Wavefront Maya, discreet 3ds max, and so forth. I think artists who take the time to learn those high-end programs deserve placement in books. Not someone who clicked a few presets and got an instant human.

Average customer rating:

Insignium Astartes

Insignium Astartes (Warhammer 40,000)
Alan Merrett
Manufacturer: Games Workshop
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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The Art of Warhammer 40,000 (Warhammer 40,000 Novels)
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ASIN: 1841542458

Customer Reviews:

Insignium Astartes.......2006-07-19

I was happy with the product, the condition and the information it provided. However, I was expecting more Space Marine Chapters to be involved or more information on other Chapters other than the Ultrmarines. Overall, the product was worth getting to add to my knowledge of the Imperial Forces.

Average customer rating:

The kind of stories that don't exist anymore.
great book but...
The magic of storytelling is reborn here
Myth that goes to the bone
Praise for "The Runes of Elfland"

The Runes of Elfland
Ari Berk , and Brian Froud
Manufacturer: Harry N. Abrams
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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Goblins!
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ASIN: 0810946122

Book Description

In 24 never-before-seen paintings, best-selling fantasy artist Brian Froud interprets the ancient and mystical runes of Celtic and European origin through Elfland, a world of faeries and myth. Each painting is inspired by a specific rune, richly symbolic and potent icons open to infinite interpretations. In the hands of the exceptional folklorist and poet Ari Berk, the secret meanings of these runes are revealed and their power is made manifest. In the pages of this book a single symbol provides the visual key to a host of mythic stories, lands, and adventures. By using the runes and Froud's paintings as tools to explore both the "seen" and the "unseen" world, readers of The Runes of Elfland will be inspired to reimagine their own lives and tell their own tales. Both storybook and oracle, Runes of Elfland provides a wellspring of personal insight for the Froud fan and the Faery aficionado.

Customer Reviews:

The kind of stories that don't exist anymore........2005-11-23

Let's face it, the majority of stories we tell each other these days is nothing but gossip. Gone are the days of fables and poems and limericks. Stories like this are considered bedtime rituals for kids rather than something important that we can learn from.

Brian Froud and Ari Berk team up in this book to deliver 24 stories (some short, some long) based on ancient culture, each one with a twist in the tale and the meaning of of it laid out afterwards. A runic code is also featured for every one, that takes a few minutes to unravel. But once you get familiar with the Key, it'll be easier for you.

Some of these stories are easy to identify with, but some are really out there. Since Berk has a degree in Modern, Classic and Medieval English Literature you can expect him to have pretty diverse writing skills. All of the stories may be set in the same world but you'll never know where he'll go in the next one.

Froud's paintings are definitely interesting and vivid, but I'd be hard-pushed to call them beautiful. Some are so abstract and weird that I could look at it for ages and still not fully understand it's point.

It took quite a while to get through this book. A lot of patience is needed to decipher the codes and I'm not the kind of guy who can read several different fables in one night. It does make for a good bedtime read for kids and adults though. But I wouldn't expect many children to appreciate the book at all.

great book but..........2005-04-25

it has less correlation to traditional runes that i would have liked. For instance, the traditional futhark order isn't observed, nor are the traditional names of the runes given. However, the pictures and stories are wonderful, and the book lends a new and creative perspective to runework which is at once easy to understand and very cryptic.

The magic of storytelling is reborn here.......2004-11-12

This book is a series of fantastic retellings of old stories of myth that are associated with the runic alphabet of Northern European prehistory. The Rune of Protection, for instance, is a retelling of "The Waking of Angantyr" from the Elder Edda. All these associative stories are incorporated into a mystical world known as "Elf-Land", both illuminated by Dr. Berk and envisioned by the reknowned fantasy artist, Brian Froud (most known for his book "Faeries" and having done conceptual art for the Jim Henson movies "Labyrinth" and "Dark Crystal")

I've had the pleasure of being a student in several of Dr. Berk's classes at Central Michigan University, and I can say that his way of looking at the world through the folklore of generations has profoundly changed my own view. It is great seeing his vision of the world on the printed page, and complimented so beautifully by the illustrations of Mr. Froud, who is a good friend of his and a current collaborator.

This book is a must-have for both lovers of fantasy and of folklore. It has many profound teachings by ways of courtesy in the realm of nature and the invisible world of Faerie, brought forth excellently by Dr. Berk's unique language.

For a closer look at Berk and Froud's somewhat eccentric "academic" relationship, check out "Goblins!" which was released in Nov. 2004. It is a new volume in the Lady Cottington series, under a sort of Faerie ethnological study of those pesky creatures that cause us so much woe.

Myth that goes to the bone.......2004-03-13

What can I say? On one page I held my breath. On another, I lost it. One page left me in tears, the longing and the recognition were so poignant. When I went to look for that page again, I couldn't find it, like the gold under the rainbow. It will happen to you. At some point you'll discover the page that haunts your dreams, describes your world, or makes you smile.

Ari Berk's exquisitely informed text and Froud's always extraordinary pictures combine to open the world you know is there but have forgotten how to see. The runes, charms, and stories delineate the bargains, the sorrows, and the treasures of the journey.

Get this book. Get copies for your friends. If you've ever heard the voices under your bed and wanted to know their names, or wept at a sunset for no reason, or considered walking through the door at the back of the wardrobe, just in case--get this book. They're playing your song.

Praise for "The Runes of Elfland".......2004-03-13

In the Age of Technology, it is a testament to myth's eternal power to inspire that a book like "The Runes of Elfland" by Brian Froud and Dr. Ari Berk has come into being. At once whimsical, passionate, solemn, and joyful, each page is a gift, a fresh breeze that blows across the mind and takes the reader to a special place uncorrupted by that which is easily acquired and jealously owned.

Myth and runes are owned by no one; they are tools by which we can escape into the unexplored corners of our minds, and one could want for no better guides than Froud and Berk. The point and counterpoint of the work is exquisitely displayed as you turn each page and presents something certain to affect everyone who looks at the book, if even for a moment.

As always, there is darkness and sensuality in even the most innocent picture, as Froud's faeries peer out from the corners of the pages, yet even the most sinister picture has some measure of beauty. Berk's words are soaring poetry, written with a deft touch that presents a deep scholarship in mythic conventions without being pretentious or pontifical.

While the book claims to be nothing more than, as Berk says, "a process of seeing, listening, and remembering," this is expert and elegant storytelling that respects the reader and the material. In fact, it is even more because through these words and images, we gain (or re-gain) the power to appreciate not only the "landscapes in [our] memory," but the land itself. No matter your spiritual orientation, there is something to be gained and cherished from the journey you take each time you open this wonderful book.

Conan: The Ultimate Guide to the World's Most Savage Barbarian

Average customer rating:

Roy Thomas' Ultimate Guide to Conan
3 and1/2 stars For Comic book Conan fans... only.
I liked it - but I didn't like it.
Please get your Howard info elsewhere!
THOMAS PROVES WHY HE IS THE CONAN EXPERT

Conan: The Ultimate Guide to the World's Most Savage Barbarian
Roy Thomas
Manufacturer: DK Publishing
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0756620953

Book Description

For more than 70 years, fantasy fans have followed the exploits of Conan through novels, comic books, and movies. This book, the first-ever illustrated guide to Robert E. Howard's most beloved character, is a genuine treasure chest of Conan lore, following Conan through the ages, through his different careers, as he meets friends and foes and travels across the Hyborian continent.

Click through on the images below to see sample pages from Conan: The Ultimate Guide to the World's Most Savage Barbarian:

Includes a foreword by Todd McFarlane. Created in full cooperation with Conan Properties International, LLC. Features character profiles, maps, art from original paperbacks, comic books, video games, and more.

"Conan of Cimmeria remains as vital today as he did when he first emerged from the pages of Weird Tales three quarters of a century ago to trample the jeweled crowns of earth under his sandaled feet. This gorgeous new volume, lavishly and beautifully illustrated, is a testament to his enduring popularity, a treasure for fans of Robert E. Howard, and a splendid introduction to the Hyborian Age for new readers. If you don't know Conan, you don't know fantasy."
--GEORGE R.R. MARTIN, author of #1 New York Times bestseller A Feast for Crows

"Robert E. Howard dreamed Conan the Cimmerian for himself, and set him free to roam the world of his own Hyborian soul; but first in his years at Marvel Comics and now with this encyclopedic culmination, Roy Thomas dreamed him for all of us, and made that world come vividly to life within our own."
--MICHAEL CHABON, Pulitzer Prize-winning author of The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Clay and Wonder Boys

"No one has done more to popularize Robert E. Howard's Conan the Barbarian than Roy Thomas, whose thrilling stories and brilliant editing propelled the world's favorite barbarian to the list of Marvel Comics' best-sellers for more than a decade. And now Roy has brought his knowledge and skills to bear in this ultimate guide, a fan's dream come true."
--STAN LEE, creator of The Amazing Spider-Man and The Fantastic Four

Customer Reviews:

Roy Thomas' Ultimate Guide to Conan.......2007-02-19

Roy has put in one place the reasons why Robert Ervin Howard will live forever in the hearts of fans of the Heroic Pulp Fiction.It is an excellent 'Baron's Review'for cribbing for an exam on the Conan Saga (which should be a course in college along with courses in Stephen King's literary world).For both the fan and the novice this is a must have on the shelf with all of Howard's Works.

3 and1/2 stars For Comic book Conan fans... only........2007-01-08

I hate to be the naysayer in the lot because this book is, for the most part, beautiful to look at. However, this is not for the serious reader of Robert Howard's Conan. From an artistic perspective I'm glad to see this book, but there are some considerable exceptions which keep me from endorsing it. There is a lot of representation from comic books, which is fine but there are a considerable amount of images missing, and too many from both old and recently reprinted art that is below the quality a book like this one should require. There is a lot of Cary Nord's artwork from the current Dark Horse series. While I like his work it seems to pad the book out more than it is highlighting the subject. There are reprints of some very nice Barry Windsor Smith art, which is unfortunately culled from the recent Dark Horse reprints featuring horrendous new digital color (some obscures Barry's original linework so badly as to blot it out entirely with garrish results). What is missing are the stellar talents of artists like Michael Kaluta (he did stunning cover art for the comics and the magazine), more Gil Kane, Val Mayerick, more Neal Adams (again, a vivid cover artist for the magazine line), the weird and wonderful pin-ups and illustrations done by Armando Gil and countless others. Instead we get a lot of the current artist and old John Buscema who, while a decent to sometimes great Conan artist he is not represeented well in these pages since his bread and butter pages, proofed from newsprint pages, make up the vast majority of his work. He did better work, particularly when he inked his own pencils.
On the plus side, the recent illustrations from the new Del Rey editions are also presented here. Those artists, Mark Schultz, Gary Gianni and Gregory Manchess are joined by older Conan artists like Frank Frazetta, Boris Vallejo, the late Nestor Redondo, Doug Beekman, Earl Noram and others.
The forward written by Todd ("I can't remember what Conan I read first")McFarlane is not terrible exciting or indicative of his love for the character. It's more like the editors decided to go with a name related to comics as opposed to someone who really sank his teeth into the subject. This brings me to the decent but altogether less than stellar writing by former Conan comic scribe, Roy Thomas. His descriptions of Conan and his world are quite good, unfortunately a lot of the things included in this book are stories straight out of Roy's scripts and not part of Howard's written work. Will this book be updated later with Kurt Busiek's filler strories from Dark Horse as well? Well, no update will be required yet because a Busiek creation named Janissa is in this book.
What can I say? This is not a terrible book. It is a another in a line of missed opportunities.
For people who are Conan fans and only read the comics, well this book was made for you. The rest of us will still be left waiting for the real deal to come along.

I liked it - but I didn't like it........2007-01-07

I so wanted to enjoy this illustrated guide into the world of Conan yet, even after reading it, I still have my reservations. The artwork and imagery alone is a blast! I've always loved the grand mythos of Howards characters as seen or dreamed through the eyes of top-noch artist. But it's the so called chronological events of Conans life-long saga that leaves me with a rather bitter taste in my mouth. Much like the "Star Wars" expanded universe, I find it hard to validate these additional stories of Conans travels. I have nothing against the musing of Conans high adventures by other various story tellers. I've read many Conan books in my time that were not written by howard but I have always seen them as "Separate Works" of fiction.

Anyone could write a story about what happens to Odysseus after he returns home to Ithica to reclaim his throne but no one would ever dare to officialize it as part of the original Homeric myth. You don't see anybody writing additional stories to JRR Tolkiens "Lord of the Rings" trilogy or Stephen Kings "The Dark Tower" sereies either. If Marvel decided to continue the exploits of these characters through the medium of comics, I don't think anyone would complain. Certainly not me. Yet the events of these comics would never be added to any kind of visual companion guide of the original stories. I don't see how Robert E. Howards work should be excluded from this norm. A book of artwork involving Conan is a great idea but three quarters of the chronology that can be read from "Conan: The Ultimate Guide to the World's Most Savage Barbarian" just doesn't hold weight for me. So I'am definitely torn here.

Please get your Howard info elsewhere!.......2006-11-04

I cannot believe that in this age of enlightenment regarding how much Robert E. Howards creations have been diluted over the years by the likes of deCamp, Carter and Thomas to name a few and that we are only now in the last decade been able discover Conan, Kull, and Kane as REH wrote, I get to see a review of this "Ultimate guide"
actually aplauding the literary rape ocf the amazing body of work Howard created.

To give him the praise he does deserve though Thomas could visually adapt REH's original stories of Conan
very well, my favourite being his adaptation of Red Nails illustrated by Barrry Smith, *however* this does not excuse all the pap that was presented as authentic Coinan over the years. It is sad that in the centenary year oif Howard's birth that the most availazble "guide" to Howards gives such aplause to non Howard work and that actual Howard scholarship[ is still limited to low print works by genuine REH fans.

If you want to know abot howards charaters please buy any of Del Rey's Howad TPB like The Savage Tales of Solomon Kane , The Coming of Conan The Cimmerian et al, and Bran Mak Morn The last king.

Green Trilobite

THOMAS PROVES WHY HE IS THE CONAN EXPERT.......2006-09-24

On the back dust jacket, former Editor-in-Chief Tom DeFalco refers to Roy Thomas as the world renowned expert on Conan the Barbarian and it's hard to argue that claim. Outside of Robert E. Howard himself, no one knows Conan like Roy Thomas...and Roy wrote about him for far longer than Howard to boot! I still remember the first Conan comic I ever read. It was issue #42 in 1974 and the cover showed Conan battling a gargoyle in mid air. I quickly became a huge Conan fan. And now DK books have released this absolutely gorgeous over-sized hardcover book, "Conan-The Ultimate Guide to the World's Most Savage Barbarian" written by Roy Thomas.

The book traces Conan's life from his earliest days in Cimmeria to his senior citizen days as ruler of Aquilonia and his mysterious final adventures. The book focuses primarily on the timeline and continuity established in the various Marvel Comics and black and white magazines such as Savage Sword of Conan. We'll first meet Conan as a mere teenager, yet already powerful as he joins his kinsmen in the attack on the Aquilonian outpost of Venarium. From there, the young barbarian would leave his homeland, first ventuing into the lands of the Aesir and Vanir, encountering "The Frost Giants Daughter" and "The Thing in the Crypt". The book contains not only art from the Thomas/Barry Smith versions of these tales but also the more recent Dark Horse Comics adaptations of the Howard stories.

One of my favorite periods of Conan's career is his time spent in Spider-haunted Zamora and its cities of Shadizar the Wicked and Arenjun the City of Thieves, where Conan would first try his hand at thievery. It is in Zamora where perhaps the most famous Howard story "The Tower of the Elephant" is set. Here, in a bid to steal riches from the tower of the powerful wizard Yara, Conan meets the Lovecraftian-inspired Yag Kosha who came to the Hyborian lands from another world.

One thing that really stands out is the reproduction of so much classic Conan artwork from artists such as Frank Frazetta, Ken Kelley, Earl Norem, P. Craig Russell, John Buscema, Barry Windsor Smith, Boris, and many others. DK did a magnificent job of reprinting the art beautifully such as the two-page spread of Boris's cover from Savage Sword #5 as Conan is crucified on the Tree of Death! Kudos to everyone involved for their eclectic, and decades-spanning selection of art in the book.

Besides being a timeline of Conan's career, the book also functions as a graphic encyclopedia to people, places, and events that Conan encountered throughout his many adventures. Evil wizards such as Thoth-Amon, Thulandra Thuu, Tsotha-Lanti, and Xaltotun; his female companions Valeria and Belit, and the dark, misty locations of Stygia and Khitai. From the Black Coast to Hykrania and from Thief to King, Roy Thomas manages to squeeze in just about anything the Conan fan could ask for and DK books wrapped it all up in a beautiful package. It even comes with a full-color, two-page map of the Hyborian World so you can trace Conan's journey's as you read through the book. My highest recommendation for this book!

Reviewed by Tim Janson

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