How To Draw Your Dragon Is Fantastic

I am now a fan of dragon art and Sergio Guinot, author-artist of How To Draw Your Dragon.  As simple and straight forward as the title, are the steps to drawing these incredible dragons.  Starting with just simple shapes, anyone can learn to draw their dragon.  The information doesn't start - or stop - there.  Dragon Anatomy is a chapter which includes teaching the reader to draw a dragon skeleton, skull, teeth, and claws.  Drawing a dragon shield on up to dragon riders is all part of a storyline plot as though the author is sketching furiously in a sketchbook while the wings of dragons beat overhead.  I did a review of the step-by-step exercise: Polar Dragons.  5 stars and then some.

How to Draw Your Dragon

Watch the Video Review from How To Draw Your Dragon step-by-step demonstration - Polar Dragon - from inside the book, here!

Dreamscapes and Dragon Remains

This book has been a favorite of mine for a very long time.  It is nice to be able to include it in my recommended books about art.  Although I had reviewed the information in the book, I had not done a step-by-step, review of one of the art exercises, until now.  In this video review, I take on the challenge of the demonstration: Remains of Ancients, a dragon bone ship seemingly traversing the yard through the trees.  Awesome.  Pui-Mun Law's imagination is as exciting as her fantasy art textures.  The thing about her book, too, is that she doesn't assume the artist-reader can keep up with her, so her break-down of steps is very logical and easily attainable - except for the drawings.  I think it is a skill best already possessed before working through this book.  So what then will this book teach you?  Creating the textures, dynamic and fantastical in her artwork; adding imaginative fantasy details, and how far to take both in a fantasy work of art.

Watch a video review of the step-by-step art exercise: Remains of Ancients, from Dreamscapes Fantasy Worlds, here!

Dreamscapes Fantasy Worlds: Create Engaging Scenes and Landscapes in Watercolor

Fantasy Art Drawing Skills

This book, by Socar Myles, if you did all that it told you to do, is the equivalent of about 2 terms in Fantasy Art at a university.  And, let's be honest, after all the Lit 101's, PE, required health and science, you rack up about 4 terms for  your specific major anyhoo.  Not bad for one book.  The problem is, the advice includes - draw the figure - Life Drawing, so there you go, you are already enrolling in a Life Drawing class, now.  However, if your mission is to be self-taught I believe it can be done within the subject of art and even get a specific genre (major) like Fantasy Art.  This is a book not to miss; however, I do feel it fails its subtitle that this book would be all you need to master Fantasy Art.  Following it's advice, demonstrations, and tips, though, would be accomplishing a Master Class in the particular genre - with a most awesome guide (Socar) - and that is not a given when you sign up for class.

Watch the video Step-by-Step book review: Toad King, here!

Fantasy Art Drawing Skills: All the Art Techniques, Demonstrations, and Short Cuts You Need to Master Fantasy Art