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Drawing & Painting Fantasy Landscapes & Cityscapes: Create your own mythical cities, planets, and lost worlds
Artists interested in graphic novels and comic book illustration will find all the guidance and inspiration they need to draw and paint landscapes that evoke myths and legends, lost empires, futuristic planets, dramatic dreamscapes, underwater worlds, and subterranean cities. Easy-to-follow instructions and step-by-step illustrations demonstrate techniques for rendering a wide range of fantasy features, whether working in ink, watercolor, or computer pixels. Details covered in this heavily illustrated volume include -- choice of materials, with advice on getting the most from software programs . . . basics of perspective, architectural geometry, color, mood, and seasonal variations . . . landscape features, including skies, clouds, mountains, caves, deserts, snow, and water reflections . . . imagined landscapes from ancient cultures, future worlds, alien planets, undersea worlds, and surreal dreamscapes . . . cityscapes, from medieval towns to the metropolis of the future . . . famous fantasy worlds, from Atlantis to Middle Earth. This good-looking and instructive volume features a gallery of fantasy and science fiction images among its more than 200 color illustrations.
128 pages, Paperback
First published June 19, 2006
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
December 14, 2012
I’ve given this book a 4 out of 5 not because I’m not entirely satisfied with it but because it’s not exactly a “must have” book. It helps with, pretty much, what the title says, “Drawing and Painting Landscapes and Cityscapes”. The book doesn’t go in depth to teaching you step by step and stroke by stroke how to draw landscapes and cityscapes but what it does do I found helpful and excellent.
The book begins in touching on basics art basics such as colour, moods, perspective, size, space, etc. Obviously it won’t go in depth with these things because that’s not the type of book it is nor is it this book’s intention. Then, the book spends a good set of pages discussing different elements like weather, snow, trees, whatever. It points out things that some people often take for granted. After this section, the book discusses main aspects of 12 different types of land/city scapes. This, I found extremely helpful as it gives you an idea of how to use reference images and photos. After all, environment design and landscape/cityscape drawing is very much a reference-based practice. Environment designers usually have a set of 10 to 20 photos around their actual canvas and then pick out features they find helpful in some, if not all, of those photos.
I bought this book wanting hints and tips regarding landscape design. What I got was a little more. I was expecting to use this book simply for ideas. What I got was a touch up on 12 different types of landscapes, cityscapes, icescapes, seascapes, and what to look out for in each. It definitely gets your mind and vision working together so that your environment works out as a whole picture rather than having separate aspects of your environment contradicting each other. One example is having a storm in the background with a plain standing tree on a hill. The remark made is that the tree should be leaning with the storm [in that example it was leaning to the right]. This is something we take for granted. Surely, a storm will effect everything in its way. The problem is, when some artists draw environments, they often separate the environment and, although it may look fine at first glance, if one was to study the artwork it would become apparent that there are some crucial laws of motion that were disregarded by the artist. Before long, the environment becomes a pain to the trained eye.
This books points out these sorts of things and more. If you’re wanting to do environment design and just paint landscapes on any medium [drawings, paintings, digital, etc], I recommend this book. It’s not a must have but definitely worth mentioning and having a look at. I bought it and don’t regret it at all. In fact, I’m glad I bought it.
Check out more reviews at Kredentis Blogs
The book begins in touching on basics art basics such as colour, moods, perspective, size, space, etc. Obviously it won’t go in depth with these things because that’s not the type of book it is nor is it this book’s intention. Then, the book spends a good set of pages discussing different elements like weather, snow, trees, whatever. It points out things that some people often take for granted. After this section, the book discusses main aspects of 12 different types of land/city scapes. This, I found extremely helpful as it gives you an idea of how to use reference images and photos. After all, environment design and landscape/cityscape drawing is very much a reference-based practice. Environment designers usually have a set of 10 to 20 photos around their actual canvas and then pick out features they find helpful in some, if not all, of those photos.
I bought this book wanting hints and tips regarding landscape design. What I got was a little more. I was expecting to use this book simply for ideas. What I got was a touch up on 12 different types of landscapes, cityscapes, icescapes, seascapes, and what to look out for in each. It definitely gets your mind and vision working together so that your environment works out as a whole picture rather than having separate aspects of your environment contradicting each other. One example is having a storm in the background with a plain standing tree on a hill. The remark made is that the tree should be leaning with the storm [in that example it was leaning to the right]. This is something we take for granted. Surely, a storm will effect everything in its way. The problem is, when some artists draw environments, they often separate the environment and, although it may look fine at first glance, if one was to study the artwork it would become apparent that there are some crucial laws of motion that were disregarded by the artist. Before long, the environment becomes a pain to the trained eye.
This books points out these sorts of things and more. If you’re wanting to do environment design and just paint landscapes on any medium [drawings, paintings, digital, etc], I recommend this book. It’s not a must have but definitely worth mentioning and having a look at. I bought it and don’t regret it at all. In fact, I’m glad I bought it.
Check out more reviews at Kredentis Blogs
July 3, 2018
As a artist who is consistently challenged to make buildings and landscapes that look convincing, this book is a perfect companion!
Breaking down the elements of many kinds of natural and man-made environments--including going deep into fantasy ones--this guide is sure to get you prepped for drawing.
There's a bit of fluff in the front about color theory and using references, etc., but I actually found this helpful. Lots of good examples and images were used for these basic concepts that flesh it out well in case you needed a refresher, or at least another perspective.
A large format book with great artwork and clear descriptions and tips. Plus, a bonus for me, this books lays open quite well (not something all art books can say). Perfect for sitting beside you as you work.
Breaking down the elements of many kinds of natural and man-made environments--including going deep into fantasy ones--this guide is sure to get you prepped for drawing.
There's a bit of fluff in the front about color theory and using references, etc., but I actually found this helpful. Lots of good examples and images were used for these basic concepts that flesh it out well in case you needed a refresher, or at least another perspective.
A large format book with great artwork and clear descriptions and tips. Plus, a bonus for me, this books lays open quite well (not something all art books can say). Perfect for sitting beside you as you work.
January 31, 2021
I found this book to be a real disappointment, unfortunately. I purchased it hoping for perhaps a few pages of lessons on style, different techniques or perspectives on how to create compelling images and include some exercises, but that was not really the case. There were elements of some of the former, but there were no exercises at all included in the text.
Perhaps about the first third of the book is much more concerned about the rudimentary instruction about materials and media. There's pages on paint, pencil, etc. While I understand that someone reading an artbook may need some guidance, I presume many who pick this up already have an idea on the medium they want to work in.
The book offers some insight into how to look at different features of nature (snow and sand, mountains and caves, forests and foliage), which is definitely beneficial and closer to what I was hoping for when I bought the book, but it's short. There isn't a lot of detail or time in describing those sections in any depth.
The final third of the book is dedicated to artists demonstrating how they produce a final product. I found this a bit mixed overall. While it was interesting to see someone plan out their finished product only so much could be gleaned from it. No to mention if that wasn't what you had in mind it isn't very helpful.
Like I said, this book was a disappointment. The art inside is impressive, and perhaps I'll use it as a reference, but it failed to teach me the lessons I wanted when I first ordered it.
Perhaps about the first third of the book is much more concerned about the rudimentary instruction about materials and media. There's pages on paint, pencil, etc. While I understand that someone reading an artbook may need some guidance, I presume many who pick this up already have an idea on the medium they want to work in.
The book offers some insight into how to look at different features of nature (snow and sand, mountains and caves, forests and foliage), which is definitely beneficial and closer to what I was hoping for when I bought the book, but it's short. There isn't a lot of detail or time in describing those sections in any depth.
The final third of the book is dedicated to artists demonstrating how they produce a final product. I found this a bit mixed overall. While it was interesting to see someone plan out their finished product only so much could be gleaned from it. No to mention if that wasn't what you had in mind it isn't very helpful.
Like I said, this book was a disappointment. The art inside is impressive, and perhaps I'll use it as a reference, but it failed to teach me the lessons I wanted when I first ordered it.
September 9, 2020
Since more than half of this book is taken up with basic art instruction, it doesn't cover fantasy landscapes and cityscapes all that well. I also find the art feels generic, going to the author's website(robalexander.com) shows that this is how they currently paint, it's not a style I care for. It's an older book, if you can find it at a library or a book sale for cheap, it might be worth a peek if you're interested in making commercial fantasy art, otherwise I'd give it a pass.
June 6, 2017
I want to read stories based on all of the illustrations in this manual.
December 21, 2019
Why I read the book: It caught my eye while searching for another book at the library.
Format: Softcover
Synopsis: The title is pretty much self-explanatory.
What I Thought: If I drew and painted this book would be a must-have on my bookshelf. The beginning of the book is the basic "these are tools for drawing/painting", and "how to draw" with a bit more focus on fantasy objects. What I really enjoyed was the 'gallery' which took up a large portion of the book. Each work featured a different artist and different types of mediums. A brief explanation of the process the artist used to create the work was included.
This book not for those who have never drawn or painted and want a starting place. Rather, it seems more suited to the person who already draws as a hobby and wants get in to fantasy drawing. I think this book would be most useful assisting inspiration: "I have this great idea for a picture; what's the best way to get it onto paper?"
The Bottom Line: The usefulness of instructional books varies by person. What is useful to me may be of no help to someone else. I would recommend the book to anyone interested in fantasy drawing, but suggest they borrow it from the library first.
Format: Softcover
Synopsis: The title is pretty much self-explanatory.
What I Thought: If I drew and painted this book would be a must-have on my bookshelf. The beginning of the book is the basic "these are tools for drawing/painting", and "how to draw" with a bit more focus on fantasy objects. What I really enjoyed was the 'gallery' which took up a large portion of the book. Each work featured a different artist and different types of mediums. A brief explanation of the process the artist used to create the work was included.
This book not for those who have never drawn or painted and want a starting place. Rather, it seems more suited to the person who already draws as a hobby and wants get in to fantasy drawing. I think this book would be most useful assisting inspiration: "I have this great idea for a picture; what's the best way to get it onto paper?"
The Bottom Line: The usefulness of instructional books varies by person. What is useful to me may be of no help to someone else. I would recommend the book to anyone interested in fantasy drawing, but suggest they borrow it from the library first.
December 3, 2021
Loved it! So inspiring. Great tips also. The digital part its a little outdated but the book is still good. The principles hold.
February 10, 2016
I liked this book. It offers a wide range of tips for multiple forms of mediums and lays things out concisely. It does seem to assume that the reader already has an artistic background, though, so I would recommend it more for people transitioning into advanced skills. For me, there's a wide gap between what I want to draw and what I actually can draw. While useful and insiteful, this book won't help me close the gap any time soon. (Art is hard!)
January 12, 2014
Mostly dedicated to painting and choosing shades of colors, that kind of deal. I for one prefer mostly pencil and charcoal drawing. That being said, I have found this reference quite helpful in getting the big picture on landscapes and Fantasy drawing in general. Definitely a good read
July 30, 2012
This is that kind of book that even if you don't know nothing about drawing foundations, after reading you'll want create all kind of worlds and be able to do that!
February 15, 2013
I decided to take up sketching as a hobby. This book had some helpful information but was focused much more on painting than on drawing than I wanted, despite the title.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews