Books

Cinematics Storyboard Workshop is for any artist who wants to learn how to create professional, production-ready storyboards for film, animation, television, and video game cinematics. Modeled on the Cinematics course by artist and educator Gregg Davidson, this must-have guidebook is a concise, in-depth guide to the fundamentals: from storyboard mechanics and camera angles, to shot progression and staging, as well as current digital storyboarding and previsualization practices. Founder of The Animation Academy, Charles Zembillas, called Cinematics Storyboard Workshop “one of the best books on learning how to storyboard.”

The Katurran Odyssey is an epic tale of faith, hope, and selfless heroism of a courageous young lemur named Katook, illuminated by the stunning illustrations of Terryl Whitlatch, one of the world’s most celebrated creature designers, and brought to dynamic life by the storytelling of author David Michael Wieger. Like such classic works of fantasy as J. R. R. Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings and C. S. Lewis’s Chronicles of Narnia, The Katurran Odyssey is set in a mythic world imbued with beauty, adventure, and transcendent imagination. Follow Katook as he faces great perils and marvels on his quest to save his family and his island home from the Long Winter. George Lucas calls the book “remarkably beautiful” and adds, “anyone who is lucky enough to spend time with The Katurran Odyssey will be richer for the experience.”

Italian artist Alessandro “Talexi” Taini is responsible for designing some of the most memorable and imaginative video-game characters and environments of the last 15 years. While at the acclaimed UK-based game developer Ninja Theory, he was instrumental in creating the overall look and feel of the fantasy adventure games Heavenly Sword, Enslaved: Odyssey to the West, Dmc: Devil May Cry, and Hellblade, which together sold millions of copies worldwide. This is the first book to feature his magnificent concept art, which is sure to thrill gamers and appeal to fans of fine art as well, with incredibly lifelike paintings that pay homage to master painters Caravaggio and Rembrandt, with additional inspiration drawn from the mythological work of Bouguereau and Frazetta.

It all began in 2009, when designer Lorin Wood started the Nuthin' But Mech blog to share artwork by him and his colleagues featuring their favorite subject: robots. Three years later Wood launched the eponymous book series, providing three (now four!) opportunities for dozens of talented artists from around the world to showcase their passion projects and personal visions of robots in print.

Wrapping up the undeniably popular series, Nuthin’ But Mech 4 perfectly complements the thrilling volumes that preceded it, and celebrates how far artistry and technology can advance in just a few years. This final installment features artists from all manner of industries (film, animation, video games, theme parks), and their remarkable works illustrate a vast range of tones and themes. You'll also learn about the creators themselves through their accompanying biographies, which add a personal―sometimes comedic―touch.

It's fitting that with the series coming to a close, Nuthin’ But Mech 4 brings together the highest number of creatives yet―fifty-seven in all―each with original and imaginative points of view. More talent, more inspiration, more mech!

Scott Robertson returns with his much anticipated second collection of sketches, clocking in at a whopping 288 drawings that are sure to amaze and inspire. After a brief hiatus from publishing, the acclaimed designer and best-selling author of How to Draw and How to Render is back to remind the industry why he continues to be a force, with a wide, imaginative range of vehicles represented in the book. From futuristic hot rods and otherworldly rovers, to superhero-worthy sports cars and equally incredible headgear, Robertson’s latest sketches were created over the last three years, and are now ready to transport you beyond your own imagination.

The Silver Way: Techniques, Tips and Tutorials for Effective Character Design by Stephen Silver offers invaluable instruction from one of best teachers in the industry. Whether you’re a professional artist interested in improving your drawing skills, or an aspiring designer fresh out of high school looking to add to your portfolio, The Silver Way will help you build your confidence and strengthen your work in order to successfully design characters for any project, in any style. Chockfull of helpful—and entertaining!—drawing techniques and easy-to-follow tutorials developed through his decades of experience as an artist on popular animated shows (Kim Possible, Danny Phantom, The Fairly OddParents) and as the owner of Silver Drawing Academy, The Silver Way is the kind of educational art book you’ll revisit again and again for guidance, encouragement, and inspiration.

Creativity has no boundaries, geographic or otherwise, which is what the 15 international artists of The Line Art Challenge, set out to prove when they embarked on an artistic feat to each produce 100 sketches in 100 days. Based in 11 different countries, the artists used modern communication methods to share their work and motivate and inspire each other across continents to reach their collective goal of 1,000 traditional sketches. While the final drawing tally was 850, the resulting artwork from this challenge is remarkable in its diversity and complexity: fantastic warriors, menacing space beasts, Gigeresque villains, and whimsical everyday heroes are among the characters you’ll meet in this unique collection.

The Loop is closed. Life is returning to normal when the pastoral countryside is suddenly flooded by dark water from the huge abandoned underground facility. Rumors spread in classrooms and schoolyards, stories about the flood and how it has brought something with it. One thing is clear: the past is not ready to be forgotten.

Now in development to be an Amazon Studios series!

Simon Stålenhag is back. In his new artbook Things From The Flood, Stålenhag continues the stories of Tales From The Loop, memories of a Nordic childhood infused with strange machines and weird creatures from other dimensions. In Things From The Flood, Stålenhag moves his focus from the 80s to the 90s, the decade of great change when the outside world truly came to Scandinavia. These are tales of the trials of youth, of schoolyard hazings, of first kisses, of finding yourself – and robots.

Building on the foundation established with Framed Perspective, Vol. 1: Technical Drawing for Visual Storytelling, artist and best-selling author Marcos Mateu-Mestre delves deeper into particular elements that can make or break an illustration with Framed Perspective, Vol. 2: Technical Drawing for Shadows, Volume, and Characters.

Here he covers such challenging tasks as projecting shadows in proper perspective on various environments and depicting characters in perspective set in different situations—and makes them less daunting. You will also learn how to effectively observe a model or object in order to extract just the right amount of information to then translate it into an impactful graphic and visual image, the goal of every visual storyteller.

Only in Framed Perspective, Vol. 2, will you find Mateu-Mestre’s imaginative scenes explored in great detail, revealing invaluable drawing techniques—from how to capture the essence of a character with one gestural line, to using clothing folds to further define the shape and volume of a character—to help you drastically improve your drawings. It all depends on your perspective!

Whether you’re an aspiring artist or new to the medium, seasoned instructor and accomplished artist Nathan Fowkes makes drawing portraits in charcoal not only accessible, but also a real pleasure! From stocking the best supplies to using them effectively, and composing a portrait while avoiding common mistakes, How to Draw Portraits in Charcoal by Nathan Fowkes will place you firmly on the path to producing the charcoal portraits you've dreamed of creating. His easy-to-follow tips, in-depth tutorials, and valuable exercises make this guide your first step toward building an understanding and appreciation for every face you draw. This handy book will not only equip you with the skills to capture them in beautiful charcoal fashion but also to transfer those skills to any media.

What is creature design? We all have a notion—mostly consisting of evocative images of otherworldly beings galloping, swimming, flying, and often attacking the hero of an epic film or story. But what makes a creature believable? In the follow-up to her best seller, Animals Real and Imagined: The Fantasy of What Is and What Might Be, world-renowned artist Terryl Whitlatch reveals the secret behind believable creature design: anatomy.

Anatomy is the cornerstone of successful creature design, whether the creature is real or imaginary. Accurate anatomy is often the key to suspension of disbelief, allowing you to draw imaginary creatures that viewers will believe in.

We invite you to delve into the intricate workings of numerous animal anatomies—and the beauty they possess—in the Science of Creature Design: Understanding Animal Anatomy. Whitlatch’s delightful and charismatic illustrations will inform and thrill readers with every turn of the page. She shares valuable techniques reaped from years working for Lucasfilm and Walt Disney Feature Animation, and on such films as Jumanji, Brother Bear, and The Polar Express. In addition, Whitlatch possesses an endless love for real animals that continues to inspire her fantastic imaginary creatures, which have captivated audiences around the world.

Designing a captivating creature simply for it to exist against a white background and going no further is a purely academic exercise. Designing a creature that can survive in a world, interact with its own and other species, and go on to make an impact, is designing with intent. This is the end goal of creature design and what you will witness in this latest book from industry expert Terryl Whitlatch.

With decades of experience in the entertainment industry, developing creatures for Star Wars: Episode I—The Phantom Menace and Beowulf, among other films, Whitlatch offers an abundance of valuable advice throughout the Principles of Creature Design. For Whitlatch, there’s no limit to what can be imagined with an open mind, though the journey may not always be an easy one. It’s what she calls “chasing the unicorn.” We will surely enjoy joining her on her journey, filled with creatures so vivid, whimsical, and elaborate that we will wish—or wonder if—they are real.

Fifty-four artists contribute to this amazing third installment of the popular Nuthin’ But Mech book series, based on the eponymous blog started by designer Lorin Wood in 2009 to create a place for his friends, colleagues, and acquaintances to share a common passion: robots. The popularity of the blog led to the publication of the first Nuthin’ But Mech book in 2012 with the work of 31 artists, followed by the highly anticipated second volume in 2014 with 40 artists. Nuthin’ But Mech 3 is the biggest volume to date, with new and returning contributors, and it is dedicated to the memory of contributing artist Francis Tsai, a remarkable talent and inspiring figure who passed away from Lou Gehrig’s disease in early 2015. In addition to featuring exceptional portraits that Tsai created using eye-tracking software, mech fans will appreciate the breadth of high-quality digital paintings, 3D models, as well as traditional works, by some of the most prominent artists and designers working in the entertainment industry today. In appreciation of Francis Tsai’s contributions to the artistic community, proceeds from the sales of this book will be donated to his family.

Note: Design Studio Press is not associated with the Kickstarter campaign as hardcover copies were reserved only for backers.

The afterlife—a place that fills our hearts and minds with wonder as well as dread. What is in store for us there? Will there be suffering or redemption for our souls, or both? Who or what holds the power in the afterlife? And is there no escape?

Heaven’s Hell: The Art of Anthony Jones unveils one artist’s exploration of this shadowy realm and the beautiful and haunting beings battling over it. Meet the sultry and fearless sisters of Haliled, the scheming Crimson and Sapphire Sages, and the mighty brothers of Jisais—all of whom don the most sensual, imaginative attire—drawn and painted in striking detail that will captivate curious minds. Jones’s artwork is undeniably provocative and unsettling simultaneously—this effect is ultimately his intention—for the afterlife holds as much mystery as it does terror: it is both heaven and hell.

Anthony Jones has worked as an artist in the entertainment industry since 2008. He has worked for several notable companies over his career, including Sony, Blizzard Entertainment, Paramount, Western Costumes, Applibot, Wizards of the Coast, and Hasbro. But he is most proud of his role as a teacher, helping aspiring artists finesse their skills, as well as providing them a venue where they can showcase their work, through his company, Robotpencil.

WOOSH! is a collection of personal spaceship sketches created by entertainment designer Lorin Wood as he decompressed on his couch after a long day at work. While “analog” in its execution, there’s nothing dated about his vision of the future. His detailed ships will have you dreaming of space exploration with every line and brushstroke. And artists, hobbyists, and anyone who enjoys sketching will also appreciate Wood’s tips on what traditional tools to use and how to render.

In 2005 Chris Ayers was working as a character designer and concept artist in the Los Angeles film industry. On April Fool's Day his career–and everything else for that matter–was put on hold when a cancer diagnosis of acute myelogenous leukemia slammed its massive fist down on the PAUSE button of life's remote control. Fortunately, though, that pause did not become STOP and a premature EJECT.

After a lengthy and tumultuous period of treatment and physical recovery, Chris devised a personal project to support the continuation of his emotional recovery. By combining two lifelong passions, animals and art, and challenging himself to draw one animal each day for a year, The Daily Zoo was born.

For those of you who have been following the Zoo since its early inception, you'll know that the project proved to be so therapeutic and creatively satisfying that he continued it beyond its initial yearlong timeframe. At the time of writing the introduction to this book, Chris is nearing the end of Year Seven, which will culminate with Day 2,559. That's a lot of drawings…but what he feels is the bigger accomplishment–and what he is most grateful for–is that it also marks a lot of days of being in remission from the leukemia.