Feb 11Another book in the super spiral bound style that doesn't pop shut just as you're in the middle of a crucial element. I think all art book should be like this!!Its hard to know where to start with this book as it encompasses such a huge range and depth of information – its certainly well worth the money. Scott starts with an introduction of suggested tools, technical details and some stimulating influences to get creative thinking going. The digital tool kit is especially useful and he uses computer software a lot in his work.. I wasn't aware that fantasy art had been around so long but he shows us how Michelangelo used fantasy in parts of the Sistine chapel with the horrors of the flayed skin of St Bartholomew and the floating figures and angels that wouldn't look out of place in modern fantasy art. I suppose its simply something I assumed was recent and yet like most art forms its been around for a very long time. I often think there really isn't anything “new” in art – its all been done by someone somewhere in the past :o) Scott suggests ideas for inspiration and having gained that he tells us what he does next – thumbnails – something I always mean to do and forget but which are so useful. He covers different types of fantasy characters, weapons,settings, genres and how to put all that together into an action scene where the unreal looks real, an essential part of fantasy art.The greater part of the book is devoted to different projects – all with clear concise explanations so long as you understand pc graphics software – sadly my experience here is limited and so though its interesting to read, you really need to understand n depth programmes such as Photoshop that Scott uses to follow them. If you do then a whole new world is opened up to you and for those that feel they can't draw (sadly many people are simply put off from trying in the belief they can't do it) then maybe using a pc and editing software will introduce them to the world of art. There are some incredible effects shown and I do wish I knew more about how to do this type of art but my skills are not in that direction...one day maybe !! of course the bonus about computer generated art is that magic “undo” button – paint and paper can be modified at best but with a pc its easy to undo and redo and work out what best as you go along – maybe that would take away some of the fear factor that people have about art?Superb book – excellent value for money as its packed with information and projects but remember the need to know to be willing to learn about pc software to get the best from it.
