John Howe's Ultimate Fantasy Art Academy


Book Description

Create your own fantasy art with this comprehensive guidebook by the lead conceptual designer on The Lord of the RingsTM and The HobbitTM trilogies. Discover the creative processes and intriguing inspirations behind the work of John Howe – lead conceptual designer on The Lord of the RingsTM and The HobbitTM movie trilogies. Through step-by-step drawings and finished paintings, Howe reveals his artistic approach in action: from developing characters to creating atmospheric landscapes, extraordinary architecture and fantasy beasts. In this practical guide, Howe shares tips on everything from building a portfolio to book illustration, graphic novels and designing for the big screen. Develop your own personal style of fantasy art with help from the best in the business with this must-have book. Features a foreword by groundbreaking film director Terry Gilliam, and an afterword by Alan Lee, John’s partner on the conceptual design for The Lord of the RingsTM movie trilogy and Oscar-winning illustrator.




Myth & Magic


Book Description

For the first time ever, a portfolio of illustrated work from the award-winning artist, John Howe, which reveals the breathtaking vision of one of the foremost fantasy artists in the world. Myth and Magic is arranged into six sections, which looks at the books by J.R.R. Tolkien that have inspired John, as well as a fascinating tour through the paintings that he has produced for some of the finest fantasy authors working today. From the beloved painting of Smaug which decorates The Hobbit, his numerous and bestselling calendar illustrations, the world famous "Gandalf" picture, which is synonymous with the HarperCollins one-volume edition of The Lord of the Rings, this large-format hardback will delight fans of Tolkien, and anyone who has been captured by the imagination of the artist who so brilliantly brings to life the literary vision of J.R.R. Tolkien.




John Howe Forging Dragons


Book Description

Medieval, Celtic, and Gothic dragons, along with sea dragons and fire dragons, are featured in an informative guide to the myths and legends of these powerful creatures with working sketches of the artist's creations and the techniques used to draw and paint them.




John Howe Fantasy Drawing Workshop


Book Description

This is a breathtaking new practical art course that completely demystifies the drawing and sketching techniques of master fantasy artist John Howe. Learn the basics of drawing as John reveals the secrets behind choosing the best materials and the correct methods for holding and using pencils.




The Lord of the Rings Sketchbook


Book Description

"In The Lord of the Rings Sketchbook Alan Lee reveals in pictures and in words how he created the watercolor paintings for the special centenary edition of The Lord of the Rings. These images would prove so powerful and evocative that they would eventually define the look of Peter Jackson's movie trilogy and earn him a coveted Academy Award." "The book is filled with more than 150 of his sketches and early conceptual pieces showing how the project progressed from idea to finished art. It also contains a selection of full-page paintings reproduced in full color, together with numerous examples of previously unseen conceptual art produced for the films and many new works drawn specially for this book." "The Lord of the Rings Sketchbook provides an insight into the imagination of the man who painted Tolkien's vision, first on the page and then in three dimensions on the movie screen. It will also be of interest to many of the thousands of people who have bought the illustrated Lord of the Rings as well as to budding artists who want to unlock the secrets of book illustration."--BOOK JACKET.




A Middle-Earth Traveller


Book Description

Let acclaimed Tolkien artist John Howe take you on an unforgettable journey across Middle-earth, from Bag End to Mordor, in this richly illustrated sketchbook fully of previously unseen artwork, anecdotes and meditations on Middle-earth.




Lost Worlds


Book Description

Cover has a circular, plastic-covered opening.




The Fantasy Illustrator's Technique Book


Book Description

Learn the how-to elements of creating fantasy art using pencils, paint, and pixels from the master illustrator Gary Lippincott.




Why Acting Matters


Book Description

Does acting matter? David Thomson, one of our most respected and insightful writers on movies and theater, answers this question with intelligence and wit. In this fresh and thought-provoking essay, Thomson tackles this most elusive of subjects, examining the allure of the performing arts for both the artist and the audience member while addressing the paradoxes inherent in acting itself. He reflects on the casting process, on stage versus film acting, and on the cult of celebrity. The art and considerable craft of such gifted artists as Meryl Streep, Laurence Olivier, Vivien Leigh, Marlon Brando, Daniel Day-Lewis, and others are scrupulously appraised here, as are notions of “good” and “bad” acting. Thomson’s exploration is at once a meditation on and a celebration of a unique and much beloved, often misunderstood, and occasionally derided art form. He argues that acting not only “matters” but is essential and inescapable, as well as dangerous, chronic, transformative, and exhilarating, be it on the theatrical stage, on the movie screen, or as part of our everyday lives.




Fantasy Art Masters


Book Description

Dick Jude, author of the previous book, brings together the work of 10 more of the brightest talents in the business, who once more give us an insight into their working methods and inspirations. Some of the press comments on Fantasy Art of the New Millennium - 'Apart from the sheer pleasure of gazing, there's a lot to be learned in this superior graphics treasury. Beautiful images, superbly reproduced.' Time Out'... book full of wonder. It's a brilliant look at artwork, past, present and future and if you don't have it, add it to your Christmas list now.' Starburst '... beautiful book, packed with enormous, lavish illustrations from each of the artists involved... affords a glimpse into the minds of many of the genre's finest painters and illustrators and it'll look great on your coffee table.'