Recommendations based on "BP Portrait Award 2016"

Renowned professor on the subject examines the practice of drawing for illustration through case studies and sketchbooks.This beautiful, in-depth reference book by illustration professor Martin Salisbury explores drawing for illustration. Salisbury places a special emphasis on drawing, treating it as a fundamental skill that every illustrator should engage with. Assisting students through exercises and case studies, this guide explores the often-unseen world of draftsmanship that underpins finished illustration work.From book illustration to graphic novels and caricatures to commercial design, this attractive volume draws on sketchbooks, projects, and historical examples to show how they started as drawings from observation and drawings from imagination.Salisbury starts out by explaining the fundamentals of this exciting discipline before outlining the basic principles of line, tone, composition, and color through inspired examples. Different approaches to drawing, including anecdotal, sequential, and reportage, are examined to help students acquire their own personal visual language. Interviews with illustrators also provide valuable insights into the creative process, as they discuss the challenges, rewards, and what drawing personally means for them.Visually appealing, Drawing for Illustration features detailed analysis of works by key illustrators from the past and present, including George Cruikshank, Ronald Searle, Sheila Robinson, Laura Carlin, Alexis Deacon, and Isabelle Arsenault, looking at the differing roles drawing plays in their particular illustrative languages and how styles have changed over time. 170 illustrations

A remarkable selection covering all aspects of Vincent van Gogh’s life and offering valuable new insights into the creative process behind his many famous works. This captivating collection of Vincent van Gogh’s letters opens a window into the mind of one of history’s greatest artists. Giving rare insight into his complicated relationships with family, friends, and other fellow artists, the letters describe his personal doubts, fears, and above all his overriding passion for his art. Introductions by the letters editors from the Van Gogh Museum highlight the most recent discoveries and theories surrounding Van Gogh’s work and personal history. Illustrated with original manuscript letters, sketches, paintings, and photographs of correspondents, this book brings Van Gogh’s story and work to life. Vincent van Gogh: A Life in Letters is a valuable personal introduction to the artist’s life and work, with illuminating commentaries by experts on the subject.

A full-color illustrated compendium chronicling the magical twenty-year journey of acclaimed art and design studio, MinaLima, the creative genius behind the graphics for the Harry Potter film series.“It all started with a letter . . .”Miraphora Mina and Eduardo Lima began their extraordinary partnership in 2001 when Warner Bros. invited them to realize the imaginative visual universe of the Harry Potter film series. The two artists would never have guessed that the graphic props they designed for the films—including the Hogwarts acceptance letter, Marauder’s Map, Daily Prophet newspaper, The Quibbler and Weasleys’ Wizard Wheezes—would become cultural icons loved by Wizarding World fans around the world.Eight years later, the pair formed their own design studio, MinaLima, and expanded their work to include the graphics for the Wizarding World of Harry Potter—Diagon Alley and Hogsmeade at Universal Orlando Resort and the Fantastic Beasts film series. To showcase their treasury of designs, the studio has opened House of MinaLima, its immersive art galleries and shops in London and across the world.The Magic of MinaLima is an illustrated history and celebration of Mina and Lima’s twenty-year evolution and groundbreaking vision. Their wondrous creations illuminate the Wizarding World as never before, and their commentary offers insights into the imaginative thinking that shaped their designs.This collection showcases the very best works from the award-winning studio’s two decades and includes interactive elements such as the Marauder’s Map, the Black Family Tapestry, and Weasleys’ Wizard Wheezes.Designed to delight and enchant, The Magic of MinaLima will be an invaluable resource for Wizarding World and graphic art fans alike.

From ND Stevenson, the New York Times bestselling author-illustrator of Nimona, comes a captivating, honest illustrated memoir that finds him turning an important corner in his creative journey—and inviting readers along for the ride.In a collection of essays and personal mini-comics that span eight years of his young adult life, author-illustrator ND Stevenson charts the highs and lows of being a creative human in the world.Whether it’s hearing the wrong name called at his art school graduation ceremony or becoming a National Book Award finalist for his debut graphic novel, Nimona, ND captures the little and big moments that make up a real life, with a wit, wisdom, and vulnerability that are all his own.Named one of Bank Street College of Education's Best Children’s Books of the Year!

Up-close and uniquely personal, like never seen before, this exquisite fine art book showcases the glowing beauty of fireflies, as seen through the lens of the award-winning nature photographer, Radim Schreiber. This is a collection of hauntingly beautiful photographic portraits of fireflies, lightning bugs, glow worms, and other bioluminescent creatures in their natural environment, captured in Iowa, the Smoky Mountains National Park, and other locations around the United States. Firefly Experience takes the viewer into mysterious realms, offering marvelous photography on every page. The images are accompanied with informative detail and personal anecdotes.

A popular gift volume featuring dozens of meticulously accurate, full-color paintings--including a fold-out illustration of the whole Titanic--offers a wealth of information about the "unsinkable" cruise ship and its fatal voyage.

See and shape the world in a way you never before imagined with this realistic fantasy illustration guide from award-winning artist and author James Gurney.In Imaginative Realism: How to Paint What Doesn't Exist, Dinotopia creator James Gurney instructs and inspires beginning artists and fans of fantasy art, sharing his uncanny ability to incorporate amazing detail and imagination into stunningly realistic fantasy settings and teaching, step-by-step, the techniques that won him worldwide critical acclaim. This groundbreaking work examines the practical methods for creating believable pictures of imaginary subjects, such as dinosaurs, ancient Romans, alien creatures, and distant worlds.Alongside a survey of imaginative paintings from the Renaissance to the golden Age of American illustration, the book explains not just techniques like sketching and composition, but the fundamentals of believable world-building, including archaeology, architecture, anatomy for creatures and aliens, and fantastic engineering. It concludes with details and valuable advice on careers in fantasy illustration, including video game and film concept art and toy design.More than an instruction book, this is the ultimate reference for fans of science fiction and fantasy illustration."Gurney's Imaginative Realism is a gold mine for artists who want to create images that sing with authority and delight the viewer with rich otherworldly visuals." –Erik Tiemens, concept artist, Star Wars: Episodes II and III"Imaginative Realism is an indispensable, flawless reference for vision-makers in any discipline to create their own imaginative realms." –Frank M. Costantino, ASAI, SI, FSAI, JARA, cofounder, American Society of Architectural Illustrators

From New York Times best-selling author of the Dinotopia series, James Gurney, comes a carefully crafted and researched study on color and light in paintings. This art instruction book is the follow up to the acclaimed Imaginative Realism: How to Paint What Doesn't Exist.James Gurney, New York Times best-selling author and artist of the Dinotopia series, follows Imaginative Realism with his second art-instruction book, Color and Light: A Guide for the Realist Painter. A researched study on two of art's most fundamental themes, Color and Light bridges the gap between abstract theory and practical knowledge. Beginning with a survey of underappreciated masters who perfected the use of color and light, the book examines how light reveals form, the properties of color and pigments, and the wide variety of atmospheric effects. Gurney cuts though the confusing and contradictory dogma about color, testing it in the light of science and observation. A glossary, pigment index, and bibliography complete what will ultimately become an indispensible tool for any artist."James Gurney's new book, Color and Light, cleverly bridges the gap between artistic observation and scientific explanation. Not only does he eloquently describe all the effects of color and light an artist might encounter, but he thrills us with his striking paintings in the process." --Armand Cabrera, Artist

Featuring highlights from all three Pirates of the Caribbean movies, an insider's guide takes readers on a tour of the swashbuckling world of Captain Jack Sparrow--his ship, his crew, and his incredible adventures on the high seas.

An inspiring picture book about how children can combine art and activism in their daily lives."They say I'm an artist. They say I'm an activist."When a young boy realizes the scope of inequities in the wider world, he's seized with the urge to do more. He decides to bring together the different parts of himself—the artist and the activist—to become. . . an Artivist. After his mural goes viral, he sets out to change the world one painting at a time.With inspiring text and stunning illustrations by Nikkolas Smith, The Artivist is a call to action for young readers to point out injustice in their lives and try to heal the broken bones of the world through their art.