Sup, Alright so over the course of two years, I have gotten at least 2 new books. Here are some that I recommend for anyone in their artistic venture.
How to draw "hands" that Takami Kagami teaches with all of his power: An overwhelming drawing style
Link: https://a.co/d/hAHebRt
When I say this book is a godsend in drawing hands, I mean it. My favorite part of this book is how it goes into detail on how to draw hands in various styles, whether it be for semi-realistic old men, to cutesy baby hands for a baby show. And it ain't just a bunch of perspectives on hands, it shows them interacting with objects in the world (sometimes the hands themselves). This book has come in handy for any moment when I feel clouded in my hand renders. Because sometimes, being accurate aint enough for a piece, you need to look better than in real life. And this book helps you do just that!
VISIONS 2021 ILLUSTRATORS BOOK
Link: https://a.co/d/4ugUPfV
Now this is the book I got, But you can't really go wrong with Pixiv Illustrator Books. Pixiv is home to many of the best artists of this generation. I honestly could talk all day about how amazing a lot of these artists are, but This book does a great job of highlighting a fraction of the astounding artists on Pixiv. I will say, that sifting through these books does expand my ideas of what I can even do with digital art, Just seeing some of Miche’s pieces set me on a path of integrating 3d into my 2d world. The thing is, this book expedites the expansion of your visual library. The fascination and enthrallment that I gain with these various pieces keeps my artistic journey satisfying.
A World in Common: Contemporary African Photography
Link: https://a.co/d/cW0eYUh
Africa! It's big. Now this book has a wide selection of the most riveting photographs of the many spaces of Africa. You will see amazing fashion, earthy landscapes and so much more. And along with these, The book also gives amazing entries on each photographer, that will be sure to expand your worldview.
Groove Workshop DVD
Link: https://hudsonmusic.com/product/groove-workshop/?wcacra=879700
Not a book, But I will say it's better that way for this one. Victor Wooten is one of the many final forms of a musician. He understands the flow and works within it, His groove seems effortless and it is honestly inspiring. In his groove workshop, He makes the insurmountable task of creating music with an amazing rhythmic flow and turns it into childs-play. He possesses this infectious joy with music creation that helps one realize how it is only what we make of it. However, it is possible for it to be as easy as breathing and speaking. And given how music is a time-based art form, hearing the music in real life along with the out-loud thought process grants an amazing learning experience.
ILLUSTRATION MAKING & VISUAL BOOK みっちぇ
Link: https://amzn.asia/d/1RRuo4w
Naofumi Osawa“Miche” Is one of my favorite artists of all time. So of course, Hearing that they had an art book, I got it. I would recommend checking out their portfolio to see the grandeur that is consistently put on display by them. And in this book, they drop the method of how they construct their pieces. A gorgeous marriage between 2D and 3D, That has a look that is both terrifingly vast and opulent.
季刊S（エス）2023年10月号
Link: https://amzn.asia/d/4SDpqNw
Gonna keep it a trilly, I don’t know the English name for this, I got this book at Kinokuniya NYC. With that being said, Yoneyama Mai is one of the best artists of the 20s. With a wide range of both slick and energy-popping artwork, you are bound to be wowed by her catalog. Now know this, She is not the only star of this book. There is Jack Ketchum,桜雪るな @ouseluna0117, Genga for Phoenix Reminiscence of Power, Entries in Indie Anime Magazine, and so much more. This book even teaches you how to color Apple Pie, I mean hey, that's a good thing to know. The book showcases many process pieces, including how Mai made the book's cover. And big ups to you if you speak Japanese because I am only scratching the surface of this book.
PYECUTS それーゆ作品集 ILLUSTRATION MAKING & VISUAL BOOK
Link: https://www.shoeisha.co.jp/book/detail/9784798178806
Cuteness… I like cutey cute stuff. So when I saw Soreyu’s work, I was ensnared. The artwork is so adorable yet solid. The drawings are many times beautiful women, with a focus on sweet energy, but it's a mixture of many other energies, whether it's sporty, grandeur, casual, etc. Every piece that they produce is fresh and sweet. Not to mention, Soreyu goes into detail about how they make their pieces down to the brush.
The Woman's Dictionary of Symbols and Sacred Objects
Link: https://a.co/d/ibdHMuZ
The world speaks in symbols. As a creator, knowing these symbols will serve you in adding depth to your creation, using the language of those before you. You will either do it subconsciously or consciously. The choice is yours. This book goes into the many symbols used throughout all of human history along with a brief explanation for said symbol. It ranges from the cowrie shells found on the ground to the many celestial bodies in space. With the through line being the woman. Utilizing the symbols in this book will enrich your art and your artistic journey supremely.
Screenplay Workbook: The Writing Before the Writing
Link: https://a.co/d/gUlJBr6
Scripts! Writing! WORDS! What I adore about this book is its brevity. But do not mistake that for a surface level education, This book breaks stories down to their essential key points and gives the framework for creating with it. This book was my secret weapon in writing short stories, for if you can make 7 lines interesting, you can make 5 pages interesting, and so on and so forth.
Writing Screenplays That Sell, New Twentieth Anniversary Edition
Link: https://a.co/d/9EAlYqs
If the previous book gives you the skeleton, this one gives you muscle, skin, pants, a shirt, a walkman, etc. This book goes in-depth on the various techniques to add to your story writing arsenal from making interesting characters, to methods for peer review, to word usage for making an enveloping script. The exemplary methods that Michael Hauge teaches in this book are something to behold.
I would like to thank you for reading this. Of course, there are so many other amazing resources for creating art, and some of them are being created right now. So stay watchful and explore this beautiful world. You can learn anywhere and everywhere, I just think books are neat.
Listen to the Brand New Heavies: You Are The Universe https://youtu.be/0Om_l8SP9VE?si=B2h70NO1VEypZKUc
