Customer Reviews

Drawing Dragons and Those Who Hunt Them

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Wow! What could be better than a surprise smash hit, hits all my senses that is,even smell. An unsuspected spectacular book was handed to me and just from the cover I could tell it was going to be a great afternoon of adventure under the cover. I began to consider so many different kinds of people I would love to share this artful masterpiece with:7yr old girls, 21yr old college art students, old hippies, witches of pagan circles and my 85 yr old mother who loves a good book. Mister Christopher had done dragons a great deed, indeed. He takes from egg to pencil swirl to the eye of the beast, and all with a mischevious written description of this fantasy world.
If you have ever hesitated, judged, or simply ignored the art of drawing dragons,you might want to reconsider your decision. You might want to order this book and open up a whole new chapter in your life. Read on you unsung heroes of the dragonian ages.Remember your day is only as dull as you make it and this book empties you of all excuses. Get it and share it with someone you never thought you would. L.T. in CT

The latest in Christopher Hart's ever more specific books on comic art training covers the most popular and revered creatures of fantasy--Dragons! Although more specifically, Dragons and those who Hunt Them. In all there is 128 pages in full color and black & white featuring Hart's step-by-step instructions on drawing these fantastic beasts. As with all of Hart's book, this isn't some mere dry and boring instruction. The test is lively and covers topics from how dragons are able to breathe fire to the parenting skills of dragons.

The opening chapter deals with the dragon up close and personal with instruction on creating the head and facial features of dragons. These include various poses and view perspective and a wide assortment of head options. Hart then takes readers through the design of the dragon's body and provides a simple yet cohesive guide to a Dragon's anatomy. Do you want your dragon to have spikes or plates on his head and back? Wrinkles of scales? And what about wings? There are a number of different examples of dragon types illustrated by hart to show the wide range of diversity in the species. There is the multi-headed Hydra, the huge Colossus, and Thorn Dragons, to name just a few.

Hart even shows how to illustrate baby dragons, and the breeding habits of dragons. There are even sections on drawing a dragon's lair and the dragon burial ground. As mentioned the book also covers dragon hunters...those men and women brave, or stupid enough to try and slay the beasts. As with all of Hart's books there are literally hundreds of illustrations with complete captions and notes to the perspective student. Hart's books are always fun and informative and this one is no different. Hart makes things look so easy but his books are always well done and geared for beginning artists.

REVIEWED BY TIM JANSON

I enjoyed this book immensely as did my two nieces, whom I shared it with. One is not interested in drawing but is immersed in fantasy, while the other one is interested in drawing and hence the artistic elements of the book. I can tell you that they both truly loved the book. The artistry and instruction are excellent and there is the trademark humor and playfulness that encompass all of Christopher Hart's books. I highly recommend this book for any and all.

This is a must have for the fantasy artist. Right from the outstanding textured book cover I felt this one is special. It goes into detailed anatomy of the dragon, the skull, skin textures, the workings of wings, claws, heads and more. Then we get a educated on the path of the fire, mechanics of breathing, steam & fire bursts; wow that was exciting. what I find great about this book is that it encompasses the whole dragon world: the cycle of life, creatures of the dragon world, Dragon hunters etc. the drawings and techniques demonstrates how to bring out the dragon's personality which is more thing that differentiates this book from out from all others I've seen.

"Drawing Dragons and Those Who Hunt Them" has about 48 different dragon drawings. The description implies that the art has an edge and is "high art" on the contrary all the dragons are cartoonish. Many of the drawings lack fine detail and shading rendering them flat. Also a majority of the dragons are unusually fat making flight implausible. As one who wanted high art/serious dragons, the book is a disappointment. For those who want serious dragon art, there are none on Amazon that I can find. There is a selection of various mature art books, one can start that search with "The Art of Arantza." Be warned, "Drawing Dragons" has two fold out double pages, so do not assume that they are pages not cut in the manufacturing of the book.