50 Robots to Draw and Paint: Create Fantastic Robot Characters for Comic Books, Computer Games, and Graphic Novels [Paperback]

Keith Thompson (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 17, 2006

The ability to render eye-catching, convincing robots is a vital skill for artists who design computer games or illustrate graphic novels and comic books. This book presents 50 robot designs for artists to copy, and then embellish with their own creative flourishes. Each design features step-by-step constructional drawings, with instructions for shading and coloring. Among them are--

Basic robots, easy-to-create "starter" models

Wizards and alchemists

Clockwork robots, constructed from gears, cogs, and mechanical parts

Bipedal anti-tank robots engaging in future wars

Insect-like robots with computer brains

Robotic shock-troop robots for interstellar warfare
Readers will also find advice on effective storytelling, avoiding simplistic clich©s, seeking out constructive criticism, and maintaining productive work habits. More than 200 instructive color illustrations.

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

(back cover)
Learn how to draw awe-inspiring robots for comic books, graphic novels, and computer games. From terrifying Victorian clockwork creations to the dark future’s most lethal war machines, this book helps you bring cold life to your robot art.

Learn the core skills for rendering robots: where to find inspiration; how to draw and color your work using a range of media; techniques for adding detail like electrical circuits, machinery, and weapons.

The main section of the book is a directory of 50 robot designs to copy, each featuring step-by-step constructional drawings and instructions for shading and coloring.

Features a wide range of robot styles, from simple tin men to sophisticated tank destroyers, and includes ten super-simple designs to get you started.

Keith Thompson is a renowned illustrator and conceptual designer who specializes in fantasy and science fiction art. His surreal and innovative work has been featured in numerous books and magazines around the world, and is also available to buyers as fine-art prints. He lives in Ottawa, Canada.

About the Author

Keith Thompson's illustrations have been featured in numerous books and magazines around the world, with many others available to buyers as fine-art prints. He lives in Ottawa, Canada.

Product Details

• Paperback: 128 pages
• Publisher: Barron's Educational Series (February 17, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0764133101
• ISBN-13: 978-0764133107
• Product Dimensions: 10.7 x 8.5 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #179,512 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars For the advanced student, December 11, 2008

By 

Iron Giant "Iron Giant" (Boston) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: 50 Robots to Draw and Paint: Create Fantastic Robot Characters for Comic Books, Computer Games, and Graphic Novels (Paperback)

Beginners need not apply. If you are an advanced artist and/or looking to get into the field of digital art or computer games and need some challenging work, this might be a good book for you.

Also, I found very few of the pictures inspiring. Many look impossible, giant lumbering war machines balanced on tiny feet, 50's retro robots that didn't interest me, a micro robot made out of proteins, a Geisha robot in a long flowing dress which took up most of the picture and didn't make her look like a robot at all, etc.

It does start with some detailed pages of what advanced art supplies a professional might use, which is a nice addition.

I know how to draw, though I'm a beginner. If the book was more my level (not the books fault, really) or if the pictures were more inspiring and interesting (this part is subjective, of course) I might give it one more star.

This book is a good example of what can go wrong when you buy a book on Amazon. Had I flipped through it at the book store I would have known immediately that it wasn't for me.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Nicely presented, May 4, 2009

By 

AMZ "AGENTZ" (Wish I was somewhere else, Michigan) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: 50 Robots to Draw and Paint: Create Fantastic Robot Characters for Comic Books, Computer Games, and Graphic Novels (Paperback)

This book has a nice progression from sketch to final drawings. Its nice to see different styles and techniques from multiple artists. It focuses on the right stuff. Some of the robots seem a bit "amateurish" but still a good reference.

4.0 out of 5 stars okay, June 21, 2011

By 

johnyboy - See all my reviews

This review is from: 50 Robots to Draw and Paint: Create Fantastic Robot Characters for Comic Books, Computer Games, and Graphic Novels (Paperback)

it was ok and some of them looked really nice and i draw some of them but some are imposible to draw and others look to ugly only handfull looked really nice