You Can Draw Mecha [Paperback]

Ben Dunn (Author), Fred Perry (Author), Sherard Jackson (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 9, 2004

Combining precise technical drawing with unique and imaginative mechanized creations can be a difficult skill to master. In this volume, some of today's best technical manga artists reduce the seemingly meticulous task of drawing mechs to an easy skill that you too can master. Sharing their tricks and tips for drawing Japanese-style mechanical constructs, this volume will prove that You Can Draw Mecha!

Product Details

• Paperback: 192 pages
• Publisher: Antarctic Press (November 9, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1932453547
• ISBN-13: 978-1932453546
• Product Dimensions: 10.8 x 8.1 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #888,587 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #74 in Books > Arts & Photography > Drawing > Specific Objects

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Good book, but not great, January 1, 2008

By 

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

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This review is from: You Can Draw Mecha (Paperback)

This is my third book, after Mecha Mania: How to Draw Warrior Robots, Cool Spaceships, and Military Vehicles (Christopher Hart Titles) and How To Draw Manga Volume 12: Giant Robots (How to Draw Manga) that deals with drawing mecha. I'd say its a good addition to the genre, but not my favorite.

None of the pictures are colored and few are shaded. It is better than the Giant Robots book in that it shows how to sketch out the drawing first, where that book does not. But it doesn't have nearly the volume of content of the other 2 books either and many of the drawings are left in the sketch state, where the Mecha Mania book shows the final product again and again.

From what I've read of "professional" artists, they sketch often just as shown in this book, so from that standpoint, this is a good addition to a How to Draw Mecha library for a beginner.

1.0 out of 5 stars worthless book, October 27, 2010

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saul tricoche - See all my reviews

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This review is from: You Can Draw Mecha (Paperback)

first of all this book is a dissapointment for any one with a huge carving -to- learn drawing 'mecha' .
it's simple your looking for a book that actually help you get to the point and this book say's learn to draw mecha with easy step by step leassons and you know what? its full of compleated drawings,skecthes and scribbles but the ilustrators dont break it into the step by step and easy leasson they said . you encounter inside this wack book ,maby two pages are worth which discused some faces head and arms ; but thats it you aint recieving more heavenly advices or technics so you catch up with this subject. dont get me wrong sherard jackson as ben dunn are respected ilustrators as a matter of fact this is not the first book from ap comics that I buy its that these guys suck as teachers which is fustrating cause I owen some of the How to Draw Manga series and FRED PERRYS Golddigger but this subject was not quite explain and it happens that I recive it today and you could imagine how fustratrad I am speaking with the true it had been the worst $19.95 dollars i've ever expend so be more wise than me and go for something eles that really gives step by step leassons
P.S. dammit !

5.0 out of 5 stars One of, if not THE best!, December 12, 2004

By 

tongpakfu "Frothy Mecha fan" (Mid-Atlantic USA) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: You Can Draw Mecha (Paperback)

Sherard Jackson returns with his second foray into the realm of home manga illustration books. His first volume, "You Can Draw Transforming Robots", was one of the finest English-language How-to-Draw mecha books I had ever seen. Somehow, Mr. Jackson has managed to outdo himself in this sophomore work. Various mecha styles in the "Eastern" school of mecha design are represented. Influences from Transformers, Kawamori's Armored Core designs, Zoids, Evangelion, and even Zone of the Enders are present. Naturally, some Gundam-esque examples are also in the book. Jackson's designs from his own work, "Assembly" add to the roster.
Despite the presence of easily recognizable styles, Jackson instructs the reader on how to find inspiration, instead of simply hashing out how to copy someone else's style. Medieval armor, historical weaponry, animals, and human anatomy are presented as sparks for the imagination. Jackson's a teacher who gives the "how-to", but also shows actual design and illustrating savvy that backs up his lessons. Illustrations display his gift for technically detailed mecha with lots of personality.
This book de-emphasizes the "how to draw" and emphasizes the "draw mecha". Those who need the very basics should start with a more basic primer, as the book assumes the reader has some drawing experience. However, those who need more advanced lessons on mecha design and rendering dynamic images of mecha will not be disappointed.