Wednesday, October 23rd, 2013 12:48 pm
Title: Fashion Design Studio – Learn to Draw Figures, Fashion, Hairstyles & More!
Original title: Fashion Design Studio – Learn to Draw Figures, Fashion, Hairstyles & More!
Author: Chris Hart
Language: English
Series: None
Reviews for other books in this series (up until now): MANGA for the beginner – Chibis
Format: Paperback
Pages: 128
Publisher: Sixth&Spring Books
Year published: Release date: Expected around the 26th of November 2013 (I got an early copy from Mr. Hart for a review)
ISBN number: 9781936096626
Topic of the book: How to draw
Reason for reading: Mr. Hart read my review about his book MANGA for the beginner – Chibis and asked me to review his upcoming book.
Recommended: Yes, for those who want to become fashion designers and don't know of the basics. If you already know the basics, this book might not hold many surprises.

Even though I was asked to review this book by the author himself, it will still be objective and honest. So, yes, I will point out things I like, dislike or miss in this book.

A fun fact that might interest you before reading is that during High School, my Art Teachers told me to quit drawing. I was, in their opinion, terrible and there was no future for me in Art. I am not exaggerating, that is what they told me. According to them, art included Still Lifes, landscapes, modern abstracts and never 'those cartoon-esque figures'. One of the Art Teachers had the decency to bring this mildly to me (the others were very blunt about it) and said that if I really wanted to continue art I might stand a tiny chance if I'd focus on Fashion Designing. I never went into Fashion Designing and continued those 'stupid cartoon figures' and I consider myself decent in terms of skill. I still have much left to learn, but I'm confident enough to see I'm far from terrible.

So, when Mr. Hart asked me to review his book, I remembered those High School days again. I consider it very ironic that the very first book someone asks me to review is about Fashion Designing....
And now onwards to the review!

Back cover text:

From Chris Hart, the world's best-selling author of how-to-draw books, comes Creative Girls draw: Fashion Design Studio, the ultimate guide to drawing for aspiring fashion designers. Inside you'll find all the tools you need to share your design ideas. Learn to draw the figure with the right proportions and poses, and how to adorn it with an array of garment, shoes, and accessories, as well as hair and make-up. Practice on the Draw It Yourself pages throughout the book, and find ideas for looks in the Style Files. With Chris Hart's help, you can bring your designs to life and your fashion dreams closer to reality!

Read the full review!
Thursday, August 2nd, 2012 09:41 pm
Title: How to paint eyes
Original title: How to paint eyes
Author: Sharon Kinzie
Language: English
Series: None
Reviews for other books in this series (up till now): None
Format: Paperback
Pages: 32 (plus a poster including all the art inside the book)
Publisher: Scott Publications
Year published: original October 1989, my edition May 1992 (3rd printing)
ISBN number: #0-916809-35-8
Topic of the book: How to draw
Reason for reading: My father found the book between his collection and recommended it to me.
Recommended: No, but if you can borrow it at a library or get it for free: go for it.

Back cover text:

A small font-sized wall of text. It mentions how the artist/author shares her exciting techniques for portraying human and animal eyes. The directions are written in an easy-to-understand manner, according to the back cover text.

Read the full review!
Thursday, June 28th, 2012 08:51 pm
Two weeks no review... first because of work, second because of a power-blackout...
When I typed this review it was 21:30h / 9:30 PM, there was a power-blackout and a thunderstorm passing by. There was not much light, so if you see any strange typos, it's probably because of that (plus I missed it while going through this review again).

Title: Fantasy-Figuren (Tekenen stap-voor-stap) (English: Fantasy-Figures, drawing step-by-step)
Original title: Draw Medieval Fantasies
Author: Damon J. Reinagle
Language: Dutch
Series: Tekenen stap-voor-stap (Drawing step-by-step)
Reviews for other books in this series (up till now): None yet, but I own quite a bunch!
Format: Paperback
Pages: 64
Publisher: Librero
Year published: original 1995, my edition 2000 (Dutch print)
ISBN number: 905764102X
Topic of the book: Drawing medieval Fantasy figures
Reason for reading: It was recommended to me by a friend during High School
Recommended: Yes

Back cover text:

I won't put the text down this time, because it's a lot XD. It mentions what you will learn, written in a small font, plus adding that more than 1.5 million copies of this book were sold in the United States of America.

Read the full review
Thursday, June 7th, 2012 09:43 pm
Title: Zo teken je Katten, honden en andere dieren
Original title: Let's draw cats
Author: Jane Robertson (art) and Sue Pinkus (text)
Language: Dutch
Series: Not mentioned, but I have another book that has the same layout.
Reviews for other books in this series (up till now): Zo teken je een dinosaurus,...
Format: Paperback
Pages: 143
Publisher: Gaade
Year published: original 1990, my edition 1993 (5th Dutch print)
ISBN number: 9060175557
Topic of the book: How to draw (animals)
Reason for reading: My sister always had this book. It somehow ended up in my bookcase.... I guess we got it at the same time I got the Dinosaur-book.
Recommended: Despite it being better than the Dinosaur-book, I still don't recommend it.

Back cover text:

Dutch:
“Katten zijn makkelijk om te tekenen omdat ze zo vaak stilliggen. Maar het is ook leuk om naar hun bewegingen te kijken als ze in bomen klimmen, zich wassen of een 'prooi' besluipen. Met eenvoudige stap-voor-stap aanwijzingen leer je ook hoe je honden, paarden, olifanten en een heleboel andere dieren kunt tekenen. Ook staat er in dit boek wat je kunt doen met je tekeningen als ze klaar zijn.”

English:
“Cats are easy to draw because they move so little. However, it's also fun to look at their movements when they climb in trees, wash themselves or prowling at their 'preys'. With easy step-by-steps you'll also learn how to draw dogs, horses, elephants and a lot of other animals. This book also mentions what you can do with the drawings when they are done.”

Read the full review
Thursday, May 31st, 2012 09:35 pm
Title: Zo teken je een Dinosaurus, een pterosaurus en andere voorhistorische dieren (Seriously, who made up that title?! O.o)
Original title: Let's draw Dinosaurs
Author: Bruce Robertson (art), Sue Pinkus (text)
Language: Dutch
Series: Not mentioned, but I have another one that has the same layout and format.
Format: Paperback
Pages: 143
Publisher: Gaade
Year published: original 1990, my edition 1994
ISBN number: 90601755549
Topic of the book: How to draw (Dinosaurs)
Reason for reading: I believe it's my 3rd How to draw book and I loved Dinosaurs as a kid
Recommended: Not really....

Back cover text:

Dutch:
“Maak kennis met de verbazingwekkende prehistorische reuzedieren. Ontmoet de ongelooflijke sterke tyrannosaurus, de diplodocus met de lange staart en de gehoornde triceratops. Ontdek hoe je ze tot leven brengt met potlood, viltstift, krijt of verf.
Dit boek verklapt je de geheimen hoe je makkelijk een dinosaurus en al die andere dieren kunt tekenen. Ook staat er in dit boek wat je allemaal kunt doen met je tekeningen als ze klaar zijn.”

English:
“Meet the amazing prehistoric giant-animals. Meet the incredibly strong tyrannosaurs, the diplodocus with its long tail and the horned triceratops. Discover how you can make them come to life with pencil, marker, crayon or paint.
This book reveals the secrets how easy you can draw a dinosaur and all those other animals. It even mentions in this book what you can do with your art when they are done.”

Read the full review
Thursday, May 24th, 2012 10:55 pm
Title: How To Draw The Little Mermaid
Original title: How To Draw The Little Mermaid
Author: Disney, but it's mentioned the illustrators are Philo Barnhart and Diana Wakeman
Language: English
Series: Disney's How To Draw
Format: Paperback, unusual large size
Pages: 44 pages
Publisher: Walter Foster Publisher
Year published: original 1992, my edition 1992
ISBN number: 156010161X
Topic of the book: How to draw
Reason for reading: I got it from my parents when we visited Florida (USA) and I love The Little Mermaid-movie. I think it was my second How to draw book (but could be third as well).
Recommended: Yes

Back cover text:

Artists young and old will enjoy trying their hands at drawing Ariel, Sebastian and the rest of their friends. In How to Draw The Little Mermaid, easy-to-follow steps and tips from Disney artists will have you drawing characters in a variety of poses and moods. You'll also learn interesting facts about the movie. Learning to draw has never been so rewarding!

Read the full review here
Thursday, May 17th, 2012 03:30 pm
Title: “Puntje, rondje, streepje” (Dot, circle, line/stripe)
Original title: “Für kleine Zeichner”
Author: Bob Heinz
Language: Dutch (original language: German)
Series: None
Format: Paperback
Pages: 32
Publisher: Uitgeverij Helmond
Year published: original 1980, my edition 1981
ISBN number: 9025248489
Topic of the book: How to draw
Reason for reading: It was my very first how to draw book
Recommended: Yes

Back cover text:

Dutch: “Hoewel dit boekje in principe is bedoeld voor kleine tekenaartjes, zal ook menige volwassene er zijn of haar voordeel mee kunnen doen. Want hoe vaak komt het niet voor dat we iets proberen uit te beelden en op een gegeven moment tot de ontdekking komen dat er aan hetgeen op papier is gezet kop noch staart zit.
Weet u dat tekenen eigenlijk helemaal niet moeilijk is? Met in deze uitgave gegeven grondelementen, t.w. Een puntje, een rondje en een streepje, zijn honderden figuren en voorwerpen uit te beelden.
Stap voor stap wordt geleerd hoe de figuurtjes en voorwerpen moeten worden opgebouwd en het zal niet lang duren of uw kinderen zullen in staat zijn alles te tekenen wat ze willen.”

English: “Despite this book being for the little artists, many adults will be able to use this in his or her advantage. How often do we realise that what we intended to draw doesn't look like it at all.
Did you know it's not that hard? With this edition we show the basic elements, a dot, a circle and a line and how you can use that to create hundred of things.
Step by step we will teach you how people and objects can be built and it won't be long before your children can draw anything they want.”

Read the full review here!