5 comments about Fashion Sketchbook.

1. This book is a great source for aspiring fashion illustrators. I would highly recommend it. Teaches you how every aspect from shading, to creating fabric folds, to drawing lace, and plaids. In addition to this book I would also recommendDraw Fashion Models! (Discover Drawing Series), which briefly goes into how to draw flats.



2. This book is great. It's excellent help for anyone interested in sketching fashion figures or going into fashion.
   Bina Abling has published lots of books, but each edition of this Fashion Sketchbook keeps getting better and more refined.



3. This is The authority on illustrating for fashion. Abling's attention to detail and artistic ability make her a perfect tutor on the topic, and every explanation is clear--it's the sort of thing where you look at the example, and it clicks in your head, "Oh, Now I see!".
   
   The book goes over Everything you need, but in case you want to know exactly what is inside, here is a quick summary:
   
   Ch 1: Fashion Figure Proportions
   Figures on grids broken down in several ways, extensive work on proportion. Abling divides figures into geometric shapes: foot, head, hips, chest, upper arm, thigh; she then puts them together, showing how they fit and relate to one anther. It then goes further and shows how different poses and types of movement affect the torso (upper and lower), as well as different types/shapes of figures, from the elongated fashion figure to petite and full. The chapter also features a figure map, interpretations of anatomy, different poses and artistic approaches, balance, and movement.
   
   Ch 2: Basic Figure Forms
   Drawing legs, arms, feet, shoes, hands, fingers, and foreshortening. There are so many helpful diagrams from multiple perspectives, numerous poses.
   
   Ch 3: Model Drawing
   Gesture drawing, exercises on isolated sections of the body, angles, and more; balance line, supporting leg (where the weight is distributed so the figure looks planted to the ground, not floating around or unevenly/awkwardly perched), arms.
   
   Ch 4: Fashion Heads
   Faces, different ethnicities, facial features, dissection of the head with a map on the placement of eyes, nose, lips, etc. The head in different positions, from different angles; techniques to maintain proportion and balance: diamond technique, working with angles and planes of the face, shading/highlights/shadows. Hair: styles, hairlines, period styles.
   
   Ch 5: Drawing Men
   Comparison to female figure, legs, arms, hands, hair, gesture, dressing the figure, suits, and details on how the fabric falls, where to put certain features like the cuff, armhole, etc. Proportions, classic menswear techniques, fashion croquis technique, vintage styles.
   
   Ch 6: Drawing Children
   Proportions by age, with many dissections and comparisons, tons of helpful illustrations and examples. Infants, toddlers, children, tweens; heads, facial expressions, hairstyles, arms, hands, legs, feet, vintage styles.
   
   Ch 7: Garment and Garment Details
   Necklines, collars, sleeves (different types, lengths, etc), skirts (folds, fall of fabric, gathering, flaring, volume, pleats), pants (folds, gathering, lengths, fit), blouses, blazers, jackets, coats, ruffles, smocking, shirring, cowls, fur, quilting, formal gowns, applying the concepts to garments.
   
   Ch 8: Accessories
   Jewelry and how they sit on the body, eyewear, hats (male, female), belts (types, fit), trims, notions, closures, handbags, shoes (different angles, heel heights, types).
   
   Ch 9: Basic Rendering Techniques
   Working with stripes and other fabric types/prints. Shading, highlighting, rendering with marker, fall fabrics, more fabric types: shiny fabrics, flat/matte, sheers, layers, velvet, satins, chiffon, etc. Working with all black fabrics.
   
   Ch 10: Color Rendering
   Chapter features color renderings to show skin tones, menswear with marker, children; using gouache, using watercolors, rendering hair in color.
   
   Ch 11: Drawing Knits
   Necklines, knit patterns, treatments/embellishments.
   
   Ch 12: Designer Sketching and Fashion Illustration
   Poses: I-pose, S-pose, X-pose, T-pose. Attitude, "look" and feel, style, emphasis.
   
   Ch 13: Drawing Flats and Specs
   Layout styles, freehand sketching, proportion, chart on measurements by size: Women, Men, Unisex, Belts, Hats, Socks. Gathering, buttons, closures, top stitching. Mixing croquis and flat drawings.
   
   Ch 14: Layout
   Combining multiple drawings, elements, or figures; groupings,
   
   Appendix
   More necklines, collars, sleeves, armholes, tops, dresses, skirts, pants, jackets, coats, sleepwear, underwear, design details, ties, hats, waistlines, pockets, handbags, shoes, collars, cuffs.
   One of the neatest sections in the book is titled "problem spots" and features examples of the right and wrong way to do various details. Showing examples of how amateurs or beginners make mistakes and then showing the correct way works So well! Better than explanation, this simple and clear approach is crucial.
   
   This book is filled with immensely helpful diagrams, exercises, and demonstrations. Every part of it is useful to students and designers, and because it is so comprehensive, this could be the single most important book in fashion illustration. If you could only have one book on the subject, get Fashion Sketchbook by Bina Abling.



4. This book was exactly what I needed for my fashion illustration class. I received it in perfect condition. I really like it!



5. This sketchbook is very comprehensive and great for all levels of fashion sketching. It is a wonderful book if you are trying to conquer the croquis. I was an absolute beginner and this book has developed my skills greatly and the step by step lessons in the book are extremely helpful. This book is spiral-bound which makes a big difference when practicing, especially if you like to using tracing paper prior to your sketching attempts. Not all fashion drawing books are spiral-bound so make sure you take note, it makes a big difference when working on your art.

5 comments about Confessions of an Advertising Man.

1. This is a classic written by one of the legends of advertising. It is well written and easy to read. It is full of great information, not just about advertising but about business and life.
   
   David Ogilvy traces the start and growth of one of the most successful advertising agencies in history. His business philosophy is striking - he did not strive for a large number of clients but was much more selective in targeting the clients that he felt would be mutually beneficial.
   
   He would refuse to spend time developing competitive proposals in bidding for business. He felt like the business should be awarded based on competency. He offers some great insights into why his agency was so successful.
   
   I would recommend this book for everyone in business - not just for ad men or copywriters. David shares a lot of principles of advertising that will help anyone spend their ad dollars better.



2. A classic that still rings true. Relevant not just to the ad business but to the management of any professional services firm.



3. Confessions of an advertising man contains advertising principles David Ogilvy has derived based on his experience and available research. In this book he shares what he has learned to be the optimal practices both for advertising agencies and for clients of advertising agencies. While some of these principles and practices may be considered timeless, others have changed under the influence of new advertising media and technologies. One standard timeless practice in advertising is to test everything and to choose the most appropriate action based on research. David emphasizes that the bottom line of advertising is sales, rather than the entertainment value of an ad, and that in the end numbers demonstrate the effectiveness of the ad.



4. This book is similar in content to Ogilvy's other masterpiece, "Ogilvy on Advertising", but with more emphasis on the sales aspects of the advertising business. "Confessions" is also more autobiographical. Ogilvy's stories about his background, building his agency, and dealing with clients are fascinating.
   
   Given Ogilvy's talent as a copywriter, the book is obviously a pleasure to read. For example--
   
   "How do you decide what kind of image to build? There is no short answer: Research cannot help you much here. You have to actually got to use judgment. (I notice increasing reluctance on the part of marketing executives to use judgment; they are coming to rely too much on research, and they use it as a drunkard uses a lamp post, for support rather than for illumination.)"
   
   Anyone engaged in any aspect of advertising, marketing, or top level management should get plenty out of this book. It's a how-to manual for total success.



5. Dubbed "the King of advertising" by Advertising Age, David Ogilvy shared his thoughts and stories on being successful in the adverting industry in this book. His ideas are often overflowing with self-confidence, but for a man who reached his level of success, he's definitely earned the right.
   
   Originally published in 1963, in part as promotion of himself and his agency, this book is broken down into ten "How to" chapters plus an opening and closing commentary on the state of advertising. No example ads or illustrations in this book, just straightforward advice and colorful anecdotes on topics ranging from managing an agency to writing potent copy.
   
   The stories are enjoyable, and Ogilvy's advice is enlightening. David Ogilvy led an amazing life, and his insights on advertising, business and human behavior are timeless. Overall, this is an inspiring book that I recommend to anyone involved in advertising.

5 comments about Nineteenth-Century Fashion in Detail.

1. This big glossy picture book is a big let down because all it shows is parts and pieces of garments. The details are useless without getting to see the effect on the whole garment. Who needs a book filled with collar and cuff close-ups? If you are looking for great pictures of 19th century dress- This is NOT the book for you!



2. This book is a visual feast for the eyes! I have gone through it over and over again, and each time I find something new! The coverage of the detail of each type of design is explicit, right down to the buttons and the thread. The book details things like the innovations in fashion, as well as common reviews of the time. In some cases, it also talks about the people behind the items that are featured, such as when they wore the items or their lifestyle. Beautifully done - exceptional photography!



3. Don't bother ordering this through Amazon - They're out of stock and haven't been able to get more copies since February. My order keeps being delayed the day that it lists that it's supposed to ship. It's more expensive elsewhere, but at least you've got the option of actually getting it. I broke down and paid double the price listed by Amazon just so that I could stop waiting for it to arrive each month.
   
   I've heard this is a fantastic reference. Now if only I could get a copy!



4. I found this book gives so many fine details of the clothing made in this century. It's a great help for ideas in trimming my own costumes, and shows how it was done in line drawings. The examples are awesome.



5. This book is chock full of close-up photographs which show the details of garments that have been well preserved from the period. Laden with eye-candy for costumers, history buffs, and those who appreciate beautiful things. Readers will be amazed at the fine hand-work and examples of needlework shown on each garment. Not just a beautiful "coffee table" book! Well worth the purchase price!!

1 comments about Piecebook: The Secret Drawings of Graffiti Writers.

1. Piecebook: The Secret Drawings of Graffiti Writers has successfully compiled a who's who of writer's writers in a format that looks so legit, you'd swear you could feel the grooves in the pages left by pencils and pens... as authentic and realistic as possible, there are even a few blank sheets to get up yourself! I even tried to peel the sticker off the inside cover!

5 comments about The Horus Heresy: Collected Visions.

1. I'd seen the individual books that comprise this set come out over the years and regretted not picking them up. Once I saw this one on Amazon for about 30% off, I jumped. It's everything a fan-boy could dream of. If you're thinking of doing a pre-heresy army or just want the background on a current marine chapter this is the book to buy. Not only is it artwork, but it's also history of the game. It explains a lot of things going on in the current age of the Imperium. By all means, if you're reading the Horus Heresy novels, pick this up. It actually puts faces to many of the named characters.
   
   Worth every penny.



2. This book completes me! Its a must have if you love 40k. Lots of pictures and lots of literature; puts all the pieces together for pre-heresy and heresy period, well a lot of the pieces. Whenever I am introducing someone to the 40k world I first show them the book.



3. The art is decent, not the highest quality. Some images are more "artistic" than others..... My real gripe is the lay out. It feels like a bunch of art slapped together in illustrator with super tiny font text chucked in for good measure. The text is too uniform and small. They could have used more "effects" with image transparency, text, and taken a lot more time to create an appealing collage effect.
   You can tell that a lot of work went the actual creation of the art that went into the book. The way it is displayed cheapens it.
   If you do not have 20/20 vision or bionic eyes make sure you read this book under excellent lighting or you will surely go blind and insane. Maybe even be fouled up by the dark gods and start a heresy of your own.



4. It's a great book for any Warhammer 40K fan! I really do not own alot of Warhammer 40K novels but this is a great way to start!



5. This book is a must have for all fans for the 40K and 30K universe. It has amazing illustrations showing the Primarchs and the Legions as well as several other known individuals. while the story is one we all know, hose that don't will be struck by the simple yet intriguing story of brotherhood and betrayal.

5 comments about Cosmic Motors: Spaceships, Cars and Pilots of Another Galaxy.

1. what to say what to say... this book is very high quality book, glossy full color pages, thick ones to boot! my only qualms in this book is that when i bought it based on reviews i read i thought it was a concept book but instead it looks like a finished product (if they were to exist). i notice they take one idea and milk the ish out of it for many pages at a time, the few concept pages i saw were fantastic. its a great book if you are looking for a book with many repeating images from different angles on some pretty interesting designs in full CG then this is for you. if you want something with a little more concept in mind more rough around the edges and more diversity, then maybe you need to find a different book. or call me maybe ill sell it to ya! ;)
   
   -gianni



2. Design Studio Press is always putting out some great books and this one is no exception. This book is filled with some pretty sweet vehicle designs and shows you step by step the process of coming up with such cool designs. Each designer gives you insight on their process and how to solve problems when you're in a rut. I highly recommend this book to any aspiring concept artist or any designer for that matter that is interested in expanding their ideas as well as their library.



3. The rendered models of the ships in this book are amazing. What I especially liked seeing was the developmental sketches and the thought processes behind the vehicles.
   
   It's very inspiring. It makes you want to sketch and go out and learn Maya.



4. This is a great book for anyone looking for inspiration in the creative design field. The renderings were out of this world. I hope to see some of these creations in sci-fi movies in the future. I know the car on the cover is being used in a comercial for Autodesk "Digital Prototyping"



5. I really enjoyed Cosmic-Motors. As a 2d/3d artist I was inspired by the concepts that Simon created and his use of photography, 3d and 2d apps to bring his work to life. From scketches to final renders, his work is amazing and inspirational.

3 comments about 2008 Artist's & Graphic Designer's Market.

1. well, you get what you pay for. It's a good resource for someone starting out who isn't ready to dish out hundreds of dollars for a mailing list. But half the listings are obsolete, or old adresses, old art directors.
   
   Also it hasn't really kept up with the times... most illustrators these days aren't looking to design flower patterns for dixie cups. 3/4 of that book is irrelevant to me. Of course it's probably targeted at part time crafters, flower pattern designers, and the mid life crisis "Im going to write and illustrate a children's book" rather than professional illustrators.
   
   If somebody published a seriously updated & comprehensive illustrator's market book I would pay a lot more than $20 for it though.



2. This book is quickly becoming a source of information that I frequent. It is much easier to quickly find information in a combined source than weeding through thousands of websites and "googled" information to find the contact information that is relevant for my endeavors.



3. Every year these rip-off artists (i.e., people who specialize in the business of ripping off other people), publish an "updated" book. The updated books supposedly have been "completely revised" and feature new entries. I am here to tell you that not only are there very few new entries, but many are out of date, no longer pertinent and/or simply give inaccurate information. What is most frustrating is the author's insistence on marking several entries as "new" that have appeared in many previous editions. Perhaps they think if an entry has not appeared since 2002 they can throw it in the 2008 edition and call it new. Some of these places aren't even doing business anymore. Bottom line: I am extremely disappointed with this edition. I also must report that I have found no leads from these books, yet I have been successful finding leads on the Internet and through other forms of research. If you feel you need this book, go to a bookstore and take a pen and notebook with you. Just don't waste your money on buying it!

5 comments about Drawing Cutting Edge Anatomy: The Ultimate Reference for Comic Book Artists.

1. this book has a lot of instruction and ideas for what to draw is has a lot of instruction for the serious sketch artists. if you are looking for a book on anatomy this is a great buy.



2. The good: For someone who is learning to draw (and can) this will be helpful.
   The bad: observation of human and animal anatomy would be better for the student. Musculature can be picked up from health and body building magazines or online articles. there really isn't anything "cutting edge" about it for anyone who has picked up graphic novels or comics before.
   
   Is it worth it? yeah I guess so... for the inexperienced artist (in ANY discipline, whether painter, sculptor, graphic artist, comic book artist, etc etc) and as a quick reference book. But once you get into high detail artwork, where perhaps you want to show the texture of the muscle tissue underneath the skin (lighting and shading) it won't help. Poses and muscle groups that's about it.



3. This is probably among the top five of Christopher Hart's "How to Draw" books I own. If you're looking for a way to render anatomy in a good style - after having learned the basics, of course - then this is certainly the book for you.
   
   "Drawing Cutting Edge Anatomy" offers a number of exceptionally helpful sections for the artist; be warned however - as is the nature of books of this type, some sections will be wildly helpful, while others you'll just pass by. The most helpful:
   
   1) Early on, some helpful full-body schematics are rovided for both heroic male and female figures' musculature.
   2) There is a helpful page on vein placement
   3) The chapter on the Head and Neck (especially regarding the rendering of female characters' faces)
   4) The chapter on the Chest adn Abs
   5) The chapter on The Pelvis, Legs and Feet (especially on the legs).
   
   Unfortunately, the secions on the arms and hand are not especially helpful (owing mostly to the artist who provide the illustrations).
   
   Overall, however, a great book and a worthy addition to any beginning artist's bookshelf. Enjoy!



4. This is a great reference book. I really like it, BUT for any really REALLY serious people who wish to really improve their drawings, Riven Pheonix "Drawing the Human Figure From Your Mind" lessons are key (google it). It shows you how to draw the whole skeleton - from your mind. Then the muscles - from your mind. The fruits are astounding. I completed all 227 lessons and must admit that reference books are much more helpful when you actually LEARN how EXACTLY mucles and bones look the way they look on people.



5. I'm a beginner to drawing in general but the descriptions and pictures presented make reproducing presented information/techniques easy

5 comments about Stop Staring: Facial Modeling and Animation Done Right.

1. Hi, everyone.
   
   I bought this book. It's a huge disappointment for me. You beter buy the anzovin studio tutorial DVD's and look for a freeware JAVA applet called JLIPSYNC, use MIMIC or VOICE O MATIC This book makes it way to complicated.
   Basicly all you have to do is analyse your vocal track roughly not word by word or letter by letter. That doesn't work. Try to analyse your track phonetical and see where THE LIPS AND THE MOUTH CHANGES. LESS IS MORE IN LIPSYNC. Add eyebrow wrinkles and nose up or down movements. Look at the pose your character is in. SEE THE LIPSYNC TOGETHER WITH THE POSE YOUR CHARACTER IS IN. That will work.
   Reading this book won't.



2. I am a 3d professional artist for a long time, I have to say I have read hundreds of books, watched hours of training videos, read pages of internet tutorials anything related to 3d animation. No other training material comes even close to things I have learned reading this book. It is a treasure that you have to keep somewhere close to your desk as a reference, whether you are modeling a character head, building blend shapes or rigging . I have used the techniques successfully in many projects. I thank Jason Osipa for writing this book and for teaching me how to build superior 3D characters. This is my second SS book, I also have the first edition. This 2nd edition is a lot different then the first.



3. Stop Staring: Facial Modeling and Animation Done RightThis book is a very good resource for computer animators.



4. Have you ever worked with a facial rig that was based on a set of sliders in the viewport? Many of the most popular free rigs use that method these days. Well guess what -- it's sometimes called "the Osipa method," and it was popularized by the first edition of this book.
   
   As a novice character rigger, this book opened my eyes to an entirely new way of looking at facial modeling, rigging, and animation. I can not recommend it highly enough. These days when I create a character, I always have two books within quick reach: The Art of Rigging (by CG Toolkit, only available from their website) and Stop Staring.



5. I hate to say this, but didn't learn much more than which I had already been able to get from online tutorials and forums.

5 comments about Letterhead and Logo Design 9.

1. I bought this book for the letterhead samples as I recently purchases Tres Logos but after reviewing this book, I like the format examples and that they gave the name of the company and of the designers. This book definitely gave me inspiration, it is well organized and shows a wide variety. Only down fall for me was when they showed business cards they didn't always show the front and back. Usually just one side. I would recommend this book to anyone.



2. There is no doubt this book contains some beautiful and smart logos. I just wish more information would have been given about the clients. In fact, some of the best logos in the book are in the introduction, designed by the author, and here a very brief desciption of the client is given (such as "Logo to identify certified vegan foods"). But this stops once the heart of the book begins. To be fully appreciated, a logo needs to have context, and none is given in this book except for the client's name (such as "VIP Industries" - who?).
   Nevertheless, definitely worth buying.



3. I was hasty about getting this book vs. some of the newer logo books out there. I read all of these reviews and everyone keeps saying how it will stir up inspiration. I have to agree. I bought this in hopes that it would help inspire me for a logo project I was working on. Sure enough, it did. Regardless of being a little bit dated, it has a lot really interesting ideas.



4. I thumbed through and read this book in about an hour last night, and saw some annoying typos, so it seems the proofing stage might have been skipped... but regardless, I was inspired by what I saw in there, for sure, and can only hope and pray that I'm good enough to be in that book someday. (And by the way, if I ever get in, you are FREE to spell my name however you please.) ;) I'd recommend this book.



5. Great inspirational book. So many wonderful design that got me dizzy with a bit of envy. Highly recommended.