John Howe's Ultimate Fantasy Art Academy

About John Howe's Ultimate Fantasy Art Academy

This book will appeal to artists and fans of John Howe's work by leading you step-by-step through a range of specially commissioned demonstrations, sketches and finished paintings, some designed specifically for this book, that reveal John's renowned artistic approach in action, plus the techniques and stories behind each.

It discusses a wide range of subjects, beginning with the creative process, exploring where inspiration comes from, looking at narratives and themes, gathering reference materials, organizing your working environment, and protecting and storing artwork.

Howe covers drawing materials and explores drawing and painting fantasy beings from initial inspiration and approaches to characters, symbolism and accoutrements. He begins by showing how to create different types of male and female archetypes, humans in action, armour and weapons, faces, expressions and hands, hair and costumes, and goes on to explain how to create different types of fantasy beasts: talons, wings, fangs and fire, and noble animals, interspersed throughout with exciting case studies.

The book also explores fantasy landscapes and architecture and balancing light and dark atmospheres. The final section of the book provides further inspiration and guidance on presenting work in various forms, including film work, book covers and advertising, all areas John Howe has vast experience in.

About artist John Howe

A master of fantasy illustration, John Howe is famous for having brought the world of J. R. R. Tolkien to life, both in film and in prestigious editions of The Lord of the Rings. As a young Canadian who came to Strasbourg to study drawing, he discovered gothic architecture and the Middle Ages when he saw Strasbourg cathedral. These have continued to inspire him ever since and are evident in his images that have become popular around the world.

Technical details

• Text in English
• 28 x 21.5 cm
• 224 pages
• Softcover

Practical information

• Foreword by Terry Gilliam / Afterword by Alan Lee
• Carefully packaged in reinforced box
• Shipped within 72 hours