How To Draw Chiller Monsters, Werewolves, Vampires, And Zombies

The recent upsurge of interest in all things macabre such as zombies, vampires and other things supernatural has sparked an entire industry dedicated to things that go bump in the night. Movies, TV shows, comics books, books and other mass media outlets have cashed in on the craze and there appears to be no end in sight for its popularity waning.

Artists are also jumping on the band wagon (or should I say dead wagon?) with art that ranges from amateurish to highly-polished. Have you ever got the urge to draw some ghoulies and such? Then you’re in luck.


Author J. David Spurlock and Watson-Guptill Publications have teamed up to bring readers the ultimate in ‘how-to’ books on delineating dead devilish doers of the night. How To Draw Chiller Monsters, Werewolves, Vampires, And Zombies is much more than an instruction book on drawing.


To start things off Rob Zombie (yes, that Rob Zombie) provides a foreword for the book and laments how he wished such a book existed when he was a kid. Then there's the meat of the book.


This is not your typical “how-to” book. Instructions and demonstrations are not provided by just a single artist but by some of the biggest names in the comic book and illustration fields. Do the names Neal Adams, Kerry Gammill, Basil Gogos, David Hartman, Alex Horley, John Romita Sr. Jim Steranko. Gene Colan, Wally Wood and several other well-known artists strike a chord? I’m impressed!


Each type of ghoulie, ghostie and monster comes with a brief history. Several artists will contribute to each particular creepy creature with sketches, black and white and color drawings and comments.


The author provides his own observations, information and artist biographies. Combine all of the aforementioned text and art together and you have not only a very informative book on illustration but a real feast for the eyes.


Personally I enjoy looking at each illustration and how each is created from sketch to completed project. As an artist and designer myself I appreciate the hard work and imagination that goes into each piece as well as the tremendous amount of work it took to put this great book together. Kudos!