I consider myself a relatively talented artist. I’ve pride myself on my talent for drawing humans. It hasn’t been easy. I’ve studied the human figure for years,
including taking classes on anatomy and physiology.
Understanding muscles, bones, joints, how a body balances,
hair, features and all the various properties of the human figure can be challenging.
When it comes to drawing animals, that’s a whole different story. Anatomy, etc. change with each creature, especially
with different species. Drawing mammals
as compared to reptiles, amphibians, birds, fish, insects and the many
variations of creatures presents a whole new challenge.
I have great admiration for artists that can draw both
humans and animals. The complexity and
challenge of learning about muscles, bones, internal organs, skin and fur,
flesh folds, balance, animals at rest and in movement and so forth takes a
person with dogged determination to learn about each.
When an artist can take what they know of existing creatures’
anatomy and then combine them, remold them and reimagine them and create a
whole new creature is astounding.
Just such artists exist as evident in Ballistics’ Creative Essence
Creature softbound book with slip cover.
Two hundred and fifty pages are filled with sketches, color
studies and illustrations/paintings created from artists’ imaginations.
Eight artists present computer generated images of creatures
sculpted in 3D, complete with texturing.
It’s hard enough to draw humans and animals in 2D, but
creating creatures in 3D is even more of a challenge.
Creatures artists construct each creature from the skeleton
on up. Muscle folds, skin flaps, bone
protrusions, joint articulation, skin overlays, hair and skin textures, stance
and weight distribution, correct surface shadow and light appearance dependent
on the creatures anatomical structure, facial details, etc. are all taken in to
account. No easy task.
Even more impressive is that many of the creatures are
structured and rendered so they can move if developed for animation. Drawing a creature standing still is one
thing. Animating it is a whole new
ballgame.
Creative Essence Creatures is an excellent guide and reference
for artists who hope to break into the game and movie businesses.
This is a book you’ll want to slowly look through each page,
soak in the various images, carefully read the accompanying technical and
production notes and comments and take what you’ve learned and apply it.
Each artist shares how they work, what sparks their
imagination and how they go about creating creatures starting with literally
dozens of sketches and proceeding from there.
This is what art is all about. There’re
no shortcuts and it takes hard work and especially talent. Not everyone can do it. Discover the work of those artists who can.