Bob Berry, illustrator.Joey Marsocci & Allison DeBlasio, writers.
Walter Foster. 2011. ISBN: 1600582400
Summary
This art instruction volume from the Fantasy Underground series teaches how to draw and paint everything “steampunk”. Steampunk is a science fiction genre inspired by writers like Jules Verne, H.G. Wells, and Marry Shelley, according to the book. It is a literary and artistic genre that mixes Victorian-era style with technology inspired by the industrial revolution and early scientific inventions. The book contains a brief introduction of steampunk and its history, as well as an introduction to art materials and techniques needed to start drawing steampunk gadgetry and characters. A chapter is devoted to a quick coverage of art concepts and techniques, including basic drawing techniques, creating various textures, perspective, color theory, and working with different kinds of materials. The subsequent chapters include step-by-step instructions on how to draw such curious and detailed inventions such as an infolodeon (a stempunk computer), lightning gun, time machine, and a whole steampunk city. The book also teaches to draw characters like soldiers, steam lady, and villain. The step-by-step instructions are for pencil drawings, and some of the instructions also include coloring sketches in Photoshop, using colored markers and pencils, and painting with acrylic paints.
Critical Evaluation
This beautifully illustrated book will appeal to all teens and adults interested in art and science fiction. The Fantasy Underground series contains such volumes as How to Draw Grimm’s Dark Tales, Fables & Folklore and How to Draw Zombies. These are books that every artist and illustrator in search of new inspiration will find very useful. It might even inspire beginning artists to get interested in drawing and painting. However, the book might not be suitable for the very beginner. Although the instructions at the beginning of the book are simple enough, the drawings are very intricately detailed, and assume that the reader is intermediate or advanced in drawing skill. The instructions for coloring in the drawings by using Photoshop would appeal to teens who are interested in digital illustration. Overall, the book is wonderfully designed and illustrated, with a plethora of interesting things to draw and learn about steampunk. With more than a hundred colorful, glossy pages, even those uninterested in learning to draw will enjoy picking up the book and admiring the beautiful drawings.
Reader’s Annotation
The book contains step-by-step instructions on how to draw steampunk-inspired art using pencils, markers, paints, and Photoshop.
About the Author
Bob Berry Illustration has provided illustration, character design and graphic design to a variety of clients, for over 17 years.
While the mainstay of Bob Berry Illustration is illustration for children’s publishing, and textbooks, the company has also provided illustration and design services for interactive CD’s and the web. We have also designed and produced art for children’s games and toy packaging, as well as character and costume design for the sports entertainment industry. – Bob Berry Illustration
Genre
Non-fiction, art techniques.
Curriculum Ties
N/A
Booktalking Ideas
- Talk about steampunk as a genre of literature and art.
- Show some examples of the illustrations in the book
Interest/Reading Level
Grade 9+
Challenge Issues: none
Challenge Defense Ideas:
The book presents no apparent challenge issues, but prepare to defend selection by having library’s selection policy at hand.
Reasons for Inclusion
Art instruction with teen appeal.
Teen Picks 