Learn to paint the enchanted world of fairies, angels, and mermaids.

 

Author: Meredith Dillman

 

Publisher: Walter Foster April 15, 2009

 

For years I've been purchasing drawing and painting books by Walter Foster and have found them to be very helpful - even when I was sculpting and using their books on drawing anatomy to be helpful. Now they have come out with a wonderful book about painting fairies, angels, and mermaids which are very popular in all forms of art.

 

Meredith Dillman has created a book that doesn't show you how to do just one style, but how to take a basic concept and create a character in the Pre-Raphaelite style, then she shows how to create an imagine in a style reminiscent of early 1900 book illustrations, and then finally how to create it in the modern style of Japanese manga. Not only are you shown the detail of producing each of these styles, but you learn how to create mystical surroundings and ethereal costuming.

 

The book starts off with a review of the materials you'll need including paints, paper, brushes, and other items. There's also a very informative section on techniques that will give you a great place to start and eventually come up with your own unique style. What I like is that there's a section on color theory - brief and to the point - something that is often missing in other publications.

 

I especially like the section on how to draw the figure - giving you a simple set of rules to follow when starting so you learn how the figure moves and its proportion. Once you've learned the rules of a basic human figure you can then modify this to your own style. But you need to know the basics before you can change them.

 

There is a detailed section regarding the three styles and what makes them different. It helps to then study examples of each style so you can train yourself to see the differences.

 

One thing that I rarely see in books that deal with a single subject is a discussion of Composition and how to establish a focal point and other elements of style. There are even examples of bad composition and then you're shown how the same subject can be placed in a much better composition.

 

After you have gone through the basics, as listed above, there are twelve projects for you to do that will take you from simple paintings to the more complex. Each one takes you through the full design starting with the background, explaining how and why it's done the way described. As you build up the design, you see the painting taking form in a logical manner. By the time you've created all twelve projects you will be ready to experiment and come up with your own unique style. You'll also have the tools to create your own designs and compositions. Perhaps you'll take a walk in the woods, find a perfect leaf, or a unique rock, or even a perfect flower and that can be your springboard to creating your own original fairie, angel, or mermaid design.

 

Unlike many books that teach you to only paint in the style of the author, Meredith gives you the tools you'll need to create your own unique style.

 

Here's an example of the first project:

 

 

 

 

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