For matte painters and concept artists working in the movie, video game, and TV industries, it is often important to be able to quickly and efficiently create artwork for storyboarding and storytelling purposes. Master the Art of Speed Painting: Digital Painting Techniques aims to be the go-to book for artists training to enter the industry, and for established artists looking to brush up on their knowledge of speed painting. With invaluable time-saving tips on custom brushes and photobashing, and guides for painting in 10-, 30-, 60- or 120-minute periods, this book will help you on your way to becoming a speed-painting master!

Get a glimpse inside the minds of the masters as Sculpting from the Imagination: ZBrush brings together the 3D sketches of 50 incredible digital artists in an inspiring display of talent and technique. In this unique follow-on from the popular Sketching from the Imagination series, you’ll discover an array of subject matter and styles, from rough models molded in digital clay, to entire characters, creatures, machines, monsters, and more. For 3D artists of all abilities looking to try new approaches and searching for inspiration, this book is a first-class anthology of stunning images, invaluable tips, and artistic insights that will leave any creative mind wanting more.

Start your journey to comic success and delve into the processes behind great comic art, learning the traditional and digital tools of the trade. From inking and coloring to anatomy and poses, you’ll discover everything there is to know about creating impressive characters for comic art.

The comprehensive introductory chapters will show you how to choose the right tools for your work and help you to develop an understanding of the essential skills every aspiring comic artist needs. 

In Digital Painting Techniques: Volume 7 you will discover a variety of artists’ methods for creating perfect pin-ups, impressive vehicles, breathtaking environments, magnificent mythological creatures, and much more! Plus you will learn how to craft matte paintings using Cinema 4D and brush up on your speed painting techniques.

Browse for inspiration and to pick up top tips or follow project workflows in more detail with the step-by-step tutorials – either way, you’ll open up the book and find something valuable to take away. Useful for intermediate digital artists and professionals, this title is another must-have for any digital artist’s bookshelf!

For anyone interested in sketching, sketch diaries, and drawing from everyday life, How to Keep a Sketch Journal is a colorful and informative collection of techniques, artwork, and insights. There are countless ways to fill your journal and so many exciting materials and methods to use - this book aims to capture them in a fun and eclectic primer that has something for everybody, whatever their skill level. Don't be afraid to make a mess and fill those blank pages. Grab your journal, look around you, and start sketching!

You can also buy the full Sketch Journal Bundle which includes the book, art tools, a sketchbook, and a soft leather cover to allow you to take your journal wherever you go!

Anatomy for 3D Artists is an essential teaching guide for sculpting human anatomy. Non-software specific, it is packed with everything that today’s 3D artist needs to know in order to tackle the difficult task of recreating the human form in 3D. Starting with the use of 2D references, and moving on to practical and advanced 3D sculpting – including topology – the book covers every stage in the creation of all kinds of male and female figures. Featuring established artists such as Chris Legaspi and Mario Anger, Anatomy for 3D Artists also includes several master projects for an informative and in-depth overview of the 3D sculpting process of various forms, showing how the archetypal human form can be adapted to fit any character shape!

From gesture drawing and finding simple shapes to mastering line quality and shading, Beginner’s Guide to Sketching: Characters, Creatures and Concepts is a fantastic companion that will teach you to sketch confidently while helping you improve the way you design. Your journey will begin with a look at drawing materials and techniques, before moving on to essential warm-up exercises to help you become familiar with the fundamental basics. Four master projects by seasoned professional artists will then take you from concept to final illustration, walking you step by step through poses, designs, and costumes before culminating in a final scene. Featured artists include Justin Gerard, Brun Croes, and Sylwia Bomba.

An inspiring collection of drawings and articles exploring the sketchbooks and artistic practices of 50 talented sci-fi concept artists.Sketches and drawings are the foundations of great art, where thoughts and concepts first come to life as an image. In Sketching from the Imagination: Sci-fi, 50 talented traditional and digital artists showcase their sketches, share their inspirations, and explain their approaches to drawing sci-fi art. From doodles of robots and aliens, to concept designs for spaceships and speculative life-forms, Sketching from the Imagination: Sci-fi is a visually stunning collection packed with useful tips and creative insights – an invaluable resource that will inspire artists of all abilities.

Beginner’s Guide to Digital Painting: Characters is a comprehensive guide for artists wishing to create convincing and detailed characters. It features established artists such as Charlie Bowater (concept artist at Atomhawk) and Derek Stenning (freelance concept artist and illustrator, with clients including Marvel Entertainment and Nintendo) who share their industry experiences by covering such aspects as posing characters, choosing the correct costumes, conveying emotions, and creating suitable moods. Comprehensive step-by-step instructions – including a quick tips section that covers how to paint elements that are integral to character design – make this an invaluable resource for those looking to learn new skills, as well as those pursuing the next level.

Beginner’s Guide to Character Creation in Maya continues 3dtotal’s tradition of offering helpful guides for beginners looking to step into the world of digital art. Talented 3D Animator and Trainer, Jahirul Amin, gives an insightful breakdown of how to model from scratch using Maya and Mudbox. Not only will you learn about the principles of rigging and animation, with a step-by-step guide detailing how to link the joints and create constraints and controls for animation, you will also learn how to correctly light and render your scene for porfolio-worthy presentation. Plus, in-depth chapters on anatomy will provide you with a solid foundation on which to develop your 3D character skills, so that by the end of this book you will have created your very own realistic walk cycle. With over 30 hours of downloadable videos, this is a book of amazing value that you won’t want to miss.

ZBrush is a powerful program offering digital artists of all levels intuitive and inspiring workflow solutions for 3D models and 2D images. Following on from the success of other ZBrush titles such as ZBrush Character Sculpting: Volume 1, this new book focuses on the design and creation of a variety of character and creature sculpts by world-class aErtists including Mariano Steiner, Maarten Verhoeven, Caio César, and Kurt Papstein. Aimed at aspiring and experienced modelers alike, ZBrush Characters & Creatures is a go-to resource for those looking to learn tips, tricks, and professional workflows from the digital art masters, taking you from concept to completion across a variety of imaginative projects.

With the series now in its sixth year, Digital Painting Techniques: Volume 6 continues the tradition of showcasing the latest digital painting trends and techniques, from a host of industry experts such as Donglu Yu and Wojtek Fus. Yu is a Senior Concept Artist at Ubisoft, providing professional visual development for top-rated AAA game titles, such as Far Cry 4, Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag, and Assassin’s Creed III. Fus is a freelance Illustrator and Concept Artist for games and animation, who has created artwork for clients such as Applibot, Dark Stork Studios, and Platige Image. Following on from the success of the first five volumes in the Digital Painting Techniques series, this latest volume’s artists reveal the development of character moods, how to create fantasy battles and environments, how to design sci-fi worlds, as well as a look at the fundamental aspects of lighting and atmosphere and the techniques used in speed painting. It’s another great addition to any artist’s shelf.

Designed for beginners and hobbyists, the Sketch Workshop is a fun and innovative way for people of all ages to find the inspiration to pick up a pencil and draw. Different to other books in the 3dtotal range, it is 50-percent a workbook in which you draw and 50-percent a project guide with instructional text and reference images for drawing anatomy and characters. Created by a number of top industry artists, they share their tips and tricks and help you grasp the fundamental elements needed to craft beautiful sketches. Sketch Workshop: Creatures is a ready-to-go workbook containing step-by-step projects by top artists and illustrators Abigail Larson, Kurt Papstein, Mike Corriero and Jeff Miracola. Inside, you’ll find pro tips and tricks for improving your drawing techniques, plus references and templates to help you hone your craft.

Drawings are the foundations of great fantasy art where concepts, thoughts and inspirations first become images.

In Sketching from the Imagination: Fantasy, 50 talented traditional and digital artists have been chosen to share their sketchbook works. Ranging from Hollywood film concept designers to talented students, each artist is handpicked from a vibrant international online art community. From doodles and sketches of creative creatures to fully rendered drawings of invented worlds, this book explores how 50 artists develop their ideas to create incredible images.

Adobe Photoshop Elements is a perfect tool to learn for an artist’s first digital creative adventure, with a simplified interface and fewer variable parameters to learn than its big brother, Photoshop. The Elements version of Photoshop helpfully allows a beginner artist to really focus on the basic tools at hand, honing the fundamental techniques required to build up a usable skill set. And that’s where the Beginner’s Guide to Digital Painting in Photoshop Elements comes in. The sequel to the bestselling Beginner’s Guide to Digital Painting in Photoshop book, this new title features an array of talented artists that break down a collection of top tips and simple techniques for creating impressive digital paintings. This essential guide offers easy-to-follow steps, from setting up the software to working with brushes, as well as revealing basic art theory and how to paint various artistic styles.

Digital Art Masters has long been supporting the up-and-coming talent in the digital art industry, showcasing their work to a global audience and helping to bring them the recognition they richly deserve. In the ninth volume of this ground-breaking series, 50 more artists bring their imagination and talent to such topics as characters, scenes, sci-fi, fantasy and cartoons, resulting in a book that is filled to the brim with beautiful images and words of wisdom. With a mixture of veterans and newcomers, Digital Art Masters: Volume 9 provides the perfect cross-section of the best artwork the industry can offer, and is sure to leave you fired up with inspiration, ready to create masterpieces of your very own.

e338: The Art of Loïc Zimmermann is the ultimate collection of artwork from the renowned French visual artist, Loïc Zimmermann. The book features never-before-seen artwork, exclusive interview content, plus expert advice and techniques by this industry-leading professional, whose epic skills will have been seen by the masses in Hollywood blockbuster films such as Thor: The Dark World and X-Men: First Class.Loïc Zimmermann is a multi-talented French artist living and working in Los Angeles as a visual effects concept artist on superhero films such as Thor: The Dark World and Iron Man 3. His art creation processes span the worlds of 3D, illustration, photography, silkscreen and mixed media, combining them in ways that inspire and delight artists and art enthusiasts alike.

3ds Max Projects presents a series of inspirational tutorials designed to help you get to grips with this versatile and industry-standard software.If you’ve ever wanted to know more about modeling, texturing, rigging, animating and lighting in Autodesk’s 3ds Max software, then this book is for you. The chapters in 3ds Max Projects deal with diverse topics including modeling characters and vehicles for beginners, character rigging, animation and topology, blending 3D and photography, and FX particles and dynamics. Written by 11 top industry artists, including community favorites Matt Chandler, Andrew Hickinbottom and Diego Maia, 3ds Max Projects is designed to be a one-stop resource for those looking to create 3D masterpieces.

The Unreal games engine is a hugely versatile system that has been used to power a variety of best-selling video games. In The Unreal Game Engine, environment artist Andrew Finch looks at how to create game levels from scratch using the free Unreal Development Kit, starting with modeling the environment. He then addresses the two different ways in which you can create accessories for your scene – modeling in 3ds Max and importing them, or creating them directly in UDK – before adding textures and lighting. If you’ve ever wondered what it would be like to be a level designer and wanted some practical experience, then look no further than The Unreal Game Engine.

An exclusive selection of awe-inspiring concept designs and sketches from some of the world's most talented artists. Whether scribbled in a sketchpad or on a napkin, concepts are a way for artists to develop their skills and discover interesting shapes and forms that can be developed into their next masterpiece.

In Sketching from the Imagination, 50 talented traditional and digital artists have been chosen to share their sketchbooks and explain the reasons behind their design decisions. A visually stunning collection packed full of useful tips, Sketching from the Imagination is a master class in concept design to inspire artists of all abilities.

Brush up on the latest digital painting techniques with the fifth volume in this essential series for any digital artist.Celebrating its fifth year, Digital Painting Techniques: Volume 5 continues to present the latest digital painting trends and techniques, courtesy of industry experts including Brian Sum (Mass Effect series), Shaddy Safadi (Uncharted: Drake's Fortune) and Levi Hopkins (Guild Wars series). This year's volume features such diverse topics as weapon design, cartoon characters, creatures from mythology and battle scenes, as well as looking at concepting using basic shapes, speed painting cinematic mood shots, and painting and aging materials. A worthy addition to a ground-breaking series, Digital Painting Techniques: Volume 5 is an indispensable resource for anyone who wants to surround themselves with the latest inspiring artwork while benefitting from the invaluable advice on offer.

A back-to-basics look at the fundamental concepts, conventions and theory that should be considered when creating art.Art fundamentals are the bread and butter of any artist and a clear understanding of the various elements is essential when it comes to producing a successful piece of work. Art Fundamentals addresses a number of key basic subjects such as color and light, composition, perspective and depth, and anatomy in a series of insightful chapters. Written by some of the most experienced artists in the games and film industries, including Gilles Beloeil (Assassin's Creed) and Andrei Riabovitchev (Harry Potter films), this title gives newcomers the tools they need to get them started on their artistic journey, and offers veterans a chance to brush up on their theory. It's a must-have for anyone who is pursuing a career in an artistic industry.

Digital Art Masters: Volume 8 is not your typical digital art gallery book. While it does showcase stunning work from 50 of the best international artists, it also includes detailed tutorials explaining how each image was created. Each artist offers insight into their workflow and the methods they employ when it comes to creating a professional piece, from the early concept stage through to the final product. In addition, this year's volume boasts a selection of unique, never-before-seen images for your viewing pleasure. If you're looking to be inspired and learn something at the same time then Digital Art Masters: Volume 8 ticks all of the boxes. A source of inspiration for artists of all levels, Digital Art Masters: Volume 8 features 50 artists and showcases over 750 stunning color images in five sections: Sci-fi, Scene, Fantasy, Character and Cartoon, all enclosed in this 288 page book.

3D Masterclass: The Swordmaster in 3ds Max and ZBrush offers a truly comprehensive, step-by-step guide to modeling, sculpting, unwrapping, texturing and rendering a low poly game character. Each chapter is broken down into bite-sized steps that leave no setting or process unexplained, allowing aspiring modelers to learn at their own pace and develop a solid understanding of the character creation process. The professional workflow detailed in this book is typical of the games design industry and anyone looking to produce a portfolio-worthy character will benefit from talented character artist Gavin Goulden's extensive experience in this field.

Manga is an increasingly popular art form, particularly with the recent influx of Far Eastern games, anime and comics into the western world. Beginner's Guide to Creating Manga Art explores the topic of manga art, starting from basic character design and progressing to full color images. Industry greats including Steven Cummings and Gonzalo Ordoñez open a window into their world and present tutorials covering everything from drawing features, anatomy and expressions to designing clothing, perfecting poses and coloring characters with a variety of traditional and digital artistic tools. Bursting with knowledge and brilliant artwork, Beginner's Guide to Creating Manga Art is an unmissable title for anyone wanting to learn how to capture that classic manga style.

Prime showcases the pinnacle of digital artistic achievement from around the globe in a definitive collection of 21st century CG artwork. This unique set of five books is housed in a single slipcase, with each book devoted to a classic gallery theme - sci-fi, character, cartoon, fantasy or scenes - and featuring stunning, world-class work that comes courtesy of some of the greatest artists in the industry. Never before has a collection of this magnitude been released. Prime brings together over 400 top-quality pieces in one easily accessible set of books, for your immediate viewing pleasure. Whatever your artistic tastes, the tantalizing mix of fantastical creatures, humorous caricatures, sweeping landscapes and fascinating characters on offer in Prime is guaranteed to capture your imagination and leave you with a timeless source of inspiration that you can return to again and again.

Take a trip through Daarken's mind as you travel from epic fantasy to contemporary beauty in Elysium - The Art of Daarken, the culmination of the past four years of this freelance artist's work in the gaming industry.

This exciting journey covers a selection of personal illustrations and private commissions, as well as previously unseen pieces for world-famous franchises such as Magic: The Gathering (Wizards of the Coast) and World of Warcraft (Blizzard). If you are a fan of fantasy and sci-fi art, then this book will suit your every need and leave you longing for more.

Digital Painting Techniques: Volume 4 continues the tradition established by its predecessors by exploring a variety of painting subjects and styles with some of the most talented artists in the industry. These include veterans like Ian McQue, a driving force behind the Grand Theft Auto franchise, who looks at vehicle design from concept through to completion; Serge Birault, who shares the secrets behind his amazing pin-up style and Simon Dominic Brewer, who covers the art of fairy tale illustration. So whether you're looking to learn more about these subjects, want to know how to create new worlds and design customs brushes, or simply wish to experiment with painting tribal warriors and comic art, Digital Painting Techniques: Volume 4 will serve as an invaluable tool in your artistic arsenal.

Over the last seven years, the Digital Art Masters series has brought together over 300 fantastic examples of the world's best 2D and 3D digital art. Digital Art Masters: Volume 7 continues this tradition by ushering in a new elite group of talented artists whose images are sure to inspire and astound in equal measure.

But this book doesn't just showcase beautiful art; it also offers up details of the creation process behind each image, penned by the artists themselves, presenting a unique opportunity for readers to follow in the footsteps of the masters. Covering topics ranging from fantasy and characters to scenes and cartoons, Digital Art Masters: Volume 7 has something for everyone and is sure to get those creative juices flowing.

Featuring industry experts including Rafael Grassetti, Michael Jensen and Cédric Seaut, ZBrush Character Sculpting: Volume 1 is brimming with detailed character-based tutorials covering topics such as monsters, manimals and fantasy creatures.

This book also boasts a substantial series of inspirational galleries, ranging from turn-table shots of finished sculpts through to a breakdown of subdivisions to show how detail can be steadily built into a model. Capped by a traditional image gallery, ZBrush Character Sculpting: Volume 1 contains a wealth of advice and knowledge that will benefit aspiring and veteran modelers alike.

Beginner's Guide to Digital Painting in Photoshop is a brand new series dedicated to providing a truly comprehensive guide to the basics of digital painting in this versatile program. The step-by-step tutorials within this book don't just describe techniques, but actively demonstrate how these techniques can be applied to an artwork. Industry veterans including Nykolai Aleksander and Richard Tilbury share the benefits of their years of experience in a clear and methodical fashion. They examine the various basic Photoshop tools on offer, and also look at fundamental art theory, including classic topics such as composition, story-telling, portraying emotion, lighting and color. Instructive and inspirational, Beginner's Guide to Digital Painting in Photoshop is an ideal resource for anyone taking their first steps into the digital painting world.

Digital Painting Techniques: Volume 3 presents another collection of inspiring and motivational tutorials for artists of all levels. A range of top industry professionals share the benefits of their years of experience in the digital art industry and offer tips, tricks and advice intended to help the next generation of artists reach new heights.The chapters contained within this book are wide-ranging and comprehensive, offering something for everyone. Featured artists include Robh Ruppel and Ignacio Bazan Lazcano, who tackle the subject of futuristic cities, Thomas Pringle and Craig Sellars, who look at creating concept art for games, and Peter Swigut, who covers matte painting. Their in-depth tutorials are rich in advice about improving workflows and producing artwork worthy of any portfolio, making Digital Painting Techniques: Volume 3an essential resource for any digital artist.

Originally launched in 2005, the annual Digital Art Masters series continues to showcase the work of some of the finest 2D and 3D artists from around the world. The latest volume, Digital Art Masters: Volume 6 is our biggest book yet. It welcomes another 50 up and-coming and veteran artists, and follows the tradition of taking readers beyond the breathtaking images with detailed breakdowns of the techniques and tricks each artist employed while creating their stunning imagery. Inspirational and instructive, this is more than just a gallery or coffee table book, this is a timeless resource for any digital artist. T

Whatever 3D software artists use, Photoshop remains a key tool throughout the production pipeline. The techniques presented in Photoshop for 3D Artists: Volume 1 are intended to show how 2D techniques can be seamlessly blended into the 3D production pipeline, resulting in a high quality image and a versatile and streamlined workflow. The book offers artists the chance to learn from a variety of top professionals, such as Andrzej Sykut, Fabio M. Ragonha and Zoltan Korcsok, who willingly share the tips and tricks that they have developed over years of working in the 3D industry.

With the expertise of the individual contributors, the clearly written tutorials and work-in-progress images, Photoshop for 3D Artists: Volume 1 is a timeless resource for veteran and beginner artists alike.

Founded in 2009, Atomhawk Design has quickly developed a reputation for delivering exceptional concept art for the film, games and online industries. Boasting some of the most talented and cutting-edge artists in the industry, this young company has now teamed up with 3DTotal to bring together a collection of artworks that represent the very pinnacle of their work. The Art of Atomhawk Design: Volume 1 offers up sketches and work-in-progress images from some of Atomhawk Design's most successful projects, along with a selection of inspirational personal pieces from individual artists. From breathtaking action scenes to mind-blowing futuristic environments, this book provides a tantalizing insight into the creative mind of a professional concept artist and demonstrates how a team of experienced industry veterans can turn an idea into a captivating visual feast for all to enjoy.

Digital Painting Techniques: Volume 2 provides another thrilling opportunity to learn from some of the most accomplished and skilled digital artists from around the world. The second volume in this series covers a wide variety of themes and topics and provides in-depth tutorials to aid and inspire any digital artist, whether beginner or veteran. Custom Brushes, Speed Painting, Characters and Fantasy are just a few of the subjects covered in the chapters of this must-have book, with each tutorial providing a logical and professional approach to creating a digital painting of the highest standard. With additional features including a gallery of stunning artwork and links to free downloadable content such as custom brushes, Digital Painting Techniques: Volume 2 contains a wealth of inspiration and advice, making it a worthy addition to any artist's bookshelf.