Keep Going by Austin Kleon

Keep Going is Kleon’s third delightful book for inspiring and motivating artists. Full of quotes, drawings and comics, Keep Going presents ten useful key points to keep in mind. You’ll learn the value of prioritisation, time management, detaching from the digital world for periods, and more. I loved the quotes, and the notion of a ‘bliss stations’. This was a very enjoyable book with great advice. I enjoyed Kleon’s style, and plan to get a hard copy of this and his other books.

***Many thanks to Netgalley and Workman Publishing for providing an egalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.

 

Things That Art by Lochlann Jain

In Things That Art Lochlann Jain invites the reader to pause a moment and ponder how we choose to classify and categorise. More than that, it is an invitation to expand ones way of thinking and viewing the world. Interspersed between the artwork are several essays that lend further insight to the art lists themselves. Some of Jain’s categories fit with my own way of thinking, or only needed a mild adjustment in thinking. Others required more of a stretch of the imagination on my part. I enjoyed the opportunity to learn and grow! Recommended if you enjoy art. This would make an excellent coffee table book. It should be noted, however, that some of the pictures within are mature content. This is not a book for children.

***Many thanks to Netgalley and University of Toronto Press for providing an egalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.

 

The Know-how of Cartooning by Ken Hultgren

The Know-how of Cartooning by Ken Hultgren teaches the established artists the basics of cartooning. From posture, to expressions, from various body parts, to movement and clothing, and even lettering, a wide variety of skills are demonstrated. It’s not just people either! Animals have always played a big part in the cartoon world, and several sections are devoted to them. It doesn’t teach the basics of laying out out framework, so it’s not for the very new beginner. I’m not nearly skilled enough with drawing to have tackled any of the exercises, but I thoroughly enjoyed reading through it. If you know the basics already though, and are interested in exploring cartoon style art further, this is a great resource. Hardcopies have places in the book itself for practising each skill.

***Many thanks to Netgalley and Dover Publications for providing an egalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.

 

Chibi Art Class by Yoai

Chibi Art Class by Yoai teaches interested artists the art of drawing kawaii chibi! From body style and posture, to expressions, from elements of movement, to clothing, and even cute critters, a wide variety of skills are demonstrated. It’s not just people either! There are ’empty’ chibi body frames for you to decorate, and places to draw and practise your own chibi art.  If you’re interested in exploring chibi art further, this is a great resource. I quite enjoyed it! I can draw chibi art, but my artistic skill is mostly self-taught. This gave me great information and skills to improving my chibi art.

***Many thanks to Netgalley and Quarto Publishing for providing an egalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.