My latest book is published!

A new project has been added to my Portfolio - A manga style Unicorns Colouring book featuring a selection of pages which glow in the dark! I'd considered the idea of creating a colouring book for at least a decade. In 2020 I finally got the opportunity to create one. Red Bird Book publishers asked me to work on a special Glow-in-the-dark book for their client Thunder Bay Press in the USA. 'Unicorns and Mystical Creatures' has been available to buy for nearly a year now.

It's sold tens of thousands of copies and has received a fair amount of praise and positive reviews since. While I've certainly drawn enough unicorns to last me a life time, I wouldn't say no to working on another colouring book whereby I get to pick the theme. Monsters perhaps? 🙂

When is the next colouring book coming?

Customers who'd bought the Unicorns book often ask when my next colouring book is coming out. The short answer - there isn't another book in the works as of right now. I've had a few publishers ask if I'd work on a number of other colouring books since finishing Unicorns. We got so far as producing sample covers and a few pages of content for books on the theme of: Tattoos, Dream Catchers, Kaleidoscope patterns and Horror. Although due to budget constraints we couldn't quite make it work.

I'd be happy to work on another, but because of the amount of artwork needed to produce a good quality 96 page colouring book, I'd need to make sure there was sufficient funds to make it viable. It's tough- the market is saturated with colouring book options. I even noticed one on Amazon the other day which used one of my artworks for the cover - illegally and without permission!

Although with so many sub-par books to choose from, it seems like a good idea to create a series of premium books. Books which have a lot of nice, high-quality drawings to colour on good quality paper. Perhaps also including how-to guides and advice showing how to use more advanced shading techniques? If you're a book publisher that wants to make this happen, let me know.

In the mean time I look forward to seeing what artists and colourists alike can do with the Unicorns book 🙂

Here's a few coloured samples from the book:

[caption id="attachment_5031" align="aligncenter" width="940"] Colours by @colorfulcarey on Instagram[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_5032" align="aligncenter" width="842"] Colours by @bizzie_lizzie.art on Instagram[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_5030" align="aligncenter" width="930"] Art and Colours by myself - Little tester with some new marker pens.[/caption]

Other designs:

I printed out a couple more of the illustrations I'm created from the book. A Mermaid and Harpy. These were added to A3 Bristol board so I could give them the marker pen treatment. I used a inexpensive set of bullet-point markers to colour these. While I prefer using brush markers, these can certainly do the job.

[gallery size="medium" type="rectangular" ids="4609,4608,4606"]

[gallery size="medium" type="rectangular" ids="4615,4613,4612"]

Horror Book:

As mentioned earlier, I didn't end up working on a sequel, although here's some work-in-progress images for the Horror colouring book which didn't quite happen. I hope you find these interesting. I like the first Haunted Horror sketch, although it was deemed too sexual even though it's for an adult colouring book. I guess the client felt ghouls looked as though they were preying on the girl?

[caption id="attachment_5037" align="aligncenter" width="900"] Horror Cover Sketch 1[/caption]

I then amended to the second Hellish Horrors sketch. I like this one even better and makes it clearer that the girl is the one in charge here! Again, client not convinced. I needed to try again with a different idea.

[caption id="attachment_5038" align="aligncenter" width="900"] Horror Cover Sketch 2[/caption]

I designed the 'Head full of Horror' illustration. I liked the pun for the potential title and thought it would be impactful. It wasn't accepted.

[caption id="attachment_5039" align="aligncenter" width="900"] Horror Cover Sketch 3[/caption]

Eventually the corpse/ ghoul bride and skeleton groom below was deemed a little more wholesome. They loved it! I especially liked the 'Eyes-cubes' in the glass.

[caption id="attachment_5036" align="aligncenter" width="900"] Horror Cover Final with Colour[/caption]

Making use of colouring books

With books like this, I always wonder how much detail is too much detail to include in a drawing? I've seen some colouring books which are effectively fully-rendered, grey-shaded pencil drawings which are presented as colouring pages. I'm not sure I like this idea. What do you think?

Someone choosing to colour a single page from the book might take several hours to finish. With close to 100 pages in a single book, it becomes a project which could take several months. With so many pages one could potentially colour, it seems to be the case that a colourist will more typically choose to work on just a few pages from each colouring book they buy. In the end I guess it's best to have a variety. Lots of details on some pages and not so much on others. If you like colouring books, let me know in the comments below what kinds of themes and styles you like colouring best.

Unicorns & Mystical Creatures was available to purchase via this site's Shop [Edit: I've now sold out! Sorry]. For Americans- you might find it available on Amazon, Wall Mart and Barnes and Noble. The Project / Case Study about this book can be found in my Portfolio here. If you'd like to share your coloured pages from the book, send me a message or link to your social media. I'd love to check them out 🙂

New How-To Manga book in the works!

For those that don't know, I'm currently working on a new How-to-Draw Tutorial book relating to manga and character art. 113 pages down with another 15 to get done by the end of the year!

My first book 'The Art of Drawing Manga' came out 12 years ago. I still have people come up to me or message to say how much it helped them when they were starting along their artistic journey. Even though back in 2003 I didn't feel I was at an artistic level to be teaching how to draw, I always hoped that it might at least inspire a few beginners to give it a go and I could provide a few words of wisdom and tips and I'd picked up along the way. I'm glad it could help so many :)

For 2016 I'd like 'The Artist's Guide to Drawing Manga' (TAGTDM) to help a new generation of fans learn some useful techniques to create their own manga inspired artwork. Unlike with Youtube tutorials or tutorial web pages in general, my latest book provides the opportunity to detach from the internet and take some time to read through a dedicated resource housing several key learning guides or chapters all in a single package. TAGTDM allows users to either flick through, dip into, or follow from start to finish.

It's better to read a book than browse online

While researching parts of the book via the internet I found a lot of free manga art content online, some of it totally awesome! Although there's also a far more poor quality information which isn't very concise, well written or explained, and so much is scattered throughout the web at different locations. I might find a great tutorial on how to draw a manga eye, but then might need to spend a fair while looking for a tutorial which shows how create a full manga page, then more time finding tips on how to ink or colour my work digitally, or answers certain questions I might have.

Web tutorials are often given by different artists who have different approaches to their work, making things confusing for newbies. And they may not have the time to be particularly concise, or have their words copy-edited by someone else.

Along with my near 30 years of love for games, comics and animation, I'd expect that if any beginner were to follow TAGTDM from start to finish they'd definitely level up and increase their skills and knowledge. I'd imaging even artists with some experience would be able to gain a few insights also.

Even if people already own a how-to-draw book, or 10, a fresh reminder of how it can be done or reading a different professional artist's take on it can always help :)

This Photoshop character composite features artwork from my next How-To guide currently in progress.

The book will give readers the chance to draw their own versions in 10 simple steps. As these will be from the 'How to draw figures' section, I deliberately gave them figure-hugging outfits to help make things a little easier to understand without baggy clothing or too many drapes and folds interfering with the body shape.

You can check out Digital Manga if you'd like to learn in-depth Photoshop techniques for achieving the same colour results :)

New Book Project Update

I'm still currently working on my latest 'How-To' guide book due for publication in 2016. Here's a little preview of some of the characters budding artists will be drawing from the book.
The working title for the project- 'The artist's guide to drawing manga'. With so many how-to-draw manga books out already it makes the hardest part just trying to come up with a title which hasn't already been used!

A Solo challenge

In previous books I'd get some assistance- a few images contributed by other artists, help with parts of the text, or I might at least commission an artist to digitally ink a couple of the images to save me some time. I wanted this one to be 100% my own stuff, for better or worse! Since I'd used my my previous back-catalogue of artwork on Digital Manga, I'm having to create all new stuff within an 8 month deadline while having other projects on the go. A challenge, but already have 89 pages down, with 39 to go :)

[amazon asin=1784040460&template=add to cart]

Ever wanted to publish a guide book?

Here's a a short overview how I created Digital Manga- A step-by-step guide, teaching more or less everything I know about Photoshop and turning an initial drawing into a full rendered work of art. Perhaps you'll find it useful, or interesting to learn what was involved?

The project

People have often been impressed with my digital colouring. And so I've wanted to create a book on how I colour my character art since my last year at Uni, back in 2007. Finally in 2013 I put together a proposal and asked the Publisher of my previous titles if they'd be interested in the project. It got the go ahead!

Originally, I wanted full control of the project, even down to creating the layouts. Although I was asked to alter my initial idea somewhat to make it work for the publishers. But I was so keen to see it out there that I was happy to compromise. We dropped a section or two and added in something else and I needed to collaborate with an in-house graphic designer who took the lead on layouts.

In 2014 the book was finished and Published. I was happy!

Time

It took a while to complete- the initial given deadline was around 4 months to submit both the text and images. I then needed a number of weeks some time later to revise the page layouts and re-check over the edited text.

Initial planning took a few weeks prior. I had already created a 30 page BLAD (book layout and design proposal) years ago, which helped speed the initial planning stages up, and of course aided in pitching the idea to the publisher.

Fortunately, I also already had several finished character artworks I'd go on to contribute to the book. Each of which would have otherwise taken a good 20 hours to complete.

I worked my own hours. Some days spending 15 hours solidly working. Other days, just 4 or 5 hours. With 160 pages to fill up with well written, fresh content, it was never going to be a breeze. If I were to guess, all in, I must have spent well over 500 hours on the project.

Effort

I wanted the book to be one of the best things I'd ever produced! I was willing to go above and beyond to bring it up to my standards, even if the publisher was otherwise content with a product that was passable. Unlike my previous book TAODM, Digital Manga needed about 55% more written content and 50% more image content. Unlike the previous book, I also didn't want to use a writing assistant or several image contributions from collaborators this time around. It was important that the work would be my own. Other than a a couple of pages at the back offering tips from fellow artists I happen to follow.

I also took it upon myself to record / screen capture several of the book's character tutorials. These were converted into time lapse videos and upload to a web page I'd created along with downloadable content.

Positives

The book had been available for years now. I appreciate it may not be everyone's cup of tea, or it may not be the best instructional book in the world, but I'm really proud of the end result. After having researched hundreds of online art tutorials, forums and videos over the last decade , I know the book is covering all the necessary bases and more. It draws upon everything I've learned about Photoshop art creation since I started using it back in 2000. Years later, the book's content is still relevant even with modern versions of Photoshop having been released.

Like with many books sold, I realise a lot of readers will simply just buy it for the pretty pictures and with the intention of one day making use of it. But I really hope people out there get the chance to read it fully or practice some of the content I've provided. I'd love to know readers have learned something interesting, useful, and for the book to help with their digital art endeavours.

Problems

The book isn't as perfect as I'd like it to be. Frustratingly, I found several small errors still left in the book after having gone to print! (Mostly not my fault). These could have been easily resolved, but unfortunately, I was not given the opportunity to check out a final proof. I imagine the publishing team were up against deadlines or problems of their own and not as invested in the project? I did all that I could to make sure many of these errors were rectified when to book was reprinted in my expanded Art Class: Manga Art title.

I remember having to spend a lot of time adjusting the graphic designer's layouts or advising upon how each page was presented. There were an unacceptable amount of inconsistencies and some cases, horrendous design choices- use of garish, clashing colours, tacky background images. I hate to think how the book would have ended up had I not insisted on overseeing the layout stages. It was frustrating that the publisher insisted on using their own graphic designer for layout when I knew I could have done a much better job.

I suspected sales wouldn't reach the same levels as my previous titles. While the book is, in my opinion, totally awesome and a huge step up from the last ones, I realize Photoshop isn't as accessible to manga fans as a pencil and paper. Or indeed cheaper and free art software which many beginners use. While the book is accessible, some of the content is more advances and not something for complete novices. The book teaches how I work, but this may not be to everyone's taste.

Dealing with Publishers

Communication was done completely over email. It was great to have a record of everything sent and received and suited my late working hours.

Although there is this detachment whereby I don't know exactly what is going on their end. Like me, are they also frantically trying to get everything done and staying up until the early hours to do so? Or are they not taking the project as seriously, slapping together a half-baked job and calling it a day? If often felt like the latter. It can be easy to fear the worst if there is a lack of face to face communication or if there's a problem and I can't talk to the designer, the sales team, the accountants directly. Instead everything is going through the editor as a middle-man.

What's Next?

Another tutorial book perhaps? I was asked to work on something else which has the same of visual impact as Digital Manga. At the time of writing, nothing has been confirmed yet. I've already given my all to this book. It's hard to know how I can top it. For now I'll continue to build up a new portfolio and give myself a back-catalogue of fresh, full coloured artwork to use in a new title.

Until then, I'm looking forward to producing some more artwork and moving onto the next stage of my career :)

Character example for an upcoming book project I'm working on.

What is Gothic Lolita?

Gothic Lolita is a unique fashion subculture that emerged in Japan, characterized by a blend of Victorian and Rococo-inspired clothing with a dark, gothic aesthetic. This style is part of the larger Lolita fashion movement, which emphasizes modesty, femininity, and elegance. Gothic Lolita, however, incorporates darker elements such as black or deep-coloured dresses, elaborate lace, and accessories, often accompanied by Gothic makeup and hairstyles.

The fashion originated in the late 20th century in Japan and was heavily influenced by the visual kei music scene, where musicians embraced flamboyant and theatrical fashion. Designers like Mana, a guitarist known for his involvement in the band Malice Mizer, played a significant role in popularizing Gothic Lolita through his fashion brand Moi-même-Moitié.

Gothic Lolita is adored for its intricate and doll-like aesthetics, creating a fantasy world that allows individuals to express their creativity and rebellion against mainstream fashion norms. The emphasis on modesty and elegance, combined with the dark and mysterious undertones, gives wearers a sense of empowerment and escapism. The fashion has transcended its Japanese origins and gained international popularity, with enthusiasts appreciating its artistic and avant-garde nature, as well as the sense of community it fosters through events, social media, and dedicated fashion subcultures around the world.

Character example for an upcoming book project I'm working on.

What is a Leviathan?

The term "Leviathan" has historical, religious, and literary connotations. Historically, it referred to a giant sea monster or creature, often associated with chaos and the primordial forces of the ocean. This concept has roots in various mythologies and ancient cultures, with the Leviathan symbolizing the untamed power of the seas.

Religiously, the Leviathan is mentioned in the Bible, particularly in the Book of Job and the Book of Isaiah. In these texts, it is depicted as a powerful and fearsome sea monster, representing chaos and the forces of evil that humanity must contend with.

In a literary context, the concept of the Leviathan is explored in-depth by philosopher Thomas Hobbes in his work "Leviathan," published in 1651. Here, Hobbes uses the Leviathan as a metaphor for a powerful, all-encompassing government that maintains order and prevents the "war of all against all" in society. The Leviathan, in this sense, is a symbol of sovereign authority and social contract.

Overall, whether as a mythical sea creature, a biblical symbol, or a political metaphor, the term Leviathan carries rich and varied meanings across different cultural, religious, and philosophical contexts. It embodies notions of power, chaos, and the struggle for order in the face of formidable forces.

Character example for an upcoming book project I'm working on.

What is a Werewolf?

A werewolf is a mythical creature often depicted in folklore and popular culture as a human being who possesses the ability to transform into a wolf or a wolf-like creature, typically during the full moon. The concept of werewolves has roots in various cultures worldwide, with variations in their characteristics and origins.

In many traditional European legends, a person could become a werewolf through various means, such as being bitten by another werewolf or through a curse. The transformation is often associated with uncontrollable aggression and a heightened connection to primal instincts, symbolizing the duality between human and animal nature.

The portrayal of werewolves has evolved in modern literature, film, and television, incorporating different aspects of the myth into various genres, including horror, fantasy, and romance. Werewolves are frequently depicted as powerful, fearsome creatures, sometimes struggling with their dual nature and the consequences of their transformations.

The myth of the werewolf taps into primal fears and cultural narratives surrounding the wilderness, the moon, and the supernatural. It serves as a symbol for the struggle between civilization and the untamed forces of nature. The werewolf myth endures as a captivating and enduring element in the folklore and storytelling traditions of numerous societies.

Character example for an upcoming book project I'm working on.

What is a Mutant Zombie?

A Mutant Zombie is a fictional creature commonly found in various forms of popular culture, particularly in the horror and science fiction genres. The concept typically involves a variation of the traditional zombie, characterized by mutations that go beyond the standard portrayal of reanimated corpses. These mutations often result from exposure to radiation, experimental chemicals, or other unnatural phenomena, enhancing the zombies' physical attributes and abilities.

Unlike conventional zombies that are depicted as slow-moving and lacking cognitive function, Mutant Zombies may possess increased strength, agility, and sometimes even intelligence. The mutations can manifest in various ways, such as additional limbs, distorted features, or heightened senses, making them more formidable and challenging adversaries for protagonists in stories.

The idea of Mutant Zombies has been popularized in video games, movies, and literature, allowing creators to explore new and imaginative variations of the classic zombie archetype. This creative twist adds an extra layer of danger and unpredictability to the zombie narrative, providing storytellers with opportunities to explore themes of scientific experimentation gone awry, the consequences of environmental disasters, or the horrors of a world ravaged by both the undead and the consequences of human tampering with nature. Mutant Zombies, therefore, serve as a compelling and versatile element in the broader spectrum of zombie fiction.

Character example for an upcoming book project I'm working on.

What is a Military Soldier?

A military soldier is an integral part of a nation's armed forces, trained and equipped to defend and safeguard the interests of their country. These individuals undergo extensive training, both physically and mentally, to prepare for a variety of tasks and missions. The role of a military soldier encompasses a wide range of responsibilities, including combat operations, peacekeeping missions, disaster relief efforts, and supporting national security initiatives.

Soldiers operate within a hierarchical structure, following a chain of command led by officers. They are often organized into units with specific roles, such as infantry, artillery, or specialized support units. The duties of a soldier can involve everything from patrolling and reconnaissance to engaging in active combat, depending on the nature of the mission and the branch of the military.

Discipline, teamwork, and adaptability are crucial attributes for military soldiers. They are trained to work cohesively under various conditions and to follow orders to maintain unit cohesion and mission success. Soldiers may be called upon to serve in challenging and high-stress environments, requiring resilience and commitment to their duty.

The commitment of military soldiers goes beyond the physical aspects of combat; they are bound by a code of ethics and are expected to uphold international laws and conventions during armed conflicts. The dedication of soldiers plays a vital role in ensuring the safety, security, and sovereignty of their nation.