explorer's guide to drawing fantasy creatures

862019 Explorers Guide to Drawing Fantasy Creatures

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullexplorers-guide-to-drawing-fantasy-creatures 116



The Explorerrsquos Guide to Drawing Fantasy Creatures by Emily Fiegenschuh

CONTENTSIntroduction bull 5

Chapter One

983109x983152983148orin983143 t983144e 983106asic983155 991266 14Workspace and Tools bull Constructing Creatures

Drawing Dynamic Gestures bull Outfitting Your Creature Features

Human Bodies and Proportion bull Perspective bull Foreshortening

Pencil-Rendering Techniques bull Using Color

Chapter Two

983107rea983156in983143 983129our 1048643rea983156ur983141 991266 21Finding Inspirations bull Using Reference bull Sketching

Designing bull Silhouette Value bull Developing Personality

Finalizing Your Creature

Chapter Three

983107rea983156ures o983142 983117983161t983144 991266 33Chimera Demo bull Chimera Head Mini Demo bull Dragon Demo

Leathery wings Mini Demo bull Minotaur Demo

Monster Hands Mini Demo bull Hydra Demo bull Sphinx Demo

Sphinx Face Mini Demo

Chapter Four

983107rea983156ures o983142 t983144e 983127a983156e983154 991266 67 Painted Marsh Nymph Demo bull Sea Serpent Demo

Fins Mini Demo bull Living Island Demo bull Trees and Rocks Mini Demo

Chapter Five

983107rea983156ures o983142 t983144e 983116an983140 991266 87 Venom-Spitting Sand Dragon Demo bull Forest Behemoth Demo

Crowned Ibak Demo bull Costumes and Accessories

Saddle Mini Demo bull Ursukin Demo

Chapter Six983107rea983156ures o983142 t983144e 983123k983161 991266 113Pancake Glider Demo bull Hook-Legged Bodeo Demo

Feathered wings Mini Demo bull Flying Fish Demo

Lantern Bat Demo bull Lantern Bat Painting Demo

About and Acknowledgments bull 142

Index bull 143

2





983113ntro983140uctio983150Fantasy sparks the imagination

Fantasy stories draw from traditional mythology and fairy tales and often

explore themes important to the real world in an otherworldly setting While

fantasy tales may transport us to different worlds they inform our own world as

well They also can be simply a wonderful way to pass the time to 1047297nd a creative

outlet through things that donrsquot exist in this mundane world

Chances are if yoursquove picked up this book yoursquore a creative person who loves

art and fantasy settingsmdashand most importantly fantasy creatures Why not tag

along on a fantasy art adventure

This book will be your study guide as we follow our friend Paki to discover

some amazing creatures in their natural habitats From critters that glide

through the air to dangerous behemoths that lurk beneath the sea the land-

scape is teeming with unique life Together wersquoll take a record of these fasci-

nating beings making sketches and jotting down notes to 1047297nd out just what

makes them tick

This volume can be used in many ways as step-by-

step instruction for drawing the individual fantasy

creatures Paki discovered on his adventures as a guide

to important basic concepts and techniques applicable

across a wide range of art genres or as a stepping

stone to your own creations Itrsquos all up to you

If yoursquove ever longed to escape from the

ordinary world to explore a fanciful realm

see exciting new places and discover

strange species take this book with

you bring your sketchbook and

get ready to let your imagination

be your guide as you draw some

astonishing creatures





Bringing Legend to Life

983117a983156eria983148s acid-free art paper

eraser

pencil

straightedge

DRAW THE MINOTAUR

I T rsquoS OK T O SCRI BBL EW hen

beg inning a dr aw ing itrsquos OK to keep thing s loose w ith a big mess of lines Use a lig ht touch Just keep w or king until y ou 1047297nd the lines y ou like best T hen y ou can g o ov er those w ith y our pencil to make them

dar ker and er ase the scr ibbles y ou donrsquot need

This powerful monster with the head of a bull the body of a man and quite an

eyebrow-raising story surrounding his origin roams the endless Labyrinth of

Crete Legend has it that each year seven girls and boys are sacri1047297ced to feed thecreature Though he has a taste for humans one canrsquot help but feel a little sorry

for the beast having been thrown into the depths of the Labyrinth at birth

because of his freakish appearance Many would-be heroes have attempted to

slay the Minotaur and their efforts have ended in defeat Perhaps things would

have turned out differently if he had been sent fruits and vegetables rather

than teenagers

1Start With a Gesture Drawing

Sketch a gesture using a powerful centerline Draw opposing

angles for the shoulders and hips and a sharp angle where the

neck meets the body to emphasize the strength of the pose

Block in the head and shoulders with circles Donrsquot forget a

centerline to show where the head is pointing Form the arms by

drawing sticks with circles for the joints

48



DRA W MON S TER HAND SGiv e rsquoEm a Hand

A f ter the face and head hands are generall y the mos t impor tan t focus o f a

humanoid 1047297gure The wa y hands are dra wn can sa y a lo t abou t your charac ter

and the wa y he is feeling Remember to sho w emo tion in the hands as well as

in the face

I f you are de veloping a humanoid crea ture you can exaggera te and bend

human ana tom y to your o wn will To crea te mons trous hands dra w big thick

1047297ngers massi ve knuckles popping tendons burs ting veins and lea ther y folds

in the skin Cla ws or cracked 1047297ngernails on a big gu y like this Mino taur are an

ex tra bonus de tail Adding or sub trac ting the amoun t o f 1047297ngers is ano ther wa y

to make your crea turersquos hands look o ther worldl y

1Start With Simple Shapes

Block in simple shapes di viding the hand in to roughly three

segmen ts the back o f the hand the 1047297ngers and the thumb As

you work keep in mind tha t he is holding a weapon tigh tly

2Draw the Knuckl

es

Dra w circles to sho w where the knuckles will be For this gu y

the y should be big and mea t y

3Add Details

Flesh ou t the hand wi th some de tails Dra w veins and cragg y

folds in the knuckles to add personali ty

4Clean Up and Add

Final Details

Clean up the cons truc tion lines and add 1047297nishing touches

1047297nalize your dra wing

Closed Hand



7Embellish With Details

Add battle damage stretchy skinbetween the toes spikesmdashyou name it

Draw a tongue 1047298icking out of the mouth of

the far left head complete with venom-

ous spittle Draw as many or as few

scales as you like just leave a few blank

spots for the viewerrsquos eye to rest on

6Sketch In Scales

Block in where the scales will go with curves that follow the

form of the limb or tail Draw curving lines that intersect them

creating a sort of checkerboard pattern Re1047297ne the shape of

each scale so they form an interlocking pattern Scales will be

bigger where there is more surface area to cover or where the

creature needs more protection They will be smaller in places

where things need to bend like knees shoulders or elbows

F ORM S I N SP AAAAAACELig htly sketching a ser ies of cur v ing lines or cir cles ar ound body f eatur es can be helpf ul in constr ucting the f or ms and 1047297g ur ing out w her e they exist in space Depending w hich w ay y our lines cur v e shapes can look like they rsquor e coming tow ar d the v iew er or r eceding back into space T his is handy w hen f or eshor tening an ar m or leg or dr aw ing something f r om a dif 1047297cult ang le

58



Glass Dragon

12 times 18 (30cm times 46cm)

Surface 140-lb (300gsm) cold-pressed watercolor paper

Gouache pigments Alizarin Crimson Burnt Umber Cerulean Blue Cobalt Blue Lemon

Yellow Permanent Green Middle Permanent White Permanent Yellow Deep Raw Umber

Scarlet Lake Ultramarine Yellow Ochre Zinc White



Stirrup

DRAW A S ADDLE

Accessorize Away

There are many types of riding saddles This saddle is very similar

to a western style saddle Look at saddles used on different animals

and from cultures around the world to see how the shape and struc-ture differs from saddle to saddle


eraser

pencil

1Block In the Saddle

Use basic shapes overlapping one another Draw a rectan-

gular shape in the middle to form the seat Draw a triangular

shape in back to form the cantle

2Add the Skirt and Fender

Re1047297ne and round off the simple shapes you drew Sketch in

the skirt and fender which the riderrsquos leg rests against while the

foot is in the stirrup Draw in the edge of the cantle and bring itdown to connect to the jockey

3Refine and Add

the Stirrup

Erase the sketchy guide

lines you no longer need and

continue to re1047297ne your lines

Donrsquot forget to draw the

stirrup

4Add Details

Add details such as

colorful patterns embossed

into the leather Echoing your

designs in the costume of

the rider or other equipment

for your creature is a plus

SeatCantle

Cantle

Jockey

Fender

Skirt




A large bird with brilliant plumage the hook-legged bodeo is named for the special

pair of hook-like appendages extending from behind its legs These birds live in lush

rainforests and are adept at acrobatic feats of climbing Their preferred diet of fruits

and nuts is located high in the forest canopy on delicate tree branches that are dif-

ficult for these heavy birds to perch on With the assistance of their hooked limbs they

anchor themselves to stronger tree branches where they can safely stretch their long

necks to grab their grub A powerful beak allows them to crack open the shells of the

toughest nuts and fruit While they rsquore expert climbers they are clumsy fliers Male

hook-legged bodeos display colorful sacs on their necks which they inflate during

mating season to attract females Both sexes are brightly colored and sport large bony

crests on their heads

DRAW A HOOK -LEGGED BODEO

Take to the Skies

1Sketch a Gesture Drawing

Start with a circle for the head and quickly sketch in a basic

gesture laying out the curve of the body and the placement of the

wings

2Form the Body

Expand on your gesture lines by drawing simple shapes to form

the body Draw circles to mark the joints in the wings and legs

3Block In Wing and Leg Muscles

Think of the wing as an arm and sketch bubbles to form the

deltoid biceps and forearm muscles Sketch in the hook-like

ldquolegsrdquo and block in some thick branches for your bird to latch onto

Itrsquos important to indicate where the branches will be early in the

drawing so that his interaction with them looks believable

4



4Flesh Out the Wings and Legs

Sketch in his wing claws and toes using circles to mark where

the knobby joints will be Block in the overall shape of the wings

5Concentrate on the Claws and Feet

Flesh out the ldquofingersrdquo and toes and add strong claws for

climbing Erase any guidelines that you no longer need

6Add Texture and Details

Embellish his face and neck with more

detail The air pouch on his neck should

hang loosely like a turkeyrsquos wattle while

itrsquos not inflated for display Continue to add

detail to the tail feathers Texture his legs

with bumpy scales




8Add Feathers

Sketch a series of lines radiating from the center of the wing todivide each section with feathers Start to refine the edges of the

primary flight feathers They should taper gracefully towards the

tips

9Stagger the Feathers and

Round Off the Tips

Using the lines you laid in previously round

off the tips of each feather Stagger them

as they overlap so they look realistic Vary

the shape and size of the feathers

7Focus on the Wings

Concentrate on the wings for the next few steps Sketch inS-shaped curves to break the wings up into several chunks for the

layers of feathers

6



Hook-Legged Bodeo



Gouache pigments Burnt Sienna Burnt Umber Cerulean Blue Cobalt Blue

Lemon Yellow Olive Green Permanent Yellow Deep Raw Umber Scarlet Lake

Ultramarine Yellow Ochre Zinc White





ISBN 13 978-1-4403-0835-2

ISBN 10 1-4403-0835-7

UPC 0 35313 65040 6EAN 9 781440 308352SRN Z8829

Category Art TechniquePrice US $2699 CAN $2599Trim 825w times10875hPage count 144Binding hardcover

Publication month August 2011Word count 30 228 of color illustrations 150 of bw illustrations 200Interior color 4c

Features

bull 25 step-by-step demonstrations that teach everything

from basic drawing techniques to drawing and painting

a complete scene

bull A sophisticated yet approachable style with lessons on

how to draw and paint fantasy creatures

bull Easy-to-find materials and instructions make it easy for

readers to learn by doing

bull Popular fantasy art subjects in a style readers want to

emulate

About the Author

Emily Fiegenschuh studied illustration at Ringling College of Art

and Design and graduated in 2001 with a Bachelor of Fine Arts

Emily has illustrated numerous Dungeons and Dragons rule

books for Wizards of the Coast and has contributed cover and

interior illustrations to the Mirrorstone Young Adult novel series

Knights of the Silver Dragon Her work has also appeared in Spec-

trum 9 The Best in Contemporary Fantastic Art From 2008 through

2009 she illustrated the ten-part fantasy story ldquoThe Star Shardrdquo by

Frederic S Durbin for Cricket magazine Her art has also appeared

in the New York Times best sellers A Practical Guide to Dragons and

A Practical Guide to Monsters Recently Emily has been working on

paintings for the Inuit Mythology Initiative a non-profit organiza-

tion dedicated to preserving Inuit myths and legends

an imprint of F+W Media incwwwimpact-bookscom


8




CONTENTSIntroduction bull 5

Chapter One

983109x983152983148orin983143 t983144e 983106asic983155 991266 14Workspace and Tools bull Constructing Creatures

Drawing Dynamic Gestures bull Outfitting Your Creature Features

Human Bodies and Proportion bull Perspective bull Foreshortening

Pencil-Rendering Techniques bull Using Color

Chapter Two

983107rea983156in983143 983129our 1048643rea983156ur983141 991266 21Finding Inspirations bull Using Reference bull Sketching

Designing bull Silhouette Value bull Developing Personality

Finalizing Your Creature

Chapter Three

983107rea983156ures o983142 983117983161t983144 991266 33Chimera Demo bull Chimera Head Mini Demo bull Dragon Demo

Leathery wings Mini Demo bull Minotaur Demo

Monster Hands Mini Demo bull Hydra Demo bull Sphinx Demo

Sphinx Face Mini Demo

Chapter Four

983107rea983156ures o983142 t983144e 983127a983156e983154 991266 67 Painted Marsh Nymph Demo bull Sea Serpent Demo

Fins Mini Demo bull Living Island Demo bull Trees and Rocks Mini Demo

Chapter Five

983107rea983156ures o983142 t983144e 983116an983140 991266 87 Venom-Spitting Sand Dragon Demo bull Forest Behemoth Demo

Crowned Ibak Demo bull Costumes and Accessories

Saddle Mini Demo bull Ursukin Demo

Chapter Six983107rea983156ures o983142 t983144e 983123k983161 991266 113Pancake Glider Demo bull Hook-Legged Bodeo Demo

Feathered wings Mini Demo bull Flying Fish Demo

Lantern Bat Demo bull Lantern Bat Painting Demo

About and Acknowledgments bull 142

Index bull 143

2



















makes them tick





















eraser

pencil

straightedge

DRAW THE MINOTAUR











than teenagers








48







in the face











2Draw the Knuckl

es



3Add Details



4Clean Up and Add

Final Details



Closed Hand










6Sketch In Scales









58



Glass Dragon








Stirrup

DRAW A S ADDLE

Accessorize Away





eraser

pencil









3Refine and Add

the Stirrup





stirrup

4Add Details

Add details such as






SeatCantle

Cantle

Jockey

Fender

Skirt
















Take to the Skies




wings

2Form the Body









4















with bumpy scales




8Add Feathers



tips


Round Off the Tips





7Focus on the Wings


layers of feathers

6



Hook-Legged Bodeo










ISBN 13 978-1-4403-0835-2

ISBN 10 1-4403-0835-7

UPC 0 35313 65040 6EAN 9 781440 308352SRN Z8829



Features



a complete scene






emulate

About the Author
















8



















makes them tick





















eraser

pencil

straightedge

DRAW THE MINOTAUR











than teenagers








48







in the face











2Draw the Knuckl

es



3Add Details



4Clean Up and Add

Final Details



Closed Hand










6Sketch In Scales









58



Glass Dragon








Stirrup

DRAW A S ADDLE

Accessorize Away





eraser

pencil









3Refine and Add

the Stirrup





stirrup

4Add Details

Add details such as






SeatCantle

Cantle

Jockey

Fender

Skirt
















Take to the Skies




wings

2Form the Body









4















with bumpy scales




8Add Feathers



tips


Round Off the Tips





7Focus on the Wings


layers of feathers

6



Hook-Legged Bodeo










ISBN 13 978-1-4403-0835-2

ISBN 10 1-4403-0835-7

UPC 0 35313 65040 6EAN 9 781440 308352SRN Z8829



Features



a complete scene






emulate

About the Author
















8







eraser

pencil

straightedge

DRAW THE MINOTAUR











than teenagers








48







in the face











2Draw the Knuckl

es



3Add Details



4Clean Up and Add

Final Details



Closed Hand










6Sketch In Scales









58



Glass Dragon








Stirrup

DRAW A S ADDLE

Accessorize Away





eraser

pencil









3Refine and Add

the Stirrup





stirrup

4Add Details

Add details such as






SeatCantle

Cantle

Jockey

Fender

Skirt
















Take to the Skies




wings

2Form the Body









4















with bumpy scales




8Add Feathers



tips


Round Off the Tips





7Focus on the Wings


layers of feathers

6



Hook-Legged Bodeo










ISBN 13 978-1-4403-0835-2

ISBN 10 1-4403-0835-7

UPC 0 35313 65040 6EAN 9 781440 308352SRN Z8829



Features



a complete scene






emulate

About the Author
















8







in the face











2Draw the Knuckl

es



3Add Details



4Clean Up and Add

Final Details



Closed Hand










6Sketch In Scales









58



Glass Dragon








Stirrup

DRAW A S ADDLE

Accessorize Away





eraser

pencil









3Refine and Add

the Stirrup





stirrup

4Add Details

Add details such as






SeatCantle

Cantle

Jockey

Fender

Skirt
















Take to the Skies




wings

2Form the Body









4















with bumpy scales




8Add Feathers



tips


Round Off the Tips





7Focus on the Wings


layers of feathers

6



Hook-Legged Bodeo










ISBN 13 978-1-4403-0835-2

ISBN 10 1-4403-0835-7

UPC 0 35313 65040 6EAN 9 781440 308352SRN Z8829



Features



a complete scene






emulate

About the Author
















8










6Sketch In Scales









58



Glass Dragon








Stirrup

DRAW A S ADDLE

Accessorize Away





eraser

pencil









3Refine and Add

the Stirrup





stirrup

4Add Details

Add details such as






SeatCantle

Cantle

Jockey

Fender

Skirt
















Take to the Skies




wings

2Form the Body









4















with bumpy scales




8Add Feathers



tips


Round Off the Tips





7Focus on the Wings


layers of feathers

6



Hook-Legged Bodeo










ISBN 13 978-1-4403-0835-2

ISBN 10 1-4403-0835-7

UPC 0 35313 65040 6EAN 9 781440 308352SRN Z8829



Features



a complete scene






emulate

About the Author
















8



Glass Dragon








Stirrup

DRAW A S ADDLE

Accessorize Away





eraser

pencil









3Refine and Add

the Stirrup





stirrup

4Add Details

Add details such as






SeatCantle

Cantle

Jockey

Fender

Skirt
















Take to the Skies




wings

2Form the Body









4















with bumpy scales




8Add Feathers



tips


Round Off the Tips





7Focus on the Wings


layers of feathers

6



Hook-Legged Bodeo










ISBN 13 978-1-4403-0835-2

ISBN 10 1-4403-0835-7

UPC 0 35313 65040 6EAN 9 781440 308352SRN Z8829



Features



a complete scene






emulate

About the Author
















8



Stirrup

DRAW A S ADDLE

Accessorize Away





eraser

pencil









3Refine and Add

the Stirrup





stirrup

4Add Details

Add details such as






SeatCantle

Cantle

Jockey

Fender

Skirt
















Take to the Skies




wings

2Form the Body









4















with bumpy scales




8Add Feathers



tips


Round Off the Tips





7Focus on the Wings


layers of feathers

6



Hook-Legged Bodeo










ISBN 13 978-1-4403-0835-2

ISBN 10 1-4403-0835-7

UPC 0 35313 65040 6EAN 9 781440 308352SRN Z8829



Features



a complete scene






emulate

About the Author
















8
















Take to the Skies




wings

2Form the Body









4















with bumpy scales




8Add Feathers



tips


Round Off the Tips





7Focus on the Wings


layers of feathers

6



Hook-Legged Bodeo










ISBN 13 978-1-4403-0835-2

ISBN 10 1-4403-0835-7

UPC 0 35313 65040 6EAN 9 781440 308352SRN Z8829



Features



a complete scene






emulate

About the Author
















8















with bumpy scales




8Add Feathers



tips


Round Off the Tips





7Focus on the Wings


layers of feathers

6



Hook-Legged Bodeo










ISBN 13 978-1-4403-0835-2

ISBN 10 1-4403-0835-7

UPC 0 35313 65040 6EAN 9 781440 308352SRN Z8829



Features



a complete scene






emulate

About the Author
















8




8Add Feathers



tips


Round Off the Tips





7Focus on the Wings


layers of feathers

6



Hook-Legged Bodeo










ISBN 13 978-1-4403-0835-2

ISBN 10 1-4403-0835-7

UPC 0 35313 65040 6EAN 9 781440 308352SRN Z8829



Features



a complete scene






emulate

About the Author
















8



Hook-Legged Bodeo










ISBN 13 978-1-4403-0835-2

ISBN 10 1-4403-0835-7

UPC 0 35313 65040 6EAN 9 781440 308352SRN Z8829



Features



a complete scene






emulate

About the Author
















8





ISBN 13 978-1-4403-0835-2

ISBN 10 1-4403-0835-7

UPC 0 35313 65040 6EAN 9 781440 308352SRN Z8829



Features



a complete scene






emulate

About the Author
















8

explorer's guide to drawing fantasy creatures

Documents