Celtic Fantasy in Watercolour

Description

In this book Stuart Littlejohn shows how to use watercolour techniques to create strikingly beautiful paintings based on Celtic fantasies. The book covers a wealth of topics, from materials and equipment to how to draw Celtic figures, and there are individual sections focusing on hair, clothes, ornamentation and symbolism. The book is packed with ideas that will fire your imagination and inspire you to create your own Celtic art , and there are notes throughout on Celtic folklore and symbolism. Step-by-step instructions introduce the basic painting techniques, and the book ends with two stunning projects - both full of the richness and detail that characterise Stuart's work.

Stuart Littlejohn graduated with a BA(hons) in Art from Exeter College of Art and Design. He still lives in Devon, where he works as a painter, illustrator and teacher. Specialising in the myths, legends and spirituality of Ancient Egypt, Greece, Rome and the Celtic lands, he has produced numerous book covers, magazine illustrations, murals and 3D commissions. Stuart has a keen interest in all things spritual and philosophical, and is a member of the British Visionary Artists Group.

Artbookreview.net:Search Press are quietly building up an excellent little series on practical fantasy art. I have to admit that, were someone to start a Society For The Suppression of Fantasy Art, I'd be one of its first members, so you'll gather that I'm not a fan of the finished results!However, you get a lot for your money in these books and a lot that you can apply elsewhere. The one and two page sections here on faces, hair, clothes and ornaments can be just as well be applied to a fantasy-free zone and the technical instructions for painting a fairy waterfall are among the best and most comprehensive I've seen (and yes, it is the only demonstration of a fairy waterfall I've seen, but trust me).This is well done, in terms of the writing and the artwork as well as the production and worth a look whether you're with me on the subject matter or not.Myshelf.com:If you enjoy reading fantasy with a Celtic twist, Celtic history or any other aspect of this fascinating culture then why not have a go at depicting some scenes from their history or mythology? This is an art form rich in symbolism, with a wonderfully stylized love of pattern and linking elements. To really get a good grounding in this highly distinctive form you need more than this slim volume, but it is a fine starting point. The author begins with constructing the human body, then shows you how to depict braids, tattooing and other elements, such as popular symbols (raven, triskele etc) and apparel. All this whets the appetite for more, and here a list of other books needed for a working base of knowledge would be helpful. But this is not intended to be a book for beginners to art, nor for anybody unversed in the basics of Celtic lore and life. Touched on briefly too were a few watercolor techniques to try such as wet-in-wet, scratching out and drawing starbursts but again, revision rather than how-to in any depth. Two paintings of Celtic mythological deities are given step-by-step, and working through these gives the reader a start in this type of thing. More a taster than a primer, this is attractive enough to whet the appetite for more, whatever aspect of the Celtic world the reader desires to have more of.Jeanniezelos.com:Another from the fantasy art series, really useful tips for anyone interested in Fantasy paintings. Stuart covers how to draw figures and faces and some helpful advice on how to convert conventional i,ages to get the air of mystery necessary for a fantasy painting. There's advice on colours best used for skin tones, how to paint different types of hair, including plaits - all Celts seem to have at least one incorporated into their hair. He advises using historical reference books for clothes and ornamentation and includes some simple examples of body art often used, and some information about symbols and symbolism. The latter half of the book covers two different paintings; Morrigan,one of a trio of war goddesses and Manannan, the Celtic sea god. He starts with a simple outline of techniques that he will use in these paintings with illustrations showing what is in the text explanation. Within the painting demonstrations he also gives some very useful tips, things to avoid such as a completely flat layer of paint that would look dull, and how to use colour though out the painting to enhance the cohesion of it.This book is aimed at those wanting to improve their Celtic fantasy paintings in watercolour but in fact contains many useful hints and tips for fantasy artists in general and in any medium. Its an excellent addition to the fantasy art series. Pentacle:Filled throughout with full colour images and step by step pictures of the construction of two paintings, it is a nice, inspirational book for those wishing to create and develop their watercolour techniques in this style of painting. Stuart gives down to earth advice on setting up and getting materials as well as how to develop and improve everything from drawing figures and faces, hands and feet to painting different types of hair. He provides the reader information on symbolism as well as helpful tips within the sections where he shows his work on the two paintings, one of the Morrigan, and the other of Manannan. Although this book is targeted for those wishing to create something celtic, the tips held within will no doubt be of help for those who wish to create and develop as fantasy artists. Filled throughout with full colour images and step by step pictures of the construction of two paintings, it is a nice, inspirational book for those wishing to create and develop their watercolour techniques in this style of painting. Stuart gives down to earth advice on setting up and getting materials as well as how to develop and improve everything from drawing figures and faces, hands and feet to painting different types of hair. He provides the reader information on symbolism as well as helpful tips within the sections where he shows his work on the two paintings, one of the Morrigan, and the other of Manannan. Although this book is targeted for those wishing to create something celtic, the tips held within will no doubt be of help for those who wish to create and develop as fantasy artists.-Pentacle