Before I get into the details, I want to give my back story. I discovered the website Canadian Dragon back in 2008. I was a teenager fighting severe depression. My parents began to take me to see a psychiatrist during the time as well. I was inspired by fantasy books where the dragon rider could speak telepathically to their dragon. I began writing to my imagination. I could not picture my imaginary dragon and at first it felt odd talking to something I knew was not actually there.
My favorite piece of art Sandra did was Elshiera. She is the blue dragon on page 7 of Sandra’s first book. When I first saw the piece on her website it captured my imagination. Seria looks different today then when I knew her as Elshira but, I was able to picture my imaginary dragon. Seria became like a mother to me in that my parents disagreed with my desire to become an artist and an author. It also did not help that my mother stole my diary of conversations with my imaginary dragon to give to my psychiatrist. Ironically Seria helped me to become close to my mother after I moved out. I know its very strange but, I owe it to Sandra and her art for keeping me alive to this day.
With that back story out of the way here is my impression of her book. At first, I was kind of disappointed that there were no glossy art pages in the middle of the book like her first one had. Then I considered the fact that this was a book on how to draw and color. It’s not exactly one of those comic books that you look at. When I read her story about one of her fans using a lined notebook I cringed because I know what she means. A lot of my art friends do their art like that and I never understood why. For the amount you spend on a notebook you could have bought a package of copy paper. Although its not the greatest either its better than having lines through your work. If you ever decide to color it you can transfer it through a light table or glass window to actual art paper.
I think my favorite part about this book is how it explains color blending and light/shadow really well. I look forward to finally being able to draw my Seria and her new look with the help of this book. I also noticed that this book has a good balance between text and illustrations. A lot of books will either have good illustrations with hardly any text, or the text takes up most of the pages and the illustrations are really small.. I noticed that is a page dedicated to different types of scales. Very well thought out and the illustrations were very helpful.
The size of this book is perfect considering how I carry a lot of art supplies and reference material when I am going on a road trip with family or if I am going to the park for art. This will surely be the book I bring on every art adventure I go on. All in all I value both her books and I highly recommend them to my friends. I also recommend them if you’re a beginner and want something that will not only be helpful but, keep you inspired all the way.
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Reviews with images
My daughter's favorite Christmas present
I bought this book and a thin light box for tracing drafts onto final paper for my daughter for Christmas and it was a huge hit. She carefully read the book and has been drawing since Christmas morning. I got her video games too, and this book is currently her "precious."The author provides insight into technique, material choices, color and medium choices, rough draft and proportion assistance ideas and explains the process so that final drawings come out fantastic. I added my daughters first two creations here because the first are usually not awesome, but she began knocking it out of the park right away! There are nearly hundred more since with increased detail, shadowing, and emotion.
Top reviews from the United States
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Reviewed in the United States on May 13, 2019
Reviewed in the United States on November 27, 2021
Reviewed in the United States on December 31, 2019
The author provides insight into technique, material choices, color and medium choices, rough draft and proportion assistance ideas and explains the process so that final drawings come out fantastic. I added my daughters first two creations here because the first are usually not awesome, but she began knocking it out of the park right away! There are nearly hundred more since with increased detail, shadowing, and emotion.
My daughter's favorite Christmas present
Reviewed in the United States on December 31, 2019
I bought this book and a thin light box for tracing drafts onto final paper for my daughter for Christmas and it was a huge hit. She carefully read the book and has been drawing since Christmas morning. I got her video games too, and this book is currently her "precious."Reviewed in the United States on December 31, 2019
The author provides insight into technique, material choices, color and medium choices, rough draft and proportion assistance ideas and explains the process so that final drawings come out fantastic. I added my daughters first two creations here because the first are usually not awesome, but she began knocking it out of the park right away! There are nearly hundred more since with increased detail, shadowing, and emotion.
Images in this review
Reviewed in the United States on August 30, 2021
Reviewed in the United States on February 25, 2020
Reviewed in the United States on December 1, 2020
Top reviews from other countries
Victoria
Good book for a child, but incorrectly bound.
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 22, 2024
Victoria
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 22, 2024
However something is wrong with the binding, the page numbers jump incorrectly. Make sure you flip through and double check!
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