John Howe's Ultimate Fantasy Art Academy

Discover the creative processes and intriguing inspirations behind the work of leading fantasy artist John Howe  conceptual designer on The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit movie trilogies in this comprehensive practical art book.

This book will appeal to artists and fans of John Howe's work by leading them step-by-step through over 150 of the artist's demonstrations, sketches and finished paintings, that reveal John’s renowned artistic approach in action, plus the techniques and stories behind each.

Howe explores drawing and painting fantasy beings from initial inspiration and approaches to characters, symbolism and accoutrements. He begins by showing how to create different types of male and female archetypes, humans in action, armour and weapons, faces, expressions and hands, hair and costumes, and goes on to explain how to create different types of fantasy beasts: talons, wings, fangs and fire, and noble animals, interspersed throughout with exciting case studies.

The book also explores fantasy landscapes and architecture and balancing light and dark atmospheres. The final section of the book provides further inspiration and guidance on presenting work in various forms, including film work, book covers and advertising, all areas John Howe has vast experience in.

The foreword is written by ground-breaking film director Terry Gilliam, with an afterword by Oscar-winning illustrator, Alan Lee, John's partner on the conceptual design for The Lord of the Rings movie trilogy.