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Book Review: The Art of How to Train Your Dragon

March 26, 2010 by Parka

The Art of How to Train Your Dragon

I can't believe my eyes when I saw this books on the shelf at a local bookshop, two months earlier than its scheduled release date.

Flipped a few pages, and saw the unique style of Nicolas Marlet, flipped back to the cover and found that Tracy Miller-Zarneke is the author and the movie's from Dreamworks. Those three names instantly reminded me of quality art book The Art of Kung Fu Panda. I'm glad to say that this book is as good and fun. By the way, Chris Sanders and Dean DeBlois are the famed directors here.

Inside the book are more than 350 development artwork, including early character designs, story sketches, and concept paintings. The books is divided into three parts, the dragons, vikings and the environment with stuff like props and houses. Discarded art and characters are also included, like Hiccup's mother - who can cook a mean dish with dragon meat. Accompanying the art are plenty of interesting quotes and commentary from the production staff.

Nicolas Marlet and Simon Otto seem to be the lead character designers responsible for the concept art of the dragons and vikings, although a good amount of designs are actually from Nicolas Marlet. There's a wide range of wackiness and creativity to the drawings. The character digital paintings are great and the colours are really beautiful, kudos to Zhaoping Wei.

The environment paintings from Pierre-Olivier Vncent, art director, are beautiful. This guy really knows how to draw scenic yet precarious backgrounds like sloping hilltops, snow-capped sea arches and Dragon island which is like an ice-cream cone with molten lava as topping. Not only that, his tranquil pieces are also spectacular, National Geographic-spectacular. He has created places you want to visit but probably not because one wrong step and you'll roll down the hill.

There are even a few illustrations from Dominique Louis, who did some pastel concept art for Pixar. His using digital pastels now and there's no difference from his traditional work, I'm glad to say. The fun and stylised houses, statues, weapons, boats and other props are from Kirsten Kawamura and Mel Zwyer.

It's a fantastic book showing the creative prowess of amazing artists. Highly recommended.

The Art of How to Train Your Dragon

The Art of How to Train Your Dragon

The Art of How to Train Your Dragon

The Art of How to Train Your Dragon

The Art of How to Train Your Dragon

The Art of How to Train Your Dragon

The Art of How to Train Your Dragon

The Art of How to Train Your Dragon

The Art of How to Train Your Dragon

The Art of How to Train Your Dragon

The Art of How to Train Your Dragon

The Art of How to Train Your Dragon

The Art of How to Train Your Dragon

The Art of How to Train Your Dragon

The Art of How to Train Your Dragon

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Places to get The Art of How to Train Your Dragon:
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Comments

WOW, this book looks great, I

Animator13 (not verified)
January 10, 2010,
33 weeks 4 days ago
Comment id: 1234

WOW, this book looks great, I wasn't too sure on the movie from the trailers but the art is quite something! I'm looking forward to the film..

Animator13

Hi Parka, Sorry I forgot to

Animator13 (not verified)
January 10, 2010,
33 weeks 4 days ago
Comment id: 1235

Hi Parka,

Sorry I forgot to put this in my earlier post, but on amazon UK they have two versions of 'The Art of How to Train your Dragon'

One by Tracey Miller-Zarneke and published by Titan Books
and another by Cressida Cowell and published by New Market press.

Do they have different content and which one would be better to get?

Thanks

Animator13

how on earth do you get these

JordanbAnimator (not verified)
January 10, 2010,
33 weeks 4 days ago
Comment id: 1237

how on earth do you get these books so early?

@Animator13 Mine's the

Parka
January 10, 2010,
33 weeks 4 days ago
Comment id: 1238

@Animator13
Mine's the Newmarket Press edition. Not sure if there are any differences in the content compared to Titan Books'. The price of the books are rather close.

@JordanbAnimator
From a local bookshop, Basheer. I can't believe it when I saw the book too.

I think this book looks

Hazel Agnes (not verified)
January 14, 2010,
33 weeks 18 hours ago
Comment id: 1247

I think this book looks great..By the way, Do they have different content and which one would be better to get?

@Hazel Agnes I don't think

Parka
January 14, 2010,
33 weeks 16 hours ago
Comment id: 1248

@Hazel Agnes
I don't think they will have different content.

Hey Parka my friend ! Can you

chris penn (not verified)
January 14, 2010,
33 weeks 3 hours ago
Comment id: 1249

Hey Parka my friend !

Can you please buy me a copy !

i can send you the payment by paypal ?

How much is it oh by the way i live in the USA

@chris penn I think the book

Parka
January 15, 2010,
33 weeks 2 hours ago
Comment id: 1252

@chris penn
I think the book should be out soon in US since it's already out in Asia -- Singapore that is.

If I were to buy it and sell to you, it's going to cost a lot for the shipping, not to mention the extra long delivery time.

Ok my friend ! I will wait

chris penn (not verified)
January 15, 2010,
32 weeks 6 days ago
Comment id: 1253

Ok my friend !

I will wait and thank you for the advice !

if im in taiwan is it

Anonymous (not verified)
January 19, 2010,
32 weeks 2 days ago
Comment id: 1277

if im in taiwan is it possible to get it now?

I'm not sure if it's out in

Parka
January 19, 2010,
32 weeks 2 days ago
Comment id: 1279

I'm not sure if it's out in Taiwan. But it will be out worldwide soon.

WOW this book looks

Rui (not verified)
January 20, 2010,
32 weeks 1 day ago
Comment id: 1281

WOW

this book looks FANTASTIC!
i wonder how much fun they had drawing those vikings?

Wow, it has pictures in every

asna (not verified)
February 18, 2010,
28 weeks 13 hours ago
Comment id: 1396

Wow, it has pictures in every page..
I'm not sure this would be available in Indonesia, but I'll manage to have it somehow!
Thanks for reviewing :)

Thanks Parka Ordered It from

Fire Truck Toys (not verified)
February 24, 2010,
27 weeks 1 day ago
Comment id: 1415

Thanks Parka
Ordered It from Amazon and it shipped yesterday, now the wait begins!
I agree with Animator13 not sure on the film itself, I've heard it deviates from the book somewhat, but your review of the art sold me straight away.
The Dragons look amazing especially the Hideous Zippleback ?!?
Very cute.
Cheers

Oh and not sure if this has

Fire Truck Toys (not verified)
February 24, 2010,
27 weeks 1 day ago
Comment id: 1416

Oh and not sure if this has been mentioned but Cressida Cowell is the author of the children's book the film is based on.
cheers

Hello Mr Parka! Thx for the

Bille (not verified)
March 3, 2010,
26 weeks 1 day ago
Comment id: 1505

Hello Mr Parka!

Thx for the review! The art looks amazing and I might buy it!

I just got to know you from a James Gurney book review on Amazon... and you are SIngaporean too. :D I am in living in Vancouver though, but will be back home by end of the year. I am holding off from buying so mucg stuff because I would have a problem transporting everything. ;) But thx for the review, hope to see more art book reviews soon!

Just recieved this book - it

Animator13 (not verified)
March 20, 2010,
23 weeks 6 days ago
Comment id: 1654

Just recieved this book - it is amazing, so much art and it is spectacular!
If anyone has any reservations about buying the book - it's amazing so just buy and think later! =)

Bring on the art of Shrek 4 and the art of Megamind!

Animator13

This book is amazing. The

Nacmac (not verified)
March 27, 2010,
22 weeks 5 days ago
Comment id: 1731

This book is amazing. The amount of sketches, designs and production notes makes it a real keeper. I love Nico Marlett's dragon and viking designs.

The film comes to the UK next week so I'll be off to the BFI Imax to see it in 3D. Can't wait!

the film was absolutely

Shep (not verified)
April 4, 2010,
21 weeks 5 days ago
Comment id: 1760

the film was absolutely incredible. I laughed almost the whole way through and would recommend it entirely for all audiences. Some of the artwork was beautiful, especially the flight scenes.

I saw the film in £D and reccomend that you all do the same. Thanks for posting the book, i think it looks good to buy if you enjoyed the film as much as i did and want some inspiration for some of my own projects.

Many thanks

shep

How much they sell it there

Anonymous (not verified)
April 9, 2010,
20 weeks 6 days ago
Comment id: 1802

How much they sell it there (Basheer)?

@Anonymous I can't remember

Parka
April 9, 2010,
20 weeks 6 days ago
Comment id: 1803

@Anonymous
I can't remember exactly but it's a few dollars more than Amazon's price of $32.40 (inclusive of overseas shipping for my case).

Hi Parka, just discovered

Bdette (not verified)
April 23, 2010,
18 weeks 6 days ago
Comment id: 1981

Hi Parka, just discovered your blog! I nearly had a heart attack when I saw this review. I'm bookmarking you right away!

One question: how do you feel about people reblogging your reviews/images? For instance, say I wanted to buy this book and blog about it (with proper links and credit to you) do you think that would be OK? I thought I'd write in to ask permission. I couldn't find your email on this site to write privately.

In any case, thanks, I'm loving your site : )

@Bdette That would be alright

Parka
April 23, 2010,
18 weeks 6 days ago
Comment id: 1982

@Bdette
That would be alright if you provide a link back to the blog or the particular review.

@Parka I found your gmail

Bdette (not verified)
April 30, 2010,
17 weeks 6 days ago
Comment id: 2031

@Parka
I found your gmail (urgh I'm so blind) but thanks for following my question up! I will provide links and all! Thanks a Bunch :)

no more copys left only after

Anonymous (not verified)
May 16, 2010,
15 weeks 4 days ago
Comment id: 2158

no more copys left only after two months I hope they will reprint, as collector I can´t forget it

@Anonymous You might want to

Sara (not verified)
May 17, 2010,
15 weeks 4 days ago
Comment id: 2161

@Anonymous

You might want to check out: http://new.ecampus.com/book/9781557048639%20%20. You can also pre-order it at: http://www.bookdepository.com/book/9781557048639/The-Art-of-How-to-Train....

As soon as I get enough money, I will definitely try to get myself a copy! It looks so good...

I have to agree this art of

Animator13 (not verified)
May 18, 2010,
15 weeks 2 days ago
Comment id: 2174

I have to agree this art of book is amazing...! !

Beat's the art of kung fu panda, no question! =)

Animator13

This link will no longer

Anonymous (not verified)
June 28, 2010,
9 weeks 3 days ago
Comment id: 2358

This link will no longer work, you will have to go to www.ecampus.com/book/9781557048639

This book is back in stock on

Parka
June 28, 2010,
9 weeks 3 days ago
Comment id: 2359

This book is back in stock on Amazon as well.

Hi Mr. Parka WOW. this really

Ellie (not verified)
June 29, 2010,
9 weeks 2 days ago
Comment id: 2364

Hi Mr. Parka

WOW. this really IS something!! Great!!
I saw the film on 3D yesterday and already planning to watch it 1 more time!!!
Do you mind if I reblog your images on my page?
Of course with links of your blog and credit.
If you like, you can visit my blog and let me know whether you're happy about it or not. :D

Thanks million~!!!!!!!!!!!!! :)

@Ellie Sure. Just put a link

Parka
June 29, 2010,
9 weeks 2 days ago
Comment id: 2366

@Ellie
Sure. Just put a link back so your readers can check out the review.

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