Book Review: Fantasy Genesis: A Creativity Game for Fantasy Artists
This is one of the more unique instructional art books that I've seen, and it's incredibly fun.
Fantasy Genesis is based on the familiar dice-rolling type of games. Using a series of dice rolls, you'll pick subjects from one the many themed sets, mix and match to come up with your own ideas, creation and drawings.
Here's a quote from the book, "The challenge (and the fun) is to meld seemingly unrelated and everyday elements such as a caterpillar, seashells, fire or a hammer into exceptionally curious, grotesque, oddly beautiful and totally unexpected creations."
There are sets covering animals, vegetation, technical, elemental and mineral subjects. Each set has a few list with keywords to choose from. There are even list for emotions and actions. Basically, countless number of combinations and creations are possible.
Over 40 step by step mini-demonstrations are included to illustrate basic techniques for drawing fantasy elements and forms. The illustrated examples by Chuck Lukacs are not only inspiring but very beautiful as well. They show the potential for really exciting possibilities.
One thing to note is the dice which are not included. The recommended ones are six-sided, four-sided, eight-sided and a twenty-sided. A website is provided where you can find them, at a price I think is relatively high. Or you can try looking at hobby stores for cheaper dice.
This book makes for a marvelous reference on fantasy art. Highly recommended to all fantasy artists.
Say goodbye to your creative block forever.
You can find out more information on the book at www.chucklukacs.com and fantasygenesis.blogspot.com.
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Comments
Wow... that looks incredibly
Wow... that looks incredibly interesting! Thx for the heads up as always Parka!
Hi Parka, I read already
Hi Parka,
I read already about the book in ImagineFX.
Now I am even more curious. It seems to be a very interesting book.
Maybe I'm ordering it...
One Question though: which dice(s) do you need to "use" the book?
It requires 2 six-sided, 1
In reply to Hi Parka, I read already by Alex (not verified)
It requires 2 six-sided, 1 four-sided, 1 eight-sided and 1 twenty-sided dice.
There's actually a website provided where you can find the dice: https://q-workshop.com.
I think the price there is relatively high. You can actually get a few cheap six-sided dice and modify them yourself like crossing out some numbers although that will get some empty throws (on the crossed out side), or use a calculator that has a random button (and multiply it by the number of sides required) which is what I did.
Oh, Q-Workshop's dice are
Oh, Q-Workshop's dice are usually expensive. You could get much cheaper dice (4-sided, 20-sided, etc.) on hobby stores.
@Ricardo Thanks. I shall
In reply to Oh, Q-Workshop's dice are by Ricardo (not verified)
@Ricardo
Thanks. I shall update that on my review.
I don't know what to write...
I don't know what to write... wordless... I need this book, badly.
haha definitely a fun idea to
haha definitely a fun idea to beat that artists block. I will look out for this one.
I don't know if I NEED it,
I don't know if I NEED it, but I sure want it! My problem is that, in order to cross things, say, "dog/elephant, lightbulb" I need to learn to draw the dog and elephant and the lightbulb first - so if I do that step, this will help me with drawing in general - not just fantasy!
Gracious thanks for such a
Gracious thanks for such a wonderful review, Teoh !!
Parka Blogs has been a go to site for awhile now, so I'm surprised it's taken me this long to see this.. =) You supply such quality insights and reviews for the SF&F Illustration and Gaming Community I'm honored to be part.. =)
This is really a nice set of tools for the beginning artist, and the advanced Conceptual designer or author, so there's something for everyone in Fantasy Genesis. You've stated the purpose of my cool new Brain Game and Tutorial so well, I hardly feel I have to say anything more, besides thank you so very much.. =) I'll post the vid far and wide.. =)
I've signed copies available still, which come with a set of free dice, but still need to work out international shipping costs. Email me, and I'd love to talk to anyone about contributing a sketch to the Fantasy Genesis Blog !! https://fantasygenesis.blogspot.com/ and it's a good way to see what Cons and events I'll be signing at..
Namaste' & Thanks Again !!!
Chuck
This looks really cool...I
This looks really cool...I wish I have the money to buy it.
I am trying to promote my
I am trying to promote my book The Nine Orders. Check out the website and the links for further information. Thanks for the support!!!
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