Best Drawing Book, The Elements of Drawing

If you want to buy just one drawing book (for yourself, or an art enthusiast)...

Make sure this is the one -- The Elements of Drawing, by John Ruskin! I came across The Elements of Drawing at the library on a random day, when I was a wayward 16/17-year-old (I am now 23). I had always wanted to draw, but found many of the drawing books to be not very useful/helpful (as the introduction states, in the "elements of drawing" copy/edition that I read).

Many modern how-to-draw books do not instill/nurture/teach/inspire one to develop their own artistic sense, and a keen observation/attention to detail, which are two things I managed to attain (and continue to attain), as a direct result of this splendid book by John Ruskin.

It's not an easy book to read -- in fact, I believe Ruskin himself states/warns in the beginning that some parts/activities will be quite tedious (such as the careful manual shading of gradients) -- he does say that if you really, really want to learn how to draw, you've got to be prepared to put your life into it (to that effect). He says something about having the diligence to put in 150-200 hours into learning how to draw (or how to do anything)...and since time = life, I guess that puts what he says into perspective.

John Ruskin's fine definition of drawing is as follows: "all art is but dirtying the paper delicately." I love the way he presented whatever he had to say/teach about art and drawing -- it's a real sharing/transference of knowledge.

Drawing's turned out to be a lifesaver for me. It's helped me to develop more confidence in myself and what I do...I'm very lucky to have had the good fortune to have been guided by The Elements of Drawing.

P.S. I think I took a grand total of about 4-5 years to actually get through the book from cover to cover (I read it on and off from the time I was 17-22)...but I'm glad I took the time to gradually let my artistic senses develop (something that money and the average art class cannot buy).

+ Review originally posted @ Goodreads.com

+ I've also blogged about my own experience with art/drawing (with the guidance of The Elements of Drawing) @ http://jesscscott.wordpress.com/2010/07/04/drawing-confidence/

Free Blog Novel

I will start posting here again in August -- I've been very busy with my debut blog/IM novel...

Which is available for FREE for the rest of July!

Download Link: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/2864
Official Website: http://eyeleash.wordpress.com/

Tell all your friends about it ;)

Recommended Fantasy Book

Cover of The Last Realm: Dragonscarpe

Quick Note: Attention, lovers of the fantasy genre. You don't come across publications like this on a daily basis.

The Last Realm: Book One, Dragonscarpe, is a 320 page coffee-table-sized hardback, written by Pat McNamara. The first volume of this groundbreaking epic features more than one hundred pages of stunning, full-color art by multi-Award winning comic book Illustrator and master pin-up Artist, Michal Dutkiewicz.

The book is a collaboration between Pat and Michal, based on an initial concept and character outlines by Gary Turner. It is an ambitious and bold storytelling venture, and could very well high-and-mightily helm a new direction in contemporary fantasy literature. There is a unique multiple-platform type of feel to the presentation (like a book, artbook, screenplay, and virtual world concept all at once).

Story-wise, the text is very readable -- young adult level -- and vivid. The story centers around fiery heroics, doomed love and betrayal (featuring a lead Paladin named Zayd, four beautiful Elementalists, a vengeful Outcast, etc.).

The storytelling has a cinematic atmosphere, moreso than what a traditional fantasy text would read like. Readers that are used to classic/high fantasy material might want to take note of that. That is the intent, as the book draws its inspiration from a wide range of material, from classic fantasy (Lord of the Rings, Pern) to modern genre icons (Star Wars, Babylon 5). The comprehensive lexicon at the back allows the reader at a glance, to know who's who and what's what in The Last Realm.

Due to the size and presentation of the publication [it measures 25cm x 36cm (10" x 14") and is huge + quite heavy], $39.95 is a moderate price range for such high-quality artwork and printing. The paper quality is ideal for showcasing the illustrations: a visual feast of anatomical detail (and a labour of love, having taken up over a year of the illustrator's time/life/effort/energy).

Many fantasy books have eye-catching cover art -- but the illustrations here appear throughout. And because of the generous sizing of the book, one really gets the sense of being transported IN-to the story. Five pages before the actual story begins, is a panoramic illustration of "The Realm of the Dragonscarpe...And The Vast Land Bridges Over The Natmos Lake." You can't help but let your jaw drop when you have something like that in your hands, right in front of you. I know I did!

Links--Michal Dutkiewicz: Illustrator, Pat McNamara: Writer (on myspace)

Cool Magazine, Psychology Today

Issue: July-August 2008

If you're looking for "something else" (apart from the usual women's/fashion magazines), this is one magazine I've found exceptionally good: Psychology Today.

It's cool because of this combination: the articles are very informative, and written in a concise manner, that sustains the reader's interest.

Most magazines (such as Cosmopolitan; Elle however, is fine :P) have bored me for ages. I just about roll my eyes when I see the new covers each month at a supermarket/wherever. I personally find that a lot of the material is heavily recycled, and I don't get anything useful from the publication after a while (apart from pages of high-gloss, uber pretty advertisements).

Anyway, back to Psychology Today.

A sample of my pick of articles, that are available online:

1. Scents and Sensibility
"Sexual chemistry"--the subtle chemical keys that help determine who we fall for.

2. Plight of the Little Emperors
Coddled from infancy and raised to be academic machines, China's only children expect the world. Now they're buckling under the pressure of their parents' deferred dreams.

3. Neanderthink: Good Girls, Bad Girls
The vagaries of paternity have led men to sharply categorize women—even in a hookup culture. Women can get savvy about this male propensity.

4. Accounting for Taste
Our choices in books, movies, music, and art go to the core of who we are. What your tastes reveal about you.

5. The Style Imperative
Style is more character than clothes, more attitude than affluence. It's you making visible your inner self; so forget what you learned about appearance not counting.

~

Psychology is a fascinating subject. By and large, I find academic sort of publications an annoyance to read. The text tends to be...stuffy. None of that in this magazine.

PS: The publication is bi-monthly (one issue covers two months).
6 issues for $15.97, 46% off the cover price, if you're in the US.

World's First Novel, Novelist

Murasaki Shikibu

Love, intrigue, lust and adventure are all ingredients of a bestselling novel. One such book with these elements thrilled readers almost one thousand years ago. The Tale of Genji, is considered by many to be the first novel in the world. It was written by Lady Murasaki Shikibu.

* I remember borrowing this book from the library some years ago. Didn't finish it (but I'd like to add it to my collection -- next purchase...).

Lady Murasaki's real name is unknown. Murasaki Shikibu roughly translates to "Lavender Secretary". The main source of knowledge about her life is the diary she kept between 1007 and 1010.

The novel is generally regarded as the greatest work of Japanese literature.



The Tale of Genji captures the image of a unique society of refined aristocrats, who were skilled in poetry, music, calligraphy, and courtship. Much of it is concerned with the loves of Hikaru Genji (the shining prince) and the different women in his life. Though the novel does not contain scenes of dramatic action, it is written with an exquisite sensitivity to human emotions. Genji is also very concerned with cultivating a beautiful and elegant lifestyle, a principle called miyabi.

The Tale of Genji continues to have cultural prominence in Japan. Images of its characters grace everything from tee-shirts to stationary, and manga and anime versions of the famous love story have been produced. It is required reading in all Japanese high schools.

Most recently, a new 2000 yen note was produced. One side features an image of Murasaki Shikibu.

References: World's First Novelist, Genji.

Shakespeare's Den

Smart Gifts for Intelligent People

I absolutely love this huge website (their storefront header is spiffy too!).

Shakespeare's Den can easily boast about having the largest collection of Shakespeare related gifts and merchandise, available on the internet.

Classics and hot favourites include The Shakespeare’s Quips, Cusses, and Curses Quiz Deck, and in fact, there's an entire section of products devoted to Shakepeare's Insults.

Here are some of the insults featured on the Shakespeare's Insults T-shirt:

* You scullion! You rampallian! You fustilarian!
* False of heart, light of ear, bloody of hand
* Idol of idiot-worshippers
* I do desire we may be better strangers

The food products (like mints and teas) come in very attractive, charming packaging that any Shakespeare fan would appreciate.

You can even search for gifts based on the plays - Hamlet, Romeo & Juliet, King Lear, and so on.

Gifts like the hilarious "To Pee, or Not To Pee" baby bodysuit is a simplified version of the epic quotation, suitably so for the much younger crowds.

Poetry of John Keats

I am someone who loves to read. I wonder what some of the greatest writers would have to say about our digital amenities like TV, the Net, YouTube, etc.

Anyhow, I have always believed in the remarkable power of the written word and poetry especially (save for a few turbulent years of my teenage life, but I'll elaborate more on that another time).



The Complete Poems of John Keats (Modern Library) is intensely and divinely romantic. I still remember the first time I read the poem, Bright Star, Would I Were Steadfast as Thou Art. It still is a sheer delight to read. I thoroughly loved The Eve of St. Agnes as well. Keats based this poem on the superstition that a girl could see her future husband in a dream, if she performed certain rites on the eve of St. Agnes.

At one point in time, I had a difficult time finding books I actually found pleasure in reading. I thought the problem was with me at first. When I shifted my focus to some of the literary greats and classics, I began to find what I was looking for. My choice is not out of snobbery; simply pick up just about any "modern day bestseller" on The New York Times, and compare the difference.

I appreciate writers who not only care about their craft, but actually live and breathe penning down everything they have to onto paper. I'm not interested in formulas (there's enough of that in the music industry), and I'm not interested in writers that are banking on a current hot topic: be it vampires, urban faery, whatnot.

Perhaps I gauge a good writer/a good book, by how little it annoys me in general. John Keats' poetry brings you to another world altogether, and an anthology of his is a worthy addition that should be included in any collection of fine literary works.

Book Wyrms

Book Wyrms 1: Tender is the Knight

These fine gift collectibles would make a lovely gift for bookworms, that are fantasy/dragon lovers too!

The one in the picture is by Andrew Bill, a sculptor of dragon figurines.

His Book Wyrms I series, which features four very nice dragons, were actually made to fit together in a row. Book Wyrms II follows this pattern as well. The brilliant, colorful dragons are made from a cold cast resin, and hand painted with much attention to detail. Each order comes packaged in a neat box that looks like a pile of books.

The dragons are cleverly named. In Book Wyrms I, they're called White Fang, Drakes of Wrath, Lord of the Wings, and Tender is the Knight. The dragons in Book Wyrms II are Crouching Dragon, Hidden Tiger, Gone with the Wind, Black Beauty, and My Friend Flicker.

There are many more products found at IBelieveCollectibles.com.

Fairy cards and tins feature the mystical artwork of Nene Thomas, Amy Brown, and Jessica Galbreth. 2008 Calendars are available in limited quantities as well, so it'd be best to order early to avoid heartache at a later date.

I Believe Collectibles was created to provide a retail outlet for high quality collectibles where magic could be created everyday. They sure are meeting their goal of bringing joy and enchantment into the world, by offering unique items from all over the fantasy realm.

Hooked on Books

For the book lover - here's a unique gift idea. A bookhook. These are beautiful bookmarks which you can even customise at http://www.hookmarks.com/
There are some related to professions or hobbies so it's a thoughtful and personal gift item. Here are just a couple of what they look like.