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Dragonart: How to Draw Fantastic Dragons and Fantasy Creatures
Thirty step-by-step demos use brightly colored progressive line art for easy-to-follow instruction. Additional demonstrations cover other fantasy creatures, such as wyverns, basilisks, and gargoyles.
128 pages, Paperback
First published September 12, 2005
About the author
Jessica Peffer
20 books27 followersJessica Peffer is a freelance illustrator living and working in Columbus, Ohio. She's the author of the DragonArt series of How-to-Draw books.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
August 8, 2011
Just to let others know, this book teaches you how to draw the following:
Dragons
Gargoyle
Pegasus
Chimera
Kirin (Chinese Unicorn)
Phoenix (Firebird)
Griffin
Basilisk
Wyvern
Sea Serpent
I love Neondragon's artwork, I have ever since I saw it on the internet a few years ago. I was happy to hear she had artbooks out and recently purchased two. The other I haven't received in the mail yet, but I went with the cheapest shipping and this one only came in five days later, so I'm not worried about it yet...
Anyways, this would get a complete 5/5 Stars if it weren't for the fact that most of her artwork in this book is already on her website. I don't mind a few, but most of the book was already on her website, the only difference is that she drew out the steps of drawing it. I personally don't do the step by step process, but rather look at a sketch, then make a copy. From there, I can start developing my own characters and forming different positions, etc. So the final sketch, before coloring, were the best parts in this book for me.
The parts that help me the most are detailing fur, creating horns, angles, and open mouths (I don't know why, but I have such difficulty with them...) She also discusses dragon body types, coloring, and other important features when creating your dragon.
My favorite creatures in this book were Griffin at #1 with its babies, and the many dragons. My mom liked the book also, even though she can't draw, but she came to hate the chimera quick when she saw its tail (a snake). (She'd never seen a chimera or heard of it before, which surprised me since I'm her daughter!)
To get a sample of her artwork, here's her website:
http://neondragonart.com/Art/gallerie...
I can't wait for the next book to arrive, even more mythical creatures to learn...
Dragons
Gargoyle
Pegasus
Chimera
Kirin (Chinese Unicorn)
Phoenix (Firebird)
Griffin
Basilisk
Wyvern
Sea Serpent
I love Neondragon's artwork, I have ever since I saw it on the internet a few years ago. I was happy to hear she had artbooks out and recently purchased two. The other I haven't received in the mail yet, but I went with the cheapest shipping and this one only came in five days later, so I'm not worried about it yet...
Anyways, this would get a complete 5/5 Stars if it weren't for the fact that most of her artwork in this book is already on her website. I don't mind a few, but most of the book was already on her website, the only difference is that she drew out the steps of drawing it. I personally don't do the step by step process, but rather look at a sketch, then make a copy. From there, I can start developing my own characters and forming different positions, etc. So the final sketch, before coloring, were the best parts in this book for me.
The parts that help me the most are detailing fur, creating horns, angles, and open mouths (I don't know why, but I have such difficulty with them...) She also discusses dragon body types, coloring, and other important features when creating your dragon.
My favorite creatures in this book were Griffin at #1 with its babies, and the many dragons. My mom liked the book also, even though she can't draw, but she came to hate the chimera quick when she saw its tail (a snake). (She'd never seen a chimera or heard of it before, which surprised me since I'm her daughter!)
To get a sample of her artwork, here's her website:
http://neondragonart.com/Art/gallerie...
I can't wait for the next book to arrive, even more mythical creatures to learn...
October 7, 2013
I want to give this a 3.5, or maybe a 3 for teaching and a 4 for the writing in general.
The instructions are good, right up to the penultimate step, which could just as well read, "Then a miracle occurs!" Any reader needing the step by step instructions to get the basics onto paper is going to need a whole lot more help getting a drawing from the "basic dragon-ish shape" stage to the "majestic killing machine" stage. She does go over the concepts needed, but the aspiring artist will need to do a WHOLE lot more practicing than the early sections of the book suggest to be able to put them into practice.
My nephew, 11, who generally draws stick figures with fangs and claws, borrowed this book from his school's library. He was highly disappointed that his first attempts didn't produce a glorious flying creature of death. On the other hand, I expected the miracle step, so was pretty impressed when I produced a cartoonish figure that did, indeed, resemble a dragon. If he hasn't returned it, I'll probably play around with it some more :)
The writing is what really sold me on this book. The author unselfconsciously loves dragons and fantasy art, and clearly wants to share her enthusiasm. That alone made the book a lot of fun to read. I doubt I'll put in the practice needed to rival the cover art, but it is a lot of fun to find a recognizable critter showing up under my pencil :)
The instructions are good, right up to the penultimate step, which could just as well read, "Then a miracle occurs!" Any reader needing the step by step instructions to get the basics onto paper is going to need a whole lot more help getting a drawing from the "basic dragon-ish shape" stage to the "majestic killing machine" stage. She does go over the concepts needed, but the aspiring artist will need to do a WHOLE lot more practicing than the early sections of the book suggest to be able to put them into practice.
My nephew, 11, who generally draws stick figures with fangs and claws, borrowed this book from his school's library. He was highly disappointed that his first attempts didn't produce a glorious flying creature of death. On the other hand, I expected the miracle step, so was pretty impressed when I produced a cartoonish figure that did, indeed, resemble a dragon. If he hasn't returned it, I'll probably play around with it some more :)
The writing is what really sold me on this book. The author unselfconsciously loves dragons and fantasy art, and clearly wants to share her enthusiasm. That alone made the book a lot of fun to read. I doubt I'll put in the practice needed to rival the cover art, but it is a lot of fun to find a recognizable critter showing up under my pencil :)
June 17, 2009
Because I wanted to learn to draw dragons.
June 16, 2016
Loved this book so much!!!! Helped out alot!!!!
December 16, 2024
I may have flipped through this one before? I do not know for sure. I have definitely come across the art online before (the artist, NeonDragon, is the artist of “Flight Rising”). Either way, it’s a pretty good drawing book!
You see, this book doesn’t just go into drawing dragons, but how dragons can be drawn in so many different ways, and why you may or may not make those choices. Why would the dragon look this or that way? Do you want it to look friendly? Go for rounder features. Evil? Triangular-shaped head will do the trick. Are the feet like a lion’s paws, or more like an eagle’s talons? They would have different functions, then.
Which is an almost “Dragonology” approach to the subject–not just looking at dragons, but how they would work. And that’s a super cool thing to do, and definitely something an artist should keep in mind when drawing imaginary creatures.
You see, this book doesn’t just go into drawing dragons, but how dragons can be drawn in so many different ways, and why you may or may not make those choices. Why would the dragon look this or that way? Do you want it to look friendly? Go for rounder features. Evil? Triangular-shaped head will do the trick. Are the feet like a lion’s paws, or more like an eagle’s talons? They would have different functions, then.
Which is an almost “Dragonology” approach to the subject–not just looking at dragons, but how they would work. And that’s a super cool thing to do, and definitely something an artist should keep in mind when drawing imaginary creatures.
August 19, 2019
I just finished it for the same week and i really enjoyed it. I loved how at first the storylines didn't seem to have anything to do with each other but slowly details were revealed to show how they are all connected.
March 24, 2018
I enjoyed following the drawing exercises. I just wish I were better at drawing. She makes it easy to learn to draw dragons. I need to get more creative with my dragons. I hope the comes with time.
May 24, 2018
Funny, instructive book. Great if you love dragons.
November 2, 2018
This is the book that got me interested in drawing fantasy.
August 1, 2019
Fun, step-by-step presentation on how to draw dragons and a few other magical creatures. Great resource.
June 21, 2020
It is an amazing book that help your art look pleasing to the eye! It was a great help!
November 3, 2021
I got this little kit with pencil and extras. I love the step by step, great for kids too.
October 4, 2023
Teil 2 ist besser
Read
October 4, 2016cooooool
January 6, 2017
One of the best, "How-to-draw..." books out there! Full of humor, but also extremely helpful tips, learn to draw dragons (and also some tricks about drawing unrealistic creatures) in an fun and easy way.
The only setback I found as that there wasn't too much information on drawing the mentioned 'fantasy creatures', and while the coloring of the beasts wasn't the worst, it looks pretty dull and only slightly detailed, and I suppose I wouldn't recommend following that.
But that's really my only complaint, and it's not even a huge one, really. I'd recommended this to anyone who loves drawing (or perhaps creating) dragons! Seriously, what are you waiting for?
The only setback I found as that there wasn't too much information on drawing the mentioned 'fantasy creatures', and while the coloring of the beasts wasn't the worst, it looks pretty dull and only slightly detailed, and I suppose I wouldn't recommend following that.
But that's really my only complaint, and it's not even a huge one, really. I'd recommended this to anyone who loves drawing (or perhaps creating) dragons! Seriously, what are you waiting for?
January 15, 2017
A great book on how to draw dragons!
This book breaks down the dragon to show how to draw the arms, legs, wings, head, and body. DragonArt will show you how to use shapes and flowing lines to start sketching a dragon, then gradually add details. You are not only shown one way, but several ways to make your drawing different, to make your own creation. This book is very helpful and worth getting!
This book breaks down the dragon to show how to draw the arms, legs, wings, head, and body. DragonArt will show you how to use shapes and flowing lines to start sketching a dragon, then gradually add details. You are not only shown one way, but several ways to make your drawing different, to make your own creation. This book is very helpful and worth getting!
March 8, 2015
I love this book for teaching yourself how to draw dragons and for when I teach my drawing class for elementary students. They LOVE when I draw dragons for them, or teach using a little dragon like the author of this book does. It's bright, colorful, entertaining, and covers everything you need to draw amazing dragons, either right out of the book, or on your own. I would highly recommend it.
May 9, 2019
This book is great! It has 6 steps, where other drawing books have 3. I can actually follow the steps. In the end it’s a little difficult to figure out which lines are construction and which are final.
Lots of info about the theory of drawing dragons. Fun sense of humor. I plan to buy this book, as well as others by this author.
Lots of info about the theory of drawing dragons. Fun sense of humor. I plan to buy this book, as well as others by this author.
November 16, 2010
Fun to read.
Biarpun gak jago ngegambar, tapi aku jadi tahu cara menggambar naga dan makhluk-makhluk fantastis lainnya kalau suatu saat mau mencoba. Cara menjelaskannya jauh lebih menarik dari Pak Tino Sidin.
Biarpun gak jago ngegambar, tapi aku jadi tahu cara menggambar naga dan makhluk-makhluk fantastis lainnya kalau suatu saat mau mencoba. Cara menjelaskannya jauh lebih menarik dari Pak Tino Sidin.
February 11, 2013
Pretty good read! The ideas/techniques inside are pretty creative and helpful. I was suprised to read that the author had just graduated at the time, it's well written. I love the dragon's "helpful hints"
April 1, 2019
This book describes how to draw and color dragons so clearly, and the little dragon narrator instructs you on how to do it, which is a lot of added fun and enjoyment.
It is one of the books I love and it is a real treasure that I found. Thank you J. Peffer!
It is one of the books I love and it is a real treasure that I found. Thank you J. Peffer!
August 31, 2008
This is an awesome how to draw book!
May 20, 2009
what i learned? how to draw
May 24, 2009
Many inspirations.
October 8, 2009
a great book to teach you how to draw dragon and other creatures like wyverryns cousin to the dragon
May 7, 2010
Despite the fact this is not an actual novel, I have managed to read every single word.
February 8, 2013
Awesome book
March 6, 2016
Some interesting techniques and advice for drawing.
January 6, 2017
Excellent book to learn how to draw dragons and fantasy creatures
October 17, 2014
I still own this book and use it on a regular basis for my art :D
Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews