Create your own fantasy art with this comprehensive guidebook by the lead conceptual designer on The Lord of the RingsTM and The HobbitTM trilogies. Discover the creative processes and intriguing inspirations behind the work of John Howe – lead conceptual designer on The Lord of the RingsTM and The HobbitTM movie trilogies. Through step-by-step drawings and finished paintings, Howe reveals his artistic approach in action: from developing characters to creating atmospheric landscapes, extraordinary architecture and fantasy beasts. In this practical guide, Howe shares tips on everything from building a portfolio to book illustration, graphic novels and designing for the big screen. Develop your own personal style of fantasy art with help from the best in the business with this must-have book. Features a foreword by groundbreaking film director Terry Gilliam, and an afterword by Alan Lee, John’s partner on the conceptual design for The Lord of the RingsTM movie trilogy and Oscar-winning illustrator.

From initial concept through to finishing touches, for the first time, Boris and Julie give an in-depth description of how they paint their masterpieces, taking the reader through every stage of the creative process. As well as teaching the main techniques, the premiere fantasy-art team shows the reader how to use a wide variety of media to create a whole range of different types of painting, and explain how they create the effects for which they are so renowned, such as Julie's legendary "metal flesh," with its mix of fluidity and hardness contrasting with the sensual softness of the skin. Illustrated throughout in full color, the Practical Guide to Fantasy Art includes step-by-step photographs that Boris and Julie have taken as they've worked as well as a selection of their finished art appealing to art students and fantasy-art admirers alike.

Fantasy painting has a long tradition.It went through a stylistic revolution in the 1980s with the widespread adoption of airbrush as a medium of choice. Now, with the emergence of various computer modeling and rendering applications, fantasy painting is going through another revolution. Digital tools and techniques have made it easier for artists to realize their visions and the images they now create are more vivid, more realistic, and more compelling. A must-have book for anyone working in the area of fantasy art and for anyone who admires the work of fantasy illustrators. Digital Fantasy Painting Workshop tackles the genre’s three main categories-fantasy; science-fiction; and horror-and employs detailed step-by-step walkthroughs to show exactly how the images are produced. Featuring work from some of the world’s leading fantasy artists, the book also explores the “tradigital” movement of mixing traditional and digital skills.

This title gives an in-depth description of how Boris Vallejo and Julie Bell paint their fantasy masterpieces, taking the reader through every stage of the creative process from initial concept to the finishing touches. Step-by-step photographs and the finished artwork are included.

Teaching fantasy writing increases student engagement, enables them to flex their creative muscles – and helps them learn important narrative writing skills. Opportunities for kids to lean into their innate creativity and imagination have been squeezed out of most school days, due to the pressures of standardized testing. And writing instruction has become more and more formulaic. In Teaching Fantasy Writing, Carl Anderson shows you how to include a study of fantasy writing in your writing curriculum that will engage student interest and creativity -- and make writing exciting for them again. Teaching Fantasy Writing is a game-changer. The fantasy genre gives children tools for expression that other genres don’t, providing them with a powerful way to work through challenging issues and emotions. And it also offers students the opportunity to address subjects such as gaining confidence in oneself, bullying, fighting injustice – and more. Plus, fantasy writing helps kids learn the skills necessary to meet narrative writing standards. And they’ll have fun doing it! If you’re an elementary school teacher who wants to help your students develop their writing skills by studying a high-interest, high-impact genre, you’ve come to the right place. In Teaching Fantasy Writing, Carl Anderson will: Discuss why fantasy writing develops students’ creativity, increases their engagement in writing, and accelerates their growth as writers Walk you through fantasy units for students in grades K-1, 2-3, and 4-6, which include detailed lessons you can teach to help students write beautiful and powerful fantasy stories Suggest mentor texts that will show students how to craft their fantasy stories. Show you examples of students’ fantasy writing, including the "worldbuilding" work they do before writing drafts Explain how you can modify the units and lessons to fit the needs of the students in your classroom By teaching fantasy writing, you can reignite the spark of creativity in your students and increase their joy in writing. Imagine the possibilities!

Learning environments continue to change considerably and is no longer confined to the face-to-face classroom setting. As learning options have evolved, educators must adopt a variety of pedagogical strategies and innovative technologies to enable learning. Practical Applications and Experiences in K-20 Blended Learning Environments compiles pedagogical strategies and technologies and their outcomes that have been successfully applied in blended instruction. Highlighting best practices as elementary, secondary, and tertiary educational levels; this book is a vital tool for educators who teach or plan to teach in blended learning environments and for researchers interested in the area of blended education knowledge.

Create authentic-looking maps of fantasy cities, hamlets, fortifications and more in a popular tabletop, RPG style. • 30+ step-by-step demonstrations show you how to create your own unique RPG maps • Learn how to draw fantasy cities, medieval settlements and more from a professional gaming illustrator • Tips and techniques for drawing fences, stone walls, forests, fields, bridges, footpaths, mountains, harbors, shields, coats of arms and other cartography elements Put your design and drawing skills on the map!

The masters of horror have united to teach you the secrets of success in the scariest genre of all! In On Writing Horror, Second Edition, Stephen King, Joyce Carol Oates, Harlan Ellison, David Morrell, Jack Ketchum, and many others tell you everything you need to know to successfully write and publish horror novels and short stories. Edited by the Horror Writers Association (HWA), a worldwide organization of writers and publishing professionals dedicated to promoting dark literature, On Writing Horror includes exclusive information and guidance from 58 of the biggest names in horror writing to give you the inspiration you need to start scaring and exciting readers and editors. You'll discover comprehensive instruction such as: • The art of crafting visceral violence, from Jack Ketchum • Why horror classics like Dracula, The Exorcist, and Hell House are as scary as ever, from Robert Weinberg • Tips for avoiding one of the biggest death knells in horror writing—predicable clichés—from Ramsey Campbell • How to use character and setting to stretch the limits of credibility, from Mort Castle With On Writing Horror, you can unlock the mystery surrounding classic horror traditions, revel in the art and craft of writing horror, and find out exactly where the genre is going next. Learn from the best, and you could be the next best-selling author keeping readers up all night long.

Though they write of the fantastic, writers must work within certain realities. This sourcebook provides detailed market listings including agents and magazines, and gives writing advice including an analysis of novel excerpts.