World Famous Comics: How to Draw Noir Comics: The Art and Technique of Visual Storytelling
How to Draw Noir Comics: The Art and Technique of Visual Storytelling
By: Shawn Martinbrough Publisher: Watson-Guptill Average Rating: Binding: Paperback Label: Watson-Guptill Number of Items: 1 Number of Pages: 144 Publication Date: October 30, 2007 Release Date: October 30, 2007
Howto Draw Noir Comics: The Art and Technique of Visual Storytelling is an instructional book based on the cinematic, high contrast noir style of acclaimed comic book and graphic novel illustrator, Shawn Martinbrough.
Martinbrough’s work has been published by DC Comics, Vertigo and Marvel Comics, illustrating stories ranging from Batman to the X-Men. This is his first book, released through Watson-Guptill Publications and The Nielsen Company.
In How to Draw Noir Comics, Martinbrough shows how the expert use of the color black is critical for drawing noir comics. He demonstrates how to set a mood, design characters and locations, stage action and enhance drama, and discusses important topics like page layout, panel design, and cover design.
How to Draw Noir Comics includes The Truce, an original graphic novel written and illustrated by Martinbrough which incorporates the many lessons addressed throughout the book, and has an introduction by critically-acclaimed novelist Greg Rucka, author of the graphic novel Whiteout, currently in production as a major motion picture.
Darkest Darks This is a comprehensive breakdown of the Noir comic style. It helps break down composing advanced shots, and helps with what to practice if you already have your drawing skills down. It assumes you know what your doing, and helps out as an advanced look, but its not for the folks that are just starting out. I can recommend this for artists that are looking for better control of light in their work, and how to inject those shadows that make the gritty mood. This text is also a great help for concept artists, that dig mobster character design.
One of the best HOW-TO-DRAW-COMICS texts ever! I have been working as a professional artist for roughly 11 years. I am also an Associate Professor of Graphic Design at a major public university. I focus mainly on imagemaking and visual culture studies. As a result, I have seen the gamut when it comes to "HOW-TO-DRAW" books and texts centered around the vocational aspects of the comics industry.
This book, HOW TO DRAW NOIR COMICS, stands out because it gets down to the core of the style of "noir" very effectively. It is smart, concise, well designed, and Shawn gives really great instruction through the beautiful examples. I used it to help strengthen my illustration and design on a current noir comic I am working on and it was ESSENTIAL to me.
It is NEVER on my bookshelf. It is on my work desk, on my drawing table, or travelling with me. It's a solid book and one of the best purchases I have made in recent years concerning my craft!
Congratulations on such an amazing achievement.
THIS BOOK IS A MUST HAVE!
Widespread application possibilities--lucid, direct I'm a painter looking to bring the high contrast, complex perspective and dramatic viewpoints to my work. Even though I don't usually buy this type of "how to" art book, I couldn't resist this one. Obviously an artist well grounded in craft, striking work, and practical advice. Buy it.
Great for any artist working in ink-- comics or otherwise I strongly beg to differ with the negative reviewer.
What you get out of this book will depend entirely on your level-- it's excellent for its intended audience. This isn't for beginners or seasoned pros. However, it's well worth advanced artists looking at to pick up a few tricks of the trade.
Rather than aping the style of any "hot" artist, this book presents solid techniques for effectively reducing the complex tones of an environment into the more simple, moody nature of heavy noir ink work.
The portraiture alone is fantastic and worth checking this book out for. It's also refreshing to see a comics-art book that is gender and ethnic inclusive with attention to the diversity of human faces!
This is a great resource for art teachers or a college student with an interest in illustration/comics nearing the end of their arts education. The large type was hardly an issue for me, as this book teaches more by copious demonstration than through its text.
FaceComics review I have recently read Shawn Martinbrough's new book "How to draw noir comics," and this is my review:
If ever a comic book could have special features and directors commentary this is what it would look like. Shawn Martinbrough has seamlessly interwoven the process of experiencing and learning about art in his masterful book. While there are many books about learning how to draw most of them fall into two spectrums "the kids style" and "the professional artist." These two types of books are a reflections of the broader view of comic book art that trivializes the artist without paying any respect to the frantic deadlines, and vast range or material any given artist is asked to produce. Shawn's book shatters that stigma in a way that could potentially revolutionize the industry. Should Shawn's example be followed by artist like Tim Sale or Jim Lee a new generation of artist will surely be inspired to draw their "bowls of fruit" and put in their 2,000 bad drawing before giving up and never reaching that first masterpiece. Shawn's book is the middle ground between "kids book" and "professional artist" that defines his medium, and inspires the reader to try harder. In short, this book is a fan boys dream, and an aspiring artist must read.
If you liked Shawn Martinbrough's book I also highly recommend picking up Dave Sim's latest publication "Glamourpuss." Glamourpuss follows the history of noir comics from Milt Caniff to Bruce Tim while simultaneously taking a satirical look at the life of a lofty young super model called "Glamourpuss."
Best wishes to all -Ian Ellis FaceComics.blogspot.com
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