John Davidson

Drawing Dragons - How to Draw Mythical Creatures for the Beginner John Davidson

Publisher Marketing: Drawing Dragons - How to Draw Mythical Creatures for the Beginner INTRODUCTION PART I DRAGONS: GENERAL FACTS AND FICTION DRAGONS IN EUROPEAN MYTHOLOGY DRAGONS IN ASIAN CULTURE DRAGONS IN MYSTICISM AND RELIGION THE DRAGON REALM ALIENS AND DRAGONS REBIRTH OF DRAGONS IN MODERN ART AND MEDIA PUFF THE FRIENDLY DRAGON ANCIENT SCROLLS AND TATTOO ART PART II HOW TO DRAW DRAGONS DRAWING TOOLS THE DRAWING PROCESS SETTING A CREATIVE INTENTION PARTS OF THE DRAGON EASTERN DRAGON Lines, Shapes and Gesture Drawing Form Construction - contour Detailing WESTERN DRAGONS29 Lines, Shapes and Gesture Drawing Form Construction - contour Detailing RENDERING BASIC RENDERING EXERCISES DRAGON RENDERING GLOSSARY THE AUTHOR Introduction Fantasy has been in existence since time immemorial. From myths that tell of the earth's creation, to folk and old wives' tales that explain life and its mysteries, to bedtime stories that fill the dreams and imaginations of children... they have enthralled audiences of all ages from every era. One of the most treasured of these fantasy creatures are the dragons. While there is not a trace proving their existence, there is a minefield of precious artifacts that reveal humanity's fascination with them. Where did they originate? How long had they been around? What caused their disappearance? Maybe the answers will remain a mystery, but an exploration into the world, where fire-breathing creatures come alive, would always be a worthwhile endeavor. The first of the How to Draw Mythical Creatures for the Absolute Beginner series, Dragons is divided into two parts. Part Oneexplores the presence of dragons in Art and Pop Culture. Part Two equips novices with the necessary drawing processes and techniques. Using the most basic of tools, you will be provided with straightforward instructions that aim to bolster your creative skills. Included in the drawing process is a discussion on rendering techniques and exercises. Rudimentary to the beginning artist, the discussion is succinct, direct, yet thorough. Moreover, a glossary has been included to aid the absolute beginner. This will keep one from getting caught in the trap of confounding words frequently used not only in this book, but also in the drawing community. May every reader enjoy this delightful guide into the mythical! Contributor Bio:  Davidson, John John Davidson was born in Barrhead in Renfrewshire in 1857. He spent his childhood years in Greenock, and after working as a pupil-teacher and briefly attending Edinburgh University, taught in schools in Glasgow and Perth. In 1989 he moved to London where he made his living as a journalist and critic. Several dramas had been published while he was still in Scotland, but in the 1890s he turned to poetry, and published several collections which were very popular: In a Music-Hall (1891) and Ballads and Songs (1894) amongst them. These were poems which chronicled urban working class life, and his sense of outrage at the poverty of the ordinary man, as expressed by the much-anthologized 'Thirty Bob a Week'. At the beginning of the new century he moved away from the lyric and began writing in blank verse which incorporated much scientific language; this series of Testaments were not as successful as his earlier ballad style, though Hugh MacDiarmid was to pay tribute to Davidson's attempts to combine poetry with scientific ideas. Despite the early popularity of the poetry, financial difficulties constantly plagued Davidson; he had had no choice but to continue with the journalism he disliked in order to support his family and other dependents. Sadly the money worries, combined with ill-health and depression, drove him to committing suicide in 1909.