Review: Otherworlds: How to Imagine, Paint and Create Epic Scenes of Fantasy by Tom Kidd

OtherWorlds: How to Image, Paint and Create Epic Scenes of Fantasy by Tom Kidd presents a wonderful read and learning experience in fantasy art. Tom includes many of his pieces to demonstrate the lessons in his book while stressing that learning through imitations of an artist acts only as a crutch. 

He also asks that readers thoroughly read the book instead of simply copying the art. With my read through, the section describing why clouds appear the way they do made me have a huge "a-ha" moment. OtherWorlds has several more gems like this worth reading the actual content.

The Basics of Getting Started
Tom divided the book into three major parts, with The Basics of Getting Started as the first. This chapter covers studio setup with tools and mediums. He also covers how to stay inspired by learning from nature. He encourages to readers to go outside to draw instead of learning through reference images.

Techniques, Theory, and Subject Matter
This chapter takes a look at color theory, and has the tidbit on clouds mentioned earlier. The color theory shows how different colors used creates a mood, even when used in the sky. Tom encourages the readers to use unusual colors in the sky to your advantage—fantasy art permits some artistic licensing.

For me, this was the largest and most informing part of the book. 

Putting It All Together
Here, any misunderstandings on technique are clarified through example. This chapter shows the techniques, theories, and subject matters mentioned in the previous chapter and how Tom Kidd puts them to use. He goes through several pieces he created from sketch to polished painting.

Adding The Book To Your Library
OtherWorlds is available to buy on Amazon, or even through Barnes and Nobles, typically in the shelves in the Art section. If you go to Barnes and Nobles, call the store first to make sure the book is in stock, they normally only keep one on the shelves. 

Amazon Prime Free Trial. (n.d.). OtherWorlds: How to Imagine, Paint and Create Epic Scenes of Fantasy: Tom Kidd: 9781600618666: Amazon.com: Books. Retrieved , from http://www.amazon.com/OtherWorlds-Imagine-Create-Scenes-Fantasy/dp/1600618669

OtherWorlds: How to Imagine, Paint and Create Epic Scenes of Fantasy. (n.d.). Barnes & Noble. Retrieved , from http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/otherworlds-tom-kidd/1112140969?ean=9781600618666