How to Draw and Paint Fairies: From Finding Inspiration to Capturing Diaphanous Detail, a Step-By-Step Guide to Fairy Art

Will stimulate creativity, whaever your media, genre, or ability.

Linda Ravencroft is one of the most famous fantasy artists alive, and I eagerly awaited this book expecting her to share insights and observations that are unique to her vision and style. I thought her voice would be prevalent in the writing, and that we the readers would see the process by which she creates her fairies.To my disappointment, the first 27 pages of the book (roughly one-fifth of it) are devoted to generic supply information and basic color theory. The pictures were even stock photos I recognize from other Watson-Guptill publications. Had the writing been from the artist's viewpoint, the section may have been infused with some life. Instead, it was a generic third person laundry list of papers, pencils, and other art items. Clearly Watson-Guptill considers this information mandatory in each and every one of its books - read just two of their watercolor publications and you'll see what I mean - but I'm saddened that the artist didn't feel the need to personalize it. It is of great interest to learners what the "teacher's" work area and preferred tools are; how the teacher goes about using them. The opportunity was squandered here, and as a result comes across as filler, especially to those who've read it in other watercolor books.The second part of the book, "Basic Shapes and Forms" is a slight improvement over the beginning. Linda's original drawings are used to show the steps to construct the fairy face and figure, and she offers up Swap Files which isolate elements (eyes, lips, wings, clothes, etc.) and encourage the reader to piece them together for their own creations. The illustrations are unquestionably beautiful, but for a how-to book the instruction is far too condensed. There are no step-by-steps for constructing any of the swap elements, and even the figure drawings themselves seem to jump from incomplete to finished.Chapter three, "Techniques," was a bit like chapters one and two. More beautiful work by Linda and detached writing to accompany it. We do finally get to see four of her paintings (Project One, Project Two, etc.) from start to finish, but the instruction is perfunctory.A more dismaying find was the caption that accompanied the last step of Project One. It read, "The polka dots on the jacket were an afterthought, as the artist felt the fairy looked too rather plain." I had an inkling before and this confirmed it, the book is merely illustrated by Linda, not written by her. As someone really looking forward to hearing the artist's inner vision as she paints, this felt a bit like betrayal. Here they've dangled Linda's name and promoted the idea that it's a book written by her, but her personal expression is nowhere to be found. Take the pictures away and there is nothing of her personality left. The book could easily have been illustrated by another artist with little change to the current text. Add to this the weird decision to add a fourth chapter - really nothing more than a gallery of current fairy artists - and I'm left shaking my head. Such a disappointment, such a missed opportunity. Regardless of my awe for Linda's works, I'm not impressed by the finished product.

Granddaughter loves it!

Linda Ravenscroft is one of my favorite Fantasy Artists. On the strength of this I bought this book and I was not disappointed.I do have a degree in Fine Arts and have been an artist all my life, also, so the sections concerning color, etc., are just repetition to me, and not necessary.However, the illustrations done by Linda, and the last section, where she shows others' work, are delightful.I do, like the previous reviewer, wish she had gone into more detail as to how she arrives at her own finished products, but I don't believe that this lack makes them any less enjoyable to view.Yes, this book has its lacks, but it is still an honorable member of my personal library, and one to which I will refer many times over...I don't need her to tell me how to draw Faeries, as I have my own techniques and sources, but I still enjoy this book!

This book really helps with color ideas, wings, settings and is inspiring because the author is an excellent artist and a very fine teacher. The how to information adds to any projects you may want to do, not just fairies, it is always good to learn how someone achieves the atmosphere, and cohesive look to a work; you will not be disappointed.We all look for something that we want to learn, or work and style that appeal to us; not everyone has the same esthetic,that being said I think there are many levels of crafter/artists that can learn from this book, and have fun with the ideas and directions.I appreciate the start here if you are a beginner... aspects of examples of faces, wings, and much more. It is a lovely book which can expand your ideas and hands on skills for materials to achieve the look you like.The instruction can be used in all types of art work. Very enjoyable visually and in written instruction.

in my taste, the eyes on the fairies were drawn to high on the head, and i know they are not human so you can draw them any way you want to, but the faces weren't attractive to me. But everything else was drawn very well and looked great.

I'm not really into fairies, I just had a short lived interest in learning to draw them, but this book was really helpful. I'll say what I would say when reviewing any learn to draw book; if you're not blessed in the artistic department, I do not think any book in the world can turn you into a great drawer, but if you've got minimal skills, this book can really help...if it's fairies that you're wanting to master, that is. This book is not very advanced, actually, it's very basic, but again...very helpful. I think I'll pass it down to my 10 years old daughter now that I've had my fun with drawing fairies. It's a good book for older children and adults.

I purchased this book because I was into fairies for a period of time. Not only are the pictures of fairies beautiful, but the instructions for how to draw and paint fairies are really easy to follow. I have virtually no experience drawing but surprised myself in re-creating some of the drawings -- even my kids were impressed. Linda Ravenscroft even gives instructions as to which pencils to buy and how to use them. My 8-year old daughter is now using this book and loves it. I would highly recommend this for children and adults who would like to learn to draw in their free time (even if they have very little free time).

Book was in good condition, you could hardly tell it was second hand

Lots of examples and tips on how to get the effects shown.well worth the cost.I am sure this book will be well used

Very nice book opens up the imagination. Great.

excdlent book

very happy