Studio Space

by Joel Meadows

Genres: Art, Nonfiction

Reviews

[Dominic Tiberio · Rating 1 out of 5]

It isn't often that I hand out a 1 star review, but this is easily one of the most deserved. I want to save someone else the time/cost/disappointment since there are so many positive reviews which would give a false impression of the content. This was billed as a book about the tools, spaces, techniques, and approach of a bunch of amazing artists. It contains, effectively, none of that. Aside from literally two lines where Windsor & Newton series 6/7 brushes are mentioned there is not another specific tool mentioned. There are a few lines sprinkled in about very non-specific/general things but that is about it.

There are also no in-depth photos or details on the studios themselves. Each artist's section starts with a photo which may or may not contain a small glimpse at their space, and that is all. The cover photo has more detail than any other photo in the book of a studio... in a book titled "Studio Space."

Each artist's section is broken up into three parts. 1. About the artist and their beginnings. Which is mostly brief and devoid of any real major detail other than some lines about childhood and maybe college and then a few more about first jobs. Very little in the way of specifics. 2. Studio Space. This is where one would wrongly assume the artist would talk about, gee, I don't know... their studio space and tools... but no. Each one boils down to basically nothing. Riveting details like "I listen/don't listen to music" or "I'm messy" are as close as the reader gets. Seriously. No mention of anything specific ever. Pointless. 3. Filler. This is the meat of each section which shows off some pieces of art from each artist with a title and maybe a generic paragraph which has nothing to do with tools/technique/etc.

What a completely wasted opportunity. Gather a ton of the best from the industry and then deliver absolutely nothing insightful or interesting. Steer clear of this one.

[Brandy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Although the interviews were interesting, and the images of the artists' work provided were of course stunning, I was a little disappointed that there were no actual photos of the studio spaces to go along with the interviews discussing that topic.

[Luis · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not the kind of in depth look at the artist's process I was hoping. Not bad, but just disappointing.

[Mani Nesan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Too many words and no studio photos made me a dull boy!

I read a Manga book on the same day, which includes detailed interviews with top-notch manga artists and plenty of photos of their process. The book is called 'Manga: Masters of the Art' by Timothy Lehmann.

[Serge Pierro · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a book I would have killed for as a kid. Top notch advice and anecdotes from many of today's top comic book artists. Each interview is broken down into two sections, the first on their background, and the next on his studio. Excellent illustrations are used throughout the book to show many of the projects that each artist has done throughout their career. Highly recommended for the aspiring comic book artist!

[Nate Marcel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I want to know who's table and wiek that is on the cover of the book.