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Illustration Studio: Inking Animals: A modern, interactive drawing guide to traditional illustration techniques
Inking Animals demonstrates how to use traditional inking techniques to create whimsical, original illustrations of your favorite animals. This dynamic guide is ideal for beginners, as well as traditional artists who want to explore pen and ink on a more playful level.
Talented artist Sova Huova instructs art enthusiasts in drawing, inking, and coloring techniques; explores abstraction for expressive artwork; and gives tips for digital touches—all with easy-to-follow instruction . Beginning with an introduction to tools and materials, artists will find helpful tips for working with inks, pens, and watercolor. Inking Animals features a wide range of creative and fun inking techniques and unique projects that are simple and engaging. Huova’s valuable tips and tricks , creative prompts , and exercises will encourage artists to experiment and play as they learn.
Huova will teach you to illustrate a vast menagerie of animals from the woodland, home, farm, wilderness, and imagination. Among them are a bear, fox, hedgehog, dog, guinea pig, donkey, owl, raven, and even a unicorn.
Featuring a variety of creative tips, techniques, exercises, and step-by-step projects, Inking Animals is the perfect resource for pen and ink illustrators of all levels.
Talented artist Sova Huova instructs art enthusiasts in drawing, inking, and coloring techniques; explores abstraction for expressive artwork; and gives tips for digital touches—all with easy-to-follow instruction . Beginning with an introduction to tools and materials, artists will find helpful tips for working with inks, pens, and watercolor. Inking Animals features a wide range of creative and fun inking techniques and unique projects that are simple and engaging. Huova’s valuable tips and tricks , creative prompts , and exercises will encourage artists to experiment and play as they learn.
Huova will teach you to illustrate a vast menagerie of animals from the woodland, home, farm, wilderness, and imagination. Among them are a bear, fox, hedgehog, dog, guinea pig, donkey, owl, raven, and even a unicorn.
Featuring a variety of creative tips, techniques, exercises, and step-by-step projects, Inking Animals is the perfect resource for pen and ink illustrators of all levels.
144 pages, Paperback
Published September 25, 2018
1 person is currently reading
37 people want to read
About the author
Sova Huova
1 book5 followersSova Huova (*1989) is an illustrator and art teacher from Prague, Czech Republic.
Sova tries to wake people up by creating her own small world full of adventure, where reality meets the otherworld. She aims to encourage searching for secrets in nature and living the little things. Her teaching style is playful and helps to overcome creative blocks. Her illustrations are influenced by her studies of ancient religions, folklore, and analytical psychology.
Sova tries to wake people up by creating her own small world full of adventure, where reality meets the otherworld. She aims to encourage searching for secrets in nature and living the little things. Her teaching style is playful and helps to overcome creative blocks. Her illustrations are influenced by her studies of ancient religions, folklore, and analytical psychology.
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
August 21, 2018
Illustration Studio: Inking Animals
A modern, interactive drawing guide to traditional illustration techniques
by Sova Huova
This is a book I requested from NetGalley and the review is voluntary.
I love this amazing book! It just triggered the creative juices inside my head, not much else is there, lol. There is so much in this book. The author shows how to make your own light box, tells you what tools you need for this book, gives you lots of hints and tips, and steps you through lots and lots of projects of various kinds. She explains and shows the different ways of inking a drawing. No same old stuff here, boring is not allowed! It all looks so fun and exciting I wanted to start right then.
Projects that are shown and described here are woodland animals, domestic animals, birds, exotic animals, and imaginary animals. Many of these are step by step and others are used to show different inking effects or other cool ways to use ink! Love this book. Really spurs the imagination to do more with ink. Great for beginners or those that have been around the ink well a few times!
A modern, interactive drawing guide to traditional illustration techniques
by Sova Huova
This is a book I requested from NetGalley and the review is voluntary.
I love this amazing book! It just triggered the creative juices inside my head, not much else is there, lol. There is so much in this book. The author shows how to make your own light box, tells you what tools you need for this book, gives you lots of hints and tips, and steps you through lots and lots of projects of various kinds. She explains and shows the different ways of inking a drawing. No same old stuff here, boring is not allowed! It all looks so fun and exciting I wanted to start right then.
Projects that are shown and described here are woodland animals, domestic animals, birds, exotic animals, and imaginary animals. Many of these are step by step and others are used to show different inking effects or other cool ways to use ink! Love this book. Really spurs the imagination to do more with ink. Great for beginners or those that have been around the ink well a few times!
August 14, 2018
“Illustration Studio: Inking Animals is such a fun and beautiful handbook for learning to do whimsical, original artwork of your favorite creatures. With creative prompts and exercises, to encourage artists of all levels to experiment and play as they learn. This book is divided into six sections: Introduction, Woodland Creatures, Domestic Animals, Birds, Exotic Animals and Imaginary Creatures.
July 17, 2019
“Illustration Studio: Inking Animals is such a fun and pretty handbook for learning to do whimsical, original artwork of your fave creatures. Talented artist Sova Hůová uses a wide range of creative and fun inking techniques and unique projects, with creative prompts and exercises, to encourage artists of all levels to experiment and play as they learn. Covers drawing, inking, and coloring techniques, exploring abstraction for expressive artwork, enhancing illustrations digitally with easy-to-follow instruction, and much more. Highly recommended!
Pub Date 04 Sep 2018
Thanks to Quarto Publishing Group – Walter Foster and NetGalley for review copy. Opinions are fully mine.
#IllustrationStudioInkingAnimals #NetGalley
Pub Date 04 Sep 2018
Thanks to Quarto Publishing Group – Walter Foster and NetGalley for review copy. Opinions are fully mine.
#IllustrationStudioInkingAnimals #NetGalley
September 4, 2018
Wonderful pictures of animals in ink made me want to grab my pens and inkwells and start recreating some of the animals in this book.
After the introduction to the materials and techniques used in this book, the first part of the book is about drawing animals, adding character and colour to your drawings. From sketch to finished illustration of woodland creatures/domestic animals/birds/..., every step is explained and photographs add further guidance. I especially liked the exercise areas where part of the finished animal was already provided to learn the techniques explained on the previous page.
After the introduction to the materials and techniques used in this book, the first part of the book is about drawing animals, adding character and colour to your drawings. From sketch to finished illustration of woodland creatures/domestic animals/birds/..., every step is explained and photographs add further guidance. I especially liked the exercise areas where part of the finished animal was already provided to learn the techniques explained on the previous page.
August 21, 2018
Illustration Studio: Inking Animals
By Sova Huova
In the introduction one finds, tools, techniques, basics, lightbox information and more and then the book is divided into woodland animals, domestic animals, birds (and nests), exotica animals and finally imaginary creatures. There is information on patterns to use for various animals, stippling, opacity, dry brush, ink into wet areas of paper, patterns, collage and linocut prints. With the use of color and imagination the techniques and ideas presented provide much fodder for artists of all ages and interests.
5 Stars
By Sova Huova
In the introduction one finds, tools, techniques, basics, lightbox information and more and then the book is divided into woodland animals, domestic animals, birds (and nests), exotica animals and finally imaginary creatures. There is information on patterns to use for various animals, stippling, opacity, dry brush, ink into wet areas of paper, patterns, collage and linocut prints. With the use of color and imagination the techniques and ideas presented provide much fodder for artists of all ages and interests.
5 Stars
November 25, 2018
Originally published on my blog: Nonstop Reader.
Illustration Studio: Inking Animals is a new tutorial guide for visual artists by Sova Huova. Released 25th Sept 2018 by Quarto's Walter Foster imprint, it's 144 pages and available in paperback format.
I think there are many would-be artists who believe that they're not capable of 'real' art because they've spent their non-childhood lives in a negative feedback cycle. Children (as regards art) are mostly fearless. As Picasso said, “All children are born artists, the problem is to remain an artist as we grow up.” Anyhow, though I often feel the desire to be visually creative, to paint and draw... my efforts generally don't live up to my expectations and I get discouraged.
This book does a very good job of trying to counteract that negative feedback loop. The author is encouraging and positive, always upbeat.
For a relatively short book, there is a lot of content and many techniques. I especially loved the tutorial guide for collage. There how-to sections include prepping paper for collage, lino cutting, some digital work, drawing, drybrushing, wet inking and more.
The author spends about 25% of the book's content introducing and showing the materials and methods used in the book. The next chapters show different types of animals and in different media. There's even a chapter on imaginary/fantastic creatures which has a nifty mix-and-match creativity exercise included.
There is a fair bit of 'note' space and doodle space included in the page count which could have been given over to more content, since most readers will not be marking up the physical book. Otherwise, it was a really encouraging, fun, and very useful book.
Four stars! I had a lot of fun with this one; in fact, enough fun that I am encouraged to continue.
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.
Illustration Studio: Inking Animals is a new tutorial guide for visual artists by Sova Huova. Released 25th Sept 2018 by Quarto's Walter Foster imprint, it's 144 pages and available in paperback format.
I think there are many would-be artists who believe that they're not capable of 'real' art because they've spent their non-childhood lives in a negative feedback cycle. Children (as regards art) are mostly fearless. As Picasso said, “All children are born artists, the problem is to remain an artist as we grow up.” Anyhow, though I often feel the desire to be visually creative, to paint and draw... my efforts generally don't live up to my expectations and I get discouraged.
This book does a very good job of trying to counteract that negative feedback loop. The author is encouraging and positive, always upbeat.
For a relatively short book, there is a lot of content and many techniques. I especially loved the tutorial guide for collage. There how-to sections include prepping paper for collage, lino cutting, some digital work, drawing, drybrushing, wet inking and more.
The author spends about 25% of the book's content introducing and showing the materials and methods used in the book. The next chapters show different types of animals and in different media. There's even a chapter on imaginary/fantastic creatures which has a nifty mix-and-match creativity exercise included.
There is a fair bit of 'note' space and doodle space included in the page count which could have been given over to more content, since most readers will not be marking up the physical book. Otherwise, it was a really encouraging, fun, and very useful book.
Four stars! I had a lot of fun with this one; in fact, enough fun that I am encouraged to continue.
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.
September 18, 2018
Inking Animals is an amazing book because it offers more than a great amount of examples of the exciting artistic practices. It also kindly supports self-confidence for those who are afraid of being over their power, not having enough inspiration or not being able to portray their ideas as they intend. Sova Hůová will show you how unreasonable these fears are. Instead of it she will present you such way of thinking about art which takes form of joyful adventure open to everyone. Thanks to the book you will find out that you can create beautiful pictures from the most natural and simple lines or splatters. Because it is not necessary to make your art sophisticated. Sometimes it is better to work with coincidence that can enrich the expressions of your images by unexpected new dimensions.
If you decide to start with animal illustrations, the book will be a great helper. When you read the book, it is like the author is speaking to you - patiently with the enthusiasm for the thing. You can learn from her all the useful techniques she had been practicing and discovering for a long time. It is always an advantage when you can look at someone with experience, who will give you advice on how to avoid blind streets, discover new techniques and enjoy your work.
You will also have the pleasure of just browsing through the book that is beautifully crafted, is very rich in illustrations and photos. Everything that the book teaches you is very clearly and easily explained. The book is understandable and goes straight to the point.
If the book impress you like me and if you like to have bonus materials, please note that you can also download extra pages online via: www.quartoknows.com/page/inking-animals.
If you decide to start with animal illustrations, the book will be a great helper. When you read the book, it is like the author is speaking to you - patiently with the enthusiasm for the thing. You can learn from her all the useful techniques she had been practicing and discovering for a long time. It is always an advantage when you can look at someone with experience, who will give you advice on how to avoid blind streets, discover new techniques and enjoy your work.
You will also have the pleasure of just browsing through the book that is beautifully crafted, is very rich in illustrations and photos. Everything that the book teaches you is very clearly and easily explained. The book is understandable and goes straight to the point.
If the book impress you like me and if you like to have bonus materials, please note that you can also download extra pages online via: www.quartoknows.com/page/inking-animals.
October 11, 2018
I was sent a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
This was a great book - and it is how I want most art/drawing guides to be, because it teaches you some basics, it talks about some mental blocks artists might experience, and the art projects are diverse - there's even a lino-cut in this one!
My favourite part was connecting with the author and her talks about doubting yourself when it comes to drawing, comparing yourself with other artists and the scary blank page before you start drawing. These are all things I go through, so I really loved it.
And my other favourite part is the diversity in artworks and projects in this book! Rather than getting 10 different art projects in the same style but different subjects, it's better to have fewer projects that touch different styles or things when it comes to art - like color or background or collage. Her artworks were so different and I really loved that! Plus it was inspiring! Really inspiring!
I have nothing but praise, which is why I am repeating myself.
This was a great book - and it is how I want most art/drawing guides to be, because it teaches you some basics, it talks about some mental blocks artists might experience, and the art projects are diverse - there's even a lino-cut in this one!
My favourite part was connecting with the author and her talks about doubting yourself when it comes to drawing, comparing yourself with other artists and the scary blank page before you start drawing. These are all things I go through, so I really loved it.
And my other favourite part is the diversity in artworks and projects in this book! Rather than getting 10 different art projects in the same style but different subjects, it's better to have fewer projects that touch different styles or things when it comes to art - like color or background or collage. Her artworks were so different and I really loved that! Plus it was inspiring! Really inspiring!
I have nothing but praise, which is why I am repeating myself.
August 6, 2018
Sova’s “Inking Animals” is a beautiful and inspiring art book that walks the reader step-by-step through the entire process of creating original inkings and illustrations of animals in their natural and imaginary habitats.
The book is divided into six sections: Introduction, Woodland Creatures, Domestic Animals, Birds, Exotic Animals and Imaginary Creatures. The writing style is a peaceful narrative with very clear instructions and detailed drawings. Sova also generously shares her captivating illustrations while guiding the reader through the exercises.
Inking Animals would make an excellent library addition to any art classroom or art studio. Sova is both a talented freelance artist and beautiful visual story teller. Her new book is a delightful blend of technique and imagination that will awaken readers to the magical world of inking and illustration.
I would highly recommend purchasing this book.
The book is divided into six sections: Introduction, Woodland Creatures, Domestic Animals, Birds, Exotic Animals and Imaginary Creatures. The writing style is a peaceful narrative with very clear instructions and detailed drawings. Sova also generously shares her captivating illustrations while guiding the reader through the exercises.
Inking Animals would make an excellent library addition to any art classroom or art studio. Sova is both a talented freelance artist and beautiful visual story teller. Her new book is a delightful blend of technique and imagination that will awaken readers to the magical world of inking and illustration.
I would highly recommend purchasing this book.
September 1, 2018
Inking animals is such a beautiful and inspiring book. I loved all the great techniques and the easy to follow instructions. The list of tools and materials are clear and is a must for me. I do a lot of art but am new to inking. Sova Huova's tips and prompts help take the fear out of inking.
I believe that this is a perfect resource for anyone that is wanting to learn to ink. I can't wait to make my first piece!
September 20, 2018
I love this book! I draw all the time, but I draw using traditional techniques and have struggled with loosening up and having fun. Sova's book has really helped me to capture my ideas and play around. She gives great tips and observational "things to notice" and I enjoy her whimsical images in the book.
If you are willing to take time to practice, Sova's book is great at giving you different techniques to get to the results you want.
If you are willing to take time to practice, Sova's book is great at giving you different techniques to get to the results you want.
August 24, 2018
This book goes into great detail of tools and equipment you’ll need to create beautiful illustrations of animals! These techniques can be applied to any sort of drawing and painting. I think this a great book for people interested in trying their hand at new art techniques. I am in LOVE with the wet inking technique in this book!
August 11, 2018
"Illustrated Studio: Inking Animals" is a beautiful book containing wonderfully detailed projects. The author utilizes inks, watercolors, gouache and colored pencils on the various projects, which include both realistic and stylized animal drawings and paintings. The artwork is stunning, yet the author's tutorials make them achievable, even for beginners. I highly recommend the book to artistic nature-lovers of any skill level. Beautifully done! Thank you too the publisher and Netgalley for providing me with a free digital copy of the book. I was not required to Werribee a review, and these opinions are my own.
August 17, 2018
Illustration Studio: Inking Animals is a fabulous book. I love the layout and process of instruction. I've done a lot of ink work as a technical artist, but haven't really known where to start drawing animals. I am so excited to get my hands on the print copy. It will be a wonderful guide for me as well as a great coffee table book that I'm sure will fascinate my guests..
August 28, 2018
Looking for a great way to get into drawing/illustration? Look no farther! Sova provides a very accessible approach to getting started. First, we get an introduction to the various supplies we'll need. We get tutorials on a variety of illustration methods - drawing (pen, ink, pencil), painting and even block printing as well as combining techniques. We also get great artist tips along the way such as starting with the most detailed parts so if we mess up, it's not as big a deal to begin again. Sova makes drawing a more approachable art form.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this book. All comments are my own, unbiased opinion.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this book. All comments are my own, unbiased opinion.
August 31, 2018
An absolutely beautiful book full of original ideas to create wonderful animal illustrations. The drawings are fantastic and the author breaks the methods down into simple steps to show that anyone is capable of drawing animals. There are so many different ideas and techniques such as Lino cutting as well as different ways to use ink and watercolour to produce different results. I can’t wait to own a physical copy of this stunning book when it is released.
October 16, 2018
What a wonderful book! and the perfect inspiration before Inktober begins. I'm so happy I requested it. It looks beautiful and Sova's whimsical animal illustrations persuade you into trying your luck at drawing and painting animals using inks.
The book focuses on how to draw and paint animals with inks and a little bit on how to create compositions. It is well suited for beginners, it has step-by-step tutorials, a lot of artist’s tips and explanations on different tools and techniques you can use (india ink with brushes or dip pens, fineliners, calligraphy markers, white gel pens, etc.). It also shows how you can mix other media like goache, watercolors, colored pencils, etc. to create beautiful illustrations. The animal tutorials cover woodland, domestic, exotic and imaginary animals (Unicorns!!!) and birds have their own section as well.
It’s nice that it covers a wide variety of techniques and you can pick your favorite tool and give it a try. My favorite parts of the book were “Finding inspiration”, with advice on how to keep your creative juices flowing, and the “creative exercises”. It is worth mentioning that it explains how to make a light box and that there is bonus material online. Totally recommend it!
The book focuses on how to draw and paint animals with inks and a little bit on how to create compositions. It is well suited for beginners, it has step-by-step tutorials, a lot of artist’s tips and explanations on different tools and techniques you can use (india ink with brushes or dip pens, fineliners, calligraphy markers, white gel pens, etc.). It also shows how you can mix other media like goache, watercolors, colored pencils, etc. to create beautiful illustrations. The animal tutorials cover woodland, domestic, exotic and imaginary animals (Unicorns!!!) and birds have their own section as well.
It’s nice that it covers a wide variety of techniques and you can pick your favorite tool and give it a try. My favorite parts of the book were “Finding inspiration”, with advice on how to keep your creative juices flowing, and the “creative exercises”. It is worth mentioning that it explains how to make a light box and that there is bonus material online. Totally recommend it!
September 29, 2018
This is a lovely book on the use of ink with artwork .The animals are really sweet and look very effective - this is a step by step type of book, and includes ink watercolour, linoprint, masking, collage from inked backgrounds and mixed pen and paint techniques. There is certainly many things to learn from this book, and much fun to be had. It is a good starting point on using and understanding ink, and the whimsical animals are just different enough to make them "on trend". A fun book for both adults and children
November 1, 2018
What a amazing book in showing you how to take your art to a another level.
Great how to's and photos to help you get started and make yours look as good as you can make it.
Resources were good and helpful. Interesting book and would be a great reference to have in your craft room.
Great how to's and photos to help you get started and make yours look as good as you can make it.
Resources were good and helpful. Interesting book and would be a great reference to have in your craft room.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews