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Superheroes and Beyond: How to Draw the Leading and Supporting Characters of Today's Comics
Superheroes remain the most popular genre of characters in comics and comics-inspired movies. Superheroes & Beyond by Chris Hart shows aspiring artists how to create a huge array of original comic book heroes and villains. The characters found within these pages are broken down into step-by-step constructions that help the student of comics visualize the basic forms and individual features of comic book superheroes. The subjects covered drawing faces, drawing the head from all angles, expressions, light and shadow and its effect on the face, heroes, villains and supporting characters, hands and fee,; foreshortening poses, the dynamics of drawing action; sexy gals; talking in speech balloons, placement of speech balloons and captions, storytelling, use of light and dark in silhouettes, superhero environments, and drawing the splash page.
- GenresArt
160 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2009
2 people are currently reading
15 people want to read
About the author
Christopher Hart
155 books205 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
I started drawing character designs and storyboards for a small animation studio in while in High School. Cartooning and animation was a magical experience to me. I try to bring that experience, as well as art tips, to my readers. Their enthusiasm also motivates me.
Early in my career, my cartoon work got noticed by Watson-Guptill, a premier publisher of art books. They asked me to do a book for them on drawing cartoons. It sold 200,000 copies, which is a healthy number. So we kept going. I discovered that I enjoyed the art of creating books, which has its own special requirements. I also worked as an author for Random House, Quarto and Soho Publishing. In total, I have had 8 million books sold, and have been translated into 20 languages.
My book, "The Master Guide to Drawing Anime: How to Draw Original Characters from Simple Templates" has sold over half a million copies to date and is still very actively in print. An earlier book of mine, "Manga Mania: How to Draw Japanese Comics:" reached the number one art book in the country, according to Bookscan.
I've also been a cover story on the industry trade magazine, "Publisher's Weekly." And if you've read this far into my Bio, then I'm more impressed with you than you are with me!
Thank you so very much for letting me offer some inspiration to you in your art adventures.
Christopher Hart
I started drawing character designs and storyboards for a small animation studio in while in High School. Cartooning and animation was a magical experience to me. I try to bring that experience, as well as art tips, to my readers. Their enthusiasm also motivates me.
Early in my career, my cartoon work got noticed by Watson-Guptill, a premier publisher of art books. They asked me to do a book for them on drawing cartoons. It sold 200,000 copies, which is a healthy number. So we kept going. I discovered that I enjoyed the art of creating books, which has its own special requirements. I also worked as an author for Random House, Quarto and Soho Publishing. In total, I have had 8 million books sold, and have been translated into 20 languages.
My book, "The Master Guide to Drawing Anime: How to Draw Original Characters from Simple Templates" has sold over half a million copies to date and is still very actively in print. An earlier book of mine, "Manga Mania: How to Draw Japanese Comics:" reached the number one art book in the country, according to Bookscan.
I've also been a cover story on the industry trade magazine, "Publisher's Weekly." And if you've read this far into my Bio, then I'm more impressed with you than you are with me!
Thank you so very much for letting me offer some inspiration to you in your art adventures.
Christopher Hart
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
November 14, 2015
I grew up reading a lot of comic books. As a kid, I enjoyed books like Richie Rich, Archie, Casper the Friendly Ghost, and characters like that. I didn't really read any superhero comic books. But on television, I loved Saturday morning shows like the Super Friends, Shazam! and even Batman from the 1960's. It wasn't until the early 1990's that I really started reading comics like Superman, Spider-Man, and The Fantastic Four . . . just to name a few. I fell in love with superhero comics and still love the characters to this day. But, I cannot draw for beans.
With Superheroes and Beyond, I know that I could learn a lot following the instructions in this book. The instructions are easy enough to follow and any child could become quite a good figure artist using this book as a reference. Of course, practice makes perfect, so don't expect to draw like Jim Lee, Jack Kirby or Frank Miller the first time that you try.
Using the book Superheroes and Beyond is a good start to becoming a really good artist. It teaches a lot of the basics about the human body that you will need to know should you really want to draw for a comic book one day.
So, if you are looking for the perfect book to start you in a career in the comic book industry, pick up a copy of Superheroes and Beyond by Christopher Hart. You will have a SMASHing good time learning how to draw.
With Superheroes and Beyond, I know that I could learn a lot following the instructions in this book. The instructions are easy enough to follow and any child could become quite a good figure artist using this book as a reference. Of course, practice makes perfect, so don't expect to draw like Jim Lee, Jack Kirby or Frank Miller the first time that you try.
Using the book Superheroes and Beyond is a good start to becoming a really good artist. It teaches a lot of the basics about the human body that you will need to know should you really want to draw for a comic book one day.
So, if you are looking for the perfect book to start you in a career in the comic book industry, pick up a copy of Superheroes and Beyond by Christopher Hart. You will have a SMASHing good time learning how to draw.
April 14, 2012
Tired of reading comics and want to create your own?
This book might be for you. Includes drawing faces, figures, expressions and action poises.
A fairly standard 'How-to-Draw' book that is a bit light on instruction but includes lots of examples.
A good choice for a more advanced artist looking to fine-tune their skills.
Learning Curve
Moderate to High: Might be too much for beginning artist
This book might be for you. Includes drawing faces, figures, expressions and action poises.
A fairly standard 'How-to-Draw' book that is a bit light on instruction but includes lots of examples.
A good choice for a more advanced artist looking to fine-tune their skills.
Learning Curve
Moderate to High: Might be too much for beginning artist
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews