Midwest Book Review – August 2025
Synopsis: Astonishing in detail and staggeringly conceived, Meng Zi’s fantasy characters are a masterclass in conceptual design. Whether you’re looking for a practical reference or an idea generator, as an instructive ‘how-to’ guide, “The Art of Fantasy: A complete step-by-step guide to drawing characters and concept design” is sure to spark your creativity.
Filled from cover to cover with artistic insights and practical exercises, “The Art of Fantasy” is comprehensive guide that will teach you basic anatomical structure, help you to finesse your own design ideas, and then improve your aesthetic prowess through observation and practice.
With the publication of “The Art of Fantasy”, Meng Zi covers:
Design and drawing: A technical overview of conceptual design and drawing, including point, line and plane, geometry and various forms of perspective, all explored visually, and critical for breathing life into your characters.
Human anatomy and kinetics: Understand the structure and movement that serve as the foundation for all character design. The skeletal and muscular systems are explored in a number of ways, from traditional musculo-skeletal illustrations to line and cube forms. Also included is a guide to creating hands, feet, limbs and facial features full of character and expression
Animal anatomy: Discover the real-world building blocks that will shape your mythical creatures, including skeletal form and musculature as well as features such as wings, spines, horns and tails
Fantasy fusion: Merge reality with imagination as you design fantastical beings, from fire-breathing dragons and elegant centaurs to robots, aliens and demons
Conceptual design for game and animation: Develop unique characters with guidance on body shapes, lines, and personality-infused accessories.
Whether you are seeking a practical reference or an idea generator, “The Art of Fantasy: A complete step-by-step guide to drawing characters and concept design” is certain to spark your creativity and take your fantasy character design to new heights.
Critique: This large format hardcover edition of “The Art of Fantasy: A complete and ‘novice artist friendly’ step-by-step guide to drawing characters and concept design” by Meng Zi is exceptionally well organized and presented, making it the ideal DIY instructional guide for aspiring artists of fantasy and science fiction figures and background art.
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