The best book available on drawing dragons.

Scroll down to check out the latest from J “NeonDragon” Peffer. Her first video with ArtistsNetwork.tv is now available for streaming. If you aren’t taken right to the page, just click on either the Workshop Details/Previews tab or the Buy Workshop tab.

And if, by chance, you haven’t yet…check out her first two books: DragonArt: How to Draw Fantastic Dragons and Fantasy Creatures and DragonArt: Characters.

Until next time

–Mona

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3SNYtd0Ayt0

Lisa Cyr, whose new book Art Revolution hits shelves at the end of June, has been selected to appear in this fall’s Spectrum 16, the latest in the series of books showcasing the best fantasy, science fiction and horror art of the year. As a nice bonus, Spectrum is currently spotlighting her demo piece on their main homepage.

To all you mixed-media fantasy fans out there, check out the complete step-by-step demonstration of one of Cyr’s Spectrum 16 selections, “The Courageous,” on IMPACT.com’s sister site, ArtistNetwork.com.

Art Revolution features a variety of demonstrations and in-depth interviews by twenty groundbreaking mixed-media artists. Pre-order it today!

If you’re a fan of Star Wars, you’ll want to check out the latest news about IMPACT author and officially licensed Lucasfilm Ltd. artist Randy Martinez. Randy is offering all 9 of his artist return sketch cards from his work on Topps’ Star Wars card. Check out the details here. Also check out Randy’s IMPACT book, Creature Features, here. 

Do you love supernatural thrillers? Shojo manga supernatural thrillers?

Comic Book Resources May Manga Preview blog reports that the first English volume of the Black Bird series will be released August 4, 2009 by Viz Media.

Black Bird  is a Japanese supernatural manga written and illustrated by Kanoko Sakurakoji. It has been serialized by Shogakukan in their Betsucomi magazine since 2007. It depicts the life of a high school girl who can see supernatural beings. Check out some chapters here at mangafox.com. 

(Also of note, Black Bird honorably received the 2009 Shogakukan Manga Award for shōjo manga.)

Interested in drawing your own Shojo Manga?

Check out Girl to Grrrl Manga here.

Check out the new blog by Jim Pavelec and Chris Seaman, two of the authors of the 2008 release, Wreaking Havoc: How to Create Fantasy Warriors and Wicked Weapons.

The pair has teamed up again to create another IMPACT book, due for release in Spring 2010.

While I can’t share with you the details just yet (well, I could, but you know what I’d have to do next…and quite honestly, I just don’t have the time), I CAN tell you that this next book will be incredibly cool, and you CAN follow along with what Chris and Jim are reading, looking at, stressed out about, at the blog they set up to chronicle their creation of the book: Ink Bloom.

As the publication date nears, of course, details will be revealed.

In the meantime, if you haven’t picked up a copy of Wreaking Havoc, or of Hell Beasts: How to Draw Grotesque Fantasy Creatures, what are you waiting for?!

Horrifying beasts from below were the subject of Jim Pavelec's first how to draw and paint fantasy art book.

After a limited opening yesterday, Star Trek is now showing in all theaters today. I was able to see it in a nearby theater last night and was surprised by the small crowd (fewer than 20 people in the theater). Where were all the trekkies?

I was a little disappointed since a large, excited crowd always makes opening night seem more fun. Despite this, Star Trek has everything you’d want in a summer blockbuster: adventure, romance and lots and lots of shiny explosions.

It’s not lacking in the plot or acting departments either. J.J. Abrams thoroughly revamps the Star Trek franchise, and the young actors bring new life to the well-loved characters. There’s still the occasional hokey line and gimmicky plot device, but don’t we expect and want at least a little of that from Star Trek?

Watch the official trailer here and go see the movie this weekend!

Want to draw your own space ships and alien life forms? Check out Mechanika by Doug Chiang and Creature Features by Randy Martinez.

Let your imagination take flight!

This week, David Adams’s gorgeous new acrylic book FairyArt hits shelves. Here are three reasons this book will make you a better otherworldly artist:

• Over twenty step by steps of fairies in different settings
• Tons of natural elements to enhance your scenery including butterflies, birds, trees, bumblebees, water reflections, flowers, mushrooms, waterfalls, clouds and rainbows
• Instruction to help you master special lighting effects such as magical sparkles, moody fogs and luminous glows

Check out the author’s website for a sneak peek at a few pages from the book. Or just buy it now from IMPACT’s store!

Read the rest of this entry &raquo

The Queen City (a.k.a., Cincinnati, IMPACT Books HQ) has a new ally in its fight against crime. The Shadow Hare is a local 21-year-old guy who dresses up as a superhero and patrols the streets. I’m not sure how serious any of this is, but he was featured on a local news station and then the story got picked up by CNN and TMZ.com. As you can imagine, he’s received plenty flak for what he’s doing, but I’m not going to rain on his parade, mostly because I believe it’s all in good fun. I doubt he takes his crime-fighting skills as seriously as the newscaster does. 

If you’re fascinated by the world of superheroes, checkout Superhero Madness by David Okum.

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rtLJOHjtPAs