Framed Ink: Drawing and Composition for Visual Storytellers

As a self taught artist (with the exception of a class back in high school) I've found this book incredibly helpful in learning how to craft a visual narrative. (If you're looking for a 'how to draw' book-- this isn't that!) I will say it was a little thicker than I'd expected but no so much that it was unpleasant. The book touches down on a lot of important things such as lighting/atmosphere, framing, the use of negative space, and scale progression. There is a chapter on how to show actions, moods, and 'beats' to a story which is wonderfully helpful if you're a comic artist like myself. While I know my review is a bit short, I can definitely say that the knowledge shared in this book is honestly invaluable. Even if you're not a fan of heavy realism or black and white images-- that's not what this book is really about. What is does teach (mostly about composition and making your images speak for themselves) is worth every minute spent reading. This is an excellent learning tool no matter where you are in your artistic journey.

It took about a month for this book to arrive, but it was well worth the wait. When I flipped through the pages, I was somewhat impressed with the artwork, but not very. A second flip-through (double-take) proved that the book was mostly made up of inking and not a whole lot of text. I began to worry if I'd been duped and wasted my money. What could I possibly learn from a bunch of black and white images with a paragraph or two thrown in? It reminded me of some the art books my university lists as required reading that cost an arm and really don't deliver. I could've gotten more artistic education out of a graphic novel. However, I finally found the time to sit and actually read it. It is an amazing book. Upon attentive study I realized the inkings weren't somewhat impressive they were incredible. It seems that the author, Mateu--Mestre, has a very minimalist approach to both art and instruction; yet, both his art and his lessons are immensely informative. The lessons are short and oh-so sweet. I learned new things just reading the first few pages because Mateu-Mestre isn't just trying to convey an academic sense of storytelling, but the very spirit of it. And I can tell you that is one of the major issues I have been tackling with my artwork i.e. breathing life into it, creating mood and emotion. Mateu-Mastre's book is a very good complement to two other books I bought, both by James Gurney - who does take a more academic approach to instruction and whose art is detailed and vibrant. I wish I would've come across these guys when I first began art college. Marcos Mateu-Mestre has created an excellent learning tool here, especially if you are a novice or mid-level artist. I so highly recommend this book that I would go as far as to say that it is a must have in any artist's library who is interested in narrative art e.g. comics, graphic novels, storyboarding, illustration, concept art, etc... I also recommend James Gurney's Color and Light.

This book was recommended to me and I have to say that it's simply amazing. The author/artist is too the point (much appreciated) and both verbally and with art shows you exactly what he's talking about. If you do any sort of 'framed' art (storyboards, panels for comics and graphic novels), this is a must-have to understand framing, POV, panel flow, and so much more. I thought I new a good bit, but this book further opened my eyes. It's a must have for any artist, actually. I cannot recommend this book enough.

I thought I reviewed this already... I got this book cause amazon sent me an email. and I'm glad they did. this book changed everything for me. this book goes into alot and I got alot of gems from it. its a great book for any storyteller. But I really enjoyed the art. honestly thought me about silhouette, contrast and composition. which the book touches on but every image in this book is a great example of all three. must have for every and any artist. highly recommend for anyone any form of storytelling or animation and so on. and you might think I've been drawing for years. I've studied other book on composition... thats great! But get this book. it will take you to a whole other level. this is like advanced stuff here. and he goes into illustration, comics, animation. this book is a goldmine.

You'd do just as well pausing and drawing every shot in your favorite movies. There are some great chapters about what makes these shots so effective. But you can figure it out on your own. It's mostly self explanatory. This is for hollywood storyboard artists. There is a little about comics, but not enough to cover it in the appropriate detail. Another thing is don't expect to close the book knowing how to draw like this dude. Nothing about drawing technique is covered. Nothing about balancing creativity and reference for creating content. On the other hand the amazing quality of what he is teaching makes this worth while.

So far this book has been everything I have been wanting, in an instructional guide, for creating Graphic Novels. I also have the books Writing and Illustrating the Graphic Novel and Foundations in Comic Book Art. About half way through Writting and Illustrating and just started Foundations. This book I find to be better because Mr. Mateu-Mestre not only is giving you the foundational principles for creating a great Graphic Novel. But also introduces so many great new ideas and ways of changing our thinking and perceptions in regard to the visual arts. When I am learning something I don't just want to learn the how to, but also the why's. The reasonings, the concepts, the underlining purposes. This way I can then adapt, alter and change these to suit my own needs. Like I said, I'm not even finished the book and I think it's Great! I also have his perspective books and ordered his Graphic Novel so that I can actually study his style and methods in action. I am looking to become a Great Graphic Novelist and to do that I might as well learn from the best. From Masters. Going through all my purchases on this subject, this would have been the book I wish I had bought first and then the rest. I am not knocking the rest. I mean glean all the knowledge you can as much as you can. Every Artist has something they can offer you. I'd just say, buy this book first or now, if you are still trying to find an amazing book on the subject. Good luck in your endeavors. All the best.

Framed Ink is a great collection of practical wisdom for visual artists and film makers. I bought it to improve my visual art, and liked it so much I bought a second copy for my film maker friend, who read it twice the day he got it. It is not about inking techniques, despite the prominence of the word "ink" on the cover. It is about composition in graphic novels, films, story boarding for films, and the like. The figures all appear to be created in photoshop using techniques to mimic comic book style gray scale images. It has a high re-readability factor. It is quick and easy to read, because there are obviously a lot of figures breaking up the text. But careful study of the figures while thinking about what the text explains makes this book dense. It is a good reference to keep around for what to do when you want to create mood X or atmosphere Y, or when you need help figuring out how to transition from shot X to shot Y. It also has me watching films and looking at comics much more closely now to see if I can spot the techniques explained in the book.

It's worth every penny and much more. Simply the best book on composition and lighting for visual story telling I've ever encountered. Not just for illustrators or concept artists but, anyone who's trying to convey a message through visual means would benefit from this work. It should be a standard work in any film school! Each page clearly discusses key concepts about effectively immersing your audience in the story and then demonstrates those concepts through beautifully crafted and inspiring illustrations. It will guide you into a more profound understanding of how to communicate with your art. Furthermore, it is clear that the author has a deeply pure understanding of his craft. He understands the important role the audience plays in "perceiving" the reality we attempt to create. Understanding that alone is worth the price of this book! I found myself visualizing many new approaches and possibilities in my own work as I read. For me, as an artist, that's the highest compliment I can give to any work of art. I want to express my gratitude to the author for sharing his gift. Buy this book!

Excellent!

I receive the book in good condition. The author begins to guide from the most basic drawings. Though the strong realism style is not what I am looking for, he is able to explain clearly.

Un excelente libro para aprender y entender las técnicas de entintado.

A dire da mia figlia, fantastisco e utile...

Es un libro increíble que es totalmente útil, creo que no es un libro que se pueda empezar a aplicar siendo principiante, pero es un básico que hay que tener si estas aprendiendo