A DC Comics illustrator shows readers how to conceptualize, draw, and digitally enhance their own science fictional worlds—whether for graphic novels, comics, movies, or video games. Sci-fi imagery commands today’s popular culture, from Star Wars to The Hunger Games and The Walking Dead. For clear-eyed artists, ages 12 and up, who see that science fiction is becoming science fact at an astounding rate, How to Draw Sci-Fi Utopias and Dystopias gives an in-depth look at the process of completing sci-fi illustrations—from the thought behind them (brainstorming and conceptualization) to constructing basic forms and objects on paper, converting roughs into finished pencil drawings, inking them in, and coloring them in Photoshop. The book is organized around the perennial distinction between two ways of representing the future in sci-fi: the pessimistic and the hopeful, or dystopian and utopian. After a basic primer on drawing (perspective, human faces, basic anatomy, light, shadow, rendering, and composition), five chapters detail the drawing of sci-fi humans, aliens and robots, land vehicles, flying vehicles, and cityscapes. Rollins demonstrates the astounding power of science fictional storytelling with 32 step-by-step case studies invented just for the book. Each demo is dated to a unique imagined future or alternate past and explained with fascinating detail. Examples include: battle-hardened mercenaries; a bizarre biomechanical alien that lives on a furnace-hot planet; a gigantic truck of the near future with a built-in apartment; a miles-long nuclear ramjet interstellar spaceship; a retro-utopia reminiscent of The Jetsons; and a galactic imperial city of staggering proportions. How to Draw Sci-Fi Utopias and Dystopias is packed with professional tips on the right tools, techniques, and materials; how to draw tech; when to Google a reference photo or use a background from istockphoto.com; how to get and stay inspired; and how to execute a unique story. The gorgeous and varied artwork, and thoughtful storytelling combined with friendly instruction, will leave readers with hundreds of new ideas to create worlds of their own.

"Aspiring art students who have a special interest in science fiction-inspired graphic novels, computer games, book illustrations, and posters will find the help they're looking for in this comprehensive self-teaching course. The author instructs on ways to blend the exotic with the familiar in order to create believable yet dramatic future cityscapes, vehicles, extraterrestrial creatures, and more. From rough concept to finished illustration, his book shows artists how to convert their imaginings into dynamic and memorable images. He deals with all standard media, from pencil and acrylics to digital software, and he shows students how to blend colors in ways that give their pictures ethereal and futuristic atmospheres. Each lesson includes an "Idea File " sidebar feature that offers special tips and useful insights. Art students will also find helpful cross-references to closely related lessons. Vivid, how-to illustrations in color fill virtually every page of this highly instructive book"--Publisher's description.

A richly illustrated collection of the newest and most exciting talent in sci-fi art and illustration. SCI-FI ART NOW brings together for the first time the finest, freshest, and most exciting talents in the world of sci-fi illustration. Artists from around the world-from China and Singapore to the United States and Europe-are represented in this volume, which focuses on the latest and most imaginative work being produced today. This book brings to light the most groundbreaking and talked about sci-fi art, ranging in media from comic books, movies, and TV programs to art, posters, toys, literature, collectibles, board games and video games. SCI-FI ART NOW is a comprehensive compilation that reveals fascinating background information, anecdotes, ideas, and inspirations relied on by the crÈme de la crÈme of contemporary science fiction painters, illustrators, and creators (whether established professionals such as Brett Norton, Liam Sharp, Paul McCaffrey, Klaus Hutter, and John Picacio, or brave new talents forging into the future). By analyzing how technique, tools, materials and media are applied to popular sub-genres such Sirens of Sci-Fi, Spacecraft and Astronauts, Aliens and Alien Worlds, Radical Robots, Incredible Cities, Future War, and Steampunk, each chapter illustrates the astounding artistry and diverse imagination behind this perennially popular genre. Crammed full of exquisite art from around the world and fascinating insights from the artists and creators, SCI-FI ART NOW is perfect for the many fans of science fiction.

This is a highly practical guide for budding artists who want to create their own extreme sci-fi worlds. Core elements of sci-fi art are taught through ingenious exercises and eleven detailed step by step projects. Subjects covered include aliens, robots, space ships, weapons, space stations and strange planets.

Provides descriptions and color illustrations of a variety of aliens, mutants, and other mysterious creatures, and includes advice and instructions on how to draw them.

The concepts of utopia and dystopia have received much historical attention. Utopias have traditionally signified the ideal future: large-scale social, political, ethical, and religious spaces that have yet to be realized. Utopia/Dystopia offers a fresh approach to these ideas. Rather than locate utopias in grandiose programs of future totality, the book treats these concepts as historically grounded categories and examines how individuals and groups throughout time have interpreted utopian visions in their daily present, with an eye toward the future. From colonial and postcolonial Africa to pre-Marxist and Stalinist Eastern Europe, from the social life of fossil fuels to dreams of nuclear power, and from everyday politics in contemporary India to imagined architectures of postwar Britain, this interdisciplinary collection provides new understandings of the utopian/dystopian experience. The essays look at such issues as imaginary utopian perspectives leading to the 1856-57 Xhosa Cattle Killing in South Africa, the functioning racist utopia behind the Rhodesian independence movement, the utopia of the peaceful atom and its global dissemination in the mid-1950s, the possibilities for an everyday utopia in modern cities, and how the Stalinist purges of the 1930s served as an extension of the utopian/dystopian relationship. The contributors are Dipesh Chakrabarty, Igal Halfin, Fredric Jameson, John Krige, Timothy Mitchell, Aditya Nigam, David Pinder, Marci Shore, Jennifer Wenzel, and Luise White.

Your guide to drawing sci-fi characters! From post-apocalyptic Earth to extraterrestrial civilizations, get ready to explore the farthest reaches of your imagination and evoke your own original sci-fi worlds. With Sci-Fi Fashion Art School you will learn to draw everything from scavenger-wear and exosuits to alien garb and space explorer uniforms. Starting with simple guidelines, you'll discover how to create distinct characters just by varying facial features, body mass and hair. Beyond the mechanics of drawing, you'll learn to make strategic creative choices by asking questions like: What drives your characters? Do they dress for survival or social status? What materials are at their disposal? The answers help you develop fashions, weapons and accessories uniquely suited to the environmental and cultural conditions of your particular world. The Sci-Fi genre has no limits. With the instruction and inspiration inside, neither will you. Launch Yourself Into New Worlds! • Learn how to draw clothing, hairstyles, tools, weapons, jewelry, prosthetic parts, and more. • Create characters, settings and scenes with 21 step-by-step demonstrations • Explore several different sci-fi world scenarios: The Wasteland, Urban Dystopia, iRobots and The Final Frontier. • Develop a diverse cast of characters, including enforcers, scientists, survivors, rulers, rebels, servants, bad guys and others.