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During his career as one of America’s most sought-after illustrators, Andrew Loomis (1889-1959) taught at the American Academy of Art in Chicago, and in 1939 he codified his lessons in his first manual, Fun with a Pencil. Four years later it had already been through six printings, and he followed up over the next two decades with a series of even more successful how-to books that remain the gold standard for artists to this day.
Creative Illustration is considered Loomis’s magnum opus, which was aimed primarily at the professional-level illustrator. Divided into seven sections: Line, Tone, Color, Telling the Story, Creating Ideas, Fields of Illustration, and Experimenting and Studies, this book is filled with instructions, tips, insider experiences, and incredible illustrations.
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1199 reviews for Creative Illustration
4.8out of 5
★★★★★
★★★★★
12
★★★★★
1
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★★★★★
Placeholder –
Un des livres D’Andrew Loomis qui nous donne une approche du dessin plus pointue. La collection se complète. Un de mes meilleurs livres.
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★★★★★
Goater –
This books resembles an actual notebook, the pencil marks look as if it was drawn on instead of printed Excellent quality with beautiful colors
Helpful(0)Unhelpful(0)You have already voted this
★★★★★
Meknow Ali –
Little Expensive but book is awesome and I love Andrew loomis’s all the books. Thanks
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★★★★★
Goater –
I didn’t expect the book to be THIS large, I thought it would be a cute little thing I could slip into my backpack haha. It feels like great quality, with thick, sturdy pages and large and easily legible text. Obviously, you know Loomis is gonna get you right with the information he has to share. I only got the book because I originally pirated the pdf but felt like I HAD to give someone money for how invaluable this information has been for me as an intermediate self taught artist. Art girlies, get you one if you’re not sure why your pieces feel unfocused and bland. Andrew is your guy 100%.
One last thing, this should NOT be your first go-to if you’re a beginner. This proceeds with the assumption that you have a basic understanding of form, figure drawing, and perspective; it’s perfect for intermediate folks that are lost with how to put it all together in a way that works. If you don’t have a grasp on the prior subjects, hit up his other books first and do the exercises (multiple times, you won’t bake it in overnight) then come back to this one. It’s good information but it’s like reading about algebra when you’re still just learning addition.
Helpful(0)Unhelpful(0)You have already voted this
★★★★★
Lis –
Andrew Loomis was one of the top illustrators of Advertising and one of the best illustrators America has produced. Many artist still refer to this work and has been an inspiration for Artist such as Adam Hughes, Alex Ross, Steve Rude, and many others in the Arts world. If you’re beginning in Art or any Artist who needs the best reference material this is the one book out of many of his books to buy.
Helpful(0)Unhelpful(0)You have already voted this
★★★★★
Maese –
Beautiful instructional Book. Well done.
Helpful(0)Unhelpful(0)You have already voted this
★★★★★
Tim Beaudet –
This book was one of a handful of books that really inspired me in my early forays into becoming an artist. Finding this book at the library was a like stumbling across the holy grail, finding that it was still in print, in hardcover, at a reasonable price has reinspired me to again dive back into drawing. This is more of a technical manual than an instruction guide, it covers compositionand layout, model use (including using found photos to aid in drafting and layout), color theory and thinking through illustration jobs. It’s an all around great first step into intermediate level illustration and drawing
Helpful(0)Unhelpful(0)You have already voted this
★★★★★
Rosyline –
Esta edición en inglés es una maravilla. Impresa cuidando los valores de color y tonos en los grises. Como manual de Loomis, imprescindible para los amantes y profesionales de la ilustración en general…
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★★★★★
glenn –
Omg! I am in love with this book. It’s a must have to study composition, perspective, shapes, light etc… after seven years of break I wanted to start my work again in design and illustration so this book is like something I really need. Very detailed and informative. If you really want something that can actually help you push in right direction so must buy this book and I am considering to buy other books by Andre Loomis!
Helpful(0)Unhelpful(0)You have already voted this
★★★★★
Claritza I Rosario –
This is so BIG! I love it so much, has a multiple things for drawing, good information and if course, the fiablity of this great author Andrew Loomis! 🥰
Helpful(0)Unhelpful(0)You have already voted this
★★★★★
v-54 –
Had the Amazon listing shown the book preview / forward, I would not have bought it. In the forward it declares the techniques are not for the artist starting out. Still thumbing through the pages does bring some hints at specifics I will need to pay attention to, however, it is not for those freshly starting out. I was a bit disappointed at reading that, though the book appears to have valuable content when I get that far into my art abilities.
Helpful(0)Unhelpful(0)You have already voted this
★★★★★
Bryan –
This is a classic book from 50 or 60 years ago that’s still relevant in the illustrations that are designed to tell the story, sell the product, set the tone. Again, this is more than the techniques but about the ability to see inside the life being illustrated, and to produce an emotion and not just an image. He rightly calls this ability greater than the mechanical skills of the artist, which need not be so advanced or polished because the other vision is more important, and will actually be the core of the picture.
Helpful(0)Unhelpful(0)You have already voted this
★★★★★
D.H.S. –
I have not read it all but the book dimensions are so large and the art is great. Came on time with no problems
Placeholder –
Un des livres D’Andrew Loomis qui nous donne une approche du dessin plus pointue. La collection se complète. Un de mes meilleurs livres.
Goater –
This books resembles an actual notebook, the pencil marks look as if it was drawn on instead of printed
Excellent quality with beautiful colors
Meknow Ali –
Little Expensive but book is awesome and I love Andrew loomis’s all the books.
Thanks
Goater –
I didn’t expect the book to be THIS large, I thought it would be a cute little thing I could slip into my backpack haha. It feels like great quality, with thick, sturdy pages and large and easily legible text. Obviously, you know Loomis is gonna get you right with the information he has to share. I only got the book because I originally pirated the pdf but felt like I HAD to give someone money for how invaluable this information has been for me as an intermediate self taught artist. Art girlies, get you one if you’re not sure why your pieces feel unfocused and bland. Andrew is your guy 100%.
One last thing, this should NOT be your first go-to if you’re a beginner. This proceeds with the assumption that you have a basic understanding of form, figure drawing, and perspective; it’s perfect for intermediate folks that are lost with how to put it all together in a way that works. If you don’t have a grasp on the prior subjects, hit up his other books first and do the exercises (multiple times, you won’t bake it in overnight) then come back to this one. It’s good information but it’s like reading about algebra when you’re still just learning addition.
Lis –
Andrew Loomis was one of the top illustrators of Advertising and one of the best illustrators America has produced. Many artist still refer to this work and has been an inspiration for Artist such as Adam Hughes, Alex Ross, Steve Rude, and many others in the Arts world. If you’re beginning in Art or any Artist who needs the best reference material this is the one book out of many of his books to buy.
Maese –
Beautiful instructional Book.
Well done.
Tim Beaudet –
This book was one of a handful of books that really inspired me in my early forays into becoming an artist. Finding this book at the library was a like stumbling across the holy grail, finding that it was still in print, in hardcover, at a reasonable price has reinspired me to again dive back into drawing.
This is more of a technical manual than an instruction guide, it covers compositionand layout, model use (including using found photos to aid in drafting and layout), color theory and thinking through illustration jobs. It’s an all around great first step into intermediate level illustration and drawing
Rosyline –
Esta edición en inglés es una maravilla. Impresa cuidando los valores de color y tonos en los grises. Como manual de Loomis, imprescindible para los amantes y profesionales de la ilustración en general…
glenn –
Omg! I am in love with this book. It’s a must have to study composition, perspective, shapes, light etc… after seven years of break I wanted to start my work again in design and illustration so this book is like something I really need. Very detailed and informative. If you really want something that can actually help you push in right direction so must buy this book and I am considering to buy other books by Andre Loomis!
Claritza I Rosario –
This is so BIG! I love it so much, has a multiple things for drawing, good information and if course, the fiablity of this great author Andrew Loomis! 🥰
v-54 –
Had the Amazon listing shown the book preview / forward, I would not have bought it. In the forward it declares the techniques are not for the artist starting out. Still thumbing through the pages does bring some hints at specifics I will need to pay attention to, however, it is not for those freshly starting out. I was a bit disappointed at reading that, though the book appears to have valuable content when I get that far into my art abilities.
Bryan –
This is a classic book from 50 or 60 years ago that’s still relevant in the illustrations that are designed to tell the story, sell the product, set the tone. Again, this is more than the techniques but about the ability to see inside the life being illustrated, and to produce an emotion and not just an image. He rightly calls this ability greater than the mechanical skills of the artist, which need not be so advanced or polished because the other vision is more important, and will actually be the core of the picture.
D.H.S. –
I have not read it all but the book dimensions are so large and the art is great. Came on time with no problems