Discover the creative processes and intriguing inspirations behind the work of leading fantasy artist John Howe – conceptual designer on The Lord of the Rings movie trilogy – in this comprehensive practical art book. . Examines in fascinating detail over 150 of the artist's outstanding sketches, drawings and paintings, plus the techniques and stories behind each Leads you step-by-step through a range of specially commissioned drawing and painting demonstrations that reveal John's renowned artistic approach in action. . Shares John's incredible collection of reference material, as he advises how to develop your own personal style of fantasy art. . Discusses the rewarding journey into fantasy art, from the first steps of building a compelling portfolio to book illustration, graphic novels and the big screen. This book will appeal to artists and fans of John Howe's work by leading you step-by-step through a range of specially commissioned demonstrations, sketches and finished paintings, some designed specifically for this book, that reveal John's renowned artistic approach in action, plus the techniques and stories behind each. It covers a wide range of subjects, beginning with the creative process, exploring where inspiration comes from, looking at narratives and themes, gathering reference materials, organising your working environment, and protecting and storing artwork. Howe covers drawing materials and explores drawing and painting fantasy beings from initial inspiration and approaches to characters, symbolism and accoutrements. The book also explores fantasy landscapes and architecture and balancing light and dark atmospheres. The foreword is written by groundbreaking film director Terry Gilliam, with an afterword by Alan Lee, John's partner on the conceptual design for The Lord of the Rings movie trilogy and Oscar-winning illustrator. AUTHOR: John Howe was born in Vancouver, Canada in 1957. He attended the Ecole des Arts Decoratifs in Strasbourg. He worked extensively on the conceptual art for The Lord Of The Rings films with Alan Lee and Peter Jackson. He lives in Switzerland.