Draw Baby Beasties: Create Little Dragons, Unicorns, Mermaids and More

by Lindsay Cibos-Hodges and Jared Hodges

A life-and-limb-saving guide for artists!

For centuries, brave artists have sought the elusive offspring of legend's most infamous beasts. Many have met ugly ends whiles scaling cliffs for a glimpse of griffon hatchlings, venturing into dark forests in pursuit of moody little Minotaurs or voyaging to sea where newborn krakens toss boats like bath toys. Here at long last is a more practical, less perilous alternative. Draw Baby Beasties offers a rare, intimate and danger-free view into the formative years of dragons, trolls, harpies and other fantastical creatures.

Use the easy-to-follow drawing instructions to start assembling simple shapes, then add shading, texture and color to capture magical unicorn foals, flaming phoenix chicks, gruesome gargoyle pups and other fantastical youth of land, sky and sea. Even beginners can achieve happy results quickly, without risk to life or limb.

Complete with fascinating insights on habits, habitats and favorite pastimes, Draw Baby Beasties provides groundbreaking, possibly life-saving instruction for artists who dare take on these awesome and adorable adolescents.

Everything you need to draw legendary little ones!

   • Step-by-step demonstrations of 27 baby fantasy creatures
   • Tips for depicting true-to-life anatomy, poses and expressions
   • Narrative profiles of each species

• ISBN10: 1440354197
• ISBN13: 9781440354199
• Publish Date: 18 June 2019
• Publish Status: Remaindered
• Out of Print: 19 September 2023
• Publish Country: US
• Publisher: F&W Publications Inc
• Imprint: IMPACT Books
• Format: Paperback (US Trade)
• Pages: 128
• Language: English
• URL: https://penguinrandomhouse.com/books/isbn/9781440354199

Reviews

[annieb123]

Originally published on my blog: Nonstop Reader.

Draw Baby Beasties is a new tutorial chibi art guide from Lindsay Cibos-Hodges & Jared Hodges. Due out 18th June 2019 from F+W Media on the Impact imprint, it's 128 pages and will be available in paperback format.

The book's introduction (~10%) covers materials and some very basic treatment of shading, building up drawings with simple shapes, and the drawing process. The tutorial instructions are concise and easy to understand.

The following tutorials include 27 (by my count) baby/juvenile fantasy creatures. The tutorials include step by step instructions showing how the drawings are built up. They are 4 pages each and include alternate poses. All of the tutorials include a short introduction and history of the creature along with a cute sidebar with suggested 'stats' for each of them (speed, strength, magic, cunning, and special abilities). Sort of DIY Pokemon style. The tutorials show line drawn/graphite base drawings and progress to a final colored version.

I have to say the Jackalope (p. 26) and the Baby Yeti (p. 30) are about the cutest things I've ever seen. They're all pretty cute, though. There are hours and hours of drawing fun for all readers here. This would make a great art/drawing unit for school or homeschooling, a super summer activity at home or the library, or a summer camp activity. Several of the tutorials are for Asian inspired fantasy creatures (kitsune, raiju, naga, shishi), as well as other cultures (quetzalcoatl and zaratan) so it's not just baby dragons, gryphons, and gargoyles.

Five stars, super appealing and something here for all ages.

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.