How to Draw Sci-Fi Utopias and Dystopias

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.