Hi folks,
Every artist - established or growing has at his or her disposal a decent and modest access to a available references and books on hand. This task and quest, is a lifelong one and I would recommend a gradual and considered consideration of purchases in order to ensure you have the appropriate reference (and not end up with stacks of un usable and out of data references that end up as being expensive door stops at best!)
Thus, I would like to introduce our studio Library recommendation with two new reference books that have joined our growing studio Library within the mythology and ancient treasures section.
Firstly, these books are produced by Octopus Books at http://www.octopusbooks.co.uk
and the following two books caught my eye in particular:
- The Atlas of Lost Cities: Legendary Cities rediscovered
- The Atlas of Lost Treasures - John Levy
Often when deciding the suitability of a reference book for our artists at Opus Artz, there is a fine balance between context and information vs visuals.
On one hand, the medical and scientific training background absorbs and revels in the raw data, history and random bits of datum in books typical of Mythology and Ancient History. On the other, I have to be mindful that a more visual centric reference can be more relevant.
I am glad to say, these Atlas series by Octopus books is just the right blend of visual temepered with information. Each area or region or object is split into two pages - filled with relatively informative narrative, visuals and additional data.
Thus, for anyone into historical concept art along the lines of action adventure, these two books come highly recommended!
Further Information
The Atlas of Lost Cities
Brenda Rosen
Imprint: Godsfield Press Ltd
Format: Hardback
Size: 279 x 240 x 22 mm
Pages: 176
ISBN: 9781841813271
Published: 15th January 2008
"The Atlas of Lost Cities" explores some of the most extraordinary ancient cities from around the world that have been abandoned, forgotten or hidden by time, and ponders the lessons they can teach us today. This fascinating book examines the role of natural and man-made disasters, rulers and hostile neighbours and the fate of cities built to celebrate religious beliefs and enshrine gods and deities. It traces the lost beauty and ancient wisdom embodied in such key sites as Borobodur in Java and Aphrodisias in Turkey and examines the causes of the failure of cities such as Niya in Central Asia and Mesa Verde in Colorado that had thrived for centuries. This is a thought-provoking and illuminating reference work for everyone fascinated by ancient civilizations.
The Atlas of Lost Treasures
Joel Levy
Imprint: Godsfield Press Ltd
Format: Hardback
Size: 279 x 240 x 20 mm
Pages: 176
ISBN: 9781841813363
Published: 15th October 2008
From the Anglo-Saxon Kings' treasure trove at Sutton Hoo to the sensational discovery of the Dead Sea Scrolls, this book explores treasures both ancient and modern lost, stolen, seemingly destroyed and miraculously rediscovered. The book will include the search for such legendary treasures as the Ark of the Covenant and the Holy Grail, as well as accounts of the disappearance of wonders of the ancient world including the Statue of Zeus at Olympia and the Colossus of Rhodes. Detailed, sumptious artwork reconstructions will show the treasures in situ in their original temples, palaces and throne rooms, and will take you on a treasure-hunting journey around the world.
