Enchanting elves Paint elven worlds and fantasy characters

Gr 7 Up-Hodges and Cibos have created a thorough guide. Describing the creatures in terms of a sliding scale from human to animal, they begin with some tips on basic anatomy and style. Introductory material includes several versions of an impala that illustrate how various levels of "human" characteristics affect the overall character. The rest of the instruction is grouped by the kind of animal portrayed-felines, canines, equines, etc. Full-color spreads throughout show what can be achieved with practice, and the book concludes with chapters on color and perspective. Lanza includes watercolors of elves and similar creatures such as sprites, gnomes, and dwarves. Materials and basic skills are explained before moving on to chapters that explore faces, figures, and settings. This approach makes the projects accessible to artists who may not have worked with watercolor before. Sidebars feature mini demonstrations focusing on flowers or other details. Useful coloring instructions specify brush and color choices. These fantasy-friendly books provide plenty to explore.-Lisa Glasscock, Columbine Public Library, Littleton, CO (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.