The Bird King: An Artist's Notebook Read Free Books and Download eBooks
A new book of sketches, artwork, and personal reflection from the brilliant mind of award-winning, bestselling author and illustrator Shaun Tan."I'm often wary of using the word 'inspiration' to introduce my work -- it sounds too much like a sun shower from the heavens, absorbed by a passive individual enjoying an especially receptive moment. While that may be the case on rare occasions, the reality is usually far more prosaic. Staring at a blank piece of paper, I can't think of anything original. I feel utterly uninspired and unreceptive. It's the familiar malaise of 'artist's block' and in such circumstances there is only one thing to do: just start drawing." -- Shaun TanAnd when Shaun Tan starts drawing, the results are stunning. In THE BIRD KING: AN ARTIST'S NOTEBOOK, we find a window into the creative process: the stops and starts, the ideas that never took off, and the ones that grew into something much bigger. Fans of THE ARRIVAL will recognize the quirky, surreal sensibility that is so distinctly Shaun Tan in this stunning collection, and gain insight into how his many gorgeous books were made.
Hardcover: 128 pages
Publisher: Arthur A. Levine Books (February 1, 2013)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0545465133
ISBN-13: 978-0545465137
Product Dimensions: 6.5 x 0.6 x 8.4 inches
Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (38 customer reviews)
Best Sellers Rank: #584,987 in Books (See Top 100 in Books) #116 in Books > Children's Books > Arts, Music & Photography > Art > Painting #388 in Books > Children's Books > Arts, Music & Photography > Art > Drawing
Age Range: 10 - 14 years
Grade Level: 5 - 9
Shaun Tan is one of my all time favorite artists/authors currently working today. "The Arrival" remains one of the top books I give to new graphic novel readers. This book doesn't share a complete story like Shaun's other works, instead it gives the reader insight into how he creates his works and what some of his inner thoughts are. It gives us a chance to see the stories from their bare beginnings, mere sketches and doodles beginning on the page that grow into something more wonderful as it progresses. This book is a gem and a must have for any fan of Shaun Tan.
It's great to be able to catch a glimpse of an artist's creative process and this collection of ditties from Mr Tan's own sketch books and musings offers such an opportunity. Physically it is a lovely and compact book chock full of full bleed color illustrations that should help inspire your own creative endeavors. Buy it if your an artist who journals or simply someone who appreciates an inside look into an artist's mind. If you're already a fan of Mr. Tan's work then you will particularly love this piece. This would make a great gift to a budding creative as well. Finally, if you like Danny Gregory's inspirational sketch journals you'll love this offering too. I should know, I'm an artist who does her own sketch a day! I'm a regular creative journaler myself (look up "400 Mornings" to see a book of 400+ of my own musings). I LOVE this kind of thing!
This book offers a fascinating glimpse into a wonderful artist's mind. I must admit the title of the book first drew me in - `The Bird King' - with my son being so interested in birds, I promptly added this book to my NetGalley catalog. However, once I opened the book, the wonders within the book captured my interest fully.Full of sketches, drawings, scribbles, doodles, paintings, and more, this book is a delight. It will be sure to inspire, bring smiles onto faces, make kids of all ages have `aha' moments where they come up with stories of their own. Even Tan's introduction to this book as well as the short leading descriptions to the different sections of the book - untold stories; book, theater, and film; drawings from life; and notebooks - lend to the core strength of this book - to inspire and delight the artist, the `imaginator' (why is this not a word!?), the daydreamer in each one of us. Learning an artist's creative process is fascinating, especially with an artist as talented as Shaun Tan. And when I wondered why some of the drawings were familiar I realized I had seen them in other books and movies too (Wall-E for one!).It is difficult for me to pick a single favorite sketch from this book - I loved them all, and am bursting with smiles, brimming with ideas after going through this book. Though my little ones have not yet had a look at this book, I know that they will looove it, and be inspired by it.Whimsical, magical, delightful, inspirational - this book is all this rolled in one wonderful package. A must-look, must-explore, must-read, must-see - in short, a must-have - for all ages. This is an ocean of prompts in one place. If you are an artist, or a writer, or a daydreamer, pick up this book. And even if you are not, this book is for you - it might just be the muse you were missing all your life.Using the artist's own words in his introduction, this book is like 'a sun shower from the heavens'.Rating: A+Reading Level: All ages (younger kids might not like some of the darker sketches - but they reminded me of Where the Wild Things are and other similar illustrations so younger kids will definitely enjoy looking at many of the sketches and parents can skip the others for them as they read together)Reread Level: 5/5This was a review copy from NetGalley and the review is my honest opinion of the book
I love Shaun Tan's work. I'm an adult and now own 4 of his books: The Arrival, Lost & Found, tales from outer suburbia and The Bird King. Shaun Tan's artwork is so dreamy and creative. His books are printed on high quality paper, which I appreciate. When I begin to look at one of his books, I know I will be taken on a wonderful journey and he never disappoints. I see in some of the reviews, there are those who purchase the books for children. Some of them are too complex for a small child, so I'm thinking perhaps he's not necessarily drawing for only children? I can't say enough about The Bird King - it's a book with only drawings and sketches and they are incredible.
Curious about what goes into the pages of an artistâs notebook? I was. I was curious enough to buy this little book with snippets from Tanâs pre-publication scribbles in his sketchbook. And it was worth the price to see the cleverness and amazing-ness of these rough draft drawings.
It's such a treat to get to look into an accomplished artist's sketchbook. This book is like sitting down with a friend and getting to see how he develops ideas from square one. It's really inspiring for any artist, and just a fun book to sit down and wander through.
Shawn Tan's work moves me with its voice. The things he pays attention to and cares enoughabout to draw are worth paying attention to. From quick sketches to fully developed drawings,he shows the journey his lines make. Very, very interesting for artists.
I'm a huge fan of Shaun Tan. He is one zany cat with a lot to say in what some people will perceive as cartoon doodles. I do cartoon doodles and have not even approached the first step in Tan's intellect.
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