I recently picked up the book, "Fantasy Genesis: A Creativity Game for Fantasy Artists" after meeting the book's
author at Emerald City Comicon.
The book is a drawing game that consists of a lot of lists that contain categories and sub categories (Such as Animals: Mammals, insects, birds...etc or Plants: Trees, fungi..etc and from there it breaks down into even more specific categories) Each of these categories has an assigned number, and the artist rolls dice to be randomly assigned to sections from each categorie.
I've decided to create a small on going project based around what I randomly roll from the book; for each of my paintings I will even include some of the categories I was given, and I will give a description of the animal, plant, place..etc that I have created.
I'm not sure how long this project will go on, but so far I am finding this book to be very helpful in terms of keeping up on my creativity and inspiring me to try new things.
I've decided to create a small on going project based around what I randomly roll from the book; for each of my paintings I will even include some of the categories I was given, and I will give a description of the animal, plant, place..etc that I have created.
I'm not sure how long this project will go on, but so far I am finding this book to be very helpful in terms of keeping up on my creativity and inspiring me to try new things.
Fantasy Genesis Roll #1
"Weeping Willow Fish" Watercolor and ink on hotpress
Some of the categories I rolled were: Deep sea fish, Willow tree, Dew drops.
The Weeping Willow fish has long leaf like fins that secrete a bioluminescent substance resembling dew drops. These
dropplets have been nicknaed "Willow tears" and are highly toxic. Fish and other small sea life are drawn to the glowing substance and die upon either touching it or injesting it. The Willow fish truly does weep for its prey.
Comments: I would eventually like to revisit this fish, the dew drops along its fins don't glow nearly enough.
Fantasy Genesis Roll #2
"Fire Banyan Watercolor and ink on hotpress
Some of the categories rolled: Squid, banyan tree, embers, hot coals, fruit tree, stalagmites
The Fire Banyan can be found underground amongst a rocky cave formation. As a seedling it had to attach itself to a crack in a formation of stalagmites in order to grow. Over time it quickly grew and its tentacle like roots have taken over the cavern it inhabits. The tree's trunk and branches have a burnt appearance, while its leaves are like glowing embers in the dark; The tree even produces fig like fruit that has the appearance of coal.
Comments: I'm really happy with how this painting has turned out; and I plan on doing more detailed drawings of the figs
themselves.
