Point and Secret Character Drawing Book by Taco | Review

2 months ago

Hello, Sketchmates! ✨

Since I am not satisfied with just watching art tutorials on YouTube and other social media platforms, I opted to get a drawing book. I like things that are held rather than digital copies perhaps it is a technique for me to use something like a book.

What cued me to buy these books was that I was having a hard time learning through Marc Brunet's Anatomy class. 😆 It is very detailed and my brain cells are not capable of grasping the topics.

I guess, it is just my brain is not for highly meticulous topics. But! He has a deft touch to his art. Amazing artist and teacher.

So now, I searched for a book that has simplified wordings and explanations. I found this book by Taco called Point Character Drawing and Secret Character Drawing in a Reddit post.

Luckily, a store is selling these on local online shopping platforms. The books are originally written in Hangul (Korean alphabetic system) since the author is Korean. They are then translated into English for international buyers like me!

Okay, this was the part that pissed me off. 😫 I thoroughly read the description that the books are translated into English. When the package arrived. The SCD is not translated into English. IDK, if I was too excited or if I just overlooked that part.

I shared this to artsy peeps of @Artpark Discord to post a review but it took me months and months! Haha, ~ sorry, guys! 😆

I got the three books for roughly 70 USD.

Point Character Drawing Book

This is what it looks like inside. The table of contents is divided per body part. I thought Part 1 would start at the top which is the head. But then the author started with the upper body, then the lower body, and then the point drawing for the body.

The subject per page is highlighted using a mustard yellow. Easy to see and easy to pinpoint.

My favorite parts are the head and the hands. These are the parts that I struggle with the most, and also the time that people stare at😆

Taco emphasizes the proportions of the head. Also, throwing some tips on how to determine rough measurements. He also taught about how angles may have an impact on the proportions and perspectives.

Height of the eyes and how eyebrows can change the character's expression.

Taco shared some techniques on how to determine the flow and point of hair of both females and males. On the other hand, thighs are supposed to be in the shape of oblongs rather than circles.

Secret Character Drawing Book

The second is thicker compared to the first two combined. This book is more specific on the character. For example, per topic has its own scenario or character composition. A page can be about the flow of a skirt, a fur coat, or a zombie character. Taco gave tips on how to achieve the form.

For this specific shape of a hat, Taco focuses on how the shape covers the character's eyes. The hat has a little basket that sits on the top of the head. Minute things like this are given thought of even though the objects are somewhat invisible to the spectator.

This is a sample of Google Lens's translator application. I just have to take a picture of the text and automatically translate Hangul to English.

It takes time so I am planning to Hire a Korean translator to translate all the pages for me. Hehe.

So far I have read Part 1 and half of Part 2. I take 5 minutes before bed to read at least 3 pages.

I like this better than the complicated class of Mr. Brunet because it is concise and on point. If I have to take it to the next level, maybe I will continue my class on anatomy.

Not bad for 70 USD for the price of three books. Another reason I got this book is the art style is close to the one that I like- anime/manhwa style.

I am happy that I got this book, and thank you to whoever recommended this on Reddit! 🥳💖

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