#WeekendReads: The Art of Rise of the Guardians

I’m now back with this new segment on my blog called #WeekendReads where I’d review and recommend artbooks on weekends. I should have started this a few months ago but I went on hiatus because I had a lot of work stuff to finish but now that I’m back, it’s time to get this ball rolling and start off with The Art of Rise of the Guardians.  I got this book last January when I ordered it at Bookdepository because this book was not available here in our local bookstores. Plus Bookdepository sold it much cheaper and offered Free Shipping worldwide so I basically jumped on that bandwagon.

The Art of Rise of The Guardians –by Ramin Zahed published by Insight Editions (US) and Titan Books (UK) -is a very exciting coffee table book which takes us to the creation of Rise of the Guardians, the animated film based from William Joyce’s Guardians of Childhood series. With 159 pages, we get a comprehensive look at what happened behind the scenes and how each Character in the film was brought to life.  The Book is divided into 7 Major Chapters and the first 5 chapters are allotted for the 5 Guardians of Childhood and everything that exists in each guardian’s realm. The remaining 3 is about Pitch Black, The Sequences of the film and the Human World. This book contains vivid illustrations, Storyboard and rich concept artworks that captures the magic that happens in the film.

My personal favorite in the book would be North’s Chapter where you can see The concept art behind the Globe Room, the Workshop with the Yetis, the mischievous elves, and the sleigh. I also like the matte finish of the pages and that none of the artworks look pixelated. The only thing that I like less is the minimalistic cover of the book which I feel that they could have done something more with. But this book rocks so meh! That thing can be  easily overlooked. I highly recommend this book to everyone,fan or not, you are surely going to love browsing the pages of this book and trust me… You won’t be disappointed.

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Full Book Description: “In “Rise of the Guardians”, North, Bunnymund, Tooth, and Sandman try to recruit Jack Frost to stop Pitch from putting an end to childhood belief and plunging the world into eternal darkness. “The Art of Rise of the Guardians” is a fascinating look at the ways artists and craftspeople collaborated to create a stunning CG movie in 3D that will change the way we look at childhood.”

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You Can Get this book at: | Bookdepository | US | UK

HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY, MA!

When I’d try to recall my earliest memories, I’d recall two things: Me, Playing in the garden holding a string that is tied up to a toy truck where I’d tow around our little square garden and the second one would be Me, begging my Mom to take out Wolverine and Leonardo, the Ninja Turtle that is made out of Styrofoam-intended for cake decorations- out of the glass cabinet. (I don’t remember how old I was in that period, 3-4 years old maybe?) The latter is an important memory because I believe it is where it all began, a simple moment that had made a big impact to what I’ve become today.  You see, when I would begin to pester her about it, She knew that I would only destroy styro Wolverine and Leo the minute my hands held them, so instead of handing them to me so they can meet their untimely demise, My Mother would take out a paper and a pencil and would start sketching them and I would watch my Mother draw Wolverine and Leo in great wonder, thinking what sorcery is happening that she can create an exact replica on paper.  Once she is finished, she would give them to me and I would play with them instead, tearing them up eventually.But watching my Mom draw is such a dear sight that I would ask her everyday to draw for me and each time she does ,I would sit there beside her, intently observing the process and those moments stayed with me ever since.When I was old enough to hold a pencil, I remember doodling away on every page of my pad paper to the point that my teacher would reprimand me for being such a wasteful brat but still I drew and drew and never stopped…I drew on the board during recess and eventually on the armchairs. Yes, every child loves to draw but my teachers always took special interest in mine because it was finer than the other kids. It was my talent, they said. So I drew and drew, through elementary, through Highschool and eventually through College and I never stopped and I will never stop.

I never saw my Mom draw ever since but I’m thankful that she taught me how to draw and for opening up a whole new wonderful world for me.

I could Thank my Mom for A LOT of things, but this what I’m most grateful of…Thank you, Ma! I love you! Happy Mother’s Day!