This book shot darts of awesome-ness into my eyes! (Man, that was cheesy.)
It also screamed "character design" after you flip through the pages. Nicolas Marlet designed all these beautiful characters in the world of Kung Fu Panda.
Pages after pages were devoted to character design. (Variety.com had an interview with Nicolas Marlet on the character designs if you're interested.)
Each major character had their own chapters and comes with an interesting background story, explaining how the characters came from research, went into concept, and then designed.
Every prop and design had a purpose and meant something relating to Chinese history. The artists understand body language very well, and they show it by posing the characters to reflect that knowledge.
Large frames were printed throughout the pages, depicting movie scenes. The level of detail was very high if you look at the drawings done on the set. Even the title typography of the book was designed to mimic Chinese words.
This book is worth getting even if you haven't watched Kung Fu Panda. It's inspiring for anyone who loves art, or work with art.
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The Art of Kung Fu Panda is available at Amazon (US | CA | UK | DE | FR | IT | ES | JP | CN) and Bookdepository (US | UK)
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Places to get The Art of Kung Fu Panda:
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13 Comments
Awesome. :D Was just thinking
Submitted by BlightedArt on
Awesome. :D Was just thinking of buying this and I'm glad you've assured that it's worth the money. Good thing I saw your post on CA.org!
Thanks very much. :)
This really is an awesome
Submitted by Roland on
This really is an awesome book. It has the perfect balance of eye candy to chat. More pictures less words and is worth it woth Marlet designs alone
Update - This book seems to
Submitted by Parka on
Update - This book seems to be out of stock and in limited availability. Bookshops might still have some stocks. If you see it, grab it because most online stores are selling it at sky-high prices.
All I can say is WOW!!! I
Submitted by SSD_Executor on
All I can say is WOW!!! I just bought this book and it's a treat to the eyes! Plenty of eye catching landscape vistas and lots, I mean LOTS of wonderful character design!
This book alone has made me return to collecting art books, thanks to your reviews, Parka!
And yep, grab them while they're "fresh as fish" on the stand!
i have this book it's a great
Submitted by gad on
i have this book
it's a great book
it made me think why the hell didn't they made the movie in classical 2d animation, the original designs looked mach better in 2d. and the opening part of the movie in 2D was the best part of the book.
great book, better then the movie it self.
Kung Fu Panda 2: Kaboom of
Submitted by Kailyn on
Kung Fu Panda 2: Kaboom of Doom is coming in theatres on June 3, 2011 and I wanna get this book for Christmas!! I love art, and Kung Fu Panda art would just be good! lots of pages, I so gotta get this! I SO GOT TOO!!!!!!
Thanks for the excellent
Submitted by Zewen on
Thanks for the excellent review.
Parka, do you have any idea where can I still find this wonderful book, such as online or in Singapore.
I am definitely late into this but would hope that I can get it.
Thanks
@Zewen I'm don't know where
Submitted by Parka on
@Zewen
I'm don't know where it can be found without it having a high price. Hopefully, they will do another reprint when Kung Fu Panda 2 comes out.
Thank you so much for your
Submitted by Danielle on
Thank you so much for your review and the scan. :)
I was wondering, Parka, if you know whether or not they will reprint this book or if there will be a book printed solely on the sequel since it's coming out next year. I have been searching for this book forever.
@Danielle I hope they will
Submitted by Parka on
@Danielle
I hope they will reprint it. There are always requests for the book when it's out of stock.
As for a book on the sequel, not too sure unless they have lots of new characters and location.
I found that Borders is
Submitted by Danielle on
I found that Borders is selling the book still though it takes 2 to 4 weeks to ship, for a more reasonable 45 dollars. Also, I found out that they have an art book for the sequel coming out in April, I believe. Thank you so much for you help, Parka. Keep reviewing art books. :) They are very helpful for me, as a lover of art and animation.
I found a copy at one my
Submitted by Anonymous on
I found a copy at one my local comic book shops today! Brand new, 100% perfect shape and $45!
the draw for the KF2 art book
Submitted by Elixrmy on
the draw for the KF2 art book is over? buhh oh well. First off, thank you so much for posting these reviews! It's gotten me looking for art books since February <3 Also to register or follow your blog- how do I go about doing so?
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