Inkworks: Darren Quach Sketchbook Vol. 01

I've been following the art of Darren Quach for a couple years now online; when he'd share something new I'd save his sketch for my reference when to scratchbuilt or kitbash models. So naturally when I saw this design sketch book available for pre-order, I jumped on it.Darren has a very unique and intriguing style of art. He weighs heavily on the mechanical side (which I love), however the build of his sketches are often biological in nature. Everything seems to have purpose and a very realistic feel to it. He is able to blend these organic characteristics perfectly with the mechanics. Darren shows us his versatile talents as he designs space suits, spaceships, android/mechs, hovercrafts, wheeled-buggies, weaponry and more.Why this book is so important to me: Often times I lack the creative eye of an artist. I am able to sketch, build or sculpt something if I have a visual image or strong idea to work from, and this sketch book is the perfect companion to that need. Darren's designs are completely original, however you can see some subtle influences from other artists here and there, and those hints really get my creative mind flowing. What's also great about a lot of the work in this book is that it's a basic shape or design, a kind of 'jumping-off point'.. He allows the viewer to bring the sketches to life through imagination, as a true sketch book should. I have already tagged several sketches for potential scratchbuilds and kitbashing sessions.Darren's sketch book now sits either on my workbench or among my collection of Ma.K./SF3D books by artists Kow Yokoyama, Makoto Kobayashi and Max Watanabe. Over the years I've purchased several sketch books by various artists (or collections featuring many artists), and Darren Quach's first release absolutely belongs on the top of the list. If you find yourself a fan of these subjects or a fan of the mechanics featured in the video game Hawken (Darren Quach worked alongside Khang Le and John Park), this book is simply a must-have.

I've been working on sketching for some time now, and this book, purposely published to resemble an artist's sketchbook, is a great inspiration for me. I'm not an "artist" in the traditional sense; I do not draw to "express my emotions or feelings." I consider myself a hobbyist/illustrator; I want to draw pictures that are of recognizable things. Since Quach is a sci-fi game designer/artist, this book is mostly of "mecha", i.e., the mechanical sci-fi machines encountered in this genre. It is NOT a "how-to" book, BUT . . . if you copy and examine Quach's technique closely, you WILL learn "how to" and produce some credible drawings. I'm really enjoying my copy; it's certainly worth its purchase price to me.

I have always preferred pencil or micron to Wacom or computer and this book was a welcome inspiration that I relish and share with my colleagues every chance I get. It reminds me of the beauty and enjoyment of the unfinished or rapid sketch devoid of external opinion, and Darren's talent is unquestionable. I have spent many years in a production environment that focuses on glossy, high resolution and highly polished products, and this book serves as a refreshing portal to the mindset that every artist should (IMHO) attempt to maintain and exercise regularly. An exquisite book that I would highly recommend.

If you like what's on the cover then expect more of the same. This is essentially the sketchbook of a concept artist that is very good at doing marker thumbnails. Currently sitting on my desk which is fairly high praise considering how many art books I own.

A great book for sci fi art concepts fanatics.

I pre-ordered this book on a whim months ago. The book is hardcover, small and intimate size and is put together very well. Flipping through it's all very clean line art concepts of mechs and mech suits, drones, some vehicles and is very impressive, fun and inspiring. It's just 123 pages of nonstop eye candy. Highly recommended!

Excellent collection of sketches and conceptual ideations. There are quite a few books with spectacular finished concept art pieces, but only a handful of books which show you where it all starts. If you want to see what ideas look like when they first come out of a very talented artist's mind, then this book is exactly what you need.

I've never seen better designs in a film, comic, or game ever. This is both a fun book to learn from AND an incredible book just to peruse and salivate over. Great stuff.