Bert Monroy: Photorealistic Techniques with Photoshop & Illustrator (VOICES)

This oversize paperback features useful techniques from real-world projects. In many cases, we get to see the progress of an image, starting with the most basic elements: the lunch napkin thumbnail sketch. From there, it progresses into a more refined image created in Illustrator (which Monroy uses mostly for sketching layouts). After client approval, Monroy takes the Illustrator image into Photoshop for finishing.

Chapters focus on various visual elements: perspective, lighting, textures, reflections, and so on. The richness of the chapter on achieving realistic shadows in Photoshop comes second only to the chapter on painting trees and foliage. If you happen to be a user of 3-D software, you'll also find great ways to create texture maps for 3-D models.

The book doesn't have a companion CD-ROM with project files or texture samples--or a searchable electronic version of the book--but the idea is to learn to do it yourself, not just watch over the shoulder of someone else.

The toolbox of any artist is usually filled with countless devices that are both general and specific in nature, but invariably there are only two or three that are constantly used--the staples of the craft, the tools of the trade. In Bert Monroy: Photorealistic Techniques with Photoshop & Illustrator, we learn how two of these tools in the hands of a master can be used to create exciting and slick images. It's an inspiring book for beginners, and an educational one for advanced users. --Mike Caputo

Product Description
In the Digital Masters series, New Riders takes pride in being an innovator in graphics publishing by sharing with the reader a passion for the science and for the art of computer graphics. Bert Monroy: Photorealistic & Illustrator celebrates the reunion of art and science, along with individual artistic accomplishment. This book provides a forum for the master at the highest level to speak directly with his peers and followers about how he crafts his creations, and about why he makes the artistic and technique decisions that help develop his work. Bert Monroy conveys a personal seminar-based approach that is unique to his own techniques and talents. The body of this book reflects the areas of technical expertise and artistic exploration that are important to Bert and his audience.

This is the first book that I've purchased that's helped me out in less then a week. By just sitting around the house and looking at a few pages, reading the text that goes with the images and I'm actually learn something. After reading the chapter on Metal and wood, then sat down I did a few things, and I have now awesome results.

Bert Monroy and company teaches you how to use tools in ways I couldn't imagine before. Sure, you're going to think to yourself- "I could have thought of that"... much like I did. But fact is, you didn't. He did and he put it in a book. Many books are too vague and get bogged down in theory. Other books are far too simplistic and do a good job of insulting the reader's intelligence. This book is the Goldilocks of PhotoShop How-To books... it's just right.