This is Udon's translation of the original Japanese art book シャイニング・ハーツ ビジュアル設定資料集 that was released in December 2011. It's for the PSP role-playing game Shining Hearts.
The book features the concept art for the characters, locations, enemies and in-game items.
The bulk is made up of characters created by Japanese pinup artist and character designer Tony Taka. He has designed for several Shining games and has his own artbook Tony's Artworks from Shining World. The character art are in the form of full page pin-up style illustrations and also the concept sketches with notes. The costume designs are very elaborate.
There are a few pages of interview talking about the world, the characters and the designs. Strangely, even though they talk about the Chibi versions of the characters, there aren't any main character Chibi art except for the villagers.
The environment art is mostly sketches and printed rather small. There are also designs for the ships. the bread and food from the game. The fish are very realistic and comparable to illustrations from fishing magazines.
This is a nice visual companion for the game. Also recommended to those who like pin-up style Japanese female character art.
Shining Hearts: Collection of Visual Materials is available at Amazon (US | CA | UK | DE | FR | IT | ES | JP | CN) and Book Depository (US | UK)
It must be a chore to wash those clothes after a sweaty day of baking.
Much of the splash art are printed full page.
Interviews with production director Toshinobu Kondo, producer Tsuyoshi Sawada and character designer Tony.
Various character designs for Amil Manaflare. She's a popular character "but not very marketable as a figure or other merchandise due to her lack of skin exposure".
Every character starts with a page like this showing various facial expressions.
Tough guys.
Environment art are mainly sketches with occasional colours.
Delicious looking.
Realistic fish drawings.
Enemy character designs
Visit Amazon to check out more reviews.
If you buy from any links on the blog, I get a little commission that helps me get more art books to feature.
This book is available at:
Amazon.com | Amazon.ca | Amazon.co.uk | Amazon.de | Amazon.fr | Amazon.it | Amazon.es | Amazon.co.jp | Amazon.cn | Bookdepository.com | Bookdepository.co.uk
Tags:
video game art
udon
pin-up
tony taka
art book reviews
