Jes Goodwin is, as we have stated before on this site, is the preeminent visionary of the characters and civilisations in Games Workshop universes. There are others of course - John Blanche, Kev Walker, Paul Bonner and the late Wayne England, but as a Designer Goodwin's work not only gives us an amazingly detailed view of the worlds but makes it from art to the miniature form.
Goodwin's sketchbook is always hallowed ground, and he has released collections before - The Gothic and the Eldritch and the previously limited Eldar Sketchbook.
With the release of the Drukhari Codex we have been very fortunate to now be able to see Jes Goowin's Dark Eldar sketches in all their glory in the Drukhari Sketchbook accompanied by an expanded Asuryani Sketchbook in the Eldar Collection currently available from the Games Workshop webstore.
Before we take a look inside, I'll let you know that this isn't a full reveal, this is just a look at some of the stuff and some observations. To have this book arrive and go through it page by page should be a joy reserved for those who have waited for it for so long.
Goodwin's sketchbook is always hallowed ground, and he has released collections before - The Gothic and the Eldritch and the previously limited Eldar Sketchbook.
With the release of the Drukhari Codex we have been very fortunate to now be able to see Jes Goowin's Dark Eldar sketches in all their glory in the Drukhari Sketchbook accompanied by an expanded Asuryani Sketchbook in the Eldar Collection currently available from the Games Workshop webstore.
Before we take a look inside, I'll let you know that this isn't a full reveal, this is just a look at some of the stuff and some observations. To have this book arrive and go through it page by page should be a joy reserved for those who have waited for it for so long.
The Eldar Collection is housed in a very sturdy well packed cardboard sleeve, which when opened reveals black paper covering the collection itself. There is a small sticker on the front of the paper sealing it with "Citadel Vault" on it - I hadn't seen this before and is a super cool symbol. When you open the paper (I ripped mine in anticipation) you are presented with the weighty tomes that is the Eldar Collection. Housed in thick light grey matte finish sleeve, the two books are held firmly in it's embrace. The picture on the front of the sleeve i find interesting - it seems to be a fusion of Eldar in a way with the character hovering over ethereal smoke. As you can see, the sleeve and books are all embossed with high gloss chrome lettering.
We're concentrating on the Drukhari Sketchbook here as it is new and most of the Asuryani Sketchbook has been seen and we've reviewed it before.
The first thing you notice when you open the Drukhari Sketchbook is the first drawing from 1991 - this is the prototype Dark Eldar. There's so many elements going on here, but what we've missing is spikes, blades and chains and tight fitting chitin outfit - it's very much more akin to an old school Harlequin even down to the Eldar Shuriken Catapult and grill for a mouth. We then get a later incarnation of a Warrior Priest and the shapes that would become so familiar with Dark Eldar. SO without giving the whole book away we then get pages and pages of beautiful concept art of uniforms, weapons, vehicles, characters - it is both inspirational and impressive all at once - notice the Sslyth drawing which is just so amazing. There are also banners and iconography, and this full page of Drukhari icons which also includes a note down the bottom about how they would be worn on uniforms like Japanese samurai - a white icon on a black background.We also see other Eldar in here; Exodites, Harlequins plus the Ynarri. It's great to look over the small annotations and even some longer explanations to get background.
I've promised not to give it all away, but there's a very cool little image right at the back of a Wraith Gate... now lets hope we see these in the future because this a a very cool drawing.
The first thing you notice when you open the Drukhari Sketchbook is the first drawing from 1991 - this is the prototype Dark Eldar. There's so many elements going on here, but what we've missing is spikes, blades and chains and tight fitting chitin outfit - it's very much more akin to an old school Harlequin even down to the Eldar Shuriken Catapult and grill for a mouth. We then get a later incarnation of a Warrior Priest and the shapes that would become so familiar with Dark Eldar. SO without giving the whole book away we then get pages and pages of beautiful concept art of uniforms, weapons, vehicles, characters - it is both inspirational and impressive all at once - notice the Sslyth drawing which is just so amazing. There are also banners and iconography, and this full page of Drukhari icons which also includes a note down the bottom about how they would be worn on uniforms like Japanese samurai - a white icon on a black background.We also see other Eldar in here; Exodites, Harlequins plus the Ynarri. It's great to look over the small annotations and even some longer explanations to get background.
I've promised not to give it all away, but there's a very cool little image right at the back of a Wraith Gate... now lets hope we see these in the future because this a a very cool drawing.
If you field Drukhari this is the most amazing resource for designing a Kabal/ Coven or just finding your way through the world, the look and the feel. There' so much detail in Jes Goodwin's drawings that it adds flavour and texture and makes the Drukhari so much more visceral.
I will tell you that buying this was not cheap. At $210 Australian Dollars it was not something I could afford really, but I took a punt as a huge fan of Jes Goodwin's work that it would pay off - and it does in spades!
Get these books - enjoy them - especially as there is some more expansion in the Asuryani book and apart from a special celebration at your local store, this is the only way you will get either.
-
A big thanks to Games Workshop and especially Jes Goodwin for releasing these for the fans to see.
I am enthused and inspired!
~ Thank you ~
I will tell you that buying this was not cheap. At $210 Australian Dollars it was not something I could afford really, but I took a punt as a huge fan of Jes Goodwin's work that it would pay off - and it does in spades!
Get these books - enjoy them - especially as there is some more expansion in the Asuryani book and apart from a special celebration at your local store, this is the only way you will get either.
-
A big thanks to Games Workshop and especially Jes Goodwin for releasing these for the fans to see.
I am enthused and inspired!
~ Thank you ~
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