Welcome to Rediscovered Realms’ new series, “Fantasy Art Workshop”—your gateway to crafting epic fantasy art! In this first edition, we’ll explore how to bring the towering Cyclops of myth and legend to life on paper, using the step-by-step method from Samwise Didier’s How to Draw Mythical Monsters and Magical Creatures.
Whether you’re an experienced artist or just picking up a pencil for the first time, this workshop will guide you through every step of creating your own mythical masterpiece. No pressure, just fun, creativity, and a chance to rediscover the joy of crafting something magical.
Rediscover creativity, one adventurous craft at a time. Let’s draw!"
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“How to Draw Mythical Monsters and Magical Creatures”
I picked up this book a few years ago during one of those seasons where work was no joy, I felt my life was blah, and the belly of my slumbering creativity began to grumble.
I’ve always appreciated (and adored) fantasy art and remember as a teenager trying to emulate some of the coolest drawings from Savage Sword of Conan, Dragon Magazine, and other inspirational fantasy & superhero comic pieces.
The thing is, as much as my heart was into it, I never was any good!
“I’m not an artist.”
“I don’t have that kind of talent.”
I would look at the doodles & sketches of talented kids in school and tell myself I would never be like them. They are naturals, and I just don’t have it.
“How-to” art books checked out from the library with their Michelangelic Vitruvian Man and fruity-vase sketch studies did nothing to mold me into either an old or a new master.
So, the pencils got put away after a senior year high school elective introductory art class (where again, I felt very small next to the other talents in the room) - seemingly never to be picked up again.
Creating art just wasn’t for me.
Have you ever felt the same way?
The thing we often forget is how darn fun it was to draw, and color, and cut & paste, and all those other artistic things we did as little kids (before the thieving scourge of Comparison entered our psyches).
What if I were to tell you (no falsely attributed Morpheus meme implied) that you sold yourself short?
What if you could find joy in drawing again?
What if you squashed that hardened inner critic for just a little while to escape from the mundane world and reengage your innate inspiration once again?
What if instead of boring art books & courses, you could just focus on the type of art you love to look at, learning the practical skills naturally along the way?
I invite you on this journey with me.
“How to Draw Mythical Monsters and Magical Creatures” is a really cool high-quality how-to art book that makes drawing epic creatures fun and simple. No frills. No judgement. No art degree required.
Samwise Didier did an amazing job. I really love his style of art (and appreciate his ABC tagline as well: “Always Be Creating!”)
(The spiral-bound book even includes a 64-page drawing pad attached to the back!)
As an adult learner, I love this direct approach of picking a creature and being able to create it with just a few pages of instructions with tips embedded at the right time.
Instructions that don’t skip directly from a stick figure to a fully shaded & colored masterpiece in just 1 step!
I hope you’re inspired to grab a pencil (any one will do) and some scrap paper to draw this Cyclops!
Samwise also adds a “Taking It To The Next Level” mod for each of the creatures in his book. Check out his alternative spiked plate Cyclops you can try your hand at!
And that’s all there is to it.
Here’s the one I did a couple holidays ago.
I’m still not an artist, BUT . . .
. . . every time I look at it, I can’t help but say, “Wow. For not knowing what the heck I’m doing, that looks pretty darn cool!”
There’s no way I would have been able to draw it without these 3 things:
Samwise’s clear & encouraging diagrams, instructions and tips
Shutting down my inner critic and just following the process (even when I wanted to crumple up the paper and throw it in the trash)
An ample supply of erasers!
So, how did you do?
Are you willing to give the ol’ one-eye a go? (Boy, that sounds bad.)
I showed you mine, now you have to show me yours. (No, that sounds even worse.)
Let’s just leave it at this: If you’d like to share your creation with me, I’d love to see it. I don’t think we can post pictures in the comments, so I’ll create a Note here on Substack where folks can attach their masterpieces (or feel free to email me)!
For anyone interested in picking up their own copy of “How to Draw Mythical Monsters and Magical Creatures”, check out this Amazon link.
(As an AmazonAssociate I earn from qualifying purchases)
For other step-by-step fantasy art books, make sure to check out the “Unleash the Fantasy Artist within You” list at the Rediscovered Realms Amazon storefront.
Your next piece of fantasy fun is calling.
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The Cyclops’ Lair [Verse] In the shadow of the mountain so tall We marched with swords and courage within A beast with one eye that sees through us all Our hearts—they trembled, no choice but to win [Verse 2] Through the forest and under the moon The whispers of legends in the night Armored with hope to thwart our doom Steeled and ready for the fight [Chorus] Face to face with the cyclops so grim One eye blazing like fire from a forge His roar it shook the caverns dim We raised our weapons and charged the gorge [Verse 3] Warriors swung with all their might Sword clashing on the creature’s hide With every thrust and every bite Our stalwart will would not be denied [Bridge] One fell Then two But still we rose Heroes don’t fall prey to fear or wails With unity our bond shines through Together We fight and prevail [Chorus] Face to face with the cyclops so grim One eye blazing like fire from a forge His roar it shook the caverns dim We raised our weapons and charged the gorge
Great job on your cyclops. I'll have to give it a try. You're right about having to quiet our internal critic on this kind of thing. I still struggle with it when I paint miniatures. Pushing through it though you'll have those moments of enjoying the process and eventually the end result.
Great job on your cyclops. I'll have to give it a try. You're right about having to quiet our internal critic on this kind of thing. I still struggle with it when I paint miniatures. Pushing through it though you'll have those moments of enjoying the process and eventually the end result.
👍