Reference Books for Understanding the Work & Character

[yumachan]

Do you ever read books to gain a deeper understanding of a work's world or your favorite characters?

I'd like to share a few of my recommendations, so please let me know your favorites, too!
Book titles follow the original notation.


[イラストレーターのための レトロファッション大図鑑]
amazon→dp/4046070900

[日本の化粧の変遷100年]
amazon→dp/4768318525

I read this to better enjoy works set in the Meiji through Showa eras.(Meiji to Showa = 1860s–1989)
Learning about the clothing and makeup of the time deepened my understanding of the worlds depicted in those works.
It was also fun to actually try out the vintage makeup styles myself; it made me feel a bit like I was cosplaying.


[イラストレーターのための 現代ファッション大図鑑]
amazon→dp/4046063106

It's fun to imagine the kind of clothes a character might wear.
I'm not very fashion-savvy, so this comes in handy when I want to picture a character looking stylish.


[推し色に染まる 推し活メイク]
amazon→dp/B0CK4QHHJQ

For some reason, I've always gravitated toward characters who look good in purple (lol).
In Japan, brown, orange, and beige tones have dominated makeup trends since the 2010s, so colorful eye makeup isn't very common.
I use this book as inspiration for makeup looks based on my favorite characters. It's a fun way to express my love for them in real life.

 

[Daisy Magnus229]

My favorite probably magazines lol

Japanese magazines like Men's Preppy, Popteen, or Seventeen for modern fashion. Since I love historical fashion too, I've been using magazines like Godey's Lady's Book, La Mode Illustrée, or The Lady's Magazine. The Sears, Roebuck & Co. catalogue and Art Needlework by Frederick Herrschner are great for references too!

I have way too many books, but I've actually used all of these recently! lol

1. イラストでたどる西洋ファッション年表
2. 麗しいドレス図鑑
3. アジアンファンタジーな女の子のキャラクターデザインブック
4. ]現代創作和服 花月作品集
5. メイクで女の子キャラを描き分けるテクニック
6. ケモミミキャラクターデザインブック
7. 獣人の描き方
8. 悪役男性の描き方
9. 女子中・高生の制服攻略本
10. かがやく瞳の描き方
11. キャラクターデザインのための髪作画
12. 色気のある男の描き方
13. 甘い彼の描き方230

Other than these, I use books for poses (like TACO's) or to improve my drawing (like Naoki Saito-sensei's or Kawaii-sensei's books).

Finally, before I ramble on too much lol, these three are currently on my wishlist. There are so many beautiful books that pique my interest.

1. 軍服・礼装の描き方
2. ドレスのポーズカタログ
3. ロマンチックなドレスの描き方