The Art of Puss in Boots [Tapa dura]

This art book is wonderfully whimsical, just like the crazy fairytale world created by DreamWorks. It also made me realize one thing. The only thing cuter than Puss in Boots is kitten Puss in Boots.

The first image that blew me away is on page 2. It's the one with Puss and Humpty Alexander Dumpty (awesome name) lying on the grass on a lazy afternoon, looking at a giant goose made of cloud floating so casually in the sky. It's a beautiful yet simple image that says so much about the friendship between a cat and an egg.

The concept art in this book are not just stunning, they tell stories.

DreamWorks have given classic fairytale more twists than imaginable. All these are told in beautifully composed scene paintings, filled with so much details inviting you to investigate further. You can marvel at the Mexican and Spanish inspired neighbourhood Puss and Humpty grew up it, check out the bars and the amusing wanted posters, find out the secrets of fairytale characters and more.

There are lots of character designs, location drawings, and interesting commentary from the artists. Sketches, colourscripts, storyboards, but the best are the scene paintings. The other piece which I like is one of Humpty in prison with his shell defaced with childish graffiti. That's a heart wrenching scene and the artist totally nailed it.

This is a fun and entertaining book with well executed ideas. Highly recommended.

(There are more pictures of the book on my blog. Just visit my Amazon profile for the link.)

This confirms my old opinion: Dreamworks "making of" books have achieved the goal of providing great source material better than the disney/pixar counterparts. Try Pixar books to view a lot of concept sketches at the first first stage, often too different from the final production footage. Try dreamworks books if you are looking to a more balanced (and great looking) collection of pre (near to) production art.

Another great "The Art of...".
Wonderful insight view of how the movie was made. the study of characters, storyboards, visual effects, locations and much more.
Amazing drawings very well reproduced on quality paper in a sturdy hard-bound with dust-jacket