ART AND GRAPHICS BOOKS FOR BEGINNERS

Art is one of the most important aspects of video game making, and it is one of the most sought after. If you are attracted to video game making and the artwork that is involved here are some book recommendations

3D Game Textures, Second Edition: Create Professional Game Art Using Photoshop Industry leader, Luke Ahearn, shows you how to create professional next-gen game textures with ease. Fully updated and rev'd for latest Photoshop release, and wealth of game advancements.

The ultimate resource to help you create triple-A quality art for a variety of game worlds; 3D Game Environments offers detailed tutorials on creating 3D models, applying 2D art to 3D models, and clear concise advice on issues of efficiency and optimization for a 3D game engine. Using Photoshop and 3ds Max as his primary tools, Luke Ahearn explains how to create realistic textures from photo source and uses a variety of techniques to portray dynamic and believable game worlds.

From a modern city to a steamy jungle, learn about the planning and technological considerations for 3D modeling, UV layout, and creating textures that goes into developing a realistic and appealing game environment with:
* The entire game world development process: from planning to modeling and texturing.
* Exercises and projects to practice with: each section includes projects to practice creating different world genres.
* CD with source art to practice with and use in your own projects, program demos, and plug-ins.

Game Art Complete: All-in-One: Learn Maya, 3ds Max, ZBrush, and Photoshop Winning Techniques (All in One)

A compilation of key chapters from the top Focal game art books available today - in the areas of Max, Maya, Photoshop, and ZBrush. The chapters provide the CG Artist with an excellent sampling of essential techniques that every 3D artist needs to create stunning game art.

Game artists will be able to master the modeling, rendering, rigging, and texturing techniques they need - with advice from Focal's best and brightest authors. Artists can learn hundreds of tips, tricks and shortcuts in Max, Maya, Photoshop, ZBrush - all within the covers of one complete, inspiring reference.

The Art of Videogames (New Directions in Aesthetics)

Creating Game Art for 3D Engines (Game Development)

This book also comes with over 90 minutes of instructional video on a companion CD. Check out the book's website here to learn more

Learn how to create commercial-quality game art and make it come alive in a 3D engine! "Creating Game Art for 3D Engines" is the ideal guide for the serious student or aspiring animator who wants to learn how to create and successfully export game art, from simple shapes to full-blown characters. Using Autodesk® 3ds Max® to generate models and animations, and Torque as the 3D game engine, the book provides step-by-step instructions on how to model, unwrap, texture, rig, export, and script all of the essential art assets required for a game. Unlike other books that cover only art creation, Creating Game Art for 3D Engines teaches you how to create art specifically with the game engine in mind. All of the principles and techniques are universal and can be applied to any 3D software or game engine. Get ready to make your game ideas a reality! On the CD: -Sample characters and weapons -Sample pickups and script files -Screen captured movie tutorials -Trial version of the Torque Game Engine

Game Development Essentials: Video Game Art

The premiere title in the Game Development Essentials series explores the art of bringing a game designer's concepts to life. A strong foundation in game artistry is the essential first step, and leading game art designer Todd Gantzler takes readers behind the scenes to show them how to create the entire visual world - from characters to environments - that a game player encounters on the computer screen. Hands-on tutorial instruction suitable for beginning-to-intermediate-level game artists explains the process involved in creating art for real-time 3D digital games and, specifically, video games. The book highlights the technical aspects of preparing art quickly and effectively while conforming to the limitations and specifications of today's most widely used 3D game engines.

Creating the Art of the Game
The key word here is art: the dynamic 3D art that defines the world of computer games. This book teaches you everything you need to know about the planning, modeling, texturing, lighting, effects creation, and interface design that go into creating today's most advanced and stunning video games.

3D Game Art
I own this book and it is simply fantastic. Clear and well written. Perfect for beginners and still takes you all the way into getting game art that looks right.