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

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.