www.ilex-press.com

eBooks now available for the iPhone, iPod Touch or iPad

Fri, 02 Jul 2010 18:29:54 +0100

We dip our toes into eBooks once again this month with some of our latest titles available as digital editions which you can instantly download and read anywhere. All with the same beautiful design and illustration of the print editions but with none of the bulk.

Got an iPhone, iPod Touch or an iPad? You can now read PDF files on your device using the latest version of the free iBooks app from Apple that's available in the iTunes store. You can drag multiple PDF files from your desktop and drop them to your iTunes application and they'll get uploaded to your iDevice in one go.

Available to buy as individual chapters at a very competitive £2.99 each. All our eBooks are supplied as high-resolution PDFs.

The Photographer's Eye by Michael Freeman. Design is the single most important factor in creating successful photographs. The ability to see the potential for a strong picture and then organise the graphic elements into an effective, compelling composition has always been one of the key skills in taking photographs. Of course, digital photography has brought a new, exciting aspect to design – first because the instant feedback from a digital camera allows immediate appraisal and improvement, and second because image-editing tools make it possible to alter and enhance the design after the shutter has been pressed. This book shows how anyone can develop an eye for ‘seeing’ great digital photos. The Photographer's Eye explores all the traditional approaches to composition and design, but crucially it also addresses digital techniques that extend the possibilities of the medium without compromising the photographer’s vision.

Pro Digital Fashion Photography by Bruce Smith. If you have a passion for fashion, Pro Digital Fashion Photography will help put you at the forefront of this competitive field. It explains all you need to know, from setting up the perfect studio and working with models, to post-production skills and how to break into, and compete within, the fashion photography business. With projects for photographers to practise and insider advice from respected professionals, this book will help you develop the skills and style needed to create a winning portfolio and ultimately succeed in this dynamic industry.

The Book of Digital Photography by Chris George. A fully updated edition of Ilex’s comprehensive, authoritative and inspirational guide to every aspect of modern picture taking. Combining the technical with the aesthetic, The Book of Digital Photography covers all of the latest equipment and digital imaging tools, and takes a fresh look at the creative processes and skills required to make successful pictures. With its in-depth coverage of how digital cameras work, ideas for using depth of field, lighting, shutter speed and other controls creatively, and a practical overview of the digital darkroom, photographers of all skill levels will find The Book of Digital Photography invaluable.

Build Your Own Paper Cameras by Justin Quinnell. Did you know that you can create your own camera, and create striking images, for next to nothing? Pinhole cameras, which have been in use since the 19th Century, do not have a lens. Instead, light is directed through a tiny hole onto conventional film - which can be processed in the normal way. The resulting photos have amazing qualities, and here, leading photographer Justin Quinnell enables you to do just that with templates and step-by-step instructions demonstrating how you can draw on these unique effects to make outstanding cameras and photographs.

Issuu Delivers Exceptional Reading Experiences for ILEX

Fri, 02 Jul 2010 17:38:30 +0100

ILEX is now fully integrated with Issuu to give all our customers the best possible reading experience when viewing sample spreads online. Issuu is the leading digital publishing platform delivering exceptional reading experiences of magazines, books, catalogs, reports, and more.

ILEX publishes inspirational illustrated reference books on subjects ranging from art, design, and digital photography through to popular culture titles on fantasy, comic art and manga - all available to buy in the ILEX bookstore at very competitive prices.

Over the coming month we will roll this out to all the titles in the bookstore to help customers select the right book for themselves, friends or family.

View our titles over at Issuu ›

Issuu has now gone mobile. View your favourite book titles from Ilex everywhere you go and enjoy the best mobile reading experience around.

Helen McCarthy on Osamu Tezuka, Astro Boy Movie (2009)

Tue, 13 Oct 2009 13:09:36 +0100

Central Saint Martins' Animation and Moving Images department have invited Helen McCarthy to speak about Osamu Tezuka in their Innovation Centre at 2 pm on Wednesday 2 December. There will be a 40 minute illustrated talk on the life and art of Tezuka, one of the most influential artists in shaping 20th century animation, followed by an audience Q & A. News of Helen's latest book release, The Art of Osamu Tezuka: God of Manga has already reached the blogosphere.

Read a great content overview ›

Later this month, one of Tezuka's most famous characters hits the big screen in the form of a new blockbuster movie adaptation of Astro Boy. Directed by David Bowers and starring Nicolas Cage, Bill Nighy and Matt Lucus as the voices, this is a must-see for all Tezuka fans and anime aficionados! Astro Boy reaches cinemas on October 23 2009.

Aristotle’s Hole: Justin Quinell’s Launches Build Your Own Paper Cameras

Tue, 13 Oct 2009 13:08:52 +0100

Justin Quinell, author of Ilex's new release Build Your Own Paper Cameras, will be taking listeners on an entertaining visual journey through the science, art and the 500-million-year (!) history of the pinhole camera through a couple of lectures celebrating his book launch. Titled Aristotle's Hole, the first delve into pinhole history will be held in Edinburgh by Beyond Worlds at the Stills Gallery (23 Cockburn Street), from 6.30-8 pm on Monday 12 October. Justin will be signing copies of Build Your Own Paper Cameras, and advance booking is available. If you miss the chance to catch him in Edinburgh, The British Library is holding a second lecture at the Conference Centre Auditorium on Saturday 7th November, as part of the ‘World of Early Photography' Discovery Day.

Follow updates on Justin's website ›

Our price: £8.44 / RRP: £12.99 (You Save 35%) - Buy Now ›

Ilex Press attending the London MCM EXPO, The Art of Osamu Tezuka: God of Manga

Tue, 13 Oct 2009 12:15:17 +0100

Celebrating the launch of The Art of Osamu Tezuka: God of Manga, Ilex Press is heading to the London MCM Expo, on Saturday 23-Sunday 24 October. Held at the ExCel in the London Docklands, Ilex will have a stand where its talented authors and artists will be signing and sketching throughout the weekend.

Osamu Tezuka, nicknamed the God of Manga and often referred to as the Walt Disney of Japan, is credited with changing the face of Japanese culture and is one of the key figures in 20th century pop culture. In light of Helen McCarthy's new book on his life and artwork, exclusive Astro Boy t-shirts will be on sale; Astro Boy being one among the hundreds of characters that Tezuka created.

Helen McCarthy will be will be signing copies of The Art of Osamu Tezuka: God of Manga, 500 Essential Anime Movies and Manga Cross-Stitch. Other Ilex authors attending include:

Yishan Li (author of The Complete Shoujo Art Kit, Manga Females Clip Art and 500 Manga Creatures)
Gary Spencer Millidge (author of Comic Book Design)
Ally Fell and Duddlebug (authors of Fantasy Art Now - Volume 2 and Erotic Fantasy Art)
Tim Pilcher (author of Erotic Comics: A Graphic History Volumes 1 & Erotic Comics: A Graphic History - Volume 2)

Plus there'll be a prize draw and lots of other events happening.

For further information on the show ›

New Releases in the ILEX bookstore for October 2009

Tue, 13 Oct 2009 12:02:14 +0100

ILEX are pleased to announce the availability of the following books this month:

Build Your Own Paper Robots by Julius Perdana & Josh Buczynski. Contains 14 amazing robot models to colour, print and build, with step-by-step instructions on how to assemble them. The CD contains ready-to-print templates, plus a range of patterns and colours that allow over 250 variants of the scaleable models to be made. The robots have articulated joints and are poseable - enabling you to make exciting scenes of interplanetary exploration, technological adventure and future war. All models come in different styles, so you can build a 14-strong paper mecha army. A playful clash of art forms as traditional papercraft meets mecha robots.

Our price: £6.49 / RRP: £9.99 (You Save 35%) - Buy Now ›

The Art of Printing Photos on your Epson Printer by Michael Freeman & John Beardsworth. Technological advances in inkjet printing from Epson have created a true revolution in printmaking. Digital printing is not only the first comprehensive new printmaking method since silkscreen, it is an inexpensive, easy-to-use process that is open to every photographer, both amateur and professional. Today's inkjet printers produce prints with a long archival life, making fine-art production a real possibility for all. The Art of Printing Photos on your Epson Printer covers everything you need to know about the equipment and materials, from the hardware itself to preparing digital images for printing and guaranteeing quality control. This inspirational guide to creating digital prints also shows you how to experiment with alternative print media, as well as the presentation and commercial aspects of fine-art printmaking and sales.

Our price: £12.99 / RRP: £19.99 (You Save 35%) - Buy Now ›

The Complete Guide to Digital Black & White Photography by Michael Freeman looks at the art of black and white photography in its entirety; from its greatest exponents to its applications in the digital age. Alongside the work of author Michael Freeman, you'll find the work of iconic black and white photographers such as Ansel Adams, Ian Berry, Bill Brandt, Edward Curtis, Brett Weston and Edward Weston, amongst others. From its historic roots, black and white photography in the digital age is thoroughly explored. Whether it's obtaining the sharpest, freshest print, or recreating the filmic feel of the masters, every shooting and digital processing technique you'll ever need is included in this comprehensive volume.

Our price: £12.99 / RRP: £19.99 (You Save 35%) - Buy Now ›

Creative Digital Photography: 52 Weekend Projects by Chris Gatcum. Do you wish you could take better, more exciting photos? Now you can, with Creative Digital Photography: 52 Weekend Projects. Through this collection of handy weekend projects you will get expert insights and clear step-by-step instructions across the field of photography so you too can learn diverse techniques for taking and processing photos, and discover how to make useful equipment for minimal cost. Whether you're making a simple diffuser for your flash, setting up a time-lapse shoot or simply taking a chance and tossing your camera in the air, you will develop your skills, making your own stunning images and standing out from the crowd. Designed for photographers of all levels with the projects graded in complexity.

Our price: £9.74 / RRP: £14.99 (You Save 35%) - Buy Now ›

Practical HDR by David Nightingale. Shooting and processing HDR is not without its pitfalls, and it's essential to understand these if you want to take full advantage of it. Practical HDR will give you a clear understanding of the technicalities before moving on to practical advice on shooting and processing, and a global showcase of inspirational HDR images. An abundance of step-by-step examples will quickly make you an expert on the theory and practice of shooting and processing HDR images, allowing you to get the best possible results every time. The reader will quickly find that HDR offers unparalleled opportunities for indulging their own creative instincts, from photo-realistic to hyper-real results. With Practical HDR, you'll soon be an expert!

Our price: £9.29 / RRP: £14.29 (You Save 35%) - Buy Now ›

Fantasy Art Now - Volume 2 by Ally Fell & Duddlebug. The sequel to the best-selling Fantasy Art Now, this volume catches up with some of the most talented and inspiring artists from around the world. Showcasing the latest, cutting-edge fantasy artwork and design, this book also provides insights from the artists into how their work is created. A stunning showcase of images from leading fantasy artists, this essential collection is a must have whether you are a fantasy artist, or simply a fan of the genre.

Our price: £13.00 / RRP: £20.00 (You Save 35%) - Buy Now ›

Reviews of Manga Cross-Stitch and The Complete Shoujo Art Kit

Tue, 13 Oct 2009 11:55:38 +0100

Ilex's latest manga titles, Manga Cross-Stitch and The Complete Shoujo Art Kit, teach readers how to introduce the graphic styles of manga into their own artwork.

Manga Cross-Stitch by Helen McCarthy, combines the skills of traditional needlecraft with contemporary Japanese manga for a refreshing new take on the art of cross-stitching. It has caught the attention of Mr X Stitch, the leading blog on contemporary embroidery.

Check out his review ›

Our price: £9.74 / RRP: £14.99 (Save 35%) - Buy Now ›

Meanwhile, taking a more traditional approach to manga art, The Complete Shoujo Art Kit by Yishan Li gives readers all the elements they need to create their own shoujo comic book - shoujo meaning girls' manga. Providing step-by-step instructions on everything from pacing your storytelling to professional digital colouring techniques, the accompanying CD comes with artwork that can be customized, providing endless opportunities for shoujo storylines, including gutsy heroines and cute boys, backgrounds, speech bubbles, tones and accessories.

Check out the review at Fist Full of Comics & Games' ›

Our price: £9.74 / RRP: £14.99 (Save 35%) - Buy Now ›

British Wildlife Photography Awards

Tue, 13 Oct 2009 11:46:41 +0100

Hooper Gallery in London is holding an exhibition featuring the winners of a brand new international photography competition, the British Wildlife Photography Awards, running until 16 October. The competition, started in January this year, celebrates the great wealth and diversity of Britain's wildlife and natural history. Keep your ears pricked for next year's competition launching in spring, and remember to keep your camera on you when out and about! Michael Freeman's The Photographer's Field Guide is the ideal book for nature photographers on the move.

For exhibition information ›

Erotic Comics: A Graphic History

Fri, 02 Oct 2009 11:31:46 +0100

Erotic Comics: A Graphic History author, and Ilex's commissioning editor, Tim Pilcher is attending the British International Comic Show on Saturday 3 - Sunday 4 October in Birmingham. He will be hosting a panel discussion, Comics Insider, on the state of the British Comic Industry at 2:45 pm on Sunday and taking part in Have I Got Comic Book News For You at 4:45 pm. He will also be around all weekend to discuss Ilex's new comic-related titles such as Comic Book Design by Gary Spencer Millidge, and War Comics: A Graphic History by Mike Conroy (both authors will also be attending). Tim will also be showing previews of The Art of Osamu Tezuka: God of Manga by Helen McCarthy.

Sony Soccergraphy Competition Teams Up With Michael Freeman

Thu, 11 Jun 2009 18:16:54 +0100

This month, world-renowned photographer and ILEX author, Michael Freeman is on a different kind of shoot for Sony – one centred on football.

Sony’s new competition, Soccergraphy, invites photographers from around the world to share their visions of the universal sport. The best photos from the Amateur and Professional photographer categories of the competition will be published in a book alongside works of famous photographers, such as Michael Freeman and National Geographic’s Steve McCurry, the proceeds of which will be donated to charity. Two overall winners will also be awarded a trip to the 2010 FIFA World Cup finals in South Africa and exclusive camera packages from Sony.

Meanwhile, Michael’s latest book, Perfect Exposure, has also been garnering rave reviews; “I can't think of a better exposure guide to have on my shelf” - ***** - says Amateur Photographer.

More information on the competition ›

Perfect Exposure – Only £11.69 (Save 35%) - Buy Now ›

The Travelling Man’s Manga Workshop

Mon, 08 Jun 2009 16:30:49 +0100

Yishan Li, professional manga artist and author of ILEX titles 500 Manga Creatures, Manga Females Clip Art, and new release The Complete Shoujo Art Kit, will be heading to Leeds to hold a manga workshop on June 28. Held at the Travelling Man Coffee Bar (12pm–4pm – 32 Central Road, Leeds LS1 6DE, tel: 0113 2427227), the workshop is part of the Breeze International Youth Festival and there will also be screenings of Samurai 7 and FLCL. The artwork from the workshop will be exhibited at the Hyde Park Picture House the following day, and a winner will be awarded with a special prize. Pack your books, as Yishan will also be doing signings.

Salacious Scribbles Interview: Pilcher on Erotic Comics

Mon, 08 Jun 2009 16:12:13 +0100

Tim Pilcher, author of Erotic Comics: A Graphic History, Volumes 1 & 2, talks about the relationships between erotica, porn and the comics genre; how Volume 2 was stopped by Australian customs; and a whole lot more with Louise Bak, poet and radio show co-host, for men's magazine Toro. In Pilcher's own words: "Good erotic comics have to abide by the same basic rules that any comic book genre has to. That is, good story pacing, believable/empathetic characters, an involving storyline and quality design and page layout." Erotic Comics is a guide though the talent and artwork of this much maligned art form.

Read interview ›

Erotic Comics: A Graphic History - Vol 2 – Only £13.00 (Save 35%) – Buy Now ›

Manga in Stitches: Learn to Cross-Stitch Manga

Mon, 08 Jun 2009 15:54:41 +0100

To quote blogger Giles Poitras, "Oh god it was only a matter of time. And who else but the wonderful Helen McCarthy could do a book called Manga Cross-Stitch." Who else indeed! Helen McCarthy, author of ILEX's 500 Essential Anime Movies and many titles on Japanese manga and anime, is the UK's leading expert in this area, and now she has turned her hand to teaching how to incorporate the skills of needlecraft with this popular Japanese graphic art form. Manga Cross-Stitch, available from ILEX, will be out soon, but in the meantime the Japan Foundation is presenting a lecture and workshop held by Helen McCarthy, on Wednesday 1 July, in London. Places are limited so get your tickets quick, as there will a chance to stitch your own manga design on the day.

Find out more about the event and book tickets ›

Follow on Facebook ›

Manga Cross-Stitch – £9.74 (Save 35%) – Find out more ›

Voting begins for Eagle Award nominees

Mon, 08 Jun 2009 15:48:03 +0100

With the nominations collected, the ballets are about to open for the 2008 Eagle Awards, the comics industry's longest-running awards. Co-founded in 1976 by Mike Conroy, author of new release War Comics: A Graphic History from ILEX, the awards offer UK comics fans a unique opportunity to nominate their own choices and vote for their pick of bunch in each category. The award categories cover comics and creators, as well as comics-related titles.

Vote for nominees in the Eagles Awards ›

War Comics: A Graphic History – £11.69 (Save 35%) – Buy Now ›

New Releases in the ILEX bookstore for June 2009

Wed, 03 Jun 2009 12:26:36 +0100

ILEX are pleased to announce the availability of the following books this month:

Comic Book Design by Gary Spencer Millidge. When we think of comics it is all too easy to reduce them to pictures and word balloons. But a good comic also relies on effective page layout, framing, point of view, story pacing, spacing, lettering and many other techniques that - paradoxically - must remain invisible to the lay reader. Written by an award-winning comics writer, artist and editor, Comic Book Design lays bare the design processes and unique grammar behind this art form. Using hundreds of examples of artwork from some of the biggest and most-respected names in comics, Gary Spencer Millidge lifts the lid on the techniques and ideas that underpin the greatest comics, providing a fascinating insight for readers, writers and artists alike.

Only £11.69 (Save 35%) - Buy Now ›

Roger Dean: Magnetic Storm by Roger Dean. This stunning new edition of Magnetic Storm gives the original artwork a new lease of life. Magnetic Storm showcases the work produced by Roger Dean, and his brother Martyn, between 1975 and 1984, and features everything from innovative aircraft livery to book illustrations for War of the Worlds. Included are designs for video game consoles, stage sets, imaginary worlds, movie visuals, and architectural concepts. This new edition streamlines the original square format and retains the combination of concept sketches and finished work. Featuring a new foreword, revised typography and graphic openers and identifying icons, Magnetic Storm spotlights and celebrates the art that defined an era.

Only £12.99 (Save 35%) - Buy Now ›

Shoujo Art Kit by Yishan Li. Shoujo - literally, girls' - manga is the largest single genre in the medium, accounting for the significant majority of titles sold. It covers everything from sci-fi to high-school romances and period adventures. It's every bit as popular with the home mangaka, too, and this essential book and CD resource gives you everything you need to make your own shojo stories leap off the page. Not only are there beautiful heroines and cute boys, the CD also contains backgrounds, page layouts, speed lines, speech bubbles, sound effects and more. All of the images are suitable for use with any image-manipulation program and can be adapted in a myriad of ways.

Only £9.74 (Save 35%) - Buy Now ›

War Comics: A Graphic History by Mike Conroy. Examining how stories of conflict have been told in comics down the years, this book covers everything from EC Comics' depicitons of the US Civil War to Joe Sacco's reportage on modern assymetric conflicts. Comics depicting the First and Second World Wars are put in context, with their propaganda-driven plotlines and enemy-bashing superheroes. But away from these major conflicts, War Comics also covers rebellious, anti-war underground comix, investigative journalism, outright slambang action adventure and more thoughtful mainstream developments such as the WWI tale Charley's War. War Comics: A Graphic History exposes this fascinating field in all its many forms.

Only £11.69 (Save 35%) - Buy Now ›

Roger Dean appears on TV’s Richard & Judy

Thu, 02 Apr 2009 01:23:21 +0100

This month, renowned artist Roger Dean appeared on The Richard and Judy show with copies of his latest book Views and the soon to be released Magnetic Storm, where Dean's iconic artwork is showcased. Views is a stunning new edition of the original classic that shot straight to the top of the Sunday Times bestselling list and sold over one million copies. Also available from ILEX, is Dean's Dragon's Dream and Album Cover Album.

Roger Dean: Views - Only £12.99 (Save 35%) - Buy Now ›

Michael Freeman on The Photographer’s Eye

Thu, 02 Apr 2009 01:20:51 +0100

What's the secret behind a successful photograph? Bestselling Photographer's Eye author Michael Freeman talks about his work and composing a photograph on the Typical Shutterbug Podcast.

Listen to the interview yourself ›

The Photographer's Eye - Only £11.69 (Save 35%) - Buy Now ›

2009 Sony World Photography Awards

Mon, 30 Mar 2009 12:44:26 +0100

The winners of this year's Sony World Photography Awards have now been announced from 186 shortlisted finalists. Thirty-six professional finalists and eight amateur winners will be honoured at the Palais des Festivals in Cannes on 16 April. The winning images are showcased on the website, and the Festival takes place in until 19 April.

www.ilex-press.com

eBooks now available for the iPhone, iPod Touch or iPad

Issuu Delivers Exceptional Reading Experiences for ILEX

Helen McCarthy on Osamu Tezuka, Astro Boy Movie (2009)

Aristotle’s Hole: Justin Quinell’s Launches Build Your Own Paper Cameras

Ilex Press attending the London MCM EXPO, The Art of Osamu Tezuka: God of Manga

New Releases in the ILEX bookstore for October 2009

Reviews of Manga Cross-Stitch and The Complete Shoujo Art Kit

British Wildlife Photography Awards

Erotic Comics: A Graphic History

Sony Soccergraphy Competition Teams Up With Michael Freeman

The Travelling Man’s Manga Workshop

Salacious Scribbles Interview: Pilcher on Erotic Comics

Manga in Stitches: Learn to Cross-Stitch Manga

Voting begins for Eagle Award nominees

New Releases in the ILEX bookstore for June 2009

Roger Dean appears on TV’s Richard & Judy

Michael Freeman on The Photographer’s Eye

2009 Sony World Photography Awards

Cut & Paste Europe Tour 2009

New Releases in the ILEX bookstore for March 2009

New Releases in the ILEX bookstore for January 2009

New York Comic Con (6–8 February 2009)

36th International Comics festival (29 January–1 February 2009)

50 Years Young: The Canon SLR

Remembering Zap: Original artwork on Exhibit (17–31 January 2009)

Annual Photography Trade Show and Convention (14–19 January 2009)

Book of the Month for January - Erotic Comics: A Graphic History - Volume 2 (Only £13.00)

ILEX is using Twitter…

These Predicaments – Art Exhibition, California (13 to 31 Dec 2008)

Keep Your Shirt On: Erotic Comics in the Spotlight

Jewish Comic Book Art on Exhibit (19 December; 21 November to 30 January 2009)

The Comic Stereotype

DC Universe Christmas Holiday Special 2008 featuring Ilex Mangaka

Roger Dean book signing (Friday December 12th 2008)

Book of the Month for December - Mastering Digital Photography (Only £19.49)

Avert Your Eyes! Halloween Exhibition in Chicago (25th October 2008 to January 31st 2009)

Naked Truth: Tim Pilcher Reveals All About the History of Erotic Comics (23 November 2008)

Best of the British – Great Comics of the Past, Present and Future (23 November 2008)

Thought Bubble (15 November 2008)

Roger Dean's Illusive Visions on Display (27 September to mid-November 2008)

Ilex Author Makes a Splash (October to November 2008)

November is Photomonth 08, the largest photography festival in the UK

Shortlist announced for Deutsche Börse Photography Prize 2009

Wildlife Photographer of the Year (31 October to 26 April 2009)

Japanese man petitions to marry comic book wife

Roger Dean discusses his art on US television

ILEX Newsletter (October 2008)

The World's Greatest Graphic Novel - You Decide (4-5 October)

Helen McCarthy hosting Tezuka's Anime at the Barbican (18-24 September)