A part drawing guide, part lesson about Japanese folklore, it's an enjoyable read with practical exercises for drawing. From cute tanuki (Japanese raccoon-dog) to imposing oni (a demon-ogre), we're introduced to a slew of various supernatural mythological creatures, some more dangerous and scary, some more mischievous and mundane, including a glossary at the end. The drawing process is explained stage by stage and framed by general drawing advice and discussion of equipment for physical and digital drawing. The designs and interpretations of the mythological creatures are clear, creative and evocative.

I would recommend this book for beginner fans of Japanese folklore and drawing, who want to learn about basics of both.

Thank you Netgalley and Wellfleet Press for the ARC.

This is the perfect book to pick up for the beginning artist in your life. The instructions were easy to follow and well designed. I also loved the character tidbits and history behind what was being drawn.

I thought this was a Bestiary, but it was more like an instruction guide to learn how to draw the different yokais. However, the art looks kinda AI-ish, it made me suspicious. I think it's not a good guide for drawing, I would recommend something made by Shigeru Mizuki who is the king of yokai.

Thank you to Netgalley for providing a free copy in exchange for an honest review.

*Yokai Bestiary* is a captivating and educational guide that merges the art of drawing with the rich tapestry of Japanese folklore. This book offers a unique blend of practical drawing instruction and fascinating mythological insights, making it an invaluable resource for artists and enthusiasts of Japanese culture alike.

At its core, *Yokai Bestiary* provides a comprehensive tutorial on drawing 35 different types of yokai—supernatural creatures from Japanese folklore. The book’s step-by-step approach caters to artists of all skill levels, from beginners to seasoned illustrators. It covers essential drawing techniques, such as blocking in major shapes, adding shading for depth, and incorporating culturally significant details, ensuring that readers can capture the essence of these mythical beings with accuracy and flair.

The yokai featured in the book range from the whimsically cute to the hauntingly eerie, reflecting the diverse nature of Japanese folklore. Readers will find detailed guides on how to draw iconic creatures like the Kitsune (fox demons with multiple tails), the Kappa (reptile-like spirits with turtle shells), and the Tengu (bird-like monsters), among others. Each yokai is accompanied by background information that delves into its origins, characteristics, and role in Japanese mythology, adding a layer of cultural context to the artistic process.

One of the standout aspects of *Yokai Bestiary* is its ability to engage both the artistic and intellectual sides of readers. The book does not merely instruct on how to draw; it also educates on the lore behind each creature, offering intriguing anecdotes and historical insights. This dual focus enriches the drawing experience and deepens the reader’s appreciation of the folklore.

The illustrations and examples provided are clear and inspiring, guiding readers through each step with precision. The book’s layout is user-friendly, with plenty of visual aids to help artists understand and replicate the intricacies of each yokai. The combination of practical drawing advice and mythological storytelling makes this book a delightful journey into the world of Japanese fantasy.

Overall, *Yokai Bestiary* is a must-have for anyone interested in Japanese folklore, drawing, or both. It offers a unique opportunity to learn about and draw some of the most enchanting and enigmatic creatures from Japanese mythology. Whether you're a hobbyist looking to expand your artistic skills or a folklore enthusiast eager to explore the world of yokai, this book provides an engaging and enriching experience.

This is a great introduction to a diverse array of Japanese yokai as well as a wonderful how-to-draw book. There are plenty of tips for beginners and detailed step-by-step guides. The illustrations of the yokai are colorful and have fantastic personality. All in all, this would make a perfect gift for any artistically-minded person, whether child or adult, in your life.

A mix between an encyclopedia and art book about Japanese yokai. It felt well-researched, with references to the yokai’s historical context and pop culture references, and was created by an artist who works on game illustrations.

There were a variety of yokai, from well-known ones to a bit mote obscure, and it’s ordered from least to most difficultly in drawing. Each entry had a brief description on the yokai with step-by-step guide on how to draw them in the author’s art style, which is a bit more animated/graphic novel-esque rather than traditional. The book felt targeted to younger readers, maybe middle grade, but also helpful to adults, and had helpful tips for beginner artists.

informative and didactive, even someone as untalented as me could follow the directions, an learning about youkai on top of that, what a good way to get interested in history. The tanuki is adorable

Love this book! Instructions are easy to follow especially as someone who is not really gifted with drawing. My kids really enjoyed it as well. Liked the descriptions and info on the yokai as well

This step-by-step yokai drawing book is really fun for fans of creativity and Japanese Folklore.

The explainations are great, simple and the sketches help a lot. The further we go into the book, the most difficult it becomes. We even have some informations about the different entities. The bestiary categorized most monsters in several parts according to their species.

I can't wait to draw these creatures!

This is such a good book. I thought at first it’s just a Yokai encyclopedia. But when I opened it the author is teaching me how to draw them! So fun! And the author makes drawing the yokai so easy. The additional knowledge about the yokai backgrounds are definitely fun to know for someone who likes anime too.

i absolutely love this! i spent well over an hour going through the drawings myself and they are so easy and simple to draw and read about all the Japanese supernatural phenomena!

I have not started to draw the Yokai beast yet but I read the book over and decided on which beasts I will try to draw. All of them!

This is a vibrant book that teaches you to draw Yokai beasts and the instructions are great.

"Yokai Bestiary" is a step-by-step drawing guide that teaches you how to draw 35 supernatural creatures from Japanese folklore, known as yokai. Perfect for artists of all skill levels, this book provides detailed instructions on shaping, shading, and adding culturally significant details to your drawings. Alongside drawing tips, you'll discover the fascinating myths behind creatures like the multi-tailed Kitsune, reptilian Kappa, bird-like Tengu, tree spirits Kodama, and two-tailed Nekomata. "Yokai Bestiary" offers a unique blend of art instruction and Japanese mythology, making it an enchanting journey into a world of mystical beings.