Steven Universe: Art & Origins Hardcover – July 11, 2017

I am an intermittent watcher of the show Steven Universe but I have always liked the concept and have been tracking Rebecca Sugar’s art since symbionic titan and adventure time. However, just viewing this art book piqued my interest and really sitting down and reading it blew me away! This book is LOADED WITH GREAT ART! The concept art as well as the promo pieces for the pilot and the pitch shows the level of care, detail, effort and intensity that went into the creation of the show. The process works (and finished pieces as well) are simple yet ABSOLUTELY STUNNING! Amongst artists it is known that expressing much using minimal details is an amazing skill that few possess and many aspire to. In this book you see this skill in SPADES! The team that works on Steven Universe is AMAZING AND VERY UNDERRATED as what is shown in this book goes above and beyond most industry standards. As a lackluster and apathetic fan of watching the show, that just shows from an art standpoint what exactly this book entails. Do yourself a favor and pick this up as you will NOT be disappointed. For fans of animated shows of all varieties this is flat out how to do art for animation. It stands up there with the likes of the art of big hero 6, Tarzan art book (one of my top 5 favorites by the way), lesean Thomas’s Art books and has the life and movement in the art that you’d see from Yoh Yoshinari. That’s no small feat and it’s standing amongst the greats of the industry. This book will not be a waste of one penny spent. I highly recommend and give this one 5 stars!

I severely underestimated how detailed this book would be. I have art books for other subjects like video games, and most of them pale in comparison to this one. I expected some nice concept drawings and some short commentary, but there's so much more than that. Detailed descriptions of the work that goes into different parts of the show - not just the artwork - are sprinkled throughout the book (there's even a page that includes the sheet music for the piano on the song "It's Over, Isn't It", which is my favorite song in the show so far). When you're not looking at the art, the written parts of the book are very interesting to read. The great thing about the text is that there's just the right amount of it - not too much and not too little. The art is definitely the main attraction and the people who put this book together knew that. Aside from its contents, the book itself seems to be made of quality materials. The pages are thick enough to turn comfortably without worrying too much about tearing them, and the cover is sturdy.Overall, I think this is my favorite art book. I really feel like I've learned a lot about the creative process of Steven Universe while also enjoying some really cool art, and in my opinion, that's what the purpose of art books should be. It's easy to tell that this book was NOT just slapped together to appease some impatient fans or make some quick money. Everything looks like it was meticulously arranged. A lot of love went into this book, and it shows.

THIS BOOK IS AMAZING! As a HUGE Steven Universe fan this was amazing to read! Due to it being so popular I had to get it a month after I bought it even with prime. Not a big deal because believe me, it is worth the wait! The cover itself basically made me cry itself (I know, I'm such a art nerd and very lame lol). The art in it is so BEAUTIFUL! The sketches, reading the messy-notes scattered across the pages and concept art, storyboards, pictures, just everything was well put and though out. The sketches were vivid and printed very well, considering the price is quite low for a book this size in full color. Seriously, did not expect this book to be so large. Its thick and large, looks great as a coffee table book once finished. But be warned, do not buy this book expecting it just to be art. I would say the art is 50% of this book, most of the book is word-heavy with some pages focused on the art, but the art is also covered with notes. I would not recommend this book to anyone under 12 because it is so word heavy. The stories written in this book from the creators and crewniverse are insightful, funny, some sad, and often really interesting. They give inspirations, and sometimes slips in a few PG13 jokes. Really great book that honestly made me tear up just looking at it.

I was slightly wor ride before getting this book. While I'm always more than a little excited to get anything steven universe related, however here I was a tad worried that I would come across just a lot of concept art I had seen in the past. But the prospect of new art and inspiration and the chance to see the thought process behind the character designs made me preorder it. When it arrived I wasted no time in opening it frm the packaging. It arrived in perfect condition and the art was all so good and new! Art I had never seen before, as well as a few I had seen, not to mention all throughout are paragraphs about the crewniverse and what they had thought or what they did to help make characters! They talk about the process of their work! We see and learn so many new things! It makes flipping through the art, reading all that's said, and the overall purchase of the book feel like a great decision and worthwhile! Therefore I give the book a five out of ten for providing more than what I had expected in it!

For fans of SU, certainly, but the level of detail of the creative process is a satisfying peek behind the curtain, and confirms how a clear vision coupled with the ability to pull from life and trust your teammates can create something magical. The reverence for Rebecca’s vision is justified, but being a creative force so driven and fully formed who has made incorporating the nuances of the team paramount is such a refreshing find. Reading this book, you come away inspired to do, to create, and especially to collaborate.

Wonderful book. In great condition. Lots of information.