Review - The Jes Goodwin Sketchbook

I got a special delivery today....

A few years ago, Games Workshop released a limited hardback volume of Jes Goodwin's Eldar Sketchbook.  The only issue was, it was only available at special events such as store openings and birthdays... so if you didn't have a GW store near you, or weren't quick enough, it was almost impossible to grab a copy (luckily I did...)!

However, recently GW made available for release an expanded version, this time covering not only the Craftworld Eldar (the Asuryani) but the Dark Eldar as well (the Drukhari), in a two volume, slipcased edition..

That cost £75.

Seventy. Five. Pounds.

Now, to put that into perspective, an Eldar Wraith Knight is £70.. 

So, yes, it's bloody expensive, but it's worth every penny.

From the packing (a heavyweight cardboard case, printed with an Aeldari rune, with the book wrapped in black tissue to protect it) to the production values - 2 fabric bound, heavyweight paper, cloth backed volumes in a cloth backed slip case (which is an incredibly snug fit to the books), to the content - 136 pages for the Asuryani volume and 100 pages for the Drukhari companion, this edition screams 'special'.

 The contents -

The introductions by Phil Kelly are a welcome inclusion, and it shows that Phil shares the eagerness, the love and desire to see as much as the fans of Jes' work - and sets the books up nicely.

The Asuryani book covers Jes' concept sketches from 1989 right up to the later 2000's, when he worked on the last inclusions to the Eldar range (the Wraithknight, the redesign of the War Walkers etc) along with banner designs, icons and even Eldar Space craft, the book chronicles the evolution of one of the most iconic factions in 40k - from the first sketches of the unnamed Aspect Warriors, to the  Autarchs, the Eldar aesthetic is such a strong, emotive style I feel that GW could produce minis based on the 1989 concepts now, and they'd fit right in to the range.

What's interesting as well is that there are clear markers as to where Forge World picked up on certain kits - a concept for the War Walker is clearly the FW version the Wasp, and Jes' concept for the redesign of the Scorpion is precisely what Forge World produced.

The Drukhari volume is a little slimmer, and to be honest, a little disappointing, whilst remaining a stunning study in design. Deciding to concentrate on the redesign of the range which happened a few years ago, rather than take it from the early 90's (of which there is one sketch) showing the evolution through the original 1998 release to the redesign, it left me wanting more. I wanted to see where pieces like the Helions, the Scourges were changed in design from the 1998 version to the 2009 version, but this is probably a little self-entitled from me wanting more!

In conclusion, this is a volume that's worth picking up if you're a lover of all things Eldar, or even just a student of design and realisation - seeing where concept led to production is a fascinating thing, and well worth the £75 (for the really pedantic, that works out at 32 pence per page) - in fact, I'd say that's a bargain price for such an inspirational, stunning volume of 30 years of work.

Now, if only we can convince them to release a volume of Jes' Harlequin concepts.....!