Artists around the world celebrate their love of all things robotic during MARCH of ROBOTS, a drawing challenge similar to Inktober!
The goal is to draw a new robot illustration each day for 31 days in March. If you feel you're up to the full 31 day challenge, awesome! If not, no worries. Just set yourself a goal and stick with it.
Find more information about the challenge at the official website, March of Robots.
The Irving Shapiro Library has a bunch of great resources for March of Robots, including a club where you can come every weekday to draw your robots, get inspiration and support, and learn more about the challenge!
Monday, March 2nd (1:05-1:35), Library
March of Robots Kick-Off Event
Come and learn about the drawing challenge! Get resources and more information, including how you can join our exclusive pizza party at the beginning of April!
Thursday, April 2nd (1:05-1:35), Gallery
March of Robots Pizza Party!
Only those who participated in March of Robots are eligible for this exclusive pizza party!
Feel free to check out any of these books for drawing tutorials and inspiration as you create your robots! We also have many magazines available to use in the library, including ImagineFX. You can find these books on the March of Robots display near the printer.
Sketching from the Imagination: Sci-Fi by
The humble sketch is the foundation of great art, where thoughts and concepts first come to life as an image--but rarely are sketches celebrated like they deserve to be for their power to explore, inspire, and entertain. InSketching from the Imagination: Sci-fi, a selection of fifty talented traditional and digital artists, ranging from industry legends to talented up-and-comers, have been chosen to share their sketches and reveal the ideas, inspirations, and techniques behind their creative processes. Continuing the high-quality format of 3dtotal Publishing's previous successes,Sketching from the Imagination: An Insight into Creative Drawing andSketching from the Imagination: Fantasy, this new title is dedicated to fantasy's sibling genre, sci-fi, in all its forms. From doodles of robots and aliens to concept designs for spaceships and speculative life-forms, including rendered drawings of invented worlds,Sketching from the Imagination: Sci-fi presents a handpicked collection of the best sketches and drawings by sci-fi artists from across the globe--each with their own unique style and approach to the genre. Each artist presents an impressive showcase of images from their sketchbooks, accompanied by their own enlightening commentary, and page upon page of useful tips, techniques, creative insights, and invaluable advice for getting your ideas out of your brain and onto the page.Sketching from the Imagination: Sci-fi is not only a must-have resource for any concept designer's shelf, but a stunning compilation of drawings that will delight sci-fi fans and any admirer of beautiful artwork.
Sentury II by
The long awaited next book from legendary Syd Mead has finally arrived after nine years. Loyal fans and art enthusiasts will rejoice in being able to view what Syd Mead has been imagining for nearly the past decade. Having illustrated the future for us for the past 40 years, Syd Mead continues to amaze and surprise us with his stunning pieces no matter how much of the future we have seen from the start of his career to present day. Looking through his unrivaled artwork, we still find ourselves continuously waiting for his future to be in our present. Images from countless conceptual projects as well as realized ones will be included in this fantastic visual voyage into the future with the one and only Visual Futurist, Syd Mead.
Beyond Illustration by 
The New Way Things Work by
The information age is upon us, baffling us with thousands of complicated state-of-the-art technologies. To help make sense of the computer age, David Macaulay brings us The New Way Things Work. This completely updated and expanded edition describes twelve new machines and includes more than seventy new pages detailing the latest innovations. With an entirely new section that guides us through the complicated world of digital machinery, where masses of electronic information can be squeezedonto a single tiny microchip, this revised edition embraces all of the newest developments, from cars to watches. Each scientific principle is brilliantly explained--with the help of a charming, if rather slow-witted, woolly mammoth.
The Marvel Art of Marko Djurdjevic by
Marko Djurdjevic burst onto the scene from obscurity, a passionate artist sharing his work online. The quality of his illustrations needed no explanation beyond that which was obvious at first glance: the sleekly stylized figure work, his masterful command of colours and the layers and subtext that formed an essential part of his vision. It was a short trip from anonymity to his current status as one of Marvel's most compelling cover artists. This lush art book features a treasure trove of Marko's cover illustrations - plus sketches, designs and much more.
The Google Doc is a resource for Academy students who participate in the March of Robots challenge. It includes helpful information, such as the rules, inspirational resources, tips & tricks, and a safe brainstorming space. If you decide you want to participate and want your artwork shown in the window display, make sure to sign up on the Google Doc under "Participants".
You are not required to use these prompts, but they can be fun and help with inspiration! If you do use a prompt, make sure to include the keyword as a hashtag when you post on Instagram.
If you choose to participate in the official competition, you also have the chance to win a Wacom Intuos Pro small tablet and Clip Studio EX! Make sure to hashtag appropriately and post your drawing to Instagram! More on that specific process can be found on the March of Robots.
It’s also a random drawing, so it’s not a contest based on artistic skill.
1. Drawings can be digital or traditional, but they must be drawn by you and they have to be a robot or depict a scene featuring a robot.
2. Hashtag your drawings with #marchofrobots and #marchofrobots2020, then post to Instagram and any other social spot you like.
3. Have fun!!
Special thanks to Mac Carey who spent many hours preparing the Google Doc and finding a ton of resources!