Fantasy Art Now: The Very Best in Contemporary Fantasy Art & Illustration

I have been an enthusiastic fan of fantasy art for most of my life. In fact, I have purchased numerous books and yearly calendars of Boris Vallejo’s amazing fantasy art. When I saw this fantastic 10 by 10 Hardcover (Fantasy Art Now: The very best in contemporary fantasy art & illustration, General Editor Martin McKenna and forward by Boris Vallejo) 192 page book on Amazon for a bargain price I immediately purchased it.This wonderful book has color illustrations from a wide variety of recognized fantasy art experts. After a short introduction by the great fantasy artist Boris Vallejo this book begins showing brawny barbarians and hulky heroes fantasy art. I have always had a passion for fantasy art showing warrior women and that is why the next section is my favorite showing warrior women and fearless females. Myths and monsters fantasy art is then covered. The next section is the second favorite in this book which includes sirens and seductresses. Witches and warlocks are next in this collection. Fairies and fey folk fantasy art is shown, as well as scenes and settings and brawls and battles to complete the collection. An artist directory is also included at the end of the book.If you are into fantasy art this is a book you should check out. You are sure to find numerous illustrations that transport you to an exotic fantasy world.Rating: 5 Stars. Joseph J. Truncale (Author: Zen Poetry Moments: Haiku and Senryu for special occasions).

nice book of incredible images

This book while packaged very attractively, just does not measure up to the count. Most of these are unknown artists and in the infancy of their careers, the occasional exception might be Tony DeTerlizi (?). Save your money, look elsewhere or get it really cheap, not an important volume, one can do without this in their collection.

Great art

Most role-players’ know McKenna’s work. From the fabulous Fighting Fantasy series, to Wizards of the Coast and Games Workshop, he was always present with his amazing imagination and realistic portrayal of fantasy. With a preface by legendary Boris Vallejo and edited/collected by Martin McKenna the portrayed pieces have mighty champions indeed.And this book doesn’t disappoint. The pieces were produced with a multitude of techniques and the styles vary immensely. It gives a very good idea of the state of the art in contemporary fantasy illustration. There are artists that are well known by readers of fantasy books, roleplayers, card game players, etc, which have quite a reasonable amount of published works, and there are also talented newcomers, displaying their portfolio pieces (some of them quite amazing).Of course that nowadays there are sites and social networks that display impressive works of art, some of incredible talent and quality. So art books have a different function then the ones published in the 20th century. It isn’t just a display of great art; it’s a display vessel, a quality voucher from the editor/preface writer, a reward for a work well done. Obviously so many other artists could have been in this book with their works…but choices have to be done. And for 2007 standards, McKenna chose inspired and inspirational works that will fill your eye, imagination and mind, although I consider the Spectrum series superior as an art display for the fantasy artist.Some of the works that caught my eye and immediately set my mind free from the bonds of mundane reality were Slaine, by Clint Langley; Whispers, by Sam Araya; White Tiger Clan, by Kerem Beyit; Bogatyr, by Michal Ivan; Ulk Rider, by Karl Richardson; Eva in Repose, by R.K.Post; Dragon Reflection, by Anne Stokes; Stalker, by Daryl Mandryk; Jaga, by Michal Ivan; Aisha, by Sam Araya; The Sharing Knife, by Matt Stawicki; Scythe Wolf, by Robert Chang; Minotaur, by Carlos Cabrera; The watchmaker, by Matthew Bradbury; Temple of Terror, by Martin McKenna; Guenhwyvr, by Julia Alekseeva; Ice Dragon, by Yvonne Gilbert; The same deep water as you, by Kristen Perry; Sage of the scroll, by Greg Staples; Eye of the Dragon, by Martin McKenna; Ulysse, by Benjamin Carre; City of Peril, Ralph Horsley; Dunhuang, by Camille Kuo; Crossing the River Styx, by Eric Scala; Morphogenesis, by Simon Brewer; Majestic Dignity, by Uwe Jarling; Black Dandy, by Linda Tso; What I see, by Melanie Delon; Benrig Medb, by R.K.Post; Liante, by Linda Tso; Blood Inside, by Sam Araya; Walk the Earth, by Felipe Franco; Stages of Life, by David Bowers; Little people parliament, by Eric Scala; lovecats, by Benita Winkler; Kiss, by Denise Garner; Angelic Corruption, by Kevin Crossley; Rose River, by Marcel Baumann; Fairfolk, by J.P.Target; Faydrums, by Benita Winkler; Garden of Giants, by Michael Zancan; Chinese Winter, by Raphael lacoste; Locke Lamora, by Benjamin Carre; Path to the Gothic Choir, by Raphael Lacoste; Cannot Prevent, by Ryohei Hase; Empty Vessels, by Tony Hayes; Arcana Evolved, by J.P.Targete; Wyvern Hunting, by Donato Giancola; Their Feeling, by Ryohei Hase; Werewolf: The Pure, by Abrar Ajmal; Dark Riders, by J.P.Targete.

The media could not be loaded. This is a good artbook. It's not a great artbook. I have better books in my collection. I still have a peek at it every now and then so that's saying something. Just try to get it for a good price. Check out my video to see if you might like it.

I found the art work in this book mind boggling. These pictures stretch theimagination to the limit and send the mind off in all sorts of directionsand suggests many possibilities.

I BOUGHT IT AS A GIFT FOR MY BEAU AND I WENT THROUGH IT FIRST I REALLY ENJOY THIS TYPE OF ART SO I FOUND IT MOST SATISFIYING.

Lovely art. I bought this second hand and perhaps wouldn't justify full RRP, but it's a great little book for inspiration.

Fantastic fantasy art now book,would buy from this customer again very good condition with great pictures inside.

High quality artwork with superb colour plates and background information at an excellent price.