More Fantasy Art

Fantasy +3: Best Hand-Painted Illustrations - Vincent Zhao

2011 - Gingko Press

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As I mentioned in my last review, I've surveyed a lot of artists monographs and genre collections of fantasy art. I must prefer the Underwood Press Spectrum books as they do a comprehensive job of getting as many fine artists in each publication. Zhao's series of fantasy art is no slouch, but I think what some see as a strength, I see as a weakness - the compilation features several works by each artists and thus is unable to survey the larger amount of artists like the Spectrum books. This is still a fine series collection.


Amazon description - While instantly recognizable in terms of theme and characterization, Fantasy+ 3 departs from the previous two volumes in the series to examine the state of hand-rendered fantasy art. Artists in the grand tradition of Frank Frazetta and Boris Vallejo bring new visions and techniques to bear, illuminating worlds both mythic and gruesome. Digital art has become a pervasive medium and highly influential in popular culture. From the movies we see to the video games we play, we regularly immerse ourselves in realms not our own, experiencing reality through new and prismatic filters, often learning something about ourselves in the process.


Fantasy+ 3 shows how traditional fantasy art still has its place in our lives, complementing the explosion of CG art as it inspires a new wave of artists. Featured artists include: Raul Cruz, Peter Ferguson, Eric Fortune, Tom Fowler, Eric Joyner, Terese Nielsen, Adrian Smith, Shaun Tan and more.