Customer Reviews

Dreams: The Art of Boris Vallejo

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

The amazing world of Boris Vallejo is condensed down into this picture book of god like bodies and fairytail fantasy scenes. Shown are some of his movie work, clothing ad work, Franklin Mint and his most favorite subject, his wife, Julie Bell.

There are some comedy moments of his works as well, including a portrait of the then president of the United States, Bill Clinton. He explains that some of his works have been described as too relvealing esspecially of his wife Julie. But as the pictures show when one gets over the fact, they are quite beautiful.

A book mainly for the older reader, artist or Vallejo fans only.

I have no idea what the person from dallas is talking about. I loved this work of Boris. I espsecially loved the Sections on the mythical beasts, and women of wonder. This is my best Boris book yet. I challenge any artist to match boris in the worlds of magic and fantasy. A definate must for all boris and fantasy fans.

I remember when this guy could give Frazetta a run for his money. Then he became less interested in the art and more concerned with the models - perfectly-muscled men and women who are barely altered from the obviously contrived bodybuilding poses he photographs them in. These characters are more at home on a contest stage than fighting fantastic creatures. Also, his overuse of earth-tones in his paintings of the last 10 or so years is horrible. Everything looks bland and uniform; nothing catches the eye anymore. I wish he'd get back to producing work that had atmosphere instead of churning out piece after piece for his calendars.

Boris Vallejo is perhaps the best contemporary painter of realistic human forms. His paintings render a breathtaking view of human musculature and his anatomical correctness is near perfect. Any budding artist, or any veteran artist needing a refresher, should buy this book to learn a thing or two about the construction of the human animal. The figures are portrayed from a variety of angles and there is a great variety of male and female models. However, many of the paintings have a similar composition and feel to them. In all, a stupendous art book for the serious/novice artist or the interested fantasy art fanatic. Enjoy!

Boris receives an "A+" for his technical abilities, but his art gets a resounding "F" for personality. There's nothing in his paintings to engage the viewer, nothing that's memorable. His body-builder models look like...body-builder models, stiff and artificially posed. They don't interact with his much-more-interesting creatures, but rather just sort of stand there. Boris' early work when he was at least trying, albeit unsuccessfully, to top Frazetta (now THERE is an ARTIST!) is far more accomplished. Whereas the art in "Dreams" is simply eye-candy: quickly consumed and just as quickly forgotten.

Born in Lima, Peru, Vallejo got an early start in his art education at the age of fourteen while studying art at the Escuela Nacional de Bellas Artes on a scholarship. The talented little boy grew up to be the titan of art, responsible for breathtaking art featured on fantasy book covers, movie posters, album covers and motion picture ads along with his own portfolio books such as this one.

Dreams is another fabulous book, a sure collectible for any fantasy and art fan, I know that he started my own passion of art as my father, a gifted artist in many fields has always made Vallejo and other artists books available to me, inspiring me to follow art as well. This fabulous volume is chock packed with stunning women, glistening warriors, beasts and monsters, enchanted lands and wicked creatures that can only emerge from the cocoon of Vallejo's imagination. This a marvelous book in a glossy hardcover jacket that looks at me proudly from my shelf among other volumes by Boris, Julie Bell, Milo Manara, Chris Achilleos, Serpiri and many others who stir my creative juices.

- Kasia S.

I love this book because it has lots of beautiful paintings from the author. I like this book more than the Titans. The artworks from Titans doesn't stand out or look as clean as the ones from in this book. This book has pictures ranging from mythical beings and animals, to futuristic designs. The disadvantage about this book is the non appealing art cover and its high price. Overall, it's an excellent reference book.

After hurricane Katrina, I began rebuilding my collection of books on all types of art, including fantasy art. This is a beautiful book, and as usual, a great Amazon purchase!

Everyone who likes fantasy art would be satisfied of this book. I like Boris' works. It contains veriety of pictures that prove his great imagination. From exotic women to horrible monsters with their fighting tools. I expected to see more drawing works of him but I found only one. Many works in the book are great and some are not. However, if you are the fan, you must have it.

Everyone who likes fantasy art would be satisfied of this book. I like Boris' works. It contains veriety of pictures that prove his great imagination. From exotic women to horrible monsters with their fighting tools. I expected to see more drawing works of him but I found only one. Many works in the book are great and some are not. However, if you are the fan, you must have it.