Customer Reviews

Fantasy Art Techniques

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I absolutely love Boris Vallejo's art, and as an artist, I would love to be able to do what he can. Which is of course why you buy a book like this.

I was very disappointed when I received the book. It serves more as a look back through his back catalogue of work (some unpublished stuff as well). There are a few (very few) pieces of advice and tips on how to set up your reference photos and prepare a portfolio, but overall it is so general and vague that you will learn little more than "there is no one way to paint skin colour" or "it takes time to get good". Chances are you already knew that...

This book was either compiled in a hurry by request of Boris Vallejo's financial advisor, or he is simply not interested in passing on the knowledge he has of his craft. Quite disappointing.

Boris Vallejo's renderings of the human figure are unmistakeable. The way he uses paint to depict a 3-dimensional form on a 2-dimensional surface is amazing. The work is so life-like. (And in many cases, erotic.)

I liked reading about Vallejo's humble beginnings, where we see samples of his early, unpublished work. It was also a relief to know that even this master of the figure uses photographs. Contrary to many student's belief, it is not "cheating". To make his point, Vallejo is convinced that if the Old Masters had had access to photography, they would certainly have preferred to use that rather than rely on a model who gets bored, tired, etc. Vallejo uses both the model and the photograph.

In addition to advice about colour, tone, light, and how to "see", we are also taken through some step-by-step paintings, to show how the image is gradually built. Advice about portfolios comes at the end.

I have a board game called "Hero Quest", a sword-and-sorcery type adventure. The painting on the box looks like it was done by Vallejo, but I couldn't find his signiature. The colours and brushwork looked like his. The main figure was a Conan-type character swinging his sword. If you read Vallejo's "Fantasy Art Techniques" there is a good chance you will also paint like this eventually.

Though a little dated now, Mr. Vallejo's book is no less informative now as it was when he was first making waves in the world of fantasy illustration. The techniques he espouses are useful and relevant to any illustrator, not just the ones in the genre. More than any other reference, this book kick-started my own fantasy illustration career. For me, Mr. Vallejo's most valuable lesson is that an artist's portfolio is only as strong as its weakest piece... which he so wonderfully demonstrates by combining his most dazzling work side-by-side with some of his earlier, not-so-spectacular work. A thousand thank-yous for this book, Mr. Vallejo!

Though a good book as far as teaching technique in fantasy art, it is an even better gallery of his earlier works. Presented are many of his seminal paintings, each one a testament to Vallejo's artistic talent. Vallejo's care and artistry in rendering the realistic human figure is unparalleled, and this could be used as not only a pure art book, but also as an art anatomy tome. Little about the human body escapes Vallejo's artist's eye, and his figures are well-muscled, fierce, yet human and supple. The varied amounts of light, shading, color, composition and creativity in this book is astounding and worthy of any collection of fantasy art. Those interested in Vallejo's art should look into his most recent collection, Dreams, as well. In closing, this book is a good teaching tool to those who are in a more advanced skill level, but also good for beginners looking for how to view poses, composition, color, and basic anatomy. Enjoy!

Although a very good book, not so much of a how to book as one would expect. Boris Vallejo simply describes his approach to the art world. One must read and pull out what they want to know; it's not indexed as a how to book usually is done. Nevertheless, worth the investment for anyone wishing even to make realistic forms, and a must for the fantasy artist.

Boris Vallejo has acquired quite a reputation for himself in the field of fantasy art. However, although his work is visually engaging and his skill is formidable, his artistic sense leaves something to be desired. This book is good reference if you want to paint like Boris, but I would recommend picking up Frazetta instead-compare the two and you'll see what I mean. Boris's figures are static and remarkably stationary; he paints a photograph, and the photograph captures a still, dead scene rather than a fluid motion. This book would fit on your shelf, and has some useful insight, but I recommend spending a couple extra bucks and picking up Frazetta's _Icon_ instead.

Boris Vallejo is very honest in describing his techniques, and they really work. Even if you are an absolute beginner you should get this book, you will not regret it. At the end of the day, Boris Vallejo is more competent than your local art teacher, and that is a fact.

This is a fascinating look at how Boris Vallejo produces his amazing paintings. Not only does it take the reader step-by-step through Boris' creation process, it is full of beautiful, full-color prints of some of his most fabulous and famous paintings. A must for any Boris Vallejo fan, or for anyone interested in the process of creating fantasy art. The forward by the late Dr. Isaac Asimov makes this volume even more priceless. This is a book anyone interested in art and beauty will be proud to own.

I've been entralled by Boris and Julie's book covers for many years. Fixated by their figures, fantasy creatures, and supernatural landscapes, I couldn't even imagine painting figures in such detail myself. I really like this book, but will also admit that it left me a bit disappointed at first, not by what it included - but by what it lacked. Its strengths are summed up in Boris's sage advice that "the beginning artist should draw only what he sees" and its thorough demonstration of using models, reference photos, and sketching. By itself, that's well worth the price of this book - especially coming from a fantasy artist! Several step-by-step demos and many finished paintings add considerably to this, but still left me (then a wannabe artist) wanting to know more. What a surprize to find their other book Fantasy Workshop: A Practical Guide! Taken as a pair, these two books by Boris and Julie reveal a considerable amount of advice and details about techniques, style, composition, inspiration, and more for painters of all levels. In fact, they inspired me to take the plunge and try my hand at realistic portrait and figure painting. By following their methods and demos, I've been been pleasantly surprized with the results. I've since acquired more experience, as well as a substantial library of books by other authors (read my other reviews), but I find myself returning to this and others by Boris and Julie, for reference, techniques, and inspiration.

I admire Master Vallejo's work and style, although sometimes he stays too much dependent on his female models, who may not be "flawless", as fantasy art would require...

Still, when I saw this book I thought Master Vallejo would share his genious with me... unfortunately this is not the case... the book is more than 100 pages but the "techniques" I expected to find may not sum up to more than 10 pages and the rest is pages of Master's great work... and those are mostly verbally explained while I would like to see more step by step visual instructions... and the tricks Master Vallejo wished to share with us are not exclusive to him...I accept that I had learned something from the book when I first bought it, but today you can find much more information from great resources in the Web about any kind of art... Then again, maybe Master Vallejo wanted to give the message that it is the talent that matters...

Before reaching a conclusion I have to underline something because it may be the single most important factor for you to decide to buy this book... The knowledge that this book offers may be of great value, if you are a beginner and trying to advance into indermediate level... But if you are more than that, all you see can be stuff you already know...

For me, this book can not go further than being a nice hard-cover portfolio book.... If I had bought it for this purpose, then I would most likely rate it with 5 stars... But, comparing its' name with its' content I give 2 stars (and one of them is exclusively for my respect to Master Vallejo)