Mirage [Paperback]

Boris Vallejo (Author), Nigel Suckling (Foreword), Doris Vallejo (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 9, 2001

First published in 1997, Mirage took the fantasy world on a whirlwind tour, introducing us to paintings so bold, so provocative and superb that it became a major success. This astounding volume showcases alluring paintings of sensuous women and strong men, set against mythical, otherworldly backgrounds, and contains over 40 color and black and white illustrations, as well as 8 full pages of new, never before seen or published art work.

Product Details

• Paperback: 105 pages
• Publisher: Thunder's Mouth Press (June 9, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1560253185
• ISBN-13: 978-1560253181
• Product Dimensions: 12 x 9 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #184,977 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Erotic and beautifully illustrated, January 20, 2000

By 

Derek Roche (Ireland) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Mirage (Paperback)

Boris Vallejo, to me, is an exceptional artist. He is also my first inspirational artist. At school, I had seen his images but never knew directly anything about Boris. So, I went and found some information and as soon as I discovered the many books on his art, I made it my business to try and get them all. Mirage is truely a beautiful part of my collection. The images of the women embracing demons, in seductive poses and their fleshy vibrancy really make this book attractive. At the start of the book, which I found helpful with my drawing, are graceful images drawn in pencil. Delicate particles of graphite sculpted to create beautiful images. What makes Boris a great artist is his ability to see, not just to view a body in 2D but to see all the angular parts of the body. This is best demonstrated in his shading and the way he captivates light illuminating the body. This book also contains erotic landscapes, and I say erotic because they clearly depict forms of an erotic and sexual nature. The text pieces accompanying the images are abstract but they do add to the mystery and interpretations of each and every picture. If you are a collector of art books or anything to do with the fantasy art genre, I would honestly recommend this as a book to have, simply because of the depictions, the colour and because it's Boris, Boris at his best. Look for the washing image and the soapy bubbles and the woman's rear!---Magnificent and realistic.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Master of figure and fantasy, August 18, 2005

By 

wiredweird "wiredweird" (Earth, or somewhere nearby) - See all my reviews
(HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (TOP 500 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Mirage (Paperback)

This book collects a series of Boris' paintings, plus a few very detailed pencil drawings, done between 1979 and 1982. If you're not already familiar with Boris' work - well, you probably are whether you know it or not. He has done years work of book covers for Edgar Rice Burroughs, as well as reams of posters. The one constant through all his work is passion for the human form and human power, both male and female.

These paintings range from the lush and sensual to humorous or macabre. A hookah come to life has a demonic presence, but a bar of soap come to life (and licking the bather) is more charming and a little silly. Even the simplest pictures have overtones - that bather is truly a beautiful woman, leaving me just a little envious of such close contact. Maybe not envious either, but off in thoughts of my own. And the preface is right, 'erotic' is much too simple a word for all the different feelings and combinations of feelings that come from having or holding a strong, healthy body.

My only complaint is a sameness in the female figures presented. The faces are beautiful, long and elegant, but mostly the same. The figures - the one figure, really is beautiful, but I value the uniqueness of a figure and the differences between figures. Cloning can serve a narrative purpose, certainly, but sameness wears. Even the loveliness of Danielle Anjou, acknowledged as a principal model and collaborator, wears.

Boris is the master of the figure in fantasy art, and has been for many years. This is a great sample from an earlier time in his career. It's almost impossible not to like.

//wiredweird

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This is the best Boris Vallejo art collection - buy this 1st, March 6, 2005

By 

HARRISON CHUA (Melbourne, AUSTRALIA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Mirage (Paperback)

If you are a fan of Boris Vallejo, or are thinking about buying a book of fantasy art -- this book should be the first one you buy. This is an absolute must-have for any art book collection, fantasy art or otherwise. Of all of Boris Vallejo's work to date -- this book by far has all his best art.

Boris Vallejo is by far the best fantasy artist EVER! His 1970s and 1980s art is by far much better than his current work, as is evident from the Mirage book. The figures/subjects in his early work in the Mirage book look like they actually belong in the painted scene. Many other fantasy artists draw subjects in scenes that look like models posing for a painting -- and look really stiff like cardboard. Boris meshes the scenes perfectly and transports you into another world with his vivid depictions of fantasy characters.

I recommend buying Boris Vallejo books in the following order:
1) Mirage
2) Fantasy Art Techniques -- buy it even if you're not an artist.
3) Enchantment
4) Dreams
5) Sketchbook

Verdict: Buy it!
Reviewed by Harrison Chua.