With art drawn from a wide variety of sources — books, graphic novels, video games, films, galleries, and advertising — Spectrum 15 reinforces both the importance and prevalence of fantasy art in today’s culture. Featuring over 300 exceptional works by artists from around the globe, this gorgeous full-color collection celebrates a cadre of creators working in every style and medium. Included are luminaries such as Brom, James Gurney, Marc Gabanna, Shaun Tan, and 2008’s Grand Master Award winner, John Jude Palencar.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
This is the sort of compilation you really do keep on your coffee table so that you can sit on the couch and, over the course of weeks, dip into it and enjoy the offerings.
What's in there? Well, the introduction, naturally, and the Grandmaster Award for the outstanding John Jude Palencar--one of my faves! There's a review of the year in SF art (this is for 2007), which highlights, among others, a nicely urban-infrastructure-architectural work by Michael Whelan and the covers from some of the art books published last year. Artists who have died are given space in an obit list.
Ah, the art comes. First, the Best in Show award went to James Jean (and if you have been reading the terrific and engrossing FABLES series of comics by Bill Willingham, his cover art will be familiar to you). His winning entry is the cover for THE GOOD PRINCE, a wonderful piece full of understated grays (steel, water, stone) with one blazing arc of orange that is the plume of Prince Ambrose's helm. Cool.
The winner of the Gold award makes me giggle every time I look at it--a technicolor bit of zombie-alien silliness with a retro (as in 50's-60's) album cover feel. More silliness by Julie Bell and Boris Vallejo graces page 31--a full page reproduction of the artwork for AQUA TEEN HUNGER FORCE. As a fan of the cartoon, I got a particular little thrill seeing Frylock, Master Shake, and Meatwad rendered in Vallejo's trademark style--curvy women included.
One of the other reviewers called this the "all digital" issue. Well, on this spread alone--the two pages of 30-31--there is Vallejo's oil painting, one digital, one mixed media, and one acrylics/goache. Jean's best-in-show winner was a mixed media piece.
Another of my fave two-page spreads--because of the gorgeous, gorgeous works by Shaun Tan and a refreshing "blue" work by the fantasy master illustrator Charles Vess--is 56-57, which showcases two works of acrylics/oils (Tan), one in colored inks (Vess), and one goache/digital.
The previous page--55--which I was going to mention anyway, has a full-page repro of an oil on paper piece by Donato Giancola. It reminds me of Victorian works and is a masterful "bird's eye" perspective on a shoreline with dead mermen and a maiden holding one of the victims. The mermen are rendered in glowing pale greys and dark greys, their gills gaping redly. I was so moved by this work, I came online to see the book for which it served as a cover art piece (THE GOLDEN ROSE).
Just for reference, the page right after the one with the Tan/Vess pieces, has four wonderful works--two acrylics by Scott Bakal, an ink/digital by Yuko Shimizu and a really interesting oil work by Brad Holland.
So, I'd hardly say that more traditional media are not employed. However, we are in the digital age, and digital artwork will continue to gain space and popularity. As this compilation books hows, many digital works are skilled, beautiful, and effective, and should not be scoffed at.
There is so much here to enjoy, that I will let you buy it and see for yourself, rather than yammer on about the contents.The contents rock!
Mir
What's in there? Well, the introduction, naturally, and the Grandmaster Award for the outstanding John Jude Palencar--one of my faves! There's a review of the year in SF art (this is for 2007), which highlights, among others, a nicely urban-infrastructure-architectural work by Michael Whelan and the covers from some of the art books published last year. Artists who have died are given space in an obit list.
Ah, the art comes. First, the Best in Show award went to James Jean (and if you have been reading the terrific and engrossing FABLES series of comics by Bill Willingham, his cover art will be familiar to you). His winning entry is the cover for THE GOOD PRINCE, a wonderful piece full of understated grays (steel, water, stone) with one blazing arc of orange that is the plume of Prince Ambrose's helm. Cool.
The winner of the Gold award makes me giggle every time I look at it--a technicolor bit of zombie-alien silliness with a retro (as in 50's-60's) album cover feel. More silliness by Julie Bell and Boris Vallejo graces page 31--a full page reproduction of the artwork for AQUA TEEN HUNGER FORCE. As a fan of the cartoon, I got a particular little thrill seeing Frylock, Master Shake, and Meatwad rendered in Vallejo's trademark style--curvy women included.
One of the other reviewers called this the "all digital" issue. Well, on this spread alone--the two pages of 30-31--there is Vallejo's oil painting, one digital, one mixed media, and one acrylics/goache. Jean's best-in-show winner was a mixed media piece.
Another of my fave two-page spreads--because of the gorgeous, gorgeous works by Shaun Tan and a refreshing "blue" work by the fantasy master illustrator Charles Vess--is 56-57, which showcases two works of acrylics/oils (Tan), one in colored inks (Vess), and one goache/digital.
The previous page--55--which I was going to mention anyway, has a full-page repro of an oil on paper piece by Donato Giancola. It reminds me of Victorian works and is a masterful "bird's eye" perspective on a shoreline with dead mermen and a maiden holding one of the victims. The mermen are rendered in glowing pale greys and dark greys, their gills gaping redly. I was so moved by this work, I came online to see the book for which it served as a cover art piece (THE GOLDEN ROSE).
Just for reference, the page right after the one with the Tan/Vess pieces, has four wonderful works--two acrylics by Scott Bakal, an ink/digital by Yuko Shimizu and a really interesting oil work by Brad Holland.
So, I'd hardly say that more traditional media are not employed. However, we are in the digital age, and digital artwork will continue to gain space and popularity. As this compilation books hows, many digital works are skilled, beautiful, and effective, and should not be scoffed at.
There is so much here to enjoy, that I will let you buy it and see for yourself, rather than yammer on about the contents.The contents rock!
Mir
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
By C. arthur
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
Every year, I pre-order the Spectrum annual, and every year I enjoy it from cover to cover. Some of the most mind blowing artists work is presented in this book every single year. You will not be disappointed.
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
What can you say at this point? These annuals are an inspiration, a resource, and an accurate read on where the bar is in fantasy, sci-fi, and concept art. A total feast, once again.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Excellent Book
This is a great book of Illustrations. I Have the number 1 to the latest except for Number 16. Which is next on the List. Great book. Great Seller!
Published 11 months ago by R. Trivinos
5.0 out of 5 stars
One of the best valued art books
Customer Video Review
Length:
0:21
Mins
Published on April 5, 2009 by Parka
5.0 out of 5 stars
Annual Collection continues to Impress!
Each year there is one supreme collection of fantasy and Sci-Fi art that stands head and shoulders above all others and that collection is Spectrum, now in its fifteenth volume. Read more
Published on March 7, 2009 by Tim Janson
5.0 out of 5 stars
The best of 2007
And the best is very good indeed. The Fenners continue this annual tradition of seeking out and displaying the year's best fantasy art. Read more
Published on February 26, 2009 by wiredweird
5.0 out of 5 stars
spectrum? get some.
If you've ever looked through an edition of spectrum, this one is the next logical step in the progression. Read more
Published on February 12, 2009 by Shane Baker
5.0 out of 5 stars
A landmark in the fantasy illustration field. Excellent!
A very important tool to get to know what the artists produce and what are the demands of the actual art directors. Read more
Published on January 7, 2009 by CARLES AYALA POCH
5.0 out of 5 stars
The bar has been raised again!
SPECTRUM 15 is not good. SPECTRUM 15 is mind blowing.
I look back at the first Spectrum, and the art seems only "good" while the art in Spectrum 15 is "awesome". Read more
I look back at the first Spectrum, and the art seems only "good" while the art in Spectrum 15 is "awesome". Read more
Published on December 25, 2008 by Old Man Parker
5.0 out of 5 stars
Spectrum 15
The book came in a timely manner and was in excellent condition. Thank You!!
Published on December 16, 2008 by Eileen M. Vallejo
5.0 out of 5 stars
Kaboom
Kaboom!! That's what I think about the book. It has the best of the imagination and artistic abilities in the genre. Bravo, you creative beasts!
Published on December 15, 2008 by Laura Wolfersperger
2.0 out of 5 stars
All Digital - Where are the traditional Oil, Acrylics, Pastel, WC?
"The Best in Contemporary Fantastic Art". No it isn't. It's little more than DIGITAL Art. Gone is the adequate representation of artists who use pigment and a handheld applicator. Read more
Published on November 26, 2008 by Merréll O'Brian
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