William Stout: Prehistoric Life Murals [Hardcover]

William Stout (Author), Ray Harryhausen (Introduction)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 15, 2008

William Stout: Prehistoric Life Murals is an astonishing look at dinosaurs and their primeval worlds. This lavishly illustrated 176-page volume contains all of Stout's stunning murals for The Houston Museum of Natural Science, Walt Disney World's Animal Kingdom, and the San Diego Natural History Museum. In 1981, award-winning paleoartist Stout's critically acclaimed book The Dinosaurs - A Fantastic New View of a Lost Era launched the ongoing public renaissance in the reexamination and revision of dinosaur appearance, intelligence and lifestyles. Michael Crichton acknowledged this legendary masterwork as an inspiration for Jurassic Park. Now Stout has returned to take us on a new journey, deeper into Earth's primordial past. Following in the tradition of legendary paleoartists Charles R. Knight and Rudolph F. Zallinger, Stout's murals of extinct predators and prey dramatically capture our imaginations. Incorporating the latest paleontological evidence, the artist breathes life into prehistoric creatures that are both scientifically accurate and emotionally stimulating. Beyond the book's inherent scientific content, Stout's detailed commentary guides readers through his creative process. Variations between the different stages in each mural's development are explained in entertaining and easy-to-read text. Included are preliminary drawings, color studies, and one-quarter-scale oil paintings, guiding the reader through Stout's meticulous step-by-step methodology from initial design to finished masterpiece. Influenced by landscape painter Thomas Moran, whose work inspired the formation of America's National Parks, Stout creates vistas of a world that existed millions of years ago. The highlight of the book is Stout's recent twelve mural commission by the San Diego Natural History Museum, which includes oil paintings up to thirty-four feet long. Through Paleozoic fish and reptiles, Cretaceous dinosaurs and sea creatures, then concluding with Ice Age mastodons and saber-toothed cats, vast panoramas of varied prehistoric worlds unfold in this handsome full color collection. Like Knight and Zallinger before him, Stout has created murals that will amaze viewers, inspire future generations of budding artists, and enthrall eager young dinosaur hunters for decades to come.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

William Stout is one of America's foremost dinosaur muralists and illustrators. Stout's dinosaur illustrations have appeared in The Little Blue Brontosaurus, which formed the basis of the enormously popular The Land Before Time animated series. Stout has contributed to over thirty films including Ra

Ray Harryhausen is a legendary visual effects creator whose career spans over half a century. His film credits include Mighty Joe Young (1949), The Beast from 20,000 Fathoms (1953), It Came From Beneath the Sea (1955), Earth vs. the Flying Saucers (1956), 20 Million Miles to Earth (1957), The Sevent

Product Details

• Hardcover: 144 pages
• Publisher: Flesk Publications (October 15, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1933865105
• ISBN-13: 978-1933865102
• Product Dimensions: 10.1 x 12.1 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.8 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #939,749 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An amazing book, and amazing artist!, March 1, 2009

By 

Bob Eggleton "zillabob" (Providence, RI United States) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: William Stout: Prehistoric Life Murals (Hardcover)

It's been long-in-coming for a book of this caliber from William Stout but this is worth all the wait. What I think I like best are the extreme close-ups of Bill's paintings showing us his brush work which, is extremely painterly and luscious! If you are into studying how paint is applied and,it's physical texture and properties, you will not be disappointed. Also shown are sketches, drawings and work ups for the murals. His "studies" for them are 48 inches across in some cases!! This is a must-have for anyone who does art, likes art, likes dinosaurs and enjoys seeing the process of something of this scope come together. I liked this book so much I got two-one to page through and study, another to save in perfect condition(and hopefully next time I see Bill have him sign it). The production on this book is also excellent with amazing color repro and lots of nice shots of drawings. Even the endpapers have close ups of some of the painterly areas. The close ups are so good, they become compositions in themselves while being part of the bigger painting. Also reproduced are several of Bill's other paintings, not just the San Diego mural work. Get this book, you won't regret it!

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars rendering an age past, March 22, 2009

By 

Edward A. Schatz "architectural archivist" (lakewood, california) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: William Stout: Prehistoric Life Murals (Hardcover)

I cannot say enough for this book by paleoartist Willaim Stout. I saw the presentation in San Diego where he talked about the book and the work done in preparation for it. He has lived in Antartica and painted the world, and there dove beneath the ice to capture it too. Where hasn't he gone to do his hoemwork? It was easy to be drawn unknowingly into the murals, and as Bob Eggleton states, luscious. The closeups are unimaginable. There are several gatefolds in this book, but one has to view the full-sized murals to appreciate the life breathed into the forgotten vistas. I am still more a fan of his ink and watercolors, but, this is a must have book for painters and fans of dinosaurs alike. Buy it right now.

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful art, November 2, 2010

By 

Sandy Huff (Safety Harbor, Florida) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: William Stout: Prehistoric Life Murals (Hardcover)

I spent all day yesterday at the Natural History Museum at Balboa Park in San Diego. When I got to the fossils and prehistoric animals on the 2nd floor, I was stunned by the murals on the walls. Unbelievable art. Stout must have spent thousands of hours doing these huge paintings, many of which depict animals explained nearby.
His book is magnificent too. Beware -- there is a smaller book with more cartoony paintings that are not nearly as rich and textured as this one. Get the big one.