What do you think?
Rate this book
The Art of Amy Brown
The Art of Amy Brown is the first collection of Amy Brown's wildly popular art. It was published by Chimera Publishing in 2003. The book is 157 pages of art, with a commentary by Amy Brown for every piece of artwork. The Art of Amy Brown has an introduction by the well-known author Charles de Lint. There are three editions of this book—a paperback, a hardcover, and a special leather-bound edition limited to 750 copies, which will be signed by Amy Brown and Charles de Lint.
160 pages, Paperback
First published September 1, 2003
28 people are currently reading
9551 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 57 reviews
June 24, 2008
I'm a fan of Brown, and not just because of the material she paints. I read an interview with her and she admitted she wasn't a natural artist and that she's always had the drive to create beautiful pictures and then worked really hard to achieve it. With this book you can see her flaws and what elements she needs to work on (faces, feet), but you're still enthralled by the scenes on the page. She's very human and so is her art.
January 20, 2024
I liked a few of them.
July 10, 2013
there really was no words but the illustrations were incredible!!!
I have always loved fairy's, gnomes, things of that manner and this book was great I own the book 1 and 2 from Mrs. Amy Brown
Very worth buying just to have on the coffee table
I have always loved fairy's, gnomes, things of that manner and this book was great I own the book 1 and 2 from Mrs. Amy Brown
Very worth buying just to have on the coffee table
January 23, 2024
I have been familiar with some portions of Amy Brown's works before so had this book passed onto me by my sister.
In this book, The Art of Amy Brown, the reader receives basically a portfolio of a few of the artist's works. These are arranged in alphabetical order with each page having two-thirds of it dedicated to the art piece while at the very bottom is the title of the piece along with a caption. The latter provides the reader randomly with alternative names, some history whether of the medium or developmental stage of the artist or piece and/or explanation of influences to the artist.
Otherwise the only text that can be found in the book is an Introduction by Charles de Lint who also appears throughout the captions of the book as an influence. He variously explains to the reader about the artist, her start in the fantasy art, her characters and how modern they are as well as her method. This text is then followed in closing by a page from the artist who provides the reader with more information about her method and some techniques for those who may be interested.
Flipping through the artwork the reader who follows along with fantasy/fairy art can most definitely see some pieces that lean towards Arthur Rackham and Froud influences. Otherwise Amy Brown has most definitely made her mark with more sassy yet modern fantasy characters who wear either almost nothing at all or very elaborate gowns. The wings themselves portray such creative license alone whether simple, traditional, skeletal, etc. that it is quite difficult to say she has a particular style to pass on. But some of the colors, the designs and the elaborate whole is what added another start to this review.
Unfortunately a few of the fairies have strange elongated feet and as Charles de Lint pointed out previously if you should remove any of the supernatural aspects you would end up with creatures that are sometimes rather disproportionate while having rather eccentric facial profiles. Another thing I also noticed with her work (and one she acknowledges herself) is she likes to use the same type of poises thus all the big dragons sitting on their rumps are basically recycled with a few things changed such as a wing covering the body or different style horns. The foxes in many of the Rackham-type works were strange looking creatures that could have come more from space while the crows in all the works that I saw them in actually don't look quite like crows.
And finally my final complaint is the fact that she made Boadicea into a fairy while seeming to judge her for killing her kids then stating she doesn't understand why. As I told my husband if I was Boadicea I would also kill my children instead of letting them be re-raped before everyone by the vengeful Romans who at that point would probably have done even worse than re-raping them, especially considering the Celtic queen almost had driven the Romans completely out of her home by this time in her maternal wrath.
Otherwise this was a great collection of fantastical characters that fans of both the artist as well as fantasy will enjoy flipping through for a brief read.
In this book, The Art of Amy Brown, the reader receives basically a portfolio of a few of the artist's works. These are arranged in alphabetical order with each page having two-thirds of it dedicated to the art piece while at the very bottom is the title of the piece along with a caption. The latter provides the reader randomly with alternative names, some history whether of the medium or developmental stage of the artist or piece and/or explanation of influences to the artist.
Otherwise the only text that can be found in the book is an Introduction by Charles de Lint who also appears throughout the captions of the book as an influence. He variously explains to the reader about the artist, her start in the fantasy art, her characters and how modern they are as well as her method. This text is then followed in closing by a page from the artist who provides the reader with more information about her method and some techniques for those who may be interested.
Flipping through the artwork the reader who follows along with fantasy/fairy art can most definitely see some pieces that lean towards Arthur Rackham and Froud influences. Otherwise Amy Brown has most definitely made her mark with more sassy yet modern fantasy characters who wear either almost nothing at all or very elaborate gowns. The wings themselves portray such creative license alone whether simple, traditional, skeletal, etc. that it is quite difficult to say she has a particular style to pass on. But some of the colors, the designs and the elaborate whole is what added another start to this review.
Unfortunately a few of the fairies have strange elongated feet and as Charles de Lint pointed out previously if you should remove any of the supernatural aspects you would end up with creatures that are sometimes rather disproportionate while having rather eccentric facial profiles. Another thing I also noticed with her work (and one she acknowledges herself) is she likes to use the same type of poises thus all the big dragons sitting on their rumps are basically recycled with a few things changed such as a wing covering the body or different style horns. The foxes in many of the Rackham-type works were strange looking creatures that could have come more from space while the crows in all the works that I saw them in actually don't look quite like crows.
And finally my final complaint is the fact that she made Boadicea into a fairy while seeming to judge her for killing her kids then stating she doesn't understand why. As I told my husband if I was Boadicea I would also kill my children instead of letting them be re-raped before everyone by the vengeful Romans who at that point would probably have done even worse than re-raping them, especially considering the Celtic queen almost had driven the Romans completely out of her home by this time in her maternal wrath.
Otherwise this was a great collection of fantastical characters that fans of both the artist as well as fantasy will enjoy flipping through for a brief read.
September 3, 2018
Amy Brown is by far my favorite fantasy artist, running a close race with Nene Thomas & Jessica Galbreth. I was so excited when I found this book at an available price. It has a little text about each piece, which I'm a sucker for & usually is what persuades my like/love barometer. Before reading this, I never knew the astounding total number of artworks she'd produced over the years. A definite must-have for all fantasy art lovers!!
January 20, 2024
The thing I hate most about Amy Brown's art is the faces because it seems that it is her one weakness as an artist. In each painting the faces stand out because they just don't seem to match with with the rest of the painting details. Other details in her paintings are also awkwardly done which is probably why she is one of my least favorite fantasy artist. This book has a decent selection of her artwork and there were a few that was good but not great like the majority of her art.
June 17, 2021
A nice art book. Very repetitive subject matter, good if you like faeries. The backgrounds are fantastic. The many patterns used are inspired.
I received this volume free when I entered Garden State Comic Fest 2021.
I received this volume free when I entered Garden State Comic Fest 2021.
July 10, 2019
I love her art. Hers was the first fantasy art that I came to know.
March 31, 2020
From my teen years obsessing over faeries and other mystical creatures. Love, love, love her art style.
July 3, 2021
Fantastic artist
October 10, 2022
this novel is totally great
January 23, 2024
Love the pictures, color was vibrant but some animals weren't drawn great and was repetitive
May 2, 2024
Really dark, romantic, and different. I love this artist!
September 7, 2025
An interesting member of the set of artists much more influential than they are talented, Amy Brown's fairy art inspired tattoos, MySpace backgrounds, and deviantart accounts by the thousand.
February 8, 2025
Las ilustraciones de Amy Brown no solo tienen ese encanto de esas primeras búsquedas de imágenes de hadas en internet, cuando encontrar una imagen sobre esta temática que fuera realmente bella era similar a encontrar oro.
Esta ilustradora es de esas que llevan la antorcha para que otrxs la sigan. Ha inspirado no solo a otras artistas, sino a artesanos, fabricantes de muñecas y estatuillas, cosplayers... Me atrevo a decir que no solo con el tema de las hadas, sino con el diseño de los outfits en sí.
Teniendo en cuenta que empezaba la era digital, pero ella mantenía sus ilustraciones en papel, con la magia de sus acuarelas, no pocas veces texturas con sal. La frescura de sus personajes, el dinamismo y cierta inocencia traviesa, hacen que cada una de sus imágenes sea una delicia. Y tantas juntas como para llenar un libro, dejaría ebrio de belleza a cualquier espectador con alma que ama la Magia.
Sé que además tiene cierto aire de nostalgia que enamora para quienes recién lo descubren. Pero yo me compré este libro ni bien salió, y de solo ver las páginas mi sangre corría más fuerte.
Una verdadera joya en mi colección de libros de hadas.
Esta ilustradora es de esas que llevan la antorcha para que otrxs la sigan. Ha inspirado no solo a otras artistas, sino a artesanos, fabricantes de muñecas y estatuillas, cosplayers... Me atrevo a decir que no solo con el tema de las hadas, sino con el diseño de los outfits en sí.
Teniendo en cuenta que empezaba la era digital, pero ella mantenía sus ilustraciones en papel, con la magia de sus acuarelas, no pocas veces texturas con sal. La frescura de sus personajes, el dinamismo y cierta inocencia traviesa, hacen que cada una de sus imágenes sea una delicia. Y tantas juntas como para llenar un libro, dejaría ebrio de belleza a cualquier espectador con alma que ama la Magia.
Sé que además tiene cierto aire de nostalgia que enamora para quienes recién lo descubren. Pero yo me compré este libro ni bien salió, y de solo ver las páginas mi sangre corría más fuerte.
Una verdadera joya en mi colección de libros de hadas.
November 4, 2014
Since I don't normally write reviews unless I have something specific to say, here's the break down of how I rate my books...
1 star... This book was bad, so bad I may have given up and skipped to the end. I will avoid this author like the plague in the future.
2 stars... This book was not very good, and I won't be reading any more from the author.
3 stars... This book was ok, but I won't go out of my way to read more, But if I find another book by the author for under a dollar I'd pick it up.
4 stars... I really enjoyed this book and will definitely be on the look out to pick up more from the series/author.
5 stars... I loved this book! It has earned a permanent home in my collection and I'll be picking up the rest of the series and other books from the author ASAP.
October 18, 2012
Creative character and fashion designs by one of the most influential fantasy artists of today~ I like the story of how she came to be a successful artist.
While her style is not my favorite, tending to be flat, static, and a little wonky in proportion at times, the flaws add to her REALNESS, and you can see how she's progressed over the years! The world adores her, and that is a colossal accomplishment.
If using watercolor is the hardest to "make it" in the art world as the book claims, she's certainly defeated the odds.
While her style is not my favorite, tending to be flat, static, and a little wonky in proportion at times, the flaws add to her REALNESS, and you can see how she's progressed over the years! The world adores her, and that is a colossal accomplishment.
If using watercolor is the hardest to "make it" in the art world as the book claims, she's certainly defeated the odds.
October 4, 2015
I absolutly love Amy Brown - although her drawing aren't perfect, her imagination just captures you and the flaws are not important...
There is something in her faries that draws me inside them and I find myself staring at the pages... I even made a tatoo by one of her drawings - I like her drawings that much I guess :)
I gave a 4 because there are better artists, but grading isn't everything...
There is something in her faries that draws me inside them and I find myself staring at the pages... I even made a tatoo by one of her drawings - I like her drawings that much I guess :)
I gave a 4 because there are better artists, but grading isn't everything...
October 31, 2013
I bought this when I was going through a big Hot Topic phase in high school. At the time, I was hooked. I had the pens, I had the stationary, the works. But after looking through her books once the black eyeliner washed out of my eyes, I realized that her fairies all have the same face and body structure. Creative yes, but I think she ran out of inspiration halfway through her book.
August 14, 2016
Fairly, goblins, etc. Can see why Charles deLint wrote the intro. If you enjoy his stories then take a look at her artwork. Lovely. Although it does get to be a bit overwhelming looking at this collection. And a tad repetitive. Can't decide on a favorite.
July 24, 2016
I like this artist's work. But I wish a few things: (1) she could paint eyes better, (2) she would paint feet differently. Some paintings reminded me of Michael Parkes, whom she acknowledges as an influence.
May 28, 2016
I really treasure this book as a window to the world of imagination and wonder! Beautiful drawings and amazing detail in her first book! I feel inspired to create after looking at her artwork! Great to show to children and their friends. Very Beautiful and poetic!
June 15, 2007
I love Amy Brown's art. It's so fanciful, detailed and whimsically beautiful. She has a marvelous watercolor technique.
October 24, 2008
Beautiful illustrations. I've loved her faeries & dragons from the first time I saw them.
August 16, 2008
I love Amy Brown's work. Her fairies are not always typical.
September 20, 2008
A good selection of Amy Brown's whimisical fantasy art.
March 17, 2009
Amy Brown is one of my favourite faerie artists. She has a great talent and creativity. Her faeries have a very unique style and I love that.
A very, very beautiful book.
A very, very beautiful book.
June 6, 2010
What beautiful art that Amy Brown creates. If you are into fairies and nature I say this is a fun one!
July 22, 2010
A compilation of Amy's work. Filled with Faeries, Dragons & Mermaids. Beautifully detailed. Amy gives a comment for each piece of art in this book.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 57 reviews