Fantasy Art Techniques

by Boris Vallejo

In a captivating, behind-the-scenes look into the creative process of a fantasy artist, renowned artist Boris Vallejo discusses in depth the techniques of a personal style that has placed him among the leading international fantasy and science fiction artists of today. 91 color images; 32 line drawings.

Genres: Art, Fantasy, Reference

Paperback

First published January 1, 1985

About the author

Boris Vallejo is a Peruvian-born American painter. He immigrated to the United States in 1964, and he currently resides in Allentown, Pennsylvania. Vallejo works almost exclusively in the fantasy and erotica genres. His paintings have graced the covers of dozens of science fiction paperbacks and are featured in a series of best-selling glossy calendars. Subjects of his paintings are typically Sword and sorcery gods, monsters, and well-muscled male and female barbarians engaged in battle. His latest works still retain heavy fantasy elements, but lean more towards the erotic rather than pure fantasy themes.

Reviews

[Molly · Rating 5 out of 5]

I must admit that I figured I would buy this book mainly to just flip through for inspiration, but reading it was such a treat that I wanna smack my original thought straight out of my head. *Read* this one; you'll be glad you did.

Can we just talk a minute about how laid back Vallejo is about being an artistic genius? That should be the subject of this book. He throws little bits of incredible at you so casually that you scramble for paper to write it down. If you find something that hits home for you, write it down immediately. You won't find it again.

That's not an exaggeration. This book isn't written as a reference; it's more of an extended conversation with Vallejo as he talks you through his works and specifics like underpainting techniques and skin tones. So there's no actual way to come back to these tips, they simply exist and it's up to you to put them where you can find them.

Nevertheless, the whole thing is stunning. Lots of big color plates, original pencils, fun polaroid reference photos, and an actual forward by Isaac Asimov. This book oozes cool.

[Stephen Melkanos · Rating 5 out of 5]

Boris Vallejo is a genius at merging the techniques of photorealism and creative expression, and this book is like a spellbook. The techniques and thought processes which bring his work to life are laid out for your disposal. You want to make your poses dramatic, learn the secret to believable shadows and skin tones, and generally create the sort of epic imagery that people airbrush onto the sides of vans? You need this book.

[Patrick · Rating 3 out of 5]

A really nice collection that not only shows off some wonderful plates of Vallejo’s work, but also sketches, prelims, and behind-the-scene matter like model photos. The advice is mostly general in nature, in that an artist can likely appreciate what’s being said but a layman won’t be lost either.

Interestingly, several pages are missing from my copy…

[Kevin de Ataíde · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting short book from one of my favourite fantasy artists, more a showcase of his best work than anything else. I hadn't noticed before, but his 'coloured ink roughs' - what look like ink and wash - are often much better than the finished paintings.

[Morcys · Rating 4 out of 5]

I find the work behind each of Mr. Vallejo's paintings fascinating. I didn't think the process of painting each of his works would take so much work; but that only makes me admire him more.

[Andrew · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is another title from my paper tiger collection of books. This is one of the many Boris Vallejo books out there (and as such concentrates on his earlier work rather than his and his partner Julia Bell).

This is not only a showcase of his work but also shows a small glimpse in to his world and the work he does to create one of his iconic and famous pieces of work. It still amazes how far not only his influence has reached but also how far his artwork has too. He has illustrated for many a famous author, film and character - the fact that the forward is by Isaac Asimov just demonstrates his renown.

[H.L. Stephens · Rating 4 out of 5]

I cannot tell you how many times I read this books over the years. I really loved fantasy art and dabbled a bit myself though not enough to share with the world. There was alot of good information in this book for the classic artist. It predates all of the electronic media we are so accustomed to and therefore is of greater value in my mind. It reflects the artwork I grew up with. (Am I showing my age here?) At any rate, I still love the book and I still have the original copy my parents bought me back in the day. Worth every penny.

[Erotic Horizon]

Fantasy Art Techniques by Boris Vallejo (1996)

[P J Ashcroft Klemm · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's Fantastic!

[Carrie Mcgrath · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent for seeing how he breaks his technique down & use's photo's as inspiration of the subject..
love his work