FANTASY

ART NOW!
Fantasy Art Now! Martin McKenna

The Very Best in Contemporary Fantasy Art and Illustration

The recent resurgence of interest in fantasy
art sees some of the finest, freshest, and
most exciting talents in the world of fantasy
illustration brought together for the first
time in one luxurious showcase volume,
Fantasy Art Now!
Creators from across the globe—from
China and Singapore to the USA and Europe—
are represented in a book that looks forward
rather than back in its approach to fantasy
art. Clint Langley, Greg Staples, Glenn Fabry,
James Rayman, Linda Bergkvist, Liam Sharp,
Jason Chan, Aly Fell, Aaron Sng, and Robert
Chang are just a few of the new generation of
fantasy artists included. This is not a book of
retrospectives, but examines what illustrators
and painters are creating now—whether it’s
for the latest graphic novel, book cover, trading
card set, or computer game.
Crucially, all the artwork within has been
created digitally, heralding in the new wave of
contemporary creators and their endlessly
adaptable new medium, the computer. All the
artwork is uncropped so the material can be
seen as the artist intended.
Respected fantasy artist and writer, Martin
McKenna, has specially selected all of the
artwork, and this magnificent tome is the
perfect gift for all art lovers, and particularly
fans of fantasy painting and comic book art.
Martin McKenna is a highly regarded The Very Best in Contemporary Fantasy Art & Illustration
fantasy artist and author. His artwork
has appeared on book covers for
numerous international publishers,
and adorned games from Hasbro,
Wizards of the Coast, and Games
Workshop. In 1995 he won the British
Fantasy Award for Best Artist. He
has written several books on fantasy
and digital art, including Digital Fantasy
Painting Workshop, Drawing and Painting
Fantasy Landscapes and Cityscapes, and
Digital Horror Painting Workshop.

■ An inspirational coffee table/gift book featuring a global gathering of artists

■ Foreword by respected Lord of The Rings artist, Alan Lee
■ Specially selected images by renowned fantasy artist and author, Martin McKenna
■ The only fantasy art book to focus on digitally created artwork
■ Chapters are divided by subject matter, and cross referenced by artist
■ Focuses purely on fantasy art, rather than the distractions of science fiction or horror
■ The artwork is presented uncropped, and in many cases, for the first time

specification T he I l e x P r e s s L t d
Publication date Fall 2007 The Old Candlemakers, West Street,
Trim size w 101⁄ 16" x h 101⁄ 16" (h 255mm x w 255mm) Lewes, East Sussex BN7 2NZ, England
Extent 256pp approx 20,000 words
tel 01273 403124
Paper 128gsm matt art
Illustrations 350+ pictures
fax 01273 487441 General Editor Martin McKenna
Color 4x4 e-mail sales@ilex-press.com
Foreword by A L AN L EE
Binding paperback with flaps www.ilex-press.com

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Cont e nts Foreword by Alan Lee 6

Introduction by Martin McKenna 8

1. Warriors 14

2. Mai d ens 48

3. Witc h e s & Warlo c ks 82

4. Fairies , Elv es , an d Dwar v e s 116

5. Drag ons 150

6. Orcs , o gr e s , trolls, and oth e r monst e rs 184

7. U ni corns an d ot h er mythi c al c r e ature s 218

Index 252

Acknowledgments 256

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▲ Knightghost Assasin by James Ryman, Dragon magazine

Apple Mac G5 / Adobe Photoshop
This deadly assassin was commissioned by a role-playing magazine.

Crusader Knight by Greg Staples

Apple Mac G5 / Adobe Photoshop
This book cover evokes a brooding menace as a knight, returning
from the Crusades, comes home to his castle.

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 Morrigan by Greg Staples,
Warhammer publishing
Apple Mac G5 / Adobe Photoshop
Staples was inspired by the work of
legendary fantasy artist Frank Frazetta
at the tender age of seven. The master’s
influence can be felt in this picture.

Spider Woman by James Ryman,

Dragon magazine
Apple Mac G5 / Adobe Photoshop
This cover was difficult for Ryman
to complete: “It creeped me out to work
on it... I do not like spiders at all.”

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 96 FANTAS Y ART NOW! W I T CHE S A N D W A R L O C K S 97

Guildmage by Jim Murray,

Magic the Gathering
Apple Mac G5 / Acrylic on Board
& Adobe Photoshop
“I intially painted this wizard in
acrylic on board and then scanned
it into my computer. I then boosted
the lighting effects in Photoshop to
increase the luminosity of the spell.”

Sage of the Scroll by Greg Staples

Apple Mac G5 / Adobe Photoshop
Staples is not only an established
and successful fantasy and
comic book artist, he is also the
co-founder of the visual effects
company, Ark VFX.

Dark Sun Witch by James Ryman,

▲ Maga by Jim Murray,
Magic the Gathering
Apple Mac G5 / Acrylic on board
& Adobe Photoshop
This Chinese magician was created
for the famous card game from
Wizards of the Coast.
Dungeon magazine
Apple Mac G5 / Pencil & Adobe
Photoshop
This cover was originally sketched
out in pencil and then scanned
in and completed digitally in
Photoshop. The final artwork
was enlarged and the edges
were cropped before it was
used on the magazine.

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 ▲ Reciprocate spell by Jim Murray, Magic the Gathering
Apple Mac G5 / Adobe Photoshop, Paint & Adobe Illustrator
This artwork shows a demon getting his just desserts from the card
game, Magic the Gathering, published by Wizards of the Coast. The
company is one of the biggest commissioners of fantasy art today.

Ogre Recluse by Jim Murray, Magic the Gathering ▲ Rhunir by James Ryman
Apple Mac G5 / Adobe Photoshop & Paint Apple Mac G5 / Adobe Photoshop, Paint & Adobe Illustrator
This misanthropic ogre is not to be disturbed! This is the first time This Nordic-themed battle scene was the box art for the role-playing game
the image has been published in its original form. Rhunir, published by German games company Nackter Stahl (Naked Steel).

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