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Spectrum 19: The Best in Contemporary Fantastic Art Hardcover – December 4, 2012
Featured in SPECTRUM 19 are 300 diverse visionaries, many of them world-renowned, including Michael Whelan, Sam Weber, Donato Giancola, Leo & Diane Dillon, Kinuko Craft, James Gurney, Peter de Sève. With art from books, graphic novels, video games, films, galleries, and advertising, Spectrum is both an electrifying art book for fans and an invaluable resource for clients looking for bright new talent. The entire field is discussed in an invaluable, found-nowhere-else Year In Review. Contact information for each artist is included in a handy index.
Often imitated, never equaled, SPECTRUM 19 continues the freshness and excellence that was established seventeen years ago.
- Print length304 pages
- LanguageEnglish
- PublisherUnderwood Books
- Publication dateDecember 4, 2012
- Dimensions9.25 x 1.25 x 12.5 inches
- ISBN-101599290642
- ISBN-13978-1599290645
Book recommendations, author interviews, editors' picks, and more. Read it now.
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Editorial Reviews
Review
--Christopher Paolini, Bestselling author of the Inheritance Cycle
"The latest Spectrum annual surpasses all expectations with stunning fantasy art."
--ImagineFX Magazine
"...a feast for the eye and the imagination." --New Times
"[Spectrum] most definitely belongs in the library of any art lover or artist."
--Airbrush Art + Action
"A full color presentation of the current state of the art-charming, sublime, exotic, horrific..."
--Locus
"The best annual out there!"
--James Gurney, creator of Dynotopia
"I’m hooked ... This is a fantastic book." --The Fringe
"If you are a lover of fantastic art this is the ONE book you must have each year!"
-Mania Entertainment
"A dandy look at the year in contemporary fantastic art ... highly recommended."
-Green Man Review
Product details
- Publisher : Underwood Books; First Edition (December 4, 2012)
- Language : English
- Hardcover : 304 pages
- ISBN-10 : 1599290642
- ISBN-13 : 978-1599290645
- Item Weight : 4.5 pounds
- Dimensions : 9.25 x 1.25 x 12.5 inches
- Best Sellers Rank: #672,681 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #520 in Illustration and Graphic Design
- #1,438 in Pop Culture Art
- Customer Reviews:
Customer reviews
Customer Reviews, including Product Star Ratings help customers to learn more about the product and decide whether it is the right product for them.
To calculate the overall star rating and percentage breakdown by star, we don’t use a simple average. Instead, our system considers things like how recent a review is and if the reviewer bought the item on Amazon. It also analyzed reviews to verify trustworthiness.
Learn more how customers reviews work on AmazonCustomers say
Customers find the book's artwork great and diverse. They appreciate the imagination and mesmerizing details in the art. The book offers fantasy art from digital to oil, making it a good resource for fans of fantasy art. Readers appreciate the diversity of artists, styles, and techniques used. Overall, they consider it a good value and a great item.
AI-generated from the text of customer reviews
Customers appreciate the artwork in the book. They find it visually appealing and a useful resource for artistic inspiration. The book is stocked with diverse art from talented artists, printed with good colors on sturdy paper. While some of the pictures are eye-catching, others are impressive.
"...Each year the artwork just becomes more spectacular. As the title suggests Spectrum 19 focuses on "Fantastic" Art...." Read more
"...The book is stocked full of art and the size of the book is very nice....typcial coffee table size book...." Read more
"...I have all volumes and this book fits in perfect with well done fantasy art of all types. Digital art, sculpture and more throughout the book...." Read more
"...: painting, drawing, 3-D work, concept art, editorial, and sequential art. Every year it has grown and become an amazing collection of talent...." Read more
Customers find the book full of visuals and wonder. They appreciate the interesting details and variety of subject matter, which appeal to everyone. The book demonstrates the human imagination's range and is a great source for admiration and contemplation.
"...Spectrum 19 is over 300 pages with some of the most inspiring, exciting, art I've seen...." Read more
"...There is always something new and inspiring inside the pages of these collections and art has been my passion since the early sixties...." Read more
"...It is a great way of seeing the current work for many great artists, and what is trending in the industry...." Read more
"...A good source for motivation and ideas. A great source for just admiration and contemplation. I highly recommend it." Read more
Customers enjoy the fantasy art in the book. They find it imaginative, creative, and a must-have for sci-fi fans, illustrators, designers, and publishers.
"I love these books and if you're anything like me....love science fiction art then you'll love it too...." Read more
"Spectrum has been showcasing fantasy art in the contemporary marketplace and unpublished work by artists for nineteen years...." Read more
"This is a good book for fans of fantasy art, just like the rest of the series." Read more
"I like nearly every aspect of this art. The imagination, creativity and detail is fantastic...." Read more
Customers appreciate the variety of artists in the book. They find it an amazing collection of talent, with a range of styles and techniques used. The quality of the editing and selection of works printed is also appreciated.
"...There are many artists some brand new to the industry and some older more well known...." Read more
"...A lot more pictures. You can clearly see, how the artists improved, with the times...." Read more
"...check out the other Fenner/Underwood books, they a wonderful range of artists and content...." Read more
"...In the back of the book there is a list of all artists presented and their websites. I highly recommend it." Read more
Customers find the book a good value for money. They say it's worth it and won't disappoint.
"...to order them as soon as they are available and even the price is reasonable. Perhaps my art may grace one of these well done books." Read more
"...I love this product and think the price is right for the amount of art. I am really happy with this product and will probably continue buying it...." Read more
"...Compared with other sellers, I think this is worth it." Read more
"...The price was reasonable as I am a collector of this series of books I appreciate that." Read more
Customers find the book inspiring and a good source of motivation and ideas. They also say it's a great source for admiration and contemplation.
"...them, the ones i dont know are excellent, and some are amazing and inspiring...." Read more
"...A good source for motivation and ideas. A great source for just admiration and contemplation. I highly recommend it." Read more
"Any of the spectrum books are amazing and inspiring. A collection of amazing artists' works at your fingertips...how could you go wrong?..." Read more
"inspirational art..." Read more
Top reviews from the United States
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- Reviewed in the United States on January 13, 2013I own most of the Spectrum books...beginning with Spectrum 1. Each year the artwork just becomes more spectacular.
As the title suggests Spectrum 19 focuses on "Fantastic" Art. And I would further define that by saying most of it falls loosely in the following categories: Fantasy (ala Lord of the Rings - goblins, fairies, elves and so on); Science-Fiction (including space scenes, robots, aliens etc); "Dark" subjects like skeletons, witches, demons and the like; cartoony / comic pieces; Knights and faire maidens, castles and lotz and lotz of dragons in all shapes and sizes and temperaments. :)
The artists represented work in all kinds of mediums including traditional (like oil and acrylic painting) and lots of digital painting (Photoshop, Painter etc). As with past issues...there is a section with photographs of sculptures too.
I'd read at least one review that almost dissuaded me from buying this year's Spectrum but after I looked through Spectrum 18 again...I decided to get it.
It is certainly has not been a disappointment! Spectrum 19 is over 300 pages with some of the most inspiring, exciting, art I've seen. I've already been sitting with a magnifying glass going through the images and am stunned by the creativity, color, concepts, "story" etc in many, many of the images.
I've studied art history and believe that this era WILL be remembered for its amazing art.
If you are an artist yourself...especially one working in Fantastic art...you will be inspired by this book.
[/Fan-Boy OFF]
;)
---------------
A note about the claim that Spectrum is filled with art that is photo-referenced: First I'll say that generally I do not have a problem with this technique. I read once that artists are not supposed to be good "memorizers". So why not use photography as a tool.
On the other hand...unless there is a secret world where people photograph robots of all shapes and sizes, huge trolls and four armed giants, elephant-type beasts with six tusks, space-ships and cities, dinosaurs, demons, and bizarre creatures beyond what most of us can imagine...to say that the majority of this art is from a photo reference is far from the truth.
Yes, there are a few amazing examples of this type...but they are vastly outweighed by all the other artwork...obviously created primarily from the artist's imagination.
- Reviewed in the United States on February 20, 2013I love these books and if you're anything like me....love science fiction art then you'll love it too. There are many artists some brand new to the industry and some older more well known. The book is stocked full of art and the size of the book is very nice....typcial coffee table size book. I wish they would make the book a little bigger if I'm wishing for anything at all. There's plenty to read as well in the beginning of the book; other new art books, comics, popular items and a list of artists who passed away the year prior. Like I said this book just gets better every year. I think it gets longer as well. More and more artists recognize the value of being in this book. They list all the websites for the artists in the back of the book and what could be better advertisement for all the products you might have to sell. I've found some excellent artists I never knew existed....visited their website to find even more awesome artwork to see by then have bought some to hang in my office. Love this book keep up the exceptional work!
- Reviewed in the United States on October 5, 2015Interesting to look at the product. I ordered it with the first volume, and after that, its like 3 times bigger. A lot more pictures. You can clearly see, how the artists improved, with the times. Techniques are way more refined, and mediums are way better quality.
As for the content, its perfecly fine. I know most of them, the ones i dont know are excellent, and some are amazing and inspiring. Not to mention i could look up a lot of artists and see there work on the web. Not sure what anyone is expecting , but if i have to mention something bad, maybe it would be the small pictures. A half page picture is ok, but less is not. It should have only full page (or 2 page) pictures and at best half page ones.
- Reviewed in the United States on December 2, 2012Fantastic art from cover to cover. I have all volumes and this book fits in perfect with well done fantasy art of all types. Digital art, sculpture and more throughout the book. This book an investment in my education as well. There is always something new and inspiring inside the pages of these collections and art has been my passion since the early sixties. The back of the book has the contact information for finding out more about each artist - their website url if you want to satisfy the need to learn more. These are such good books I never hesitate to order them as soon as they are available and even the price is reasonable. Perhaps my art may grace one of these well done books.
- Reviewed in the United States on December 28, 2012Spectrum has been showcasing fantasy art in the contemporary marketplace and unpublished work by artists for nineteen years. The book is a juried publication, so there is jury that determines the flavor and over look of the included work. The range is spectacular: painting, drawing, 3-D work, concept art, editorial, and sequential art. Every year it has grown and become an amazing collection of talent. As a teacher, it was a must in my classroom, not only to show the range of subject matter but also the range of styles and techniques used. As an Fantasy Artist, It is a honor to be included with such a group of talented artists. I can only say that Kathy and Arnie Fenner with Tim Underwood have done a superb job in keeping this high quality publication in production for 19 years. I also go back and look at the earlier books all the time, it is a wonderful journey down the history of fantasy art over this span of time. Please check out the other Fenner/Underwood books, they a wonderful range of artists and content. I must say the Virgil Finlay books are wonderful, along with Frazetta, Jones and others.
- Reviewed in the United States on January 31, 2013The Spectrum books are always a perennial favorite around my house. My wife and I have been collection SF/F art prints for ages, and this book highlights all those artists we either missed or couldn't afford. On technical merits, it's a great book, printed with good colors on sturdy paper. It's going to be on my shelf for decades.
Top reviews from other countries
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Josef ZadamskyReviewed in Germany on March 29, 2021
5.0 out of 5 stars Spectrum
Krásný průřez digitální tvorbou.
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joseba csReviewed in Spain on February 18, 2013
5.0 out of 5 stars cada vez mejor
Esat recopilación de arte fantástico cada vez es mejor: impresionante calidad de impresión, una gran cantidad de artistas con diferentes estílos, una muy buena selección avalada por los años de experiencia. Un obligatorio en tu biblioteca
- CrazyJoolsReviewed in the United Kingdom on February 17, 2013
5.0 out of 5 stars Win some!
Collection Art Books, sight unseen, are a bit of a coin toss affair especially when volumes are being churned out year upon year. Is there really that much quality artwork produced every year to warrant such lavish volumes? Yes, yes there is. Unfortunately this means I will now have to spend a fortune collecting all the other editions in this series to catch up on what I've missed.
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TommasoReviewed in Italy on January 4, 2013
5.0 out of 5 stars SCELTA ECCELLENTE!!
Notevole quantita' di immagini ad un prezzo contenutissimo soprattutto in merito al fatto che il prodotto in questione e' in versione brossura e che tramite la consegna express il pacco mi sia arrivato precisamente 20 ore dopo averlo ordinato -e, credetemi, non abito precisamente in centro- nonostante spesso i postini che risiedono qui si perdano per consegnarmi la posta comune.
Come sempre l'affidabilita' UPS e' ben altra cosa rispetto al resto, idem per la velocita' e la precisione di AMAZON italia che si conferma sempre diverse spanne sopra alla concorrenza dei negozi on line nostrani.
Il libro e' ben fatto, molto solido, ricco, colorato e la carta sufficientemente pesante come ci si aspetta per un libro che tratta tali argomenti, ovvero disegni e illustrazioni. Non posso garantire per la validita' dell'acquisto SE E SOLO SE si e' in possesso anche della versione precedente (questa collana infatti ha scadenza annuale) dato che personalmente prendo solo le edizioni con numerazione dispari.
Prodotto ECCELLENTE soprattutto se rapportato al prezzo e alla concorrenza.
CONSIGLIATISSIMO.
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Campobello StephaneReviewed in France on December 4, 2012
5.0 out of 5 stars toujours un régal pour les yeux
On en trouve pour tous les gouts et ce depuis des années et c'est très bien. Un bonne rétrospective de ce dont sont capable les artistes des 4 coins du monde. Comme pour les numéros précédents, un bel ouvrage pour ceux qui aiment les arts graphiques quels qu'ils soient