[Art Pick] Ravine: Sardaheim and Shivas [concept art]

I come bearing gifts of art to thee. Here is some fantasy concept art done by Stjepan Šejić [current illustrator for Top Cow's Witchblade] for his own fantasy comic book called Ravine. Typically his style is not very appealing to me, because his pieces seem unfinished. If you look closely at the image, you will see the paint as if it's smudged. Considering that this is digital media, I'd expect to have clear lines and even color, while this imitates water paint. But that is just my taste as far as the coloring and lines go. There is no denial, however, that the man can draw and his races are both familiar looking and exotic enough to appeal. Tell me what you think?

[Halloween Monster] Bride of Frankenstein

With Halloween approaching and weeks ticking past, it's time for another Halloween monster on my blog. I thought long and hard what kind of monster I should showcase with images. I came up with Frankenstein, since he is the classic monster and a regular choice as a Halloween costume, but at the last second I stopped to think about shaking things up, so here is the Bride of Frankenstein. She's another regular as far as costumes go, but I thought that people would like to see more of her.

This is the classic Bride, rendered by Simon Hayag. If I am to keep thing traditional, this is what I will go with. The Bride [which I so lovingly will call Helga] is true to the character in the movie. I'm not sure whether this is a movie still turned into a mixed-media image or not, but it's certainly atmospheric.

Now, I think that what Dan Vykes is doing here is actually using the original movie poster [Elsa Lanchester never looked more beautiful] and then layers it over for effect. The result is a natural vintage vibe along with the stunning visuals provided by modern software. I especially like the transparency of the chest. Seeing the ribs makes it so much ghastlier.

Third place is for Alice, who delivers an astounding beauty shot of the Bride. She's not much of a monster in this rendition [not that she was in the others], but here she seems most human and most vulnerable, realizing what she has become. Needless to say I love the color blend and the fine lines. It's endearing eye candy.

[Art Pick] Typhoon by Derrewyn

I am resuming my Art Pick spot to bring something fancy every once in awhile. I saw this piece called Typhoon by one of my favorite artists, Derrewyn. I love the lines and the shades she works in. The composition is beyond captivating and the creepy mask is creepy. Not exactly fantasy, but more in the weird direction, where I am headed. I am not really sure whether the little boy gets rescued or is in big trouble.

[Art Pick] Bizarre Victorian Animal Portraits

Surrealism is foreign to me. I have seen some surrealistic art, which did not capture my eye or had to do little to inspire me in any way. Which is to say that I have no understanding or knowledge of the genre and what can be achieved with it, until I came across the New Victorian Gods series by Joseph Larkin, who captured my little black heart. The elegance and sophistication stems not only from the superior technique used to render the images, who are so lifelike, but it is imbued in the frames themselves. For Larking finding the right frame is an art form on its own and gives the enchanting and magnetic quality in his works. Here are some highlights.

"Phoebe Smoke"

"Paladin"

"Dear Prudence"

"Dead Avian Gorgon"

[Art Pick] Wheel of Time Alternative Covers

I have not The Wheel of Time. There is something about massive books that whispers murder weapons and lifelong commitment, which instantly lures my attention and makes me walk in the opposite direction. I plan to read this gigantic series, but when I know it is over, thus manageable. Otherwise, too chicken. With this being said, the images have no meaning to me. I don't recognize the characters, don't know their story and I am not sure whom to root for or not. However, what I do see is a talented rendition.

The artist is J. Seamas Gallaghar [Official Site] & [BLOG]. I discovered his work through Editorial Ass [which is a well of information about editors and writing and the publishing world] and I was quite impressed with his work and technique.

These images are Alternative Covers to some of the WoT titles, but I am quite clueless [and there was no identification] as to which books in the series the covers are for. I am leaving you guys, the loyal WoT fans, to debate on this little mystery, though I am positive that it will be an easy one.

What I can say with a non-professional art enthusiast, who speaks a lot and does not understand anything, is that his work is a magnificent. Over-generalization, I know, but look at how well he blends colors. His shadowing is superior and along with the hazy backgrounds, this creates depth and dimension to every image. His lines are sharpened to perfection and possess a clarity. At the same time, each image is highly detailed. From wind-whisked-away leaves to carvings on the carriage to the mass of crows, blurred together, but still allowing the eye to distinguish individual birds. Quite lovely.

What's your take?

[Art Pick] Another Day

After watching An Education, I was on a 50s-60s vibe again. I am not so sure why I like that time period. Women were pretty much treated like commodities and/or cattle. Racism was soaring high. Homosexualism was a mental disease and there were a whole lot of things that were improper. But, there is something in the spirit of these decades as well as the class in the way people looked after their appearances, which is quite captivating. This is why I chose 'Another Day' by family duo Winter Kelly & J.M. "Wolf" Johnston. It captures both the class and despair attached to these years.

[Art Pick] 'Owlornet' by Wen M

I am an addict, when it comes to Wen M and his art. I collect every single piece he produces and because he is always contracted and churns a new piece every few days, the collection has grown. Although I admire his prowess with color and imaginative designs, his human figure is not as good as he could do it [something the artist stressed himself], so I am showcasing something else, which fits perfectly with the fantastical: The Owlornet

[Art Pick] 'Alice in a Cup' by Oliver Pietern

Anticipating the new 'Alice in Wonderland' to arrive on my doorstep. Movies tend to be extra sluggish, when moving to Eastern Europe. I know it will be a bit of a let down, because it is more or less resembling Narnia, but it will be colorful and it will star a Depp that looks like a Madonna right down to the gap in those teeth. To celebrate my fan-mode I have picked 'Alice in a Cup' by Oliver Pietern.

[Art Pick] 'The March' by Lauren K. Cannon

'The March' by Lauren K. Cannon

I am not an expert, but I have to say that this is epic and imposing. I can even imagine it being a cover art for a book in the genre and the landscape is brilliant. I also enjoy how the soldiers are not portrayed as individuals, but as hazy figures that merge into a great serpentine beast that is an army on the march. Usually, I am not moved by such pieces, but this one I would definitely love to hang on my walls at home.

Art Pick І Elizabeth Bathory

Foreword: I am extremely visual. Art along with literature and music is an intellectual drug I do not plan to leave behind soon. Not so long ago in 2009 I tried to bring to your attention the artists, which caught my eye, but I grew tired with interviews and working every week with people involved stress as there were too many variables and let’s just say that sometimes the artists are not gifted with focus on reality. However, I do wish to share my aesthetics with you glorious readers and present to you every Thursday one piece, which had gouged my interest with the hope that it will gouge yours as well.

The Piece: What we see here is the Blood Countess, Elizabeth Bathory, who is in the middle of a rather luxurious blood bath. Bathing in virgin blood is her trademark to keep her youthful appearance intact and she was convicted for the murder of 80 proven deaths, while there is a larger speculation that this Hungarian noblewoman reduced the then female population by six hundred. And all in the name of vanity. It is evident, why the artist [Gonzalo Arias] chose to portray her in a more demonic form, which reminds me a bit of Witchblade after the way the blood seems to form claws and wings. Gonzalo is an immediate favorite of mine, because even if his take on human anatomy is not the most convincing, everything else from the colors to the surrounding, font and special effects screams mad skills.