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Spectrum #21
Spectrum 21: The Best in Contemporary Fantastic Art
The best-selling Spectrum series continues with this twenty-first lavishly produced annual. Challenging, controversial, educational, and irreverent, the award-winning Spectrum series reinforces both the importance and prevalence of fantastic art in today’s culture. With exceptional images by extraordinary creators, this elegant full-color collection showcases an international cadre of creators working in every style and medium, both traditional and digital. The best artists from the United States, Europe, China, Australia, South America and beyond have gathered into the only annual devoted exclusively to works of fantasy, horror, science fiction, and the surreal, making Spectrum one of the year’s highly most anticipated books.
Featured in SPECTRUM 21 are over 300 diverse visionaries, many of them world-renowned, including Paul Bonner, Donato Giancola, James Gurney, Iain McCaig, Shaun Tan, Sam Weber, Allen Williams. With art from books, graphic novels, video games, films, galleries, advertising and the fine arts, 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.
Often imitated, never equaled, SPECTRUM 21 continues the freshness and excellence that was established twenty years ago.
Featured in SPECTRUM 21 are over 300 diverse visionaries, many of them world-renowned, including Paul Bonner, Donato Giancola, James Gurney, Iain McCaig, Shaun Tan, Sam Weber, Allen Williams. With art from books, graphic novels, video games, films, galleries, advertising and the fine arts, 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.
Often imitated, never equaled, SPECTRUM 21 continues the freshness and excellence that was established twenty years ago.
- GenresArtNonfictionReference
304 pages, Hardcover
First published November 11, 2014
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
March 22, 2021
Die SPECTRUM=Reihe vermittelt einen tollen Überblick über die aktuelle Kunstszene, die sich mit "Fantastic Art" beschäftigt. Games, Comics, Filmplakate und Buchcover; Zeichnungen, Ölgemälde, Aquarelle, digitale Kunst - alles ist vertreten.
Die Auswahl hat mir sehr gut gefallen, die fantastischen Bilder kann ich mir immer wieder anschauen und die Texte sind informativ.
Die Auswahl hat mir sehr gut gefallen, die fantastischen Bilder kann ich mir immer wieder anschauen und die Texte sind informativ.
March 9, 2015
Overall, I'd say the art selection here merits 3 stars, with nothing especially jumping out at me as super-awesome aside from one painting. However, the lack of Arnie Fenner's doom-and-gloom Year in Review gets another half star by itself.
I'm giving the book four stars simply because I want to encourage people to publish books like this, because even if the art isn't to my particular taste at this particular moment, it's always cool to see the depth and breadth of artwork being done out there. You never know what might spark your imagination.
The one trend I noticed for the 2013 art on display here was the Japanese/Chinese style of art, and even specific Asian elements used in ordinary Western art. There were pieces which were specifically evocative of Asian art, while others simply took elements of Eastern mythology or themes and incorporated them into the artwork.
There were a few pieces of art which I quite liked, so here they are.
My favorite was unquestionably by Paolo Rivera, who did a poster for the cast and crew of Iron Man 3 in the style of an old adventure novel, like the Mack Reynolds series. (This is the super-awesome one.)
This is called "Something Caught My Eye" by Trevor Denham. I like the old school Flash Gordon feel of it.
This is a cover for Indestructible Hulk by Mukesh Singh. It's a lot of fun.
I'm giving the book four stars simply because I want to encourage people to publish books like this, because even if the art isn't to my particular taste at this particular moment, it's always cool to see the depth and breadth of artwork being done out there. You never know what might spark your imagination.
The one trend I noticed for the 2013 art on display here was the Japanese/Chinese style of art, and even specific Asian elements used in ordinary Western art. There were pieces which were specifically evocative of Asian art, while others simply took elements of Eastern mythology or themes and incorporated them into the artwork.
There were a few pieces of art which I quite liked, so here they are.
My favorite was unquestionably by Paolo Rivera, who did a poster for the cast and crew of Iron Man 3 in the style of an old adventure novel, like the Mack Reynolds series. (This is the super-awesome one.)
This is called "Something Caught My Eye" by Trevor Denham. I like the old school Flash Gordon feel of it.
This is a cover for Indestructible Hulk by Mukesh Singh. It's a lot of fun.
October 15, 2016
Das jährliche Artwork der Phantastik-Kunst wird jetzt von John Fleskes weitergeführt, nachdem Cathy und Arnie Fenner dies fast 20 Jahre lang gemacht haben. Die Aufmachung ist ähnlich der Fenner-Versionen, in diesem Prachtband ist es Iain McCraig, der 2014 den Grand Master Award gewonnen hat, er wird in diesem Band von Terri Windling porträtiert.
John Fleskes selbst läßt das Jahr 2014 Review passieren, was die phantastische (Grafik)-Kunst angeht. Die inhaltliche Gestaltung und die diversen Beispiele geben einen großen Umriss der unterschiedlichsten Stilrichtung der Phantastischen Malerei des Jahres wieder...
John Fleskes selbst läßt das Jahr 2014 Review passieren, was die phantastische (Grafik)-Kunst angeht. Die inhaltliche Gestaltung und die diversen Beispiele geben einen großen Umriss der unterschiedlichsten Stilrichtung der Phantastischen Malerei des Jahres wieder...
October 16, 2016
This volume changes the format up a bit, with a little more detail about the top-rated artists and different introduction approach (including some detail on what makes up the different formats), but still contains hundreds of pages of beautiful, diverse art. There are some stunning pieces collected here, and I think I liked the overall quality here a little bit more than the 20th Volume. Getting some insight on the Gold and Silver winning artists (including quotes from their acceptance speeches) is a worthwhile addition to the format. Other than that, all I can say is if you appreciate beautiful fantasy art, this is still the best option available for a wide variety of styles and formats.
June 16, 2015
The range of artwork in this collection is broad, everything from Pre-Raphaelite to some fairly modern stuff. Being mostly about illustration, there are very few abstract works. Not a lot of the old school cheesecake and beefcake pictures, though there are a few. An interesting scan once book unless you paint for this market.
November 23, 2017
First and foremost a new book editor has been passed the baton by the Fenners, John Fleskes. It will be neat to see how the organization of the book order goes. Hint: the categorization is definitely clearer on the pages and the grand master, gold and silver winners get to talk about their piece a bit more, which I find more engaging. Also this volume had me excited with its judge line-up of Cory Godbey (a favorite children's author), George Pratt, J. Anthony Kosar (SYFY's Face Off season 4 champ!),Shelly Wan, and Allen Williams. The judging took place at San Jose State University Animation/Illustration building, which I so want to tour and see as a potential school. Again more implementing of writing about requiems in the beginning by honoring Ray Harryhausen. PLEASE William Stout get all his acolytes and kickstart that "8th Voyage of Sinbad" as a homage to him! Indiegogo or Kickstarter could manage that. As for artists I should investigate more on Corinne Reid, Chris Seaman, Scott Gustafson, Petar Meseldžija, Daren Bader, Jason Chan, Sam Bosma, Todd Lockwood, Cory Godbey, Greg Ruth, Grim Wilkins, Vivienne To, Peter de Sève, Angel Rizza, Raoul Vitale, Rebecca Yanovskaya, Omar Rayyan (Gold Award winner!), Annie Stegg-Gerard, Hannah Christenson, Justin Hernandez, Matt Rockefeller, Rebecca Léveillé-Guay, and Patricia Raubo. There are so many good artists in this volume it's crazy. Some welcomed back from other volumes as well as newcomers to the art scene. I can't wait to see how it all progresses onward!
August 31, 2022
The majority of the artwork seems to be fantasy and sci-fi.
July 18, 2023
It's a book of fantasy art, what's not to like? 🙂
March 13, 2018
Only a handful of things grabbed me, and there were a few too many gratuitous and/or anatomically improbable boobs, and in the case of one full page Craig Elliott illustration both. (Seriously, guy? That is not how boobs work. Also, why are they a completely different skin tone than the rest of the lady to whom they're attached?)
Apparently I have more opinions about the boobs than the art, mainly because I find it ridiculous that something that dumb gets an unironic best of anything mention. So anyway. The book is overall enjoyable, but definitely not as amazing as I was led to believe.
Maybe subsequent years improve? 2013 feels like...? possibly simpler times.
In conclusion, here are links to some of my favorite artists featured in 21: Victo Ngai (delirious use of color and truly exuberant imagery), Tran Nguyen (dreamy and surreal images made more powerful by restrained palettes), Tobias Kwan (dark and mysterious imagery), Rovina Cai (moody illustrations in muted palettes), Karla Ortiz (dynamic compositions; she loves diagonals).
Edit: downgrading the rating to a 2 after reading #22.
Apparently I have more opinions about the boobs than the art, mainly because I find it ridiculous that something that dumb gets an unironic best of anything mention. So anyway. The book is overall enjoyable, but definitely not as amazing as I was led to believe.
Maybe subsequent years improve? 2013 feels like...? possibly simpler times.
In conclusion, here are links to some of my favorite artists featured in 21: Victo Ngai (delirious use of color and truly exuberant imagery), Tran Nguyen (dreamy and surreal images made more powerful by restrained palettes), Tobias Kwan (dark and mysterious imagery), Rovina Cai (moody illustrations in muted palettes), Karla Ortiz (dynamic compositions; she loves diagonals).
Edit: downgrading the rating to a 2 after reading #22.
December 5, 2014
Another year, another stunning volume of the Spectrum contemporary fantastic art book series.
Volume 21 sees the series under new stewardship as the torch is passed from Arnie and Cathy Fenner, who first imagined this series of books back in 2003, and over to John Flesk of Flesk Publishing. A recognisable name in the quality artbook business, who has printed artbooks featuring Brom, Mark Schultz, Frank Cho and more.
With the change of management, there is no change in the quality of book or of the artwork on the pages. There is still the review of the year, the career summary of this year's Grand Master, and the Gold and Silver winners from each of the categories the book is split into - Advertising, Books, Comics, Concept Art, Dimensional, Editorial, Institutional, and Unpublished featuring over 500 artworks in different styles and mediums from more than 250 artists on over 300 pages!
Since last year's edition, I'm beginning to recognise a lot more of the artists that are featured in this artbook, as I now follow a lot of them on the usual social networks and their blogs.
New editorial team, but the same high standard of quality art. If you love contemporary art with a good dose of the fantastic, science fiction and horror, I can totally recommended this hefty tome!
Volume 21 sees the series under new stewardship as the torch is passed from Arnie and Cathy Fenner, who first imagined this series of books back in 2003, and over to John Flesk of Flesk Publishing. A recognisable name in the quality artbook business, who has printed artbooks featuring Brom, Mark Schultz, Frank Cho and more.
With the change of management, there is no change in the quality of book or of the artwork on the pages. There is still the review of the year, the career summary of this year's Grand Master, and the Gold and Silver winners from each of the categories the book is split into - Advertising, Books, Comics, Concept Art, Dimensional, Editorial, Institutional, and Unpublished featuring over 500 artworks in different styles and mediums from more than 250 artists on over 300 pages!
Since last year's edition, I'm beginning to recognise a lot more of the artists that are featured in this artbook, as I now follow a lot of them on the usual social networks and their blogs.
New editorial team, but the same high standard of quality art. If you love contemporary art with a good dose of the fantastic, science fiction and horror, I can totally recommended this hefty tome!
May 1, 2015
This is the first issue of Spectrum under new management, and the changes are quite noticable. The biggest one for me (since I was too impatient and skipped the whole year-in-review) was the more personal look at artists. For instance, each winner now has a page with his/her photo, a quote and a brief bio. There was also a startling amount of black and white pictures in almost every category (thought I don't know whether it's due to the change in editorial management, judges' preferences or pure cosmic coincidence). One of them even won a gold award in Books.
As for the art itself, here I agree with the other reviewer: it's good but nothing had really taken my breath away. Many of the pieces I liked were of cute and clever variety, like works of Peter de Seve or Omar Rayyan. The Unpublished section was the best, imo.
What I like about this and other Spectrum issues from last couple of years is the big influx of unfamiliar to me artists from all over the world, as well as the distinct absence of scantily clad big-breasted females in provocative poses.
What I didn't like about this Spectrum in particular is layout problems - too much white space left at times, even a couple of pages where the whole bottom half was empty. I don't remember any of previous issues having this. And at the same time, some of the pictures were too small to really appreciate the details.
As for the art itself, here I agree with the other reviewer: it's good but nothing had really taken my breath away. Many of the pieces I liked were of cute and clever variety, like works of Peter de Seve or Omar Rayyan. The Unpublished section was the best, imo.
What I like about this and other Spectrum issues from last couple of years is the big influx of unfamiliar to me artists from all over the world, as well as the distinct absence of scantily clad big-breasted females in provocative poses.
What I didn't like about this Spectrum in particular is layout problems - too much white space left at times, even a couple of pages where the whole bottom half was empty. I don't remember any of previous issues having this. And at the same time, some of the pictures were too small to really appreciate the details.
June 3, 2015
An anthology of fantastic art. Varying styles and subjects (and quality, too, I think.) Over the various places where it's used, like book covers or in comics. How it's organized, too, so there's not a thematic progression.
Interesting stuff. Giving me ideas.
Interesting stuff. Giving me ideas.
January 25, 2016
If you love fantasy and SiFi art of any type; paintings, drawings, sculpture, cartoons then this is the book for you. Fantastic selection of the years art. You can't help but find something you like inside. Highly recommended
June 18, 2015
Lots of good art as always.
September 2, 2016
Love these type of art books. Pretty good read.
May 2, 2017
Art greatness in book format
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews