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Spectrum #12
Spectrum 12: The Best in Contemporary Fantastic Art
The increasing popularity of fantasy and science fiction themes in art is celebrated in the annual Spectrum series. The premier venue for such art, each lavishly illustrated volume is an invaluable resource, eagerly awaited by art directors, illustrators, and readers alike. Drawn from books, comics, magazines, art galleries, advertisements, and portfolios, the collection represents a who’s who in fantasy today. With a wider reach than any previous edition, Spectrum 12 features 350 works by artists from Germany, England, the Netherlands, Korea, Australia, Japan, Canada, France, and the United States. Divided into seven categories, including one devoted to comics and another to graphic novels, the illustrations expand the boundaries of the imagination and explore new realms of creativity. Among the artists included are Justin K. Sweet, Brad Holland, Greg Ruth, Lawrence Northey, Arthur Suydam, and H. R. Giger. A handy index provides contact information for each artist.
208 pages, Hardcover
First published September 15, 2005
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
April 7, 2017
Weird, wild and wonderful. This is a collection of the best in science fiction and fantasy art from 2004. From giant robots in apocalyptic landscapes to hooded figures seated on thrones of skulls, to a normal looking boy encountering a monster in the forest and an ice skating rabbit watching pixies fly away with treasures- the art is beyond description in most cases.
My favorites were the pages in which Dave DeVries took a child's drawing and brought it to life through his mastery. See "Old Scratch and the Fish," by Dave DeVries and Kimberly (age 7) on pg 119 or "Big Fat Footie," by Dave Devries and Chelsea (age 7) on page 158. It makes me want to take some of my child's drawings and hire an artist to do the same.
There is fear and love in these pages, beauty and grotesqueness. Some of the images are scary, others are compellingly beautiful.
I loved trying to find the reason for the title of each piece. Some weren't readily apparent. For example, I thought at first that "The Trophy" by Charles Keegan on page 178 was referring to the beautiful naked woman in the light but then I looked closer and discovered... a surprise :) No spoilers. Go find out for yourself.
Because of the nudity and disturbing nature of some of these images, parental discretion is advised. Personally, I think that this collection would be acceptable for +18, maybe as young as 16 if the teen is mature.
My favorites were the pages in which Dave DeVries took a child's drawing and brought it to life through his mastery. See "Old Scratch and the Fish," by Dave DeVries and Kimberly (age 7) on pg 119 or "Big Fat Footie," by Dave Devries and Chelsea (age 7) on page 158. It makes me want to take some of my child's drawings and hire an artist to do the same.
There is fear and love in these pages, beauty and grotesqueness. Some of the images are scary, others are compellingly beautiful.
I loved trying to find the reason for the title of each piece. Some weren't readily apparent. For example, I thought at first that "The Trophy" by Charles Keegan on page 178 was referring to the beautiful naked woman in the light but then I looked closer and discovered... a surprise :) No spoilers. Go find out for yourself.
Because of the nudity and disturbing nature of some of these images, parental discretion is advised. Personally, I think that this collection would be acceptable for +18, maybe as young as 16 if the teen is mature.
March 1, 2019
i remember first coming across the Spectrum art books in my twenties, when i would buy books simply for their dust jackets and hope the story inside wasn't too awful... the art in these books is amazing, creative, imaginary, dreamlike, fascinating, and ultimately full of life and the love of wonder and wondrous things... i would own them all if i could... extremely highly recommended...
December 22, 2012
Although the quality of the artwork is technically quite high in this volume, there also lacks a certain sense of originality. Painters such as Brom and Royo stand out with their unique styles, as do line artists such as Vess and Kaluta, but the majority don't seem to bring anything new to the table.
October 1, 2011
Part of me wants to give this book 2 stars. But the nice part of me wants to give it 3 stars. It is a great book filled with wonderful pieces. I just did not like as many of the works as I thought I would. Luis Royo is my favorite artist featured.
July 23, 2016
Went through this contemporary fantastic art book at the library today. Wrote down probably 75 works of art from this Spectrum edition from 2004. Will be going through the art more so in the future. I was most impressed with the Todd Lockwood pieces.
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
September 29, 2007
This is the best periodical on fantasy art.
December 23, 2007
Silly to try and rate one Spectrum book higher than another, but this one, for some reason, stands out. Granted, I don't have #13 yet. Picked this one up for my good ol friend Sly.
May 30, 2008
"art coffee table book...thats it"
love much of the art pieces in here, but doesn't function more than a nice fantasy art coffee table book
love much of the art pieces in here, but doesn't function more than a nice fantasy art coffee table book
August 6, 2011
Absolutely incredible compilation of fantasy artists! Produced yearly (every November).
January 4, 2010
A lot of dark work here -- both in color and message/image
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews