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Parting The Veil: The Art of Nene Thomas
Parting the Veil is the first book dedicated to the art of Nene Tina Thomas. There are three editions of this book”paperback, a hardcover, and a special leather-bound limited edition.
128 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2005
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About the author
Nene Thomas
15 books39 followersNene hase been drawing and painting for most of her life. She began her professional career in 1994 when she was approached by a company called Wizards of the Coast to contribute work to the popular Collectible Card Game called “Magic: the Gathering.”
She worked with WotC for a few years, as well as several other CCG companies, but eventually grew tired of working for other people and decided to try doing her own thing. In particular, she wanted to paint the characters from a story that she'd been working on since high school, and felt she needed to hone her skills to be able to truly ‘capture’ them.
It is called “The Zarryiostrom”, and will be a multi-part fantasy novel featuring many of the characters that Nene has painted over the years. Last year her husband started writing the first novel, and she started painting images to go with it. The first book, is entitled Powerborn
She worked with WotC for a few years, as well as several other CCG companies, but eventually grew tired of working for other people and decided to try doing her own thing. In particular, she wanted to paint the characters from a story that she'd been working on since high school, and felt she needed to hone her skills to be able to truly ‘capture’ them.
It is called “The Zarryiostrom”, and will be a multi-part fantasy novel featuring many of the characters that Nene has painted over the years. Last year her husband started writing the first novel, and she started painting images to go with it. The first book, is entitled Powerborn
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
September 11, 2020
Thomas' paintings are pretty and rather same-ish. Do you like the cover? Then you'll probably like the book (although mostly the paintings are more colorful). If you don't like the cover, don't bother.
I first heard of this artist when I was a teen, and I have to say that my main take-away from the book was how much my taste and understanding of technique have developed over the years. In middle school I would have excited displayed at image like this on the wall. Now? It would be fine as a book cover.
(if you like Caspar David Friedrich you may recognize the background of this one.)
Each image comes with a paragraph explanation. Thomas writing is competent if a bit stiff, and repetitive (maybe the paragraphs were written at different dates? How many times do we need to be told that her assistant Anne (who does the inking) is her sister?). She also writes fantasy novels and her prose did not inspire me to read them.
At the end there is a longer written piece discusses various topics she gets asked about at cons, art sales, etc. I have to say that it was discouragingly pragmatic advice like "Be generic. Generic sells better" and "Hint at sexiness but don't show anything that would possibly offend anyone." Points for honesty, though, I guess.
I first heard of this artist when I was a teen, and I have to say that my main take-away from the book was how much my taste and understanding of technique have developed over the years. In middle school I would have excited displayed at image like this on the wall. Now? It would be fine as a book cover.
(if you like Caspar David Friedrich you may recognize the background of this one.)
Each image comes with a paragraph explanation. Thomas writing is competent if a bit stiff, and repetitive (maybe the paragraphs were written at different dates? How many times do we need to be told that her assistant Anne (who does the inking) is her sister?). She also writes fantasy novels and her prose did not inspire me to read them.
At the end there is a longer written piece discusses various topics she gets asked about at cons, art sales, etc. I have to say that it was discouragingly pragmatic advice like "Be generic. Generic sells better" and "Hint at sexiness but don't show anything that would possibly offend anyone." Points for honesty, though, I guess.
July 5, 2017
**Actual Star Rating: 3.75**
This was one art that was interesting since of the fantasy subjects who are very well-known since of Nene's Thomas' works. Whether it is one of her adorable anime fairies, her benevolent seeming yet moody dragons, her wild equestrians or even her elaborate outfits with their complementing backgrounds one who revels in fantasy will find something to enjoy.
The colors range depending on the actual piece whether it is somber and dark such as for her graveyard pieces, dark yet light night scenes and her bright sunny days with their charming sunrise/sunset colors. And the backgrounds are also richly detailed and share the same attention to coloring as the rest of the picture's contents.
And to make it an even better book it is almost like a two-in-one book due to there are just as much pieces that have been touched and helped out by her sister. It is interesting to be able to see the styles of the two, to hear how they came to the ideas that they did and to see how much they have been able to help each other out. I would hope that in the end we will also get to see more colored pieces instead of just the few.
My only main complaint and one that my sister doesn't think is justified for inclusion in my review is the way that the book was formatted. Although I truly did enjoy the series being collected together I also had hoped that the artists would have seen a way of including together the various pen-and-ink drawings with others that were suppose to be back ends or remakes of other originals.
All in all for those who are fans of Nene Thomas and/or fantasy this is a wonderful addition to those parts of your library. And for those who don't know the work this will be a great stepping stone to get to the know the artists who have made such a splash in the fantasy art world.
This was one art that was interesting since of the fantasy subjects who are very well-known since of Nene's Thomas' works. Whether it is one of her adorable anime fairies, her benevolent seeming yet moody dragons, her wild equestrians or even her elaborate outfits with their complementing backgrounds one who revels in fantasy will find something to enjoy.
The colors range depending on the actual piece whether it is somber and dark such as for her graveyard pieces, dark yet light night scenes and her bright sunny days with their charming sunrise/sunset colors. And the backgrounds are also richly detailed and share the same attention to coloring as the rest of the picture's contents.
And to make it an even better book it is almost like a two-in-one book due to there are just as much pieces that have been touched and helped out by her sister. It is interesting to be able to see the styles of the two, to hear how they came to the ideas that they did and to see how much they have been able to help each other out. I would hope that in the end we will also get to see more colored pieces instead of just the few.
My only main complaint and one that my sister doesn't think is justified for inclusion in my review is the way that the book was formatted. Although I truly did enjoy the series being collected together I also had hoped that the artists would have seen a way of including together the various pen-and-ink drawings with others that were suppose to be back ends or remakes of other originals.
All in all for those who are fans of Nene Thomas and/or fantasy this is a wonderful addition to those parts of your library. And for those who don't know the work this will be a great stepping stone to get to the know the artists who have made such a splash in the fantasy art world.
December 4, 2022
I came across this book in a store window in NYC years ago sometime in 2006 maybe. I love fairies, dragons, and butterflies. When I looked the artwork in this book I was awestruck by the beauty and detail of Nene's artistic flair and at that time, it was like nothing I had ever seen before in a book. I didn't have much money but I remember that I splurged and spent what I had on this book as a keepsake from my trip. I just came across this book today 12/4/22 as I was going through some boxes and was just as moved by her artwork today as I was then. Fantastic and breathtaking! What more is there to say?
September 3, 2018
This is a LOVELY compilation of works by Nene. I've always been amazed by her talent along with others such as Amy Brown & Jessica Galbreth. It included many pieces I hadn't come across before. The layout is great, & I proudly added this to our collection of faves, as our girls love it as well. As an artist's wife & being one myself, I love her little insights about each picture. I'm one of those that enjoys the story behind as much as the actual piece of work itself. I REALLY appreciated the summary of tips for aspiring artists included in the back.
June 21, 2010
Actually a book I read/view often. I love her work.
February 17, 2016
The artwork in this book is so detailed and interesting. I love all of the dress elements, reminiscent of a Victorian style.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews