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| Customer Reviews: | | Average Customer Review: ( 6 customer reviews )
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
11 of 11 found the following review helpful:
 Beautiful collection! Dec 15, 2005
By Mary Williams
"Nightsong"
As I paged through this book I was astounded not only by the beautiful artwork inside, but by the sheer plethora of mediums and styles of art that the book spanned. Whether hand drawn in pencil or ink, oil, watercolor, computer generated, or digitally painted, there seemed to be a sampling of every medium and variety of fantasy imagineable.
Many, many kudos go to Jenni Mills for going to the trouble of collecting such a variety of art and going through the painstaking process that seeing so many previously undiscovered artists have now actually been published! Even though I own one of the pictures that made it into that book, I'm both amazed and honored to be included with so many obviously talented artists whose work far outshines my own.
Anyone who loves browsing through a new take on traditional fantasy, from dragons to knights, from unicorns to fairies, can find something to identify with and love in this book, and the content is such that I'd have no problem even buying it for children. In fact, it might inspire them to draw, as well!
5 of 5 found the following review helpful:
An Exciting Project and a Great Achievement! Jan 16, 2006
By Katy Jones
"Artist and Writer"
It's so exciting when artists get together on a creative project! In this book little known fantasy artists (including me) pooled efforts and resources to produce an inspiring book containing an amazing range of fantasy artwork all produced in 2005. There's something here for every fantasy fan, whether you like intricate fairy designs with glowing colours, oil paintings or atmospheric digital work, detailed pencil drawings or dragons portrayed with a touch of humour. The artists' websites and email addresses are included in the book so you can find more work by your favourite artists online. I can't wait for this year's book which I'm sure will be bigger and even better!
I heartily recommend this book to students, artists interested in participating in the project in future and anyone who'd like to discover new fantasy artists.
4 of 4 found the following review helpful:
A Wonderful & Refreshing Book! Feb 27, 2006
By L.Machin
Before I get onto my review of this book, I have a few thoughts to share with regards to the previous review from Alisa. Now I by no means intend to headhunt or rant, but in my personal opinion as a person, artist & avid book lover, I feel that anyone who has NOT read or even sighted the book they are attempting to review should not be doing so. I fail to see how it will benefit anyone at all. I had thought that the purpose of a review was to share thoughts & ideas with others of a publication of which of which the reviewer has (at some point) read. Therefore, hopefully helping others to make an informed decision as to whether the publication is to their tastes.
Basing a review of a 'compilation' art book on one person's art alone is neither constructive or appropriate. Its kind of like assessing a whole school's overall performance on 1 students exam results - it does NOT represent each individual or their abilites.
Now onto the book review. I actually have a copy of this publication. I am an artist, but I am NOT in this book... As an artist, I have to say that overall, I'm impressed - there are indeed many contibutors to this publication that have me scratching my head as to why they aren't 'known'. There is a wide variety of subject matter within the pages & interesting & useful information about each artist. This gives the reader the option of being able to learn even more about each artist & view more of their work! Something which I have done with great enthusiasm.
Yes, there are varying skill levels within the book, but what the compiler (Jenni) has done, is given these artists - ALL of the artists - the chance to be seen, the chance to expand & grow... AND the incentive to continue to create & improve upon their skills. What some people don't realise is that all it takes is 1 person to take a chance & give others a chance - You never know, Jenni may have just given the next 'Amy Brown' enough courage to continue, improve & become something truely wonderful.
I urge lovers of Fantasy art & artists alike to give this book a go - you'll be adding a lovely publication to your collections & supporting all of those starving artists out there that create art because they love it so much... This is their chance to share & shine. And just think, when the next 'Big' artists' star does rise, you'll know that in your own way you helped them to get there.
5 of 9 found the following review helpful:
Response to previous review by Juroara... Jan 14, 2006
By R. Sayad
I would like to comment on Juroara's review entitled "flunk". I too am an artist whose art was included in this, and while I understand what she was saying, I have to say that I do not agree.
Yes, the book is entitled "Undiscovered Artists of Fantasy," and yes, there are varying degrees of both talent and personal styles in the book, but that does not make the art or the book invalid. There are various reasons as to why all of us are undiscovered. Some of us are in various stages of development. Some of us have never tried to market ourselves. We are all of differing ages, and we all come from varying backgrounds.
Just because someone's work is not as realistic or refined as your own may be does not mean that the individual has no talent or should be written off. I look at some of the pieces in the book and realize that at some point or another my work also looked like that. Then I look at the artwork of some published and incredibly popular artists and I think that while the really popular stuff is amazing, there are also some pieces that they have done that are less than stellar and that I have done better myself. Then you also have to remember that even the best artists can put out some nasty stuff on a bad day.
Then there is the issue of stylistic differences. What one person finds attractive, another may not. What may look like children's drawings that you don't find value in might become incredibly popular in children's books. I saw some pieces in Imagine 2005 that were perfectly beautiful, but would probably be more popular with a younger crowd.
I myself prefer realism and classic beauty, but there is still no reason for anyone to criticize other artists. You never know that you might discourage the next great (but usually dead before they become incredibly popular) artist in their time of development. There is an unverified (and I stress unverified) story about Hitler. It is said that he tried to get into an art school when he was young, but he was turned away with comments that his art wasn't good enough. He then turned to the military and we all know what happened after that. While the story may be an urban legend, it does make a point that we should all think about.
As one last comment to Juroara, before you criticize anybody else's less than perfect work, make sure that you do so in a grammatically correct manner. Just as one example... the word "i'm" should ALWAYS have the "I" capitalized. At our office, when we look at people's resumes, this throws up a red flag about their ability to handle small details.
2 of 7 found the following review helpful:
 I can see why they are undiscovered... Feb 22, 2006
By Alisa Bishop
I have not bought this book but I definitely won't now. I came here from the website of an artist who was featured in this book and that person is not what I would call exceptionally talented, marginally yes, but exceptionally no. I am not saying they or the people featured in this book should give up art, just that they should not have been featured in a book at this point in time.
I am also aware that there are varying types of styles and tastes and what is good for some is bad for others, but a book that says 'undiscovered talent' in the title should be just that, talent, something truly amazing, not something that looks kind of nice and maybe would appeal to kids because it is simple and cute. It needs to be something that makes us wonder why they aren't famous.
On the whole I was rather shocked and saddened that the artist I mentioned had their rather low quality piece published, while there are thousands of incredibly talented fantasy artists that have never been in any books all over the internet.
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