Revealing the Fantasy in Photographs: The Digital Art of Catherine Somerlot

(This was originally posted at WordPress before we moved to Blogger)



Hi Everyone!



As you know, my website Fantasy Art and Portraits presently showcases the fantasy art of computer games. So, there's a lot of art out there that I "not able" to provide links to on my site. I can, however, introduce it to you on this blog!









I recently came across Catherine Somerlot on Twitter and found her lovely work that turns photographs into fantasy art. I feel the best results occur when the components are virtually indistinguishable in the final composite, such as in "Halloween 2008" on the left.



You can view more of her compositions from her collection, "Maidens of the Otherworld". And don't overlook her photography, which you may find trumphs her fantasy art -- such as this "Mystic Woodland"







Updates:

January 5th 2009: Solo Exhibit

January 16th 2009: Interview

The Fantasy Art of Final Fantasy XII

(This was originally posted at WordPress before we moved to Blogger)



Hi Everyone!



As you know, my website, Fantasy Art and Portraits, is focussed on the fantasy art of computer games. So you can imagine that I often run into tons of great art… but “can’t” use it. Here’s a sample from the PS3 (gaming console) roleplaying game, Final Fantasy XII.



Final Fantasy XII is a gorgeous game which you'll probably never see unless you're into console gaming.



Pay attention to the clothes, which have excellent and beautiful detail, not just in patterns and decorations, but in the natural-looking way that baggy clothing bends and folds, and how light and shadow falls on them.



Also have a closer look at the adversaries, like this serpent:







While the rest of the game looks quite tame fantasy-wise, the adversaries have a very alien touch to them, like the four-eyed flippered snake (above). Want more? Here's another link of excellent screenshots (too bad you can't click for a bigger picture, though).



(For all of you out there just looking for babes (-_^) try Top 5 Attractive Final Fantasy Females.)

WASP #4 - The Fantasy Art of Heroes V

(This was originally posted at WordPress before we moved to Blogger)



Wednesday Art Showcase Presents - The Fantasy Art of Heroes V



Ever since Tolkien (was there fantasy before Tolkien?), orcs have been a mainstay of fantasy as a generic and conveniently not-human-enough adversary. Their biology has been variously cast as fallen elves, pig-men, and even a fungal lifeform that sprouts from spores (WH40K).



Today's fantasy art showcases Orcs from Heroes of Might and Magic, where they are cast as backward and exploited half-human half-demon barbarians, with a basic sense of honour and spirituality. The half-human and unpredictable demon angle lets them be mirrored strongly off the Heroes 5 demon units, and yet retain a lot of variation and individuality. On the surface, the wide variation may seem to make the overall Stronghold faction a mishmash, but I think if you compare them with demons' Inferno faction, you'll see a "method to the madness".



















Click image for full-size image at Flickr. Link to Flickr is mandatory per Flickr terms of use. All images are copyrighted by their respective owners.



Fantasy Art and Portraits: A showcase of the fantasy art of computer games

The Halloween Party You Wished You Attended

(This was originally posted at WordPress before we moved to Blogger)



Hi Everyone!



Now that Halloween's over, it's time to sort through the photographs...

While I still feel partying in real life beats partying online, that doesn't mean I missed out on a few things. Here are some shots from Halloween 2008 in the virtual world, "Second Life": (click image for a link to the artist's portfolio on Flickr; some images may have been processed after the screenshot was taken).

The Fantasy Art of Robh Ruppel

(This was originally posted at WordPress before we moved to Blogger)



As you know, my website, Fantasy Art and Portraits, is focussed on the fantasy art of computer games. So you can imagine that I often run into tons of great art… but “can’t” use it. Here’s a sample from the roleplaying game, Dungeons and Dragons, specifically the art of Robh Ruppel.



Ruppel did extensive work in the gothic "Ravenloft" setting/world, but really came to the fore as *the* artist for the post-fantasy-apocalyptic "Dark Sun". His portfolio, however, is much more diverse than fantasy and gorgeous women.

Sassy Classy Hair and Gorgeous Skin that's just to die for.

(This was originally posted at WordPress before we moved to Blogger)



Came across this on an e-mail sent to me by Renderosity advertising hair. But never mind the hair... Check out the realistic skin! I feel it's in the use of faint freckling that gives the skin a not-flawless yet not-unattractive appearance.

Vintage Fantasy Art by Jeff Easley

(This was originally posted at WordPress before we moved to Blogger)



As you know, my website, Fantasy Art and Portraits, is focussed on the fantasy art of computer games. So you can imagine that I often run into tons of great art… but “can’t” use it. Here’s a sample from the roleplaying game, Dungeons and Dragons, specifically the art of Jeff Easley.



During the glory days of pre-3rd edition Dungeons and Dragons (while it was still with TSR), Easley's art was everywhere, and stood apart from everyone else with his distinctive style. Perhaps because of that distinctive style, he has had less of a place with 3rd and 4th Edition Dungeons and Dragons, which re-envisioned the franchise from the ground up, including its art. And not surprisingly so as art has a powerful effect on the imagination, and for a fresh take on D&D and how it was played, new art was clearly needed.