Artist Review
I had to do my body of work presentation in one of my classes recently, and after words I was talking with my professor for this game design class and he gave me some great artists to research. I thought I’d do a write up on a few of them in my blog (hence what this is…..)
Andrew Jones
Click here for his website
Look through his gallery, it’s pretty awesome. ^_^
He’s got an amazing understanding of how to incorporate both organic and geometric shape into his work. He also has some pretty interesting body painting works.
Actually, just the interface of his webpage is… well, freaking awesome.
I’m not really sure how to describe it, but it’s cool. 
Ayami Kojima (OMG Girl? According to Wikipedia! Sweetness 
)
I couldn’t really find an official website for her… but this one seemed to have a lot of her works: (I think)
She’s got a really interesting style, very ascetic and fantasy-like, but at the same time she’s not too afraid to depict some horror-like stuff too. (Man, check out my awesomely bad articulation abilities….)
Frank Frazetta
His website
Got some cool fantasy works. A lot of naked women lol, but not in overtly sexual positions. ^_^ Plus, he has some half naked guys so… meh.
He has an interesting style that reminds me some of a realistic DC comic book style… (Does that make sense?)
Well anyways, thanks again to my professor! ^_^
Desirae,
Glad you were able to check these out! This is mostly a comparison of working with ‘illustration’ (that is, art with a functional quality – to describe or advertise) with ‘fine art’ (that is, art built around, say, expression). These artists find a way of expressing themselves through their work but also producing art that is usable by design companies. Jones’ work was used as concept art for the Metroid Prime series ( http://mdb.classicgaming.gamespy.com/?g=mp&p=artwork ). Kojima’s was used in Castlevania. Frazetta is famous for being the beginning of modern fantasy art. Every modern fantasy artist owes something to his work (and yes, it’s true his work has a lot of nude women; his Conan works are among his most famous) – but remember, his work is predated by artists like Hieronomous Bosch – you must look at his art and other Medieval Christian Iconography. Iconography in particular illustrates that there isn’t really a division between ‘illustration’ and ‘fine art’, but ultimately the best develop their own sense of self through their work.
See also: Yoshitaka Amano – http://www.amanosworld.com/
As well as artists for fantasy trading card games like Magic: The Gathering.
-Devin Monnens
I did look up Bosch, I think even studied him a bit in one of my Art History classes (at least, his works seem very familiar). I can definitely see your point about Iconography. And Yoshitaka Amano has a really neat style, I liked looking through the galleries.
Again, thanks so much for the artists and links. It’s inspiring to see how they’ve breached the “illustration art” limitations. Hopefully I’ll be able to develop a sense of self through my own works.