(Mimic)
As we roar into March, the rumored Fantasy/Fairy Tale Challenge is mere weeks away from being unveiled. In the spirit of said challenge, my Friday Favorites will begin to swing towards art that falls into those categories. It is a broad challenge, and the art I will showcase for you will reflect both new and classic works that fall into the realm of the fantastic. I promise you a wide variety. Today I bring you the art of Raymond Swanland.
Viewing the above image, Mimic (one I believe I’ve posted before if it looks familiar), with its gorgeous butterflies, reminds me of spring. The oranges are the fires of autumn and yet I view the image and I think of the genesis of growth, and life, and creation…the foundations of spring. Please join me in inaugurating March with the work of Raymond Swanland.
(The Golden Hills of Westria)
I first became aware of the work of Raymond Swanland through the avenue in which I discovered many of the artists in my favorites file: the annual Spectrum: The Best in Contemporary Fantasic Art book. I believe Mimic was the first image of his that I discovered in a Spectrum book and the rich color and luminous quality of the piece struck me. Plus there is the whole ‘liking trees’ thing that I have mentioned numerous times on my site.
Isn’t the lighting fantastic in the above image? The way the dragons in flight loop around one another creates an interesting journey for the eye. You’ll see a lot of this circular flow through Raymond Swanland’s artwork which creates a feeling of movement.
(Ardneh’s Sword)
I find this book illustration to be quite amazing. I love the layers of things going on, hinting at various aspects of the story. The owl is fantastic, so large and ominous and yet beautiful at the same time. Again I see that circular flow…it is almost as if you can sense a very powerful wind flowing through Raymond Swanland’s creations. The combination of the flow of the dragon-like creatures in the background and the way the angelic figure’s clothes mimic lighting gives a very stormy quality to the piece. You can almost hear the thunderous noise in the background.
(cover image from Tokyo Pop’s book Priest)
The beginning of Raymond Swanland’s bio reads like the memoir of a kindred spirit:
(another Priest cover image)
Many of Raymond Swanland’s pieces have a dark quality to them. I love the earthy color palette with splashes of orange and red thrown in to draw the eye to a specific place. For me that quality reflects this time of the year almost as much it does the fall. There is a darkness and violence to this time of year, as winter reluctantly releases its grasp over the world and allows spring to venture forth. The weather here has been particularly crazy and the intense movement in some of Swanland’s work seems quite apropos as the wind batters against my windows this morning.
(Cadmian’s Choice)
I have begun to notice more and more of Raymond Swanland’s work gracing the covers of books as I troll the shelves at the various local bookstores. It is a welcome site as I find his work to be a unique take on traditional fantasy artwork.
(Wizard Lord)
Raymond Swanland is traditionally a painter and it is those skills that he has married with the technology of programs like Photoshop to create marvelous fantastical images. Like many of the other artists I enjoy, Swanland captures texture and flow in the garments of his characters so well. I really enjoy the detail of the various layers of clothing in the above image…I can almost smell the leather.
(Twin Avigil)
Twin Avigil is another image that I really enjoy. Its mostly about the greens and oranges…the background glows and creates such interesting light. I really like the way the flames in the background almost have an embossed quality to them, as if you could reach out and feel the various layers. There is so much to think about when looking at this image, the whole dual nature aspect of the character.
(and the man himself)
In addition to the works featured here, Raymond Swanland has done years worth of conceptual and design work on the Oddworld video game series. I encourage you to visit his website to see these pieces as well as many more book cover illustrations and personal works. He has a great site. There is much more to his bio, a frequently asked questions section, links to other great artists, and more. For those of you who are interested, Raymond Swanland is currently evaluating his pieces to make prints available.
Raymond Swanland is a gifted artist and it has been a pleasure to bring you his work for today’s Friday Favorite as we open the doors of the fantastical here in March.
Oh, he’s good. I love his color choices and the sense of movement in all of these. Some of them are quite stunning.
Funky.. very cool!
I’ll be checking out more of his work…
I love these Friday favorites
Ryan Swanland is another wonderful artisit that I fell in love with coming across his work in the annual Spectrum art books. If your an art lover I can’t recommend enough going over to Amazon and buying one of the recent Spectrum art books. Amazon usually always has a nice discount on them. Each edition seems to get better and better and is full of wonderful works by hundreds of talented artists. I would really recommend the lastest volumes 12 or 13. I have also seen the Priest manga graphic novels at the comic store. Great choice to usher in the month of March. Thanks Carl!
Fantastic stuff – I love the 4th one down.
I love the first picture, so gorgeous! Have a great weekend, Carl 🙂
Beautiful. These images remind me an awful lot of an exhibit I recently stumbled upon downtown…will have to retrace my steps this weekend to see if the connection is real or imagined.
Wonderful! I always love Friday at your blog–such a visual feast!
I didn’t realize that the Fantasy/FairyTale Challenge wasn’t going to be until later in March. I was so proud of storing up some books for the challenge, but I, uh, couldn’t wait on some of them. Now, I’m going to have to get some more. 🙂
darn…
March 21st will be the start date for the challenge. Within the next week or so I’ll be getting out the guidelines, etc. I think this will be a fun one.
Glad everyone is enjoying Raymond Swanland’s art.
I echo Jeff’s sentiments regarding the Spectrum books. They are high quality art books with a plethora of wonderful images. A copy may be finding its way into the upcoming challenge!
I don’t know when I’ve seen an artist that conveys that wild and uncontrollable aspect of nature so well. It’s even energizing to breathe in his pictures. In Twin Avigil I was fascinated with how her hands conveyed such a sense of menace. Wow! Fantastic choice, Carl. I’m looking forward to the rest of March’s Friday Favorites.
“I don’t know when I’ve seen an artist that conveys that wild and uncontrollable aspect of nature so well.” Well put, Pat. I think I need to have you write my copy from now on! 😉
His artwork is amazing!
I LOVE the fourth one. It’s by far my favorite.
The spirit of a warrior. Very cool.
That’s hilarious Jules, I never noticed that part of the image.
Wow! These are amazing. I especially like The Golden Hills of Westria. The colors and the image itself are just amazing. Did you see that Shaun Tan will be in the next Spectrum? Very cool.
He’s had some stuff in some of the previous Spectrums as well, so I’m excited about that. That’s how I discovered Tan as well. Good ol’ Spectrum!!!
ooh, so pretty! I think I like “Twin Avigil” the best…
Good stuff. He reminds me of Luis Royo, only more surreal.
I explored the galleries over at Raymond Swanland’s website after seeing some of his work here. They’re fantastic – so much action and drama in these still pictures. I love looking at them, and wondering what story is behind each picture.
Thanks, Carl, this is great.
Ah, I was looking forward to the rumoured Fantasy challenge earlier in March. Will be off to Turkey by 26th March, so I might have to miss your challenge. 🙁
Cool artwork! Although I am sort of sucking at challenges this year, I am looking forward to this one as I never read any fantasy/fairy tales. I hope you are going to give some suggested reading? I am saving the Neil Gaiman for it that I bought last year. I’m glad it doesn’t start until a bit later as I am trying hard to finish War and Peace!!
I was just checking other people’s comments and saw your response. Thank you very much.
Simple amazing!
Bless you, Carl!
Hmmmm, intriguing challenge, indeed. *strokes fingers together like a villain*
I’ll definitely be keeping my eyes open for it. And what beauuutiful art!
Oh my… I had said I wasn’t going to attempt any more challenges (I can’t seem to finish them!) but this one would certainly take me out of my reading comfort zone and that can be a very good thing 🙂 Look forward to hearing all the details.
Swanland’s work is definitely amazing. Thanks for sharing, Carl.
I really like those pictures, especially the Mimic one.
I have never seen the work of Raymond Swanland before. (Although I am sure my Husband has and probably has all his work somewhere, but shhh don’t tell him I am becoming a fledgling fan of this artist.)
Love the artwork on your blog. I need to visit more often. I came to learn more about the Fantasy Challenge. It’s just what I need. I’ll be back to learn more.
awesome pictures! can i use them for my ppt work!? thanks! ^^
Nikki, you might want to ask Mr. Swanland about using his pics, not me….