See and shape the world in a way you never before imagined with this realistic fantasy
illustration guide from award-winning artist and author James Gurney. In Imaginative Realism:
How to Paint What Doesn't Exist Dinotopia creator James Gurney instructs and inspires
beginning artists and fans of fantasy art sharing his uncanny ability to incorporate amazing
detail and imagination into stunningly realistic fantasy settings and teaching step-by-step
the techniques that won him worldwide critical acclaim. This groundbreaking work examines the
practical methods for creating believable pictures of imaginary subjects such as dinosaurs
ancient Romans alien creatures and distant worlds. Alongside a survey of imaginative
paintings from the Renaissance to the golden Age of American illustration the book explains
not just techniques like sketching and composition but the fundamentals of believable
world-building including archaeology architecture anatomy for creatures and aliens and
fantastic engineering. It concludes with details and valuable advice on careers in fantasy
illustration including video game and film concept art and toy design. More than an
instruction book this is the ultimate reference for fans of science fiction and fantasy
illustration. Gurney's Imaginative Realism is a gold mine for artists who want to create images
that sing with authority and delight the viewer with rich otherworldly visuals. -Erik Tiemens
concept artist Star Wars: Episodes II and III Imaginative Realism is an indispensable
flawless reference for vision-makers in any discipline to create their own imaginative realms.
-Frank M. Costantino ASAI SI FSAI JARA cofounder American Society of Architectural
Illustrators
