check out website: www.papertiger.co.uk and www.annesudworth.co.uk I saw the unicorn cover of this book in last year’s Paper Tiger catalogue only to be told the hardback wasn’t available but the paperback was out this year...and volla, here is it. This is also an odd book. It passes my flick-test. If you’re in a bookshop and flicked the pages, what art takes your eye? In this case, there’s quite a selection of fantasy art.  On further investigation, there is also a lot of moonlit pictures of trees and forests and British landscapes. In many respects, this could be regarded more as an artbook than a fantasy book.
Hardly surprising really as Anne Sudworth is known more for her art exhibitions than any book cover work. She also works in pastels so this is a somewhat unique book as so few artists use this medium commercially. Sudworth’s art conveys mood and uniqueness from the world about us. When a dragon or unicorn is added even more so. One thing pastels can do that oils or acrylics can’t do as well is the smoky effect that the moon often generates in the Earth’s atmosphere. Sudworth makes ample use of this to great effect. This book is also text heavy with John Grant mixing discussions with Sudworth about her art (did I mention the preliminary sketches?) as well as bits on folklore. Overall, this is quite a rounded package. It might not fit the SF art buyer but you fantasy art-lovers will love this book. GF Willmetts |
