What is Fantasy Art?

- What does "Fantasy" mean?
- What does "Art" mean?
- What does "Fantasy Art" mean?
- What is the rol of Fantasy Art?

Art in itself is a form of communication that is born from the urge to communicate aesthetics or beauty. It's the expression of a particular feeling, experience or viewpoint using aesthetics. When it's related to Fantasy, then it becomes Fantasy Art.

These are some links to the definitions of fantasy and fantasy art, it's always better to go to the source:

 

Definition of "Fantasy" from Answers.com.

Definition of "Fantasy" taken from Merriam-Webster.

Definition of "Art" at Wikipedia.

Definition of "Fantasy Art" at Wikipedia where you will find a link to a very interesting article about "Fantastic Art" and a list of artists.

Also see where does the word "fantasy" come from at Etymonline

About Fantasy Art, What is its Role?

By Alicia Sotomayor

Fantasy Art has as its subject a world if beings, landscapes and circumstances that can only exist in a wild imagination, full of rich imagery with some elements of reality. Besides that, it has to tell a mysterious story that casts a spell on the viewer who starts wondering what is going on in that piece of art. It will stretch the imagination of the viewer sending a message that says: "Come to my world, imagine answers that only you can conjure".

Fantasy Art transforms the viewer into an adventurer, a dreamer, and transports him to worlds of magical events that s/he will explore with avid delight. That is why Fantasy Art has become such a popular form of art, it stretches the viewer's imagination in a way that nothing else does. It safely takes him to a journey to the unknown.

For example, if you view this print called "The Summoner", does any questions come to your mind? What answers could you imagine?

Regular Fine Art becomes Fantasy Fine Art when it goes beyond communicating beauty but it also captures the viewers in a mystery, urging him to solve it by imagining answers of his own creation.

Fantasy Art is the ultimate interactive fine art and it plays an extremely important role in helping anybody of any age to develop or expand the imagination.

This leads to many other desirable traits such as becoming more creative in life and being able to come up with more solutions to problems, with more options and choices than one would otherwise.

Recommended Reading

A Biographical Dictionary of Science Fiction and Fantasy Artists by Robert Weinberg ~ A historical overview of Science Fiction which started with the illustrations of Albert Robida in 1800.

From the Editorial Reviews:
From Library Journal
"...Weinberg's work is the first comprehensive biographical dictionary to cover the science fiction/fantasy art field. Focusing on contemporary artists, and beginning with an informative historical essay, it provides entries for 279 artists that include a biographical sketch and a well-researched list of published works. The artwork identified has appeared in books and about 100 science fiction magazines. An important and impressive effort, sure to become a classic in a popular though specialized field. Russell Clement, Brigham Young Univ. Lib., Provo, Ut.
Copyright 1988 Reed Business Information, Inc."" 362 pages.