I’ve been a fan of fantasy literature since I can remember, and one thing that’s drawn me to books (for better or for worse) is the cover artwork. A well-crafted painting can set the tone for a story, and create one of its own. I am a sucker for glistening dragons, lithe maidens and impossibly-muscled torsos, painted in blinding technicolor or murky dun. Pictures like this entice my imagination into a world completely different from our own; somewhere that I can step into the leather and steel boots of a warrior, where my life is as simple as journeying through breathtaking lands, from fight to fight and feast to feast. So enter a world of fantasy below with a collection of artwork by Andrew Goldhawk, Clyde Caldwell, Carol Heyer, Craig Mullins, Joachim Barrum, John Howe, Matt Wilson, Patrick Keith, Rob Alexander, Richard Hescox, Steven Stahlberg, Tomasz Jedruzek and Todd Lockwood.
Images via Fantasy Gallery
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Dry By Andrew Goldhawk
Float By Andrew Goldhawk
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Inferno 1 By Andrew Goldhawk
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Shelli By Andrew Goldhawk
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Space By Andrew Goldhawk
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Weatherman By Andrew Goldhawk
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Against The Tide By Clyde Caldwell
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Fiddler Fair By Clyde Caldwell
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Hands By Clyde Caldwell
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Mind Of Magic By Clyde Caldwell
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Wurm By Clyde Caldwell
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Carpet Moon By Carol Heyer
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Myth By Craig Mullins
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Sarge By Craig Mullins
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Thrall By Craig Mullins
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Aboleth Attack By Joachim Barrum
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Chimera Of Kyuss By Joachim Barrum
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Count Dracula By Joachim Barrum
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Dungeons Mines By Joachim Barrum
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Katla By Joachim Barrum
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Ultima By Joachim Barrum
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Versoul Takes Flight By Joachim Barrum
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Morgoths Forces Before Gondolin By John Howe
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Cross By Matt Wilson
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Pharons By Matt Wilson
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Soul Collector By Matt Wilson
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Witchfires By Matt Wilson
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Evening Perch By Patrick Keith
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Morning Perch By Patrick Keith
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Incendiary Beast By Rob Alexander
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Witch King Of Angmar By Rob Alexander
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Towers Of Darkover By Richard Hescox
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Skull By Stephanie Pui Mun Law
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Fairy Queen By Steven Stahlberg
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Nightmare By Steven Stahlberg
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One Last Time By Steven Stahlberg
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Price Of Magic By Steven Stahlberg
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Knight By Tomasz Jedruzek
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Punishment By Tomasz Jedruzek
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War By Tomasz Jedruzek
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Warlock By Tomasz Jedruzek
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Demon By Todd Lockwood