Kingsgate: The Art of Keith Parkinson 
asked by astrofizzy on November 6, 2006 6:47 PM
Keith Parkinson's work is immediately recognized as some of the finest in the field of fantasy art. A long-time collaborator to the work of author Terry Goodkind, Keith has been able to conjure images for such works as Elflord, Dark Island, Dragonring, Demon Hunter, and many more. Now a collected volume of Keith's works are available in a showcase worthy of his art. With a foreword and additional commentary by Terry Goodkind, Parkinson gives you a gloriously detailed view of his imagination, with superb reproduction and high-quality stock.
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Along with Clyde Caldwell, Larry Elmore, and Jeff Easley, Keith Parkingson completes the "Fab Four" of fantasy artists. To think that all four were on staff at TSR at one time is mind boggling. One can only imagine the creative competition that took place between these four supremely talented artists. Kingsgate from SQP features 128 pages of Parkinson's paintings in full, lush color and printed on heavy stock paper. Bestselling fantasy writer Terry Goodkind provides an introduction to the book. Goodkind is an unabashed fan of Parkinson's who has done the covers to several of his books. Goodkind provides commentary on each cover and offers his unique insight on how the covers were devised. I think my favorite cover that Keith did for the Sword of Truth series was for Naked Empire showing the statue of a powerful warrior, long forgotten in the remote wilderness.
Parksinon's book covers are often enough to sell a book and he's done numerous book, RPG, and computer game covers over the years including one of Polgara, the David Edding's sorceress with her dark hair and trademark white steak, holding an owl in the forest. His fantasy calendars are always in a league of their own. There's a certain magic and myth to his work that's often missing in many artist's work. They seem to tell a story all on their own. Parkinson relates how Blizzard wanted him to do the cover for Diablo II but he was already tied up with other projects. So enamored of his work were they that they basically told him to give them anything as soon as he could and Keith would deliver a stunning painting that would be uses in promotional posters for the game.
Dungeons & Dragons fans will be sure to recognize many paintings from some of their favorite game accessories over the years including his group of skeletal kings in "Gods of Lanhkmar" and the "Temple of Elemental Evil" One of my favorites was always one of the Ravenloft Death Knight, Lord Soth. It's simply a gorgeous book that comes with an index to the paintings. A fitting collection by one of the genre's best artists.
Reviewed by Tim Janson
Parksinon's book covers are often enough to sell a book and he's done numerous book, RPG, and computer game covers over the years including one of Polgara, the David Edding's sorceress with her dark hair and trademark white steak, holding an owl in the forest. His fantasy calendars are always in a league of their own. There's a certain magic and myth to his work that's often missing in many artist's work. They seem to tell a story all on their own. Parkinson relates how Blizzard wanted him to do the cover for Diablo II but he was already tied up with other projects. So enamored of his work were they that they basically told him to give them anything as soon as he could and Keith would deliver a stunning painting that would be uses in promotional posters for the game.
Dungeons & Dragons fans will be sure to recognize many paintings from some of their favorite game accessories over the years including his group of skeletal kings in "Gods of Lanhkmar" and the "Temple of Elemental Evil" One of my favorites was always one of the Ravenloft Death Knight, Lord Soth. It's simply a gorgeous book that comes with an index to the paintings. A fitting collection by one of the genre's best artists.
Reviewed by Tim Janson
reviewed by madfool on November 21, 2006 10:17 PM
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With this second collection of Keith's paintings, we finally have a book worthy of the art it contains. This all new material is a wonderful collection of paintings and renderings of fearsome dragons, hideous creatures, captivating women, and sword-wielding men of valor. Also included are cover paintings for bestselling books by Terry Goodkind and David Eddings, as well as computer game art for EverQuest and Diablo, never-before-seen sketches, colorful commentary by the artist, and a whole lot more. One of the "Fab Four" from the TSR glory years, his work never fails to kindle the imagination and whisk one away to the worlds he creates.
"Magnificent modern fantasy at its finest--sensual, richly colored, imaginative, powerful. He's on our 'A' list of contemporary fantasy painters; his previous book was a bestseller for us." - from the Bud Plant catalog
With the sad news of Keith's recent passing, this will likely be the last collection of new material, but what we have here, we can treasure forever. Rest In Peace Keith, and thank you for sharing your wonderful gift with us.
"Magnificent modern fantasy at its finest--sensual, richly colored, imaginative, powerful. He's on our 'A' list of contemporary fantasy painters; his previous book was a bestseller for us." - from the Bud Plant catalog
With the sad news of Keith's recent passing, this will likely be the last collection of new material, but what we have here, we can treasure forever. Rest In Peace Keith, and thank you for sharing your wonderful gift with us.
reviewed by stix on November 25, 2006 10:19 PM