Soft as Steel: The Art of Julie Bell

Great book, excellent condition and fast delivery. Thanks

Julie is an inspiration for all artists! The book shows some of her best work. It also reveals a little of what goes on in that beautiful head of her's. Outstanding artist and human! Love the woman and her art!

SPECIFICS:Page Count: 128Number of images: 84Small images: 24Half page images: 11Full page images: 412-page spreads: 8BW images: 7TEXT:2 page introduction2 page forewordScattered text about the chapter's topic and the artistLong comments on the paintingsART:18 images: 5 stars43 images: 4 stars17 images: 3 stars5 images: 2 stars1 image: 1 starOverall: 4 starsThis is a review of the first 107 pages.Pages 108 to 128 are comprised of 2 chapters. One is a private gallery with mainly portraits (19 small images), the other is about figure studies and it has 23 images, most of which are black and white sketches.

This is the 2nd book i got hold after "Hard Curves". Fans of Julie Bell's fantasy art get to keep her prints in a single book. That's luxury! Profusely illustrated and a sure treat for fantasy illustration. Near flawless fantasy art collection in oil captured on prints. Perfect interpretation of human anatomy through her oil painting techniques. Definitely a must for fantasy art collector. One pity is some prints are printing over 2 pages and over time the paperback give way in the saddle and the prints gets torn out. Would have been better if it's a hardbound.

Julie is my favorite fantasy artist so it was nice to have a book specifically with her work in it.The book covers a range of Julie's art (not just that wonderful metal she does) up until the late 90s. I have the Boris and Julie Ultimate Collection so a lot of the works in this book are images that I already have, but there are enough ones I had not seen before to make it worthwhile.The text in this book is interesting and enjoyable helping me know the reasons and ideas behind the paintings and more about Julie herself.Another great book for my collection.

When asked the difference between art and pornagraphy, it is said one just knows. I "just know" that this books crosses the line way too often. I'll be enjoying a piece, eraptured by it's beauty, turn the page and be disgusted as nude characters fornicate on the next page.I have no problems with nudity in art. In fantasy art nude and nearly nude women (and some times men)are the excepted standard. When done with class and taste, like Amy Brown for example, it ehances the piece not distracts or in some cases disgusts. True art is something I can share with my children, discuss it with them, let it enrich their lives as it enriches mine; rather than hide in it the back of my closet so they don't see it.

Julie's art is colorfull and sexy, I enjoy flipping through the book pages and getting inspired. I wish all the paintings were big but this book is somewhat informative and not only a showcase of art. The type of pages connection/folding is a bit problematic. A lot of graphics get lost in the margins. An art book should be with a flat opening, but still, I'm satisfied with this art book.

fast shipping great book 2

A great book and a real surprise and joy to add to my art book collection.Initially I learned of Julie Steel through researching Boris Vallejo. After seeing a used copy of this book at a really reasonable price on Amazon I decided to just to by it to see what it was like.Julie's work is very similar to Boris' and equally if not more stunning.I would definitely recommend this book to fans of fantasy art.

Another of JULIE BELL'S WORK. You don't have to be a sci fi fan to love her work.