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The Fantasy Art of Oliver Frey
 
 

The Fantasy Art of Oliver Frey (Paperback)

by Roger Kean (Author) "Early in 1983, Oliver Frey's younger brother Franco visited him at his Shropshire home in Ludlow and showed him a new toy ..." (more)
5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
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  • This item: The Fantasy Art of Oliver Frey by Roger Kean

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Product details

  • Paperback: 192 pages
  • Publisher: Thalamus Publishing (13 April 2006)
  • Language English
  • ISBN-10: 1902886062
  • ISBN-13: 978-1902886060
  • Product Dimensions: 27.6 x 23 x 2 cm
  • Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
  • Amazon.co.uk Sales Rank: 174,121 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)
  • See Complete Table of Contents

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Product Description

Book Description

Oliver Frey is one of the most important artists working in the medium of commercial illustration. This lavish book documents his work between 1970 and today. The prime focus is on his staggering output in the 1980s and early 1990s when, as a director of magazine publisher Newsfield Ltd., he produced hundreds of magazine covers, software games inlays and incidental illustrations that set the video games market alight internationally. Frey’s early history reveals his work on some of Britain’s greatest comic institutions such as the Fleetway War Picture Library, Dan Dare in Eagle, and The Trigan Empire in Look & Learn, as well as his celebrated 1930s-style opening sequence for the film Superman, The Movie. The book also throws light on Frey’s techniques, from line-and-wash to the airbrush, and more recently his computer-generated work. While the paintings will be familiar to many magazine readers, few will have ever seen the originals as beautifully reproduced as this, and free of the commercial sales lines and slogans that cluttered them as magazine covers and posters.

Famous artwork reproduced as it has never been seen before.

Contents divided into topic-specific sections.

Commentary on the paintings by the artist.

Art techniques revealed and discussed.



From the Author

Oliver Frey is uncomfortable with being referred to as an ‘artist’. He calls himself a ‘commercial illustrator’; yet despite the modesty of the term he has entertained and often inspired generations with his unique vision of the world. His prolific output is definitely of a fantastic nature although the imagery is almost always bound to a sense of reality.

My involvement with Oliver has been a long and rewarding one, and continues to be so. I first met him in January 1969 when we were both starting a two-year course at the London Film School, and we have worked together in one capacity or another ever since.

Since I have been a witness to and a participant in many of the events described in this book, it is inevitable that my presence hovers above the text. However, I am uncomfortable at mentioning myself in the first person because I feel it intrudes on the narrative, and for this reason on the occasions my presence crops up, I have referred to myself in the third person.

Over the years, Oliver Frey has gained a huge and appreciative fan base – which knows him familiarly as ‘Oli’ – and yet, because he is first and foremost a commercial artist, much of his most exciting work, especially for magazine covers, has been designed for and defaced by the blather of ‘cover lines’ selling the contents. Few people will ever have seen the unadulterated originals without them; surely the only excuse needed for this book?


Inside This Book (Learn More)
First Sentence
Early in 1983, Oliver Frey's younger brother Franco visited him at his Shropshire home in Ludlow and showed him a new toy. Read the first page
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Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Index | Back Cover
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Customer Reviews

4 Reviews
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Average Customer Review
5.0 out of 5 stars (4 customer reviews)
 
 
 
 
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6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars What a nostalgia trip!, 25 April 2006
By John Mcdermott "John" (Glasgow, Scotland) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   
Growing up in the 80's was fab for me. I saw and experienced the beginning of the home computer boom. From 1983 when I was only 12 and just starting secondary school to present day I have been a massive games player and am now heavily into the "retro scene". Every month I would anxiously wait on the next edition of Crash! and then when I changed my allegiances, ZZapp64 and every month I remember gawping at the amazing cover artwork produced by the now legendary Oliver Frey. I was also into art and could only dream of being THAT GOOD. This book is gorgeous! Nothing short of that. To see Oliver's paintings, devoid of the garish clutter that adorned the magazines is breathtaking and a massive trip down memory lane. I also enjoyed seeing many unfamiliar paintings and have literally spent hours going through it (and boring my wife with memories of the 80's while pointing at a picture in the book - lol). If you are a fan of Oliver's - this book is a must. If you are into the retro scene - this book is a must. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.
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4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars A stunning tribute to a wonderful artist, 26 April 2006
By Craig Grannell (Fleet, United Kingdom) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   
Anyone who grew up in the 1980s and played videogames would undoubtedly have been aware of Oliver Frey's artwork, which graced classic games magazines, such as Crash and Zzap!64. His sumptuous airbrush illustrations were a massive differentiator for Newsfield's magazines, and many people used to cut out and frame his work, such was its quality.

Although magazine covers fade, memories are harder to shake, and so this book has been created, celebrating the life and work of Frey. From his early work with Fleetway to his time at Newsfield, dozens of pieces of artwork are presented in all their glory, without coverlines and logos (although a small gallery of the magazine covers is also included at the end of the book, for comparison's sake).

Kean's writing is succinct, but insightful, providing a glimpse into Frey's working methods, and charting his history. It's the art that shines, though, and anyone who fondly remembers Frey's art should pick up a copy of this book immediately.
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5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic Art, Interesting Biography, 6 Nov 2009
By Sebastian Rice - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   
A very nicely produced art book, which tells a great story. Unlike many artbooks, this one has a very detailed and well researched bio, which is entertaining to read.

All of Frey's major paintings - and many not so well known pieces are included, with large full page images for most. At the end, there is even a helpful section of thumbnail images showing the paintings as they appeared on the various magazine covers.

If you are interested in the UK video games and computer industry in the 80's and 90's, then this is a great buy.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars Stunning!
Ollie Frey set the direction for computer games art in the era of the 8-bit machines. The cover art of games, and games magazines is his creation. Read more
Published 22 months ago by Alan Lenton

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