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Visions of WAR: The Art of Wayne Reynolds Hardcover

2.70/5 (based on 10 ratings)
Visions of WAR: The Art of Wayne Reynolds Hardcover

Our Price: $29.99

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For much of the last decade, Wayne Reynolds has been the definitive artist of fantasy gaming. From cover paintings for major games like Warhammer, Dungeons & Dragons, and Pathfinder to concept illustrations for popular Reaper Miniatures gaming figures, Reynolds’s work has stoked the imaginations of a generation of gamers and fantasy enthusiasts. Now, for the first time ever, comes a huge 256-page collection of Wayne Reynolds’s most treasured works from a variety of publishers. Take a glimpse into fantastic worlds through the eyes of a grand master of the craft with Visions of WAR!

ISBN: 978-1-60125-425-2

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2.70/5 (based on 10 ratings)

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Low-Res Artbook: Missing the Point

1/5 —

I have several issues with it above and beyond the pixelization / low-resolution images that other reviewers have covered:

1. The overuse of white space. As has been mentioned, none of the pictures have commentary or anything of those lines. So if you only have one picture on the page, there's no need for it to be shrunk down to only taking up about a quarter of the page. Yet this book consistently does just this...not just with the sketches, but with the fully finished pieces as well. This probably links back to the resolution problem, as the smaller they print the images on the page, the less likely that people are to notice the pixelization / blurring.

2. That Paizo may not have been able to get full-resolution images for some of the works he did for other companies (notably WotC) is understandable, if disappointing. But some of the problem images are for his work on Paizo products. How is it that, for example, the core rulebook cover printed full size on the Core Rulebook looks so much better than it does printed at a much smaller size in this artbook?

3. All in all, I would consider these to be minor issues if this was an RPG book. For example, the 3.5 Campaign Setting book has some pixelization on the cover, and that never really bothered me. But this is an art book. The point is the art. If you can't do the art justice in an art book, then there's no point to it.

Missing the point of an art book

1/5 —

An art book is about the art. Showcasing the art is the primary purpose of such a book, and I have to say that this book does a terrible job of it. Much of the art is low quality (noticeable pixelation and improper colouring). The layout of the art is at best, boring.

I wish I was not giving this book a 1 star rating, but I feel I must do what I can to warn others to not waste their coin on this tome.

A true opus.

5/5 —

There are a few production problems with this book of art. The other reviewers have more than explored those. I can only say, for my part, that I absolutely love this book. What flaws it has are easily overtopped by the fact that it is a true opus of Mr. Reynolds work. To see his world-defining art compiled in one book is stunning. The real value of this book is seeing the artists work evolve(as it helped define the look of the settings we love) over time.

Great art, poor production

3/5 —

As a huge fan of Wayne Reynolds' artwork, I have been looking forward to this book since it was announced, but reading the reviews here I started to worry. I got my copy in the mail yesterday, and although I would still recommend this book, I also feel it could have been much better.

The selection of work is excellent- the only thing I really felt was missing was more of his interior work for D&D 3rd edition books, such as the Monster Manuals. Most of the art is reproduced clearly, including all of the landscape-format Eberron covers.

The problem is, as others have mentioned, the quality of many of the other images in the book. At least 25-30% of the pictures are visibly blurry, fuzzy, or pixelated. This is not a printing error- this is clearly a formatting error, so every book will have the same problem. Tragically, it affects some of the most iconic work in the book, including the Pathfinder and D&D 4th edition core rulebook covers, some of his standout Dungeon and Dragon magazine covers, and some of the Rise of the Runelords and all of the Curse of the Crimson Throne AP covers. With the landscape format AP covers already being printed so small, the fuzziness ruins the sharp and intricate detail Reynolds is known for.

I am still happy to have a collection of Wayne Reynolds' artwork, but I am very disappointed that some of my favorite paintings may as well not be in the book because the reproduction is so poor, and I remain baffled as to how Paizo could fail to get full-resolution copies of artwork from their own RPG.

Seriously Disappointed

2/5 —

I know it's been said in other reviews but I need to say it again the pixelation/bluriness of the images just kills the book. I picked up from my local comic store today and as I browsed though I saw one blurry picture and thought ok one misprint no big deal but asI kept seeing page after page of blurry images I was very upset. Paizo is usually very good about releasing quality products but this book is not one of them. I love Wayne Reynolds art and sincerely hope Paizo does something to rectify this mistake.

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Contributor

Announced! Cover image is a mock-up.
Dark Archive
Pathfinder Roleplaying Game Superscriber

Interesting, guess we will have to see how money is in may now.
5 people marked this as a favorite.
Liz Courts wrote:
Cover image is a mock-up.

Dang-it! I was hoping to add another cover to my repertoire!

Well, here's to hoping the final version has me on it, too.
Liberty's Edge
Pathfinder Adventure Path, Lost Omens, Rulebook Subscriber

Any estimate on the page count?
1 person marked this as a favorite.

Automatic sale to me!

I am sold need no previews or other information.
Liberty's Edge
Pathfinder Adventure Path, Lost Omens, Rulebook Subscriber

OK, found on the ICV2 page where it says 160 pages. Very nice. Count me in.

So will this book be a hardcover or softcover?
Contributor

As it says in the title, it will be a hardcover.

OMG!

Wow that is twice today I failed my perception check:)
Pathfinder Rulebook Subscriber

LOL I thought someone was looking for a Warhammer Age of Reckoning CE art book...I failed my common sense check...
Paizo Employee Chief Creative Officer, Publisher

This book is not part of a subscription, since we don't really have an "art book" subscription. While the book will contain a GREAT DEAL of Wayne's Pathfinder art, it will also include art he's done for other clients, so it's not really appropriate to put it in a Pathfinder subscription.
Liberty's Edge
Pathfinder Battles Case Subscriber; Pathfinder Maps, Pathfinder Accessories Subscriber; Pathfinder Roleplaying Game Charter Superscriber; Starfinder Charter Superscriber

Will there be a PDF for this?...

I will buy this.
Liberty's Edge
Dragnmoon wrote:
Will there be a PDF for this?...

I'd love a PDF of this.

Especially if it includes a clean copy of the Dungeon 150 cover. It remains my favorite piece of work from WAR.
Paizo Employee Chief Technical Officer
20 people marked this as a favorite.

People keep asking for art books, and we keep saying that they don't sell. This may be your one and only chance to prove us wrong on that.

Bought and bought. And I mean bought!
2 people marked this as a favorite.
Vic Wertz wrote:
People keep asking for art books, and we keep saying that they don't sell. This may be your one and only chance to prove us wrong on that.

Aye, you'll get your gold.

Adventure Path Charter Subscriber; Pathfinder Starfinder Adventure Path, Starfinder Society Subscriber

I picked up a couple of copies of the Dragon art book, both the regular and the fancy one, so maybe I'm not a part of the 'normal' demographic of book buyers. I actually buy and enjoy art books.

So I've already pre-ordered. Lets hope this is one which proves that Vic isn't always right about art books. :-P
Silver Crusade

Buying so hard.

I really hope his Eberron murals made it in. I've never seen "clean" versions of any of those pieces.

Got to see him at GenCon this year. Cool guy, eh paints all the equipment and doesn't afraid of anything.

Bought!
3 people marked this as a favorite.

How about a PDF version?
I guess there will be much artwork in there that longs to be made a wallpaper...
Silver Crusade
1 person marked this as a favorite.
Pathfinder Adventure Path Subscriber
Vic Wertz wrote:
People keep asking for art books, and we keep saying that they don't sell. This may be your one and only chance to prove us wrong on that.

Let's be honest for a moment here - there are art books and WAR art books.

The Exchange RPG Superstar 2010 Top 32

Can't wait!

Instant LIKE!!!
Paizo Employee Chief Technical Officer
Zen79 wrote:
How about a PDF version?

I'm not sure if we've discussed that possibility with Wayne yet. So, no answer at this time.

Dark Archive
2 people marked this as a favorite.
Pathfinder Roleplaying Game Superscriber

Hopefully at the very least you give a PDF version to those that buy the book. I would love to have all the art in PDF, especially if it was easy to remove to print out to use at the table.
Liberty's Edge
1 person marked this as a favorite.
Pathfinder Battles Case Subscriber; Pathfinder Maps, Pathfinder Accessories Subscriber; Pathfinder Roleplaying Game Charter Superscriber; Starfinder Charter Superscriber
Vic Wertz wrote:
Zen79 wrote:
How about a PDF version?
I'm not sure if we've discussed that possibility with Wayne yet. So, no answer at this time.

For me at least, a paper product only for this would mean I would not buy it since I would not be able to use it.

Edit: Though if it is up to Wayne, I doubt it will be a PDF, I have taken pictures of him before at booths and he always requests that is art is not in the picture.
2 people marked this as a favorite.

Just finished clearing a space on the shelf, already got the violinists set up, now just need to arrange for a single sunbeam to break the clouds the day it arrives and illuminate it as the choir of children all sing a hymnal note......oh sorry..yeah, I'm gonna buy, most definitely.
Owner - House of Books and Games LLC
Vic Wertz wrote:
Zen79 wrote:
How about a PDF version?
I'm not sure if we've discussed that possibility with Wayne yet. So, no answer at this time.

Whether I pick it up depends partly upon the answer to that question and partly on how it's handled for subscribers.

  • If it's handled like the Rise of the Runelords book, I will purchase it the second I discover that information.
  • If the PDF is a separate purchase, thus making the cost (for me) the sum of the price of the PDF and the hardcover, it is unlikely that I'll purchase it but it's possible.
  • If there is no PDF, it's guaranteed I won't purchase it.

So I've got my fingers crossed.

(The utility cost is just way to high for a cool book that I cannot actually use for anything)
1 person marked this as a favorite.
Vic Wertz wrote:
People keep asking for art books, and we keep saying that they don't sell. This may be your one and only chance to prove us wrong on that.

It's all in who you market to. Comics & manga fans love artbooks, especially the lush oversize hardcovers that make great coffee table books (if I trusted drinks anywhere near my artbooks that is).

Personally, I've got an oversize bookshelf full of them, both American/UK/Canadian & Japanese artists, including several imports & softcovers/reissues. Just picked up Echo Chernik's artbook at ConnectiCon this summer, and had it signed and all.

Can't go to GenCon, but if Mr. Reynolds ever makes it to ComicCon in NYC, I'll be happy to wait in line to get this book signed.

And PDF is a great format for text/mixed books, and international shipping is a right bear, but as a collector & (drooling) fan, you're just getting a better piece with an actually designed + (well-)printed artbook. All the colors and paper are picked just-so to bring out the best qualities in the art. If you want desktop wallpapers, just (continue to) offer that as a store blog promo or something.

I guess I'm the opposite of some others here in that I would have absolutely no use for a PDF version of a book like this. Kind of surprised by some of the responses so far. Is this a reaction to the proliferation of VTTs and whatnot? (something I don't participate in) To me (as an owner of numerous artbooks), these things are meant to be displayed and enjoyed in all the glorious printed, hardcover glory. Not "used" as sourcebooks?

I guess, in summary, I just don't understand how the availability of a book of this type in pdf is a dealbreaker. To me, the whole point of a book like this is to have it in a nice big hardcover.

To each his own...

Needless to say, I preordered as soon as this became available. :-)

This is going to be a really great product, especially if we get a lot of insight into Wayne's style, his influences, and anecdotes and commentary about specific pieces. He's definitely my favorite fantasy artist to come out of the gaming industry in a long time, probably since the years of Caldwell, Elmore and Easley.

L
Liberty's Edge
Pathfinder Battles Case Subscriber; Pathfinder Maps, Pathfinder Accessories Subscriber; Pathfinder Roleplaying Game Charter Superscriber; Starfinder Charter Superscriber
Joseph Wilson wrote:

I guess I'm the opposite of some others here in that I would have absolutely no use for a PDF version of a book like this. Kind of surprised by some of the responses so far. Is this a reaction to the proliferation of VTTs and whatnot? (something I don't participate in) To me (as an owner of numerous artbooks), these things are meant to be displayed and enjoyed in all the glorious printed, hardcover glory. Not "used" as sourcebooks?

I guess, in summary, I just don't understand how the availability of a book of this type in pdf is a dealbreaker. To me, the whole point of a book like this is to have it in a nice big hardcover.

To each his own...

Needless to say, I preordered as soon as this became available. :-)

A PDF allows me to use the art in my games as handouts and examples, while a book just sits on my book shelf and collects dust

I have gotten a lot of use of my PDF for that purpose

Awesome! It'll be nice to see a bunch of Wayne's work collected :)
1 person marked this as a favorite.

I'm another PDF fan--make it PDF so I can easily use the art in-game and I'm a guaranteed purchase.

Purchased and another request for a PDF version!
Liberty's Edge

Really looking forward to this!

Did I say that already? :)
Paizo Employee Chief Technical Officer
gbonehead wrote:
Whether I pick it up depends partly upon the answer to that question and partly on how it's handled for subscribers.

This is not a Pathfinder product; there is no subscription line that it would fit into.

Owner - House of Books and Games LLC
Vic Wertz wrote:
gbonehead wrote:
Whether I pick it up depends partly upon the answer to that question and partly on how it's handled for subscribers.
This is not a Pathfinder product; there is no subscription line that it would fit into.

Which is why I'm hoping it's handled the same way that the Rise of the Runelords hardcover is being handled; it's not part of any subscription, but subscribers who pre-order get the PDF.

Silver Crusade
Pathfinder Adventure Path Subscriber
gbonehead wrote:
Vic Wertz wrote:
gbonehead wrote:
Whether I pick it up depends partly upon the answer to that question and partly on how it's handled for subscribers.
This is not a Pathfinder product; there is no subscription line that it would fit into.
Which is why I'm hoping it's handled the same way that the Rise of the Runelords hardcover is being handled; it's not part of any subscription, but subscribers who pre-order get the PDF.

IIRC it's up to Wayne if there will be a PDF version of this, so we have to wait what and see what he decides.

Paizo Employee Chief Technical Officer
gbonehead wrote:
Vic Wertz wrote:
gbonehead wrote:
Whether I pick it up depends partly upon the answer to that question and partly on how it's handled for subscribers.
This is not a Pathfinder product; there is no subscription line that it would fit into.
Which is why I'm hoping it's handled the same way that the Rise of the Runelords hardcover is being handled; it's not part of any subscription, but subscribers who pre-order get the PDF.

That's the thing: subscribers *to what line*? With the RotR hardcover, the answer is obvious; with this product, not so much.

Adventure Path Charter Subscriber; Pathfinder Starfinder Adventure Path, Starfinder Society Subscriber
Vic Wertz wrote:

That's the thing: subscribers *to what line*? With the RotR hardcover, the answer is obvious; with this product, not so much.

If it wasn't a book, the least illogical might actually be the GameMastery Cards, given that they're providing art items for the buyer's use.

But saying that that's the least illogical subscription I can figure isn't the same as saying it's actually a good fit. And that's still leaving aside the fact it's a book, not individual art pieces on cards.

Personally I'd like a PDF with my pre-order if possible, but if it isn't for whatever reason, I'm fine with just the physical book which is all that was advertised/promised when I made that pre-order. Added: It'd be great IMO if you folks at Paizo decide to add value like a PDF version to the initial book-only pre-order, but it's not something I expect or demand.
Dark Archive
Pathfinder Roleplaying Game Superscriber

I am with Paul while it might not be part of a subscription line. It would add value to add a PDF to those who preordered it. Since that helps you guys figure out how many to print in the first place. Might encourage more to preorder if that is the only way to get the PDF version.
Owner - House of Books and Games LLC
Vic Wertz wrote:
gbonehead wrote:
Vic Wertz wrote:
gbonehead wrote:
Whether I pick it up depends partly upon the answer to that question and partly on how it's handled for subscribers.
This is not a Pathfinder product; there is no subscription line that it would fit into.
Which is why I'm hoping it's handled the same way that the Rise of the Runelords hardcover is being handled; it's not part of any subscription, but subscribers who pre-order get the PDF.
That's the thing: subscribers *to what line*? With the RotR hardcover, the answer is obvious; with this product, not so much.

Heheheh. No matter to me .. pick a sub, any sub! :)

Pathfinder Adventure Path, Rulebook Subscriber

Dotting this, I LOVE Wayne's artwork, and this is under VERY serious consideration for pre-ordering. I'm not at all bothered by not having a PDF for this, although I understand the reasons that several folks want one.

~Dean

I love his artwork as well and have already preordered it.
Pathfinder Adventure Path, Rulebook Subscriber

Y'know... I decided, since I am a fan of Wayne's phenomenal artwork (have been since Eberron) that I would just go ahead and preorder it.

:)

I am so glad this exists.
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