Priest Kings of Gor Paperback Cover 1976

Boris Vallejo conjured this scene of a paperback cover for Priest Kings of Gor in the style of fantasy illustration. It's hard to pin down the exact date, but he's been working since the seventies. The material quality of this painting – probably oil or acrylic – is key to its impact. Look at how Vallejo uses light. The shadows are deep and lustrous, especially around the muscular warrior. His back is a marvel, and the highlight on his deltoid is a masterclass in rendering. The surface has this remarkable sheen, almost like polished marble. The way he builds up the form with layers of color gives everything a hyper-real quality. Vallejo's work reminds me of Frank Frazetta, but with a touch of something else, something a bit… sleeker? Both artists share a love for heroic figures, but Vallejo's style feels smoother, maybe more contemporary. It's a visual conversation across time, each artist riffing on themes of heroism and the human body, pushing the boundaries of representation in their own unique way.