Jose del Nido’s Slayers: Women Of War (book review).
As you should know from time to time, I pick out an odd publisher that I haven’t encountered before and look at one of their book. Case in point is SQP Art Books. Their website currently reveals a small range of books, even though they’ve been 40 years in the business, based off the selection at the back of this 2013 book but don’t stint on size or quality of printing, which is always a good sign. SQP back in 2003 devoted a much larger book to Jose del Nido’s artwork so in many respects this looks like a sampler. Looking at their website, the selection here is tame in comparison so should be considered for adult tastes in nudity.
Contrary to the front cover, the art of Jose del Nido’s isn’t cheesecake in ‘Slayers: Women Of War’, in fact there is one painting even showing a breast. They are, however, all women from across our genres. The inside page blurb points out that the Spanish artist plays with all mediums and although you’re not told which here, there’s also a fair bet he uses real models occasionally as well.
As a sampler, the focus is all closer up on the lady warriors which is a shame because I would have been interested in seeing how he handled backgrounds from the little that is hinted here. The ladies are blemish free but that’s a lot down to the medium used, and I’m not sure if I would want to face them in battle.
Nevertheless, it does make for an interesting taster and a selection of artists you want to investigate further.
GF Willmetts
July 2015
(pub: SQP Art Books. 48 page illustrated large softcover. Price: about £ 5.00 (UK) if you know where to look. ISBN: 978-0-86562-232-6)
check out website: www.sqpartbooks.com
