Romulo Royo Book Review
We are pleased to present the new book of the Spanish artist Romulo Royo. Internationally recognized, he has an extensive professional track record during which he has refined and perfected his personal style. Inspired by mythologies, classical stories and science fiction, Romulo has been able to bring fictional characters to life and create utopian and fantastic worlds from a modern perspective. Interested in the cinema, the comics and what technology can offer, this book presents all the projects in which the artist has been involved in, from comic book covers to the creation of apocalyptic stories, allowing us to get to know him a little better.
This example counts with the signature of Romulo Royo, both at the beginning and at the end of the book, providing a unique value to all those who follow the artist closely. What’s more, along with the images, we can see several texts by art critics and historians, that contextualize and explain these images. This contributes to situate and inform the reader about the legends, poems or stories that inspired Romulo to create them, and helps to give a complete vision of the background of the artworks.
With a superior quality, the images are displayed in meticulous detail, allowing you to contemplate every stroke. This quality in the colors makes you immerse in the atmospheres, transporting you to those unique worlds. In addition, there are works in which is shown in one hand the initial sketch and then, the finished painting, appreciating how has been that creative process, how from simple strokes he has managed to bring to life deities, warriors or other fantastic figures, with an awesome realism.
Twelve Parts, Twelve Stories
This book is divided into twelve parts, each one dedicated to a specific series or to show the personal projects of the artist.
This volume begins with a contextualization of the artist in which is explained how his work is a combination of classical mythologies with fantasy, not forgetting that strong inspiration in the comics of the 70s and 80s. In this way, he combines in his paintings the delicacy with the strength and the eroticism, the mystery and the death.Halfway through the book, Romulo tells us about his professional career. How he started with 18 years working for international publishers and how he has evolved from there to consolidate as the artist he is today.
With the female figure as the protagonist, he creates hypnotic, mystical and enigmatic figures. Thus we find the "Goddesses of Nibiru" series, in which he develops quasi-totemic figures, solid as well as delicate, strong, self-confident and sensual. He personifies the deities that could live on that planet. Some of them have their eyes closed, implying the distance between gods and mortals. Also in the series "Tomoe Gozen" is shown the interpretation of this warrior woman, mixing the fantasy style with gothic characteristics. This character is emblematic in several Japanese myths and legends. It is worth mentioning the cover Romulo made for the relaunch of the most iconic animated character in the movie Heavy Metal, Taarna. A symbol of strength and courage in the fight against darkness.
From this Japanese influence we can find the series "Wonderful Toys" in which he combines Japanese animation such as Doraemon or Pikachu with other traditional Japanese characters. This art, Neo-Japanese, is combined with Western and Asian influences. With mythology as the main point of inspiration for Romulo, in his series "Mythology" he shows a union between these allegories of the past with elements of post-apocalyptic futures, pop culture and Asian art. All of this is intensified by the fantastic worlds he manages to create through the colors and textures.
Finally, it is worth mentioning the works of the series "Goya's Fantasy by Romulo Royo". In them we can see a reinterpretation of the artworks of the distinguished Spanish painter Francisco de Goya. In this way, Romulo wanted to pay homage to him and explain how he carried out this transformation, incorporating the issues that concern us today.
“With in figurative art, I am not interested in depicting reality. I try to immerse myself in the depths of the inner self to portray imaginary, enigmatic worlds through modern eyes. A true representation of that which is unreal. Through history, since ancient Mesopotamia, mankind has used art as a one-way ticket to fantastic worlds and dreamlike universes”
For all that, this book is presented not only as a sample of Romulo's art, but as an immersive experience in utopian, surrealistic worlds, full of the melancholy of a humanity that could have been. Mystic, ideal, threatening, powerful or challenging, the figures are presented as the focus of attention, surrounded by symbolism and details that make each work unique and special. Achieving a perfect harmony between the stories told and the feelings conveyed, Romulo Royo’s paintings enchant with the subtlety proper of the fantastic characters he is able to bring to life.
Book specifications
9,7 x 12,2 INCH (24.64 x 31.24 CM)
HARDCOVER IMAGEWRAP 227 PAGES HARDCOVER MATT LAMINATION 160 GR Art Paper COVERFLAPS 160 GR HIGH QUALITY, BRIGHT WHITE DUST JACKET (157 GSM)
