Boris Vallejo & Julie Bell. A gallery of their fantasy artworks

An early piece published in Boris Book 2 and Fantastic Art.

An illustration for the video game BioShock

This painting was Grand Prize winner at the New Jersey Equine Artists Association exhibition held on 27 October 2016.

An illustration for the Fantasy portfolio published by Blackthorne 1984, which includes six finely printed colour plates

Interior illustration for the Vinetrope Adventures: Book One, Return of the Vinetropes. Written by Sherry L. Ross and illustrated throughout the book by Julie. Published by ACC Art Books Ltd.; Illustrated edition (15 Nov. 2017)

I think this was a cover for the The Guy's Guide to Baltimore. I don't know too much about this guide or the painting but all the Baltimore (Maryland) symbols are there, a case of National Bohemian beer and a Baltimore Colts, player 19 Johnny Unitas jersey, the Emerson Bromo-Seltzer Tower, and the Dominos Sugar Plant. I think the barbecue refers to activities within the guide.

A painting that has not appeared in any of Boris and Julies publications, but briefly appeared on an earlier version of their website in 2012.

Originally produced for the World Of Warcraft Trading Card Game: Heroes of Azeroth (Upper Deck Entertainment). Eight paintings were submitted for inclusion to the Trading Card Game set, this is one of four that were eventally unused.

Thank you to Bernard Rogers for this information who provides a better explanation on his Borisography website.

Cover art for the book The Bandit of Hells Bend by Edgar Rice Burroughs published by Ace Books 1977.

Banshee originally Sean Cassidy from Ireland, gets his name from the shattering sonic blast he can deliver. He can shatter windows, eardrums and it also helps him to fly.

An unpublished sample. According to Boris Book 2 The first sample that Boris took around to paperback companies 1967.

Cover art for the book Barba The Slaver by Dael Forest. Slaves Of The Empire series book #1, published by Ballantine 1978.

Cover art for the book Barba The Slaver by Dael Forest. Slaves Of The Empire series book #1, published by Ballantine 1978.

Although the Barbarella movie came out in 1968, this piece was probably done for the Paramount USA distribution. According to Boris Book 2 it was completed August 1971).

Pastels are one of Julle's favourite media. She loves handling them and simply looking at them in the box.Because pastel drawings generally look less finished than oil paintings, people assume they are quicker but this is rarely so.

December 1975 Issue #9 The Savage Sword Of Conan, Curtis

A private commission of a powerful barbarian partnership.

This is the final version of the poster which was made for the movie Barbarian Queen (AKA Queen of the Naked Steel). The 1994 version has been over-painted adding mist to the rocks and adjusting the lighting.
The film itself was a joint American-Argentine fantasy film, directed by Hector Olivera. Made in 1985 the low-budget sword-and-sorcery film aimed to capitalize on the success of Conan the Barbarian (1982)

Preliminary art for the movie poster Barbarian Queen (AKA Naked Steel), a low-budget sword-and-sorcery film made in 1985.

One of the many illustrations Boris did while working as a freelance illustrator in Peru.

A portrait of Julie's sons (Anthony and David) one beautiful midwinter morning in Barcelona.

Trading Card commissioned by NFL Quarterback Club, Inc. A blue lion is the player's team mascot.

A private commission based on the Edgar Rice Burroughs character John Carter of Mars

Cover art for the video game Hardball published by Accolade 1991.

Julie poses for this drawing by Boris.

This was painted for the 1992 Mythology Calendar appearing on the cover, and for the month of October. It also re-appears in the 1997 Classic Calendar. A Basilisk is a legendary reptile reputed to be a serpent king who can cause death with a single glance.

Some corporate and advertising art of a basketball player, to be composited into a Nike Inc. advertisment.

Trading Card for DC Comics ?1995 DC. Possibly Julie's first montage painting, using film-poster styling for a magazine to promote the 1995 Batman film. It was an interesting challenge and Julie had a good time with it. Since Batman is too cool to smile, she was afraid this might lead to a still composition but is very happy with the way it turned out.

Designed for a toy box cover, the challenge was to animate the toy within the box so it looked credible as a superhero in action. This was trickier than it sounds because it meant reworking someone else's concept from the inside out.

Cover art for the video game Warrior Of Rome II for Sega Genesis. Published and developed by Micronet Co. Ltd. 1993.

A painting that will appear in the 2025 Fantasy Calendar published each year by Workman. I have been unable to find any other reference to this painting, the title and date are unknown at present.

Two mermaids fight for the possession of the drowned mans body. Perhaps Julie was using artistic license, but she has made a common mistake in drawing these mermaids. Sea creatures like whales and dolphins, do have horizontal tails, but no scales. Fish have scales but vertical caudal fins. As these mermaids have scales they should have vertical tails.

August 1974 Issue #1 The Savage Sword of Conan, Curtis.

Cover art for the book Battle Stations a novel in the Star Trek series by Diane Carey, published by Pocket Books/Science Fiction Nov 1986. Star Trek: The Original Series #31

February 1975 Issue 4 The Savage Sword Of Conan

An image that appeared on Julie's Instagram page in March 2022.

Trading Card Fleer Publishing Company 1996 Marvel Characters.
Henry McCoy known as The Beast was born a mutant because his father was exposed to massive amounts of radiation during an accident at a nuclear power plant. He has unusually large hands and feet, coupled with unusual strength and agility. he's also endowed with an innate superhuman intellect.

Card 12/18 of the JLA/Avengers Trading Card set. Nine of the cards combine to form a single painting by Jule Bell, the other nine combine to form a Boris Vallejo painting.
All the cards in the set were painted in 1995 but only two are dated.

Trading Card Fleer Publishing Company 1996 Marvel Characters.
Henry McCoy known as The Beast was born a mutant because his father was exposed to massive amounts of radiation during an accident at a nuclear power plant.

Cover art for the book Beast Master's Planet by Andre Norton. Published by Tor Books May 2005.

Cover art for the book Beast Master's Quest by Andre Norton, Lyn McConchie. published by Tor Books June 2006. Book #5 in the Beast Master / Hosteen Storm series.

This painting is an illustration for the 2002 Fantasy Calendar, and appears for the month of July.
The Calamity:
Fighting with all of our powers, we could not turn the tide of this hideous calamity. In less than a century, mankind died by the tens of millions?and we could do nothing!

This is the first concept design that Julie did for her most successful line of Franklin Mint sculptures. Four different designs were developed and sold as cast pewter figurines and the series ultimately went on to win several industry awards.

Cover art for the book Beasts Beneath the Flesh: Book One Eye Of The Serpent by Joseph W Colomban. Published by Strange Real Press LLC 14th January 2020.
Also the cover and October of the 2021 Fantasy Calendar

Cover art for the book The Beau and the Bluestocking by Alice Chetwynd Ley, published by Ballantine/Romance Feb 1977.

Cover art for the book Beauty by Robin McKinley. Pocket Books 2nd September 1985. Originally titled Beauty: A Retelling of the Story of Beauty and the Beast, a tale embroidered around a fairytale.

This is the first of Julies famous Metallic paintings, originally designed for an album cover by the Great Wite Group, it was not used for this, however the painting was successful on it's own merits.

The left hand side of this image forms the cover for the book Beguilement by Lois McMaster Bujold. Published by Eos / HarperCollins October 2006. The Sharing Knife is a romance/fantasy series.

This painting is an illustration for the 2017 Fantasy Calendar, and appears for the month of August.
Also known as That Same Old Zebra Dream. It was shown at the Jonathan LeVine Gallery in NYC in 2014.

Cover art for the book Behind The Walls Of Terra by Philip Jose Farmer, published by Ace Books/Science Fiction 1977.

This painting is an illustration for the 2004 Fantasy Calendar, and appears for the month of June.
The Fiery Depths
Accompanied by her lifemate, the warrior Sylth, they journeyed into the depths of the earth until they reached a gateway guarded by an enormous serpent.

Cover art for 'Beloved Son' the first of three related works by the Australian writer George Reginald Turner, published by Pocket Books.Science Fiction, 1979.

This commissioned portrait of Tien, the beloved ambassador wolf at Shy Wolf Sanctuary in Naples, Florida.

Cover art for the book Berserker by Fred Saberhagen, published by Ace Books/Science Fiction May 1978.

A book cover for the book Berserker Base (part of the Berserker series) by Fred Saberhagen and six other authors. Published by Ace Books/Science FictionAce Books/Science Fiction. This was a collection of short stories.

A book cover for the book Berserker Blue Death (part of the Berserker series) by Fred Saberhagen. Published by Ace Books/Science FictionAce Books/Science Fiction.

A book cover for the book Berserker #9: Berserker Kill (book #9 of the Berserker series) by Fred Saberhagen. Published by Ace Books/Science Fiction September 1st 1993.

Cover art for the book Berserker Man by Fred Saberhagen, published by Ace Books/Science Fiction 1979.

A book cover for the book 'Berserker's Planet' Also known as Snow Giant (part of the Berserker series) by Fred Saberhagen. Published by Ace Books/Science Fiction.

Preliminary cover art for the book The Best of Leigh Bracket by Leigh Bracket, published by Ballantine/Science Fiction September 1977.

Cover art for the book The Best of Leigh Bracket by Leigh Bracket, published by Ballantine/Science Fiction September 1977. The preliminary drawing for this cover bears the name Enchantress Of Venus which we will go with for now.

Painted to celebrate `Caturday.`. Posted on instagram 22nd August 2020.

A personal painting Boris did just for fun then posted on his blog site Paint&Brush. The date for this painting is based on a 2019 Instagram posting by Julie, 'This is a painting that Boris did about 15 years ago when we had a really cool studio in South Allentown, PA and we both decided to do paintings of a still life setup. We went to a Salvation Army nearby and Boris picked out this Big Bird toy to paint!'

This painting was finished and signed August 2015. This sizeable painting 5 feet by 4 feet, oil on linen.

A huge portrait of a neighbourhood dog named Oscar.

Big Red performed at the Atlantic Rheined Cow Horse Association event in the fall of 2016. Julie capture his dramitic facial expressions head thrust forward and charging.

This piece was part of a successful series promoting Chess King, a clothing retail chain.

Cover art for the comic/magazine Penthouse issue Max Election '96 Special. published by Penthouse.
Boris admires the way the Clintons' marriage held together despite the impeachment fiasco. This concept was suggested by an art director at Penthouse, but it happened to be close to Boris' heart anyway.

Cover art for the book The Billion Dollar Boy by Charles Sheffield. Published by Starscape Books May 2003. The book cover shows this image rotated 180? and flipped horizontally.

This drawing featured in Boris and Julies book Sketchbook

A drop-in image of a bird used in the 2020 Fantasy Calendar (March) painting Clutching A Memory.

This painting is an illustration for the 2020 Fantasy Calendar, and appears for the month of September.
HARNESSED POWER
The limits of the earthly realm cannot contain this energy that throbs from my fingertips to my toes.

AKA Birds Eye View According to the Borisography this was painted in 2013 An alternative version depicting the figure as a clothed fairy is shown for January in the 2018 Fantasy Calendar.

This was a design to be printed on the side of a Franklin Mint beer stein. Boris doesn't typically work his preliminary drawinges up to this level of finish. However, it was required in this case, due to the intricacies of collaborating with multiple Franklin Mint sculptors and art directors.

The process of rendering this painting is explained in FANTASY WORKSHOP.

This painting depicts the DC Comics character with several names, The Oracle AKA Barbara Gordon/Bat Girl. I don't know the purpose of this piece, possibly promotional art for DC Comics. The painting of Barbara Gordons face is featured in Fantasy Workshop between pages 57 - 62 and the title is given on page 63 other than that, I can find no further information. Please use the sites contact page If you can enlighten me.

The cover of the 2004 Fantasy Calendar, also appears for the month of August.
Originally theis piece was painted for a Franklin Mint tankard. The project was cancelled but the painting was put to this purpose.

An illustration for Mirage which includes original paintings Boris created for the book, the text was done by his first wife Doris

Bishop was born in an alternate future with a totally different history in which the X-Men had been wiped out by a group of robots called the Sentinels. He lands in 'our' time by pursuing the criminal mutant Fitzroy, even knowing he had no chance of getting back.

Trading Card Fleer Publishing Company 1996 Marvel Characters.
Bishop was born in an alternate future with a totally different history in which the X-Men had been wiped out by a group of robots called the Sentinels. He lands in 'our' time by pursuing the criminal mutant Fitzroy, even knowing he had no chance of getting back.

Bishop was born in an alternate future with a totally different history in which the X-Men had been wiped out by a group of robots called the Sentinels. He lands in 'our' time by pursuing the criminal mutant Fitzroy, even knowing he had no chance of getting back.

A portrait of a bison bull at the Trexler Nature Preserve, located in Lehigh Valley, Pennsylvania, is a 1,108-acre public park and home to herds of endangered bison and elk.

This painting is an illustration for the 1998 Heavy Metal Calendar featuring Julie Ann Strain, model actress, and wife to the owner of Heavy Metal Magazine. She was a constant presence in Heavy Metal during the 1990s, as seen here posing as a strong warrior woman.

Black Cat (Felicia Hardy) has sometimes been an enemy, love interest, and ally of the superhero Spider-Man. She first appeared in The Amazing Spider-Man #194.

Black Cat was involved with Spider-Man for a while but is generally a loner. As Felicia Hardy she started life as a jewel thief but decided to join the good guys.

preliminary art for Black Cat.

Cover art for the book Black Fire a novel in theStar Trek series by Sonni Cooper, published by Timescape Pocket Books/Science Fiction. Pocket TOS Novel #8. As this book was released 1st Jan 1983. it is safe to assume the cover was painted in 1982.

One of a set of ceramic plate designs for a Franklin Mint collection. Boris and Julie have also designed jewellery and ornamental daggers for the company.

Black Powder, the second piece done as corporate work for The Outlaw Cigar Company of Kansas, to promote the Black Powder, range of cigars.

Julie posted `Another experiment with painting from life and then finishing up later with imagination and photo reference. Still finding my groove here, loving the process of discovery!`. Posted on Instagram 8th October 2019.

This painting is an illustration for the 1996 Fantasy Calendar, and appears for the month of July.
It depicts a being that seeems to be a hybrid of two mythical creatures a Unicorn and a Pegasus

Trading Card Comic Images 1996.
The Black Widow started out as a spy for her native Russia but was drawn into the superhero game through a clash with Iron-Man. She has no natural superpowers but her suit is packed with gadgets that let her act as one. The most famous is her Widow's Bite, an electronic discharge weapon that stuns her enemies.

Another beautiful equine study, which began with the suggestion of Scott Usher at Greenwich Workshop, that Julie should to try out painting some horses.

Bishop was born in an alternate future with a totally different history in which the X-Men had been wiped out by a group of robots called the Sentinels. He lands in 'our' time by pursuing the criminal mutant Fitzroy, even knowing he had no chance of getting back.

This painting of two wolves was used for a one thousand piece jigsaw puzzle. issued by Tide-Mark.

Cover art for the book The Blood Jaguar by Michael H. Payne. Published by Tor Books October 1999.
The challenge was to create a scene that looks completely lifelike at first. but is actually impossible. Looking closer we see that the smaller cat has a backpack and the animals seem to be engaged in verbal conversation.

Cover art for the book Battletech #21: Blood of Heroes by Andrew Keith. Published by Penguin/Roc Books/Science Fiction July 1st 1993. BattleTech Universe #21.Also a folded 34″x22″ art poster in support of Battletech novels published by FASA / ROC, 1993

This painting has recently appeared on Boris and Jules website under a new name Is Now or Never. it began as cover art for novel Blood Red Sister Rose by Thomas Keneally, published by Ballantine/Historical Novel Sept. 1976.

This painting is an illustration for the 2010 Fantasy Calendar, and appears for the month of June.
One of the best known Centaurs is Chiron or Cheiron, a wise Centaur Although most Centaurs were depicted as lustful and wild, Chiron was a notable exception; modest and civilised, he was known for his medicinal skills and teaching abilities.

Cover art for the book Timecop: Blood Ties by Dan Parkinson. Published by Ballantine Books/Science Fiction March 29 1999.

After the success of Mirage, It was suggested to Boris he do something similar but with sexy men. After this first attempt, he gave up on the idea!

A wildlife study of a crane.

I think this was done as some form of corporate advertising, downloaded fron Boris and Julies old website Imaginistix but little to nothing else is known.

This piece was originally drawn to promote a body-building contest

This was done as a promotional poster, probably for a gym or bodybuilding competition.

This drawing featured in Boris and Julies book Sketchbook

This painting an illustration for the 1993 Mythology Calendar, and appears for the month of September. A familiar theme of Beauty And The Beast.

This preliminary study used for the painting Herricane was heavily influenced by the scene in Stanley Kubrik's movie Dr Strangelove where Slim Pickens whoops while riding an atom bomb!

This preliminary study used for the painting Herricane was heavily influenced by the scene in Stanley Kubrik's movie Dr Strangelove where Slim Pickens whoops while riding an atom bomb!

This family portrait of Boris was painted in 1991 One of her first in oils.

A personal portrait of Boris, which is hung in Boris and Julies home in Pennsylvania

A fun portrait showing Boris riding into battle as the of champion heroic fantasy, armed with a brush and palette instead of sword and shield.

A quick drawing of Boris whilst working on his own drawing, one morning.

A new 12 inch by 12 inch painting by Julie posted on Julies Instagram page 1st October 2024, the paintings is to be exhibited at Illuxcon held in Reding Pensilvania..

An undated Brochure cover for the Bristol Myers pharmaceutical company. This belt buckle issued by the same company, is unmistakably based on Boris' design. The left horn is the same, the right horn differs slightly but the pose and angle are identical.


Aurochs, (Bos primigenius), are an extinct wild ox of Europe. of the family Bovidae (order Artiodactyla), from which modern cattle are probably descended. The aurochs survived in central Poland until 1627. The aurochs was black, stood 1.8 metres (6 feet) high at the shoulder, and had spreading, forward-curving horns.

Doc Savage series #85. Cover art for the novel The Boss of Terror by Kenneth Robeson, published by Bantam/Science Fiction Nov 1976.

Boundary Waters is an area between Minnesota and Ontario home to several packs of beautiful wolves and wildlife. Julie lived for about 5 years in Marquette, Michigan, which is also on Lake Superior.

Almost certainly this was one of the samples in Boris' portfolio that he brought with him to the USA.

Cover art for Issue #9 Vampirella Magazine, published June 1971.

Cover art for the book The Boy who saved the Stars by Doris Vallejo, published by O'Quinn Studios Inc. 1978. All the interior illustrations were done by Boris.

November 1974 Issue #7 Savage Tales Featuring KA-ZAR Lord of the Hidden Jungle, Marvel

The album cover for Braver Than We Are the twelfth studio album by Meat Loaf, on the Caroline International (EUR), 429 Records (US) record labels.
Julie also painted the cover for Meat Loaf's albums Hang Cool Teddy Bear (2010) and The Monster is Loose (2006).

This painting graced the cover of Heavy Metal the April 1984.

Cover art for the book Battletech #26: Bred for War by Michael A Stackpole. Published by Penguin/Roc January 1st 1995. BattleTech Universe #26

This painting is an illustration for the 2017 Fantasy Calendar, and appears for the month of March.
BRIDE OF NIGHT
I am bound to darkness. I am chained to the night. But my light has not gone out.

An illustration for the 2018 Fantasy Calendar, and appears for the month of May.
Julie's finished this painting July 2016 She worked on it while teaching at the Illustration Master Class. It was exhibited at the Delaware Art Museum, September 23-25.2016.

This painting is an illustration for the 2005 Fantasy Calendar, and appears for the month of January.
Divine Reward
Basrina, eldest daughter of the High Priestess, had successfully defended the Sacred Tower against a terrible onslaught of demon invaders. Their fiery spells had scorched the skies, but Basrina prevailed against them.

Cover art for the book Bright Sword of Ireland by Juilene Osborne-McKnight. Published by Forge Books February 2005.

Cover art for the comic/magazine Brinke of Destruction volume #2 written by Brinke Stevens published by High Top Publications January 1996.

Cover art for the comic/magazine Brinke of Destruction volume #1 written by Todd A. Kaylor and Brinke Stevens published by High Top Publications December 1995.
Brinke Stevens is an actress who has appeared in more than 100 feature films, primarily in the genres of horror, science fiction, and fantasy. She has gained notoriety as a scream queen.

Cover art for the book Broken Stone by Richard Monaco. published byAce Books. As the book was released on 1 Jan. 1985, it is safe to conclude that it must have been painted in 1984.

Preliminary art for the book The Broken Sword by Poul Anderson, published by Ballantine/Science Fantasy 1977.

Cover art for the book The Broken Sword by Poul Anderson, published by Ballantine/Science Fantasy 1977.

This painting is an illustration for the 1999 Fantasy Calendar, and appears for the month of February.
Fawal and Gree the Unquotable:
Fawal is a woman dreamed of by Thuu. Having done that, Thuu has created a world around Fawal. But?and this is a bizarre and unexplainable fact? another Dreamer and his dream intrudes into her world. The stranger is Gree the Unquotable.

This painting is an illustration for the 2001 Fantasy Calendar, and appears for the month of January.
THE BLACK CHARGER:
Erin's call is rewarded by the arrival of a great black steed. A memory returns: her younger self, with hair fiery red, had created the glorious beast. She transforms into that younger self; the creature remembers, and Erin throws herself onto its back.

Cover art for the book Brotan The Breeder by Dael Forest. Slaves Of The Empire series book #3, published by Ballantine 1978.