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

Trading Card Fleer Publishing Company 1996
Sabretooth is a former ally and subsequent deadly enemy of Wolverine. He's a psychotic killer gifted with heightened animal senses and a hyperfast ability to heal wounds.

Cover art for the video game Arcus Odyssey for Nintendo SNES. Published by Nintendo November 1993.

This painting was done as an advertisement for Copenhagen company Danzka the purveyors of Danish vodka.

This painting an illustration for the 1991 Mythology Calendar, and forms the centerpiece of this calendar.

One of a series of paintings depicting aspects of American Football dated as 2011 on Boris & Julies old Imaginistix site.

A preliminary drawing for Sacred

This painting is an illustration for the 2009 Fantasy Calendar, and appears for the month of May.
INNER TURMOIL
...Yusia's wings still had not fully manifested. ... Ardavo watched his love, his heart aching to tell her that her body would release her wings the moment she felt worthy of them.

This was a commissioned piece. Julie says of this 'It was so fun to revisit the concept of my 1990 painting, Beauty And The Steel Beast!'

This painting is an illustration for the 2005 Fantasy Calendar, and appears for the month of April.
Worlds of Wonder
Or ... to explore. There were many more worlds than this one, but only a master of science and sorcery could bridge the void and travel to those faraway lands.

An illustration for a poster published in the book: Feasting with Bompas & Parr. The poster welcomes visitors to their highly anticipated heavy Metal BBQ.

Cover art for the book Dangerous Journeys #2: The Samarkand Solution by Gary Gygax. Published by Penguin/Roc Books January 1993.

Julie was so pleased with her Logan painting that she did a second version to frame and hang on her wall. Starting from the same premise she made it more personal. This is a picture of dedication the warrior practising his art alone and despite the desperate wintry waste of his environment, the bleakness of which is only accentuated by the spark of a camp fire in the distance. His only enemies are the bitter wind and the standards of perfection he has set himself.

This painting was posted on julie instagram page. A variation of this painting is an illustration for the 2020 Fantasy Calendar In that version th girls nudity is disguised by a cloth. Posted on Instagram APRIL 22, 2018

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)

Cover art for the video game Ax Battler : A Legend Of Golden Axe for SEGA Game Gear, Genesis. This was Julies first cover for a video game.

This painting is an illustration for the 2002 Fantasy Calendar, and appears for the month of February.
The Student:
From the beginning we had been with you. We stood at your side, even in the dim prehistory for which fossil records revealed nothing. . . . We encouraged you, giving you the support you needed, with both weaponry and adoration.

This painting was completed July 2015.

Scarlet Spider, or Ben Reilly, is a genetically engineered clone of Spider-Man and was created to destroy him. Reilly had his own ideas though and tried to go his own way. For a confused period he believed he actually was Spider-Man, then he came to his senses and moved to Seattle, Washington, where he has been trying to forge his own identity. Complicating this is the discovery that being a clone means he is likely to be hit by a rapid degenerative disease.

Trading Card Fleer Publishing Company ?1995.
Twin sister of Quicksilver and daughter of the evil Magneto, Wanda the Scarlet Witch has a talent for altering probability and making unlikely things happen. Her hex-bolts can alter the consistency of matter, disrupt circuitry, start fires, deflect moving objects and so on. For a time she and her brother were forced to join Magneto's Evil Mutants but they defected to the Avengers.

Cover art for the book Timecop: The Scavenger by Dan Parkinson. Published by Ballantine Books/Science Fiction September 28 1998.

A adverising poster for Old Spice deoderant. This is the version that was finaly used, the strapline was revised from 'What Courage Smells Like' to 'The Scent Of Courage'. The style is verr similar to the painting MTV (2010),

This original drawing is probably a private commission which turned up on an auction website. is described as 'Ravishing and delicately rendered pin-up by a modern master of fantasy, Boris Vallejo. Exquisitely delineated with a sensitive line and washed with sensuous earth tones... A masterpiece of grace and femininity'.

Scorpio, the Scorpion. This painting was specially commissioned for the 1988 Fantasy Zodiac Calendar, and appears for the month of November.

Advert for the Eastman Kodak Co. Also used as an example, demonstrating painting technique in Boris and Julie's book Fantasy Workshop.

This painting is an illustration for the 2020 Fantasy Calendar, and appears for the month of DEcember.
SCRIBE OF SECRETS
With this pen, I record my hopes, my passions, my dreams. I conjure them at will.

This painting is an illustration for the 2006 Fantasy Calendar, and appears for the month of July.
Of Waves and Water
Now able to transcend the limitations that her water home had imposed, the two soared, in control. But it was all an illusion and both were still at Eos's mercy, for better or worse.

Also known as Lilith this painting is an illustration for the 1994 Fantasy Calendar, and appears for the month of December.
In Jewish folklore, Lilith appears as Adam's first wife, who was created at the same time and from the same clay as Adam

This painting is an illustration for the 2008 Fantasy Calendar, and appears for the month of July.
PARLEY
Returning to human form, Ka'ouna met with Creski, the old king of the dragons, to determine the rules for the upcoming Dragon Hunt.' The brigand started: 'But Dragon Hunts have no rules!

An illustration for Mirage, for which Boris created many original pieces for the book, the text was done by his first wife Doris.

An original painting sold from Boris and Julies website. As the Borisography points out the filename is Waiting-For-Pegasus

Preliminary art for the novel A Season For Brighton by Alice Chetwynd Ley, published by Ballantine/Historical Romance May 1977.

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

This painting illustrates the story Secrets, for the book Enchantment, for which Boris created the original artwork, whilst Doris (his first wife) wrote the stories.

AKA: Peter's Horses. At the suggestion of Scott Usher at Greenwich Workshop, Julie decided to try out painting some horses.

Preliminary art for the book The Secrets of Synchronicity by Johnathan Fast, published by Signet Books/Science Fiction 1977.

Cover art for the book The Secrets of Synchronicity by Jonathan Fast. Published July 5, 1977 by Signet.

This is one of Julies favourite places, a little way north of Phoenix, Arizona. It is famous for it's magical atmosphere of peace, stillness and beauty, and attracts many visitors.

This painting illustrates the story Seduction, for the book Enchantment, for which Boris created the original artwork, whilst Doris (his first wife) wrote the stories

This preliminary drawing illustrates the story Seduction, for the book Enchantment.

This painting is an illustration for the 1999 Fantasy Calendar, and appears for the month of July.
This painting has since been sold privately. In a different frame of mind at the time, what he wanted to paint was a truly pretty picture to suit the character of this tall, glamorous model, so he began by painting her and then just let the rest build up naturally around her.

This painting is an illustration for the 2012 Fantasy Calendar, and appears for the month of February.
TRANSFORM
Soon you will have wings of your own. Then I can teach you how to fly and dive and hunt.

An Editorial illustration for the special edition of the TV Guide magazine to mark the much-heralded last episode of America's favourite comedy show. This kind of painting, almost a cartoon in oils, is a line of illustration Julie has always enjoyed and hopes to pursue in future with other magazines.

A whimsical self-portrait.

A Self portrait Julie did whilst on her back patio. 'I did about 3/4 from life with a mirror and finished it up with a selfie photo. I painted the whole thing outside to keep the light consistent and capture the feeling of summer.' Posted on instagram 14th September 2020.

Part of an interesting challenge in which Julie and four other artists were each invited to create twenty-one of their own superheroes to fit the outline of a story.

Another study of a wolf-pack behaviour at the Lakota Wolf Sanctuary. The sanctuary offers guided sessions for serious and amateur photographers where you can photograph the wolves where they live, in a stress free environment.

When Julie was 16, she and her sisters had two horses and one of them kicked Julie in the face and broke her jaw! which strangely left her less afraid of them and an increased respect for their enormous power.

This painting was exhibited at the 18th-22nd October 2017 Illuxicon Arts Exhibition.

This painting was designed for the Verkerke Reprodukties a Netherlands company who have produced many posters based on Boris and Julie paintings.

Cover art for the book The Serpent by Jane Gaskill, published by Pocket Books/Science Fiction November 1978.

A character concept for a motorcycle sculpture. The drawing was submitted to the Franklin Mint with just the girl, and Julie drew the fantasy cycle in later, just for fun.

One of Julies early paintings, before she had experimented with her Metallic look.

This painting is an illustration for the 1995 Fantasy Calendar, and appears for the month of February.
During the run-and-fight-and-run-again battle through this forest of horror, she is finally cornered... Her stand to the death must be fought here. Though her only weapons are her hands and her deep and wide knowledge of the slayers, she does not fear them. They will die. Of this she is sure.

One of the paintings for Tarot, a project Julie began with The Emperor in 2001, Boris added his painting Death to the project, even with Julies sons David and Anthony Palumbo helping out progress was slow. The Vallejo/Palumbo team finally gained the impetus to complete the project when beginning in November 2007 Heavy Metal Magazine featured four Tarot paintings per issue over the next twenty-two issues, ending in May 2011.

Cover art for the book Dead in Dixie by Charlaine Harris. Published by Science Fiction Book Club May 2003.

Trading Card Fleer Publishing Company ?1995.
Shadowcat's talent is to pass through solid objects by 'phasing' her own atoms through the spaces between the objects' atoms. She can also phase any object or person she is in physical contact with. By reversing the process she can also walk on air, climbing up it as if on a stair.

A book cover for Samantha Sabian's book, The Shadow Games.

The second version of the painting Red Viper that was the center-piece of the 2005 fantasy calendar. This version does not show the metal-flesh viper.

Cover art for the book Shadow Lord a novel in the Star Trek series by Laurence Yep, published by Timescape Pocket Books/Science Fiction March 1985. Pocket TOS Novel #22.

This painting illustrates the story Wolves, for the book Enchantment, for which Boris created the original artwork, whilst Doris (his first wife) wrote the stories.

At the suggestion of Scott Usher at Greenwich Workshop, Julie decided to try out painting some horses. This is another equine painting from her growing collection.

Shannara is a computer game released in 1995 for the MS-DOS and Microsoft Windows. It is based on the Shannara series of books by Terry Brooks.

Cover art for the book Steel Rose by Kara Dalkey. Published by Penguin/Roc Books December 1997.
The story, Steel Rose, is set in Pittsburgh, which Julie happens to know very well because her sons' grandmother lives there. She has visited the spot pictured here 'a million times' and the model is her niece, Shannon, who hopes one day to become a professional model.

A book cover for the book Shapechangers part one of the Chronicles of the Cheysuli series) by Jenifer Roberson. Published by Daw Books/Science Fiction February 1984. Boris and Danielle Anjou are modelling the couple in the background.

Advert for Detroit Diesels, One of a series of Adverts done by Boris. An example of these posters is shown in Imaginistix. The engines lifespan was between 1974-1995, I believe this series of paintings appeared in advertisements in the 1980's early 90's.

Trading Card, Marvel Comics ?Marvel Entertainment Group Inc. Often when painting an established character it is hard to find a suitable model. In this case it was all right but sometimes a blend has to be made from photographs of four or five different subjects.

Cover art for the book The Shattered Sphere: VOL. II Of The Hunted Earth by Roger MacBride Allen. Published by Tor Books/Science Fiction 1994. Julita is the Spanish diminutive of Julie.

This painting is an illustration for the 1996 Fantasy Calendar, and appears for the month of July.
Centaurs are half-human, half-horse creatures in Greek mythology. They have the body of a horse and the torso, head and arms of a man.

She Centaurs was a preliminary intended as a painting for a calendar, but the project was never completed

Trading Card Fleer Publishing Company 1996.
Bruce Banner's cousin comes to share his strength and power to mutate when he's forced to give her a transfusion of his blood to save her life. She has more control over her form than her cousin and is usually She Hulk by choice. She grew up in California but moved to the East Coast to join the Avengers.

This unpublished painting appears in the book Fantasy Art Techniques

This painting is an illustration for the 2010 Fantasy Calendar, and appears for the month of August.
SHEILOR'S LOVE
Though Sheilor releases the seafemale womans without harming them, there was unholy commotion in the Royal Reef on the eve when he officially declared his love for Ericha, the most beautiful of the mermaids.

A portrait of a young woman sheltering from the rain. I am not sure if this David Palumbos girlfriend Dena Obaza.

One in a series of paintings commissioned by Chess King clothing

Cover art for the comic/magazine Shi: The Way of the Warrior issue Book #1 revised edition published by Crusade Comics 1995.
Shi is Ana Ishikawa, an intelligent, sensitive, spiritual half-Japanese living in New York. She's torn between her mother's Catholic upbringing and her grandfather's martial arts training, under which she is pledged to avenge her father and brother's deaths.

This painting is an illustration for the 2004 Fantasy Calendar, and appears for the month of March.
Shimmering Glory:
Soon, the sorceresses were transforming the planet, throwing energies about like feathers, desiring only immediate pleasures. Massive castles were hurled into the skies and beneath the waves, fashioned from minerals or waters or even spun from the very air itself.

One of a set of five paintings commissioned for the Secret Lair Summer Superdrop 2024 published as game cards for the Magic: The Gathering tabletop and digital collectable card game published by Secret Lair.

Painting created for SkyBox Master series?. Creator's Edition Trading Cards. 1995. The first of these superheroes the artist created for Skybox, using one of her sisters as a model. To create the sense of movement, the character is totally off-balance, an effect heightened by the stiletto heels.

This painting is an original illustration for the 1987 Fantasy Olympics Calendar, and appears for the month of March.

Other than advertising art, this was the first Boris Vallejo painting used to illustrate a men's magazine. With Doris eight months pregnant, it was also the first time Boris used a female model other than his wife.

Trading Card B-1 Showing Her The WayComic Images Supreme 1996.
The mother, a well-known bodybuilder, had wanted to model for Boris for a while. When the chance finally arrived, she brought her daughter along, so Boris aimed to capture the feeling of closeness between them.

This painting illustrates the story Showtime, for the book Enchantment, for which Boris created the original artwork, whilst Doris (his first wife) wrote the stories.

Interior illustration for the book Achilles Choice by Larry Niven & Stephen Barnes, published by Tor Books/Science Fiction 1991.

This painting is an illustration for the 2017 Fantasy Calendar, and appears for the month of October.
SIEGE OF CUZCO
Their forces are strong, and they do not fear our old magic. We will show them the error of their ways.

Cover art for the book The Siege Of Faltara by Arsen Darnay, published by Ace Books/Science Fiction November 1978.

Research suggests that this painting may be linked to the Silver series of novels by Rhiannon Held. All the issues I found did not bear this image, so perhaps it's a proposal that was not used.

Trading Card Fleer Publishing Company 1996 Marvel Characters.
After his father was killed by mobsters, Matthew Michael Murdock was trained by Stick to become a warrior as Daredevil, using his disability as an advantage to fight for the Chaste. However, Murdock's compassion with Elektra led him to be rejected by Stick.

Trading Card Fleer Publishing Company ?1995
Silver Sable is one of the more hardheaded superheroes who believes in getting paid for her good deeds and is not too scrupu lous about methods. She considers real selfless do-gooders, like Spider-Man, to be 'amateurs'.

Trading Card Fleer Publishing Company 1996
The Silver Samurai is the illegitimate son of Shingen Harada, a Japanese Crime Lord. As a result, he is also the brother to Wolverine's first love. Silver Samurai was the bodyguard of Viper and later an occasional mercenary. He became the head of Clan Yashida after his half-sister

At the suggestion of Scott Usher at Greenwich Workshop, Julie decided to try out painting some horses. This is another from her growing collection.

Marvel Fandom: Born Norrin RaddOne on the planet Zenn-La, the Silver Surfer treasures freedom above all else, he has often sacrificed his liberty for the greater good. His extremely long-lived and technologically advanced humanoid race created a worldwide utopia devoid of crime, disease, hunger, poverty, and want of any kind.

One of the illustrations for the 1996 Marvel Masters Trading Card sets. The Silver Surfer is a member of an extremely long-lived and technologically advanced humanoid race that created a worldwide utopia devoid of crime, disease, hunger, poverty, and want of any kind.

This was one of the first three trading card images Julie did for Marvel Comics. At the time she was completely unproven in this genre of work.

Marvel Fandom: Born Norrin RaddOne on the planet Zenn-La, the Silver Surfer is a member of an extremely long-lived and technologically advanced humanoid race that created a worldwide utopia devoid of crime, disease, hunger, poverty, and want of any kind.

Genetic engineer and founder of the Marauders Assassins team, Sinister kept a record of their DNA so that whenever one was killed they could be replaced with a clone.

An illustration for a series of Fantasy Collector's Knives, issued by Franklin Mint. The paintings were printed onto the cast-metal knives.

Considered controversial by some at the time, this was painting appears in Boris' book 'Mirage'. Boris painted several original paintings for the book, while the text was done by his first wife Doris.

A preliminary drawing for Siren Song which appears in Boris' book 'Mirage'.

This painting an illustration for the 1989 Mythology Calendar, and appears for the month of May.

In Greek mythology, The Siren was a creature half bird and half woman who lured sailors to destruction by the sweetness of her song. ... According to Homer, there were two Sirens on an island in the western sea between Aeaea and the rocks of Scylla.

This painting an illustration for the 1990 Mythology Calendar, and appears for the month of August.In Greek mythology, a Siren was said to be a creature half bird and half woman who lured sailors to destruction by the sweetness of their song.

A preliminary drawing for the painting The Sirens Whisper shown in the 2019 Fantasy Calendar, (February.)

This painting is an illustration for the 2019 Fantasy Calendar, and appears for the month of February.
THE SIRENS' WHISPER
Our entwined voices are transfixing: Their magic will cast a spell of enchantment even among the disbelievers

Cover art for the book Sister to the Rain by Melisa Michaels. Published by Penguin/Roc Books October, 1998.
.Also used as the cover for the single record by Meat Loaf titled It's All Coming Back to Me Now.

This painting is an illustration for the 1998 Fantasy Calendar, and appears for the month of February.
Greek myth transposed to the future featuring Julie Bell (centre) and her two sisters (Kat and Suzanne). Apart from the fact that he is married to her, Boris considers Julie the perfect model. Not only does she have the perfect physique and temperament, but she also has immense stamina, so that she can hold exaggerated, almost impossible poses for hours when modelling for Boris.

A pair of bison cows living in the Trexler Nature Preserve, Bison are the largest mammal in North America. Male bison (called bulls) weigh up to 2,000 pounds and stand 6 feet tall, while females (called cows) weigh up to 1,000 pounds and reach a height of 4-5 feet. Bison calves weigh 30-70 pounds at birth.

A figure study possibly drawn during one of Boris's life art classes, the date is completely unknown and clearly this could have been drawn at anytime, I have placed it in the same time-frame as Sketchbook as it seems to fit this era.

One of the paintings for Tarot, a project Julie began with The Emperor in 2001, Boris added his painting Death to the project, even with Julies sons David and Anthony Palumbo helping out progress was slow. The Vallejo/Palumbo team finally gained the impetus to complete the project when beginning in November 2007 Heavy Metal Magazine featured four Tarot paintings per issue over the next twenty-two issues, ending in May 2011.

One of the paintings for Tarot, a project Julie began with The Emperor in 2001, Boris added his painting Death to the project, even with Julies sons David and Anthony Palumbo helping out progress was slow. The Vallejo/Palumbo team finally gained the impetus to complete the project when beginning in November 2007 Heavy Metal Magazine featured four Tarot paintings per issue over the next twenty-two issues, ending in May 2011.

One of the paintings for Tarot, a project Julie began with The Emperor in 2001, Boris added his painting Death to the project, even with Julies sons David and Anthony Palumbo helping out progress was slow. The Vallejo/Palumbo team finally gained the impetus to complete the project when beginning in November 2007 Heavy Metal Magazine featured four Tarot paintings per issue over the next twenty-two issues, ending in May 2011.

Cover art for the book The Sjöfn Academy by Samantha Sabian. Book #2 in the The Chronicles of Arianthem series, published by Arianthem Press November 2020.

A sketch no longer available simply titled Sketch14 (but it looks like Wonderwoman), lifted from Boris & Julies old Imaginistix website.

A sketch no longer available simply titled Sketch14 (reminiscent of Julie Strain), lifted from Boris & Julies old Imaginistix website.

Painting created for SkyBox Master Series?. Creator's Edition Trading Cards. 1995. A superhero character dreamed up by the model, the artist's son David , who sheds all inhibitions in front of the camera.

Julie's matching piece for the painting Mountain Song
. In the end they didn't follow through the idea of a series of envoiromental paintings, but may return to it in the future.

Another alternative version of this painting can be seen in the 2018 Fantasy Calendar, for the month of December.

The center-piece for the 2018 Fantasy Calendar.

One of six pieces drawn for the portfolio 'Midnight Angels' a 1200 limited edition set. Some of the themes and drawings were later developed for the book Mirage. (see female woman and Dragon, Mirage: page 10)

A quick sketch by Julie of Boris while he was sleeping.

Interior illustration for the book Achilles Choice by Larry Niven & Stephen Barnes, published by Tor Books/Science Fiction 1991.

A drawing done at the World Fantasy Convention in Saratoga Springs, New York 2008, while the artists were just talking amongst themselves.

A wildlife study of a wolfs kead, Smoky Wolf

Another goofy watercolour. Julie posted `Feeling silly today and kind of snaily!`

An abstract painting shown on Julies instagram page. Posted on Instagram 2nd January 2022.

Boris and Julie stil participate in life drawing classses. Presumbly this is a study done during one of these.

Boris based this Franklin Mint design on one of Julie's calendar paintings.

One of six pieces drawn for the portfolio 'Midnight Angels' a 1200 limited edition set. Some of the drawings were later developed for the book Mirage, (see Snake Sisters, Mirage: page 28).

An illustration for Mirage, for which Boris created many original pieces for the book, the text was done by his first wife Doris.

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.

An illustration for a series of Fantasy Collector's Knives, issued by Franklin Mint. The paintings were printed onto the cast-metal knives.

A new painting posted on Julies Instagram page 20th Aug 2021. 16x16 inches, oil on panel.

An illustration for Mirage, for which Boris created many original pieces for the book, the text was done by his first wife Doris.

A remake of Boris's 1981 famous painting Soap.

This painting is an illustration for the 2015 Fantasy Calendar, and appears for the month of March.
FACADE
My beauty is a camouflage, it distracts my enemies from recognizing the power I wield: the power to create and destroy.

An unclothed version of Façade which appears for the month of March in the 2015 Fantasy Calendar.

This painting is an illustration for the 2016 Fantasy Calendar, and appears for the month of December.
SOARING HIGHER
When I soar among the eagles, It s as though I still have my wings. I will always be at home in the air.

A symbolic self-portrait, also as a sample for a set of cards. The creature on the flag captures the artist's ideal of strength without aggression. The floating rock is also important. One of Julies most enduring images has been used many times for many purposes

Cover art for the book The Solar Queen by Andre Norton. Tor by PUBLISHER Books December 2003.

Cover art for the book Soldier Boy by Michael Shaara. Published by Timescape Books/Science Fiction 1982.

This painting began as an exercise in Julies Metal Flesh technique, it was set aside for a period of time, to work on other projects, eventually returning to it over four years later with all the technique and expertise she had devoped meantime. As a sidenote, art directors having seen this original requested some changes to it before publication as cover art for the video game Turrican