The art annual book, Spectrum, has released its 25th issue, complete with all the best in science fiction and fantasy art. This field, called Imaginative Realism, has categories to which artists or employers can submit their work, for a fee, to win a silver or gold award. Categories ranging from book illustrations and advertising, to the most difficult to win personal category, to Magic's institutional, and all are highly competitive. Winning a category is a major achievement for artists where titans compete for name recognition and art collector visibility.

I write on the book each year, with Spectrum 24 having the most Magic inclusions ever. The awards for Spectrum 24 were announced at Spectrum Live in May, with a Magic artwork winning the Gold Award, Stasis by Seb McKinnon, for the first time ever. What isn't presented is all the other art that made it into the book but wasn't known until the books actually arrived.

When people ask for what is the objective best art, there is no single work per set that is on a technical level higher (other than Cartography by Donato Giancola of course). By having a judged panel of art, usually by major artists or art directors, and peers, choose the best art for the Spectrum book, it comes close. Obviously some art is not submitted that is phenomenal and some sublime personal work never makes it in.

Collectors look for the most played cards, the hot staple in sets and that's great! But what works will stand the test of time, what museums will eventually want, are artworks like this. Look below for traditional paintings. Those are the pieces people should be clamoring for today. Frankly, most are already long sold by artists. But every so often, one can find a Pyxis of Pandemonium that made it into Spectrum and can be picked up from the artist.

Art directors don't get a ton of credit for their work. I try to interview them to get them some visibility, but I strike out a lot. Often, by being more visible, they get hounded more at events or sent even more mail, if that's possible. It's notable how many different art directors get included each year and while I exclude them from this list, don't think for a second that their efforts are minimal. They push people and remind folks to stay hungry, such that art becomes continuously better. By being one of the top houses to commission new art in the world, keeping quality high is a must and soon I'll write more on them and how they are able to achieve such quality so consistently.

Enjoy the art, these are all technically superior creations and will stand the test of time as being more than just good. These are great.

-Vorthos Mike

Agents of S.N.E.A.K. by Ralph Horsley Oil on panel, 36 x 35.5"

Contraptions: Goblin Explosioneers by Steve Prescott Acrylic on board, 23 x 32"

Attune with Aether by Wesley Burt Digital

Frilled Deathspitter by Zoltan Bros Digital

Silvergill Adept by Slawomir Maniak Digital

Angel of Condemnation by Slawomir Maniak Digital

Mighty Leap by Sidharth Chaturvedi Digital

Dr. Julius Jumblemorph by Simon Dominic Digital

Deadeye Harpooner by Ryan Pancoast Oil on board, 14x18"

Ripjaw Raptor by Ryan Pancoast Oil on board, 12x16"

Doomsday by Noah Bradley Digital

Inspiring Cleric by Randy Gallegos Oil on panel, 18 x 24"

Etali, Primal Storm by Raymond Swanland Digital

Party Crasher by Mike Burns Digital

The Locust God by Lius Lasahido Digital

Clocknapper by Marco Teixeria Digital

Pounce by Lucas Graciano Oil on panel, 18 x 24"

Merfolk Branchwalker by Kieran Yanner Digital

Colossal Dreadmaw by Jesper Ejsing Acrylic on board, 12 x 16"

Aven of Enduring Hope by James Ryman Digital

Crashing Tide by Carmen Sinek Digital

Heirloom Blade by Carmen Sinek Digital

Drover of the Mighty by Eric Deschamps Digital

Squirrel-Powered Scheme by Even Amundsen Digital

Giltgrove Stalker by Chris Seaman Acrylic on board, 12 x 16"

River Heralds' Boon by Alex Konstad Digital

Cuombajj Witches by Seb McKinnon Digital

Duskborne Skymarcher by Seb McKinnon Digital

Apocalypse Demon by Piotr Jablonski Digital

Trapjaw Tyrant by Chris Rahn Oil on panel, 8.25 x 11"

Huatli, Radiant Champion by Chris Rahn Oil on panel, 11.25 x 15"

These artworks were finalists nominated for awards.

Vraska, Relic Seeker by Chris Rahn Oil on birch plywood, 22 x 30"

Dinosaur Hunter by Tianhua X Digital

Silver Award

Moaning Wall by Piotr Jablonski Digital

Gold Award