New Releases by Brian Froud

The complete prequel trilogy to Jim Henson’s cult classic fantasy film The Dark Crystal, with a story by the film’s original concept designer, Brian Froud. Paperback Edition. Brian Froud, legendary conceptual designer of the beloved Jim Henson fantasy film The Dark Crystal, returns to the world he helped create in this official prequel trilogy to the cult-classic film. Collected for the first time in one oversized edition, this series reveals the definitive origins of the Skeksis, Mystics, Gelfling, and the Dark Crystal itself while introducing all new characters in an epic spanning thousands of years. Written by Brian Holguin (Spawn: Origins), Joshua Dysart (Unknown Soldier), and Matthew Dow Smith (Doctor Who), and lushly illustrated by Alex Sheikman (Robotika) and Lizzy John (Fraggle Rock), Jim Henson’s The Dark Crystal: Creation Myths is a breathtaking return to the fantasy world that has captivated audiences for over thirty years.

Return to the world of faerie with the revised and expanded edition of Brian Froud’s acclaimed magnum opus, featuring paintings, watercolors, and drawings never before seen by the general public. Drawing inspiration from the gnarled shrubbery of England’s windswept moorlands, Brian Froud is best known for being the genius behind Jim Henson’s film The Dark Crystal and for illustrating such best sellers as Lady Cottington’s Pressed Fairy Book. This revised and expanded edition of his dazzling World of Faerie offers us a startling vision of the magical realm, enhanced by Froud''s own words about his experiences and insights. This lavish, full-color book opens the door to Brian Froud’s wondrous imagination as never before. Presenting beautiful portrayals of faeries that have touched hearts and minds for generations, World of Faerie is by far Froud’s most personal book and represents the visionary artist and creator of fantasy worlds at the pinnacle of his prowess. Featuring rare, previously unpublished imagery from Froud’s oeuvre, this new edition of the classic tome is a must-have for faerie and fantasy fans of all ages.

The world of Thra is shattered. Following the events of the Great Conjunction, the once-powerful Urskeks have been split into two separate beings: the Skekis and the Mystics, Only Raupin and Aughra know their true origins, but they are trapped in the bowels of the world of Thra, searching for the shard of the Dark Crystal. But as the aftermath of the Great Conjunction wreaks havoc upon the Gelfling tribes, the Gelfling may have no choice but to rely upon the one race offering aid: the Skeksis. The species of Thra will have to decide who they can trust if they hope to keep their world together.

From the preeminent fairy artist and his author wife comes the backstory of Cottington Hall and its intriguing inhabitants, both family and faeries. The rise and fall of the Cottingtons gives us humorous, and sometimes tragic, glimpses into how this eccentric British family became inexorably entwined with the faeries living among them during the late nineteenth and twentieth centuries. When a descendant, Maddi, visits the Cottingtons’s dilapidated hall, she finds herself caught up in a story of intrigue and mystery. While reading the letters and journals of her ancestors and discovering a wealth of inventions aimed at allowing humans to visit the fairy realm unharmed, Maddi slowly becomes aware of the faeries and their world. Also available from Brian and Wendy Froud: Brian Froud’s Faeries’ Tales and Brian Froud’s Goblins: 10 1/2 Anniversary Edition. “Nobody does fantasy art like the guy who gave us The Dark Crystal and Labyrinth.” —io9

Part one of a three-part graphic novel prequel series delving into the origins of the Skeksis, Mystics, Gelflings, the world of Thra, and The Dark Crystal itself. Spanning a time period from thousands of years ago to right up to the start of the original film, this graphic novel epic will tell the definitive origin of The Dark Crystal, under the supervision of The Jim Henson Company and The Dark Crystal concept designer Brian Froud.

Following in the footsteps of Trolls, Brian and Wendy Froud lead readers deep into the world of faeries. Humans throughout history have always had special relationships and bonds with faeries, whether loving and helpful or at times destructive. This new book explores that complex relationship and the liminal state between the human and faery world where interaction occurs. In Brian Froud''s Faeries'' Tales, readers encounter individual faeries, each with a story to uncover, as told by the faeries themselves. Many of the stories are familiar to humans, but the "true" story is told by the faeries. Similar to the Trolls fragments, the faeries'' tales are coupled with portraits and interspersed with drawings and studies of the mysterious and enchanting folk who travel back and forth between the human world and theirs.

This issue of inSpirit Magazine brings the lightness, fun and enjoyment of the Faery as they flutter their wings spreading magical Faery dust over all of you. To bring some of the Faery magic to this issue we couldn''t go pass the sensational work of the Froud family. Known for creating other worldly magic in such films as the Labyrinth and the Dark Crystal, Brian and Wendy Froud have so much to share when it comes to the elemental world. Each of the contributors have brought together their own expression of the Faery and inSpired wisdoms, so you''ll enjoy a variety of perspectives on this unique topic. Perhaps you will even find one that speaks to you, just as Serene Conneeley''s article "Faeries as a personification of nature" and its unique approach to this topic did for our managing editor.

The Great Conjunction is at hand in this dramatic second volume of Archaia and The Jim Henson Company''s trilogy of prequel graphic novels that tell the origin of The Dark Crystal. Aughra, the beloved guardian of Thra, has gone into hiding, while her son, Raunip, leads a team of emissaries to the Crystal Castle. There they will bear witness as the visiting Urskeks attempt to use the Conjunction to power their voyage home. But pain and mistrust fostered by the group leads to events that will corrupt the world to its very core and transform the Urskeks into two distinct races: the gentle urRu and the terrifying Skeksis. Brian Froud, legendary fantasy artist and conceptual designer of Jim Henson''s The Dark Crystal film, returns to oversee this crucial chapter that reveals the tragic events that caused the Bright Crystal to darken and shatter.

The internationally acclaimed artists & authors are your personal guides to the enchanted world of Trolls in this book of troll tales and culture. Not since Brian Froud’s conceptual design work with Jim Henson on the classic films The Dark Crystal and Labyrinth has he created a faerie world with such imagination, dimension, depth, and detail. Trolls opens a new realm in the celebrated faerie worlds of famed artists Brian and Wendy Froud, renowned for their vast and personal knowledge of faeries, goblins, and other folk. Through their art, sculptures, and stories, the Frouds take you on a wonderous adventure into the world of trolls. Trolls live through the telling of tales and the passing on of stories, weaving them together, then letting them flow separately again, as streams, rivers, tree roots, and branches do. Stories, as they are collected, are tied to a troll’s tail: “A tale for the asking, the giving, the keeping.” Trolls includes stories of stone and bone, wood and feather, along with tale fragments, snippets of stories to be told in full down the road or ones that have been lost and are to be remembered again. Interspersed among the stories are troll customs, philosophies, and practices: How many kinds of trolls are there? Where do they live, and what do they like to eat? Why do some trolls father together while others seek solitude? Troll lore is interwoven with a vast treasure of artifacts and symbols of their world, from the wind knot to the Petrified Parsnip Poetry Pen, from the witch’s cursing bundle to the elusive Earthling Gift. Your journey through Trolls will reveal many mysteries, wonder, and enchantments, and there are no better guides for your adventure than Brian and Wendy Froud.

Discover how to paint classic fantasy, imaginative sci-fi, and comic art, with advice on how to tell visual stories, make inspired illustrations, and create strong characters using digital techniques. A core skills section offers basic training on topics such as using custom bruches and rendering realistic materials like cloth, rock, silk, fun, and shinym etal. Artist Henning Ludvigsen presents 20 tips to b etter fantasy paintings including color, texture, and light.

Part one of a three-part graphic novel prequel series delving into the origins of the Skeksis, Mystics, Gelflings, the world of Thra, and The Dark Crystal itself. Spanning a time period from thousands of years ago to right up to the start of the original film, this graphic novel epic will tell the definitive origin of The Dark Crystal, under the supervision of The Jim Henson Company and The Dark Crystal concept designer Brian Froud.

A parody of the Victorian obsessions with fairies and pressed flowers is presented in the form of a diary.

More smashed fairies in celebration of Lady Cottington''s 10 anniversary! The perfect place to keep lists and record ideas. Features quotations about fairies throughout. 128 lined pages, 7 x 9," elastic closure.

All about fairies, these letters contain everything from wisdom to suggestions to chastisement. Lady Cottington has made notes in the margins not to mention smashed fairies throughout (will she ever stop this nasty habit?!) And the fairies - they too have done their part, sprinkling magic and mayhem throughout.

Now 20 years old, Jim Henson''s classic fantasy film The Dark Crystal - featuring the breathtaking concept design of renowned artist Brian Froud - is an incredible work of the imagination. This mystical adventure has such a cult following that when the film was recently re-released on video and DVD, it quickly sold a million copies. Just as remarkable is the cult status of The World of the Dark Crystal, Froud''s book on the film. Originally published in 1982, this definitive and beautifully illustrated volume is being reissued in a collector''s edition. This superb reproduction of the original volume includes an additional new essay by Froud, illustrated with previously unpublished paintings, drawings and sculptures from the film''s archives. The new edition also features a facsimile of a 20-page booklet Froud and Henson created to present the film to backers - an overview of the story so rare that only a few copies are known to exist. This collector''s edition of The World of the Dark Crystal, like the re-released film, is a must have for all Henson and Froud fans.

The fantasy artist interprets the runes of Celtic origin, examining the myth and lore about faeries, elves, and creatures of the forest in a collection of stories depicting the many creatures of Celtic mythology.

‘This enchanting book explores the realm of elves, pixies, leprechauns, dryads and other mythical creatures. Nearly 200 extraordinary drawings and full-colour paintings combine to produce a book which has stood the test of time since it was first published.’ Kindred Sprit on Faeries. It has been 25 years since Brian Froud and Alan Lee created the delightful, imaginative and surprising Faeries – a book that quickly became a massive international bestseller and went on to sell more than a million copies worldwide. In celebration of Faeries 25th Anniversary, Pavilion is delighted o publish a special edition featuring eight new pages and 20 new pieces of art by Froud and Lee. The artists have also contributed new introductions.

In a parody of the Victorian preoccupation with fairies, presents a supposed reproduction of Euphemia Cottington''s photograph album, dating from the 1880''s, featuring her photographs of fairies and her sister''s pressed fairies.

This divination kit comprises of a deck of 66 divination cards and a book that introduces the most powerful and important members of the faery kingdom.

"Whomp " Spend 2008 with Brian Frouds whimsical pressed fairies.

A reversible volume in which good fairies such as the green man, the wood woman, and the pixies are described on one side, and bad fairies such the gnome, Black Annis, and Morgana le Fay are described on the other.

Presents a journal of fairy research by Quentin Cottington that attempts to analyze the protoplasmic nature of fairy stains.

A young artist returns to her cabin in the deep woods of Canada to concentrate on her work and finds that, somehow, strange and beautiful creatures are creeping into her art.