David A. Gibbins November 9, 2000

My purpose in taking the Virtual Environments/3DWEB (Fall 2000) course was a result of my interest in fantasy literature. I have often wished to see the fantastic worlds described to me in these books, and to, perhaps, create my own. This goal is what I will attempt to achieve with my final project for this course. I have yet to decide whether or not to create my own, entirely new world or to create one based upon one I have seen described within books.

I have never had a particular interest in any particular artist of any time period. I know I have been influenced, both unconsciously and consciously, by certain styles, genres and particular artists, but I have never really noticed anyone specific before. As I have stated previously, I know I have a fondness for and a tendency to attempt to emulate certain types of art such as modern comic art, landscapes (of a fantastical or bizarre nature), and compositions with dark and/or ambiguous moods.

Among the many influences both on my overall interests and in relation to this particular project can be found in the lush descriptions of the worlds found in the many novels by Margaret Weis and Tracy Hickman, including the Dragonlance and Death Gate Cycle book series, and by Terry Goodkind, in the Sword of Truth series. I have also been influenced by artists such as Michael Whelan and Boris Vallejo, examples of who's work can be found at :

• http://fantasy.about.com/gi/dynamic/offsite.htm?site=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.glassonion.com%2F
• http://www.k2nesoft.com/twilight/graphics/boris/