Fabian became interested in drawing in 1965. He read books by illustrator and art instructor Andrew Loomis, and began practicing at making art in his spare time. Within two years, Fabian's artwork began appearing in fanzines. He was very quickly employed by professional science fiction magazines, and in 1974 (the same year he was laid off by Simmonds), he began working full-time as an illustrator.[2]
Fabian specializes in science fiction and fantasy illustration and cover art for books and magazines.[3] Fabian also produced artwork for TSR's Dungeons & Dragons game from 1986 to 1995, particularly on the Ravenloft line. He was self-taught, two of his primary influences being Virgil Finlay and Hannes Bok.[4] His work is usually signed Stephen Fabian or Stephen E. Fabian.
^Robinson, Spider (November 18, 1989). "The large and puzzling galaxy of SF writers: The New Encyclopedia of Science Fiction", The Globe and Mail, p. E13.