This qualifies as art?

[Zaukrie]

I don't think this is supposed to inspire me the way other art on the site does. But, this art does entertain me. To me it says "some of these minis suck, and I'm going to make fun of them in a loving way. I'm not trying to make this look like the mini, but I'm trying to capture the spirit in a way that both evokes what the mini is supposed to be showing, and what it shows in a bad way". I never got the feeling this was supposed to have the same purpose as the other art on the site. It's purpose was to both celebrate and mock our interest in these little plastic toys (some of which are well done, and some of which stink). YMMV, as is true with most art.

I can understand the OPs post, if not his tone. If I never see another piece by Dennis Crabapple and his many other names in D&D art again, I'll be happy.

 

[Chainsaw]

Are you kidding me? I've survived threads that culminate in the general population wishing that I'd "Get AIDS & Die" for my Art. This thread? It's golden, like soft silk, and no apologies are needed. You don't do what I do for long unless you develop something resembling thick skin or healthy defense mechanisms, such as ego-driven warmechs or the like.

Haha, glad to hear it.

Also I've actually been a member here at EnWorld for almost a year & a half...I just didn't have a reason to chime in until now...which was, potentially, not the wisest move. Then again, I like to be accessible.

After posting, I did notice that your join date was a bit far back from your first post date.

As for the thread: everyone seems civil and pretty open and I'll be the first to say that not everyone likes my stuff. Or Has to. Like you say, it's "Art". It just is.

I'm sure there are other threads here on the board about other content Dragon's released that other folks don't like, why should my stuff be any different?
-Jared

I hear you. Good attitude!

 

[avin]

Are you kidding me? I've survived threads that culminate in the general population wishing that I'd "Get AIDS & Die" for my Art.

Like the edition wars on ddmspoilers?

 

[Herschel]

Possibly the greatest comic artist of all time, Charles M. Schulz, was critiqued early on as having an absurd style and his work might be the moist poignant of all time in the genre.

 

[Hussar]

To be fair though, Charles M. Schultz, when asked if he had any regrets, claimed that he wished he'd learned to draw. ((I'm sure he was kidding though. ))

OhGodtheRats - it's funny you mention Phil Foglio. That was the first thing I thought of when I saw the pictures. Not that I think you're trying to copy or anything like that. Totally no. Just, when I saw this style of art on the site, that's what it err... said? to me.

 

[Holy Bovine]

. This is one of those very rare times when I was expressing an honest opinion and not trying to troll the boards.

blah, blah, blah.

I think we should all keep this in mind for future Kzach posts. He rarely does anything other than troll - helpful for you to admit it.

 

[frankthedm]

I like the art since its very presence on the wotc site shows that Wotc has a sense of humor towards themselves and their product lines.

I like the artist's work. i enjoyed the article about the sillier D&D monsters and have sifted through the rest of the artist's site and found it entertaining. Not sure about having this particular style in an actual rulebook , but as a free article on a web page I think its fine. Edit: Though i would much rather have this than some of the the obvious Photochop that got used in the 4E PHB.

And I suspect they are using this artist because they have to drum up interest in the miniatures preview articles. Because the minis are routinely spoilered by ebay months ahead of time, wotc needs some angle for their actual preview articles.

BTW OhGodtheRats. Loved the Chull Very tyranid like.

 

[Mallus]

I really like those illustrations. They're easily my favorite pieces of art on WotC's site.

They tap into a sense of whimsy that's always been a part of D&D, but at the same the way they approach it is totally fresh/new/clever.

 

[Vorput]

I like the art since its very presence on the wotc site shows that Wotc has a sense of humor towards themselves and their product lines.

Frankthedm makes a good point with that.

Also, I don't think anyone would like this being the sole style of art used by WotC (well, maybe said artist ), but as another way of looking at the monsters- I like it. It's a fresh enough style that it gets noticed, as this thread has shown.

Edit: Also the 'Zombie Hulk' one is awesome beyond words

 

[Garthanos]

How about an old wound... being a source for why I don't get off on whimiscal D&D art.

"Roleplaying is for kids - REALLY playing lets pretend?... You are an adult what are you doing playing with little figurines --- are you obsessed with dragons or what .. ad nauseum. "

I dont need art to say this is childish... or trivial (not worthy of investing effort) ... plenty of critics available for mocking if we need that.