Artwork
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thedungeondelver
Adventurer
While AD&D's artwork holds a special place in my heart there's no reason we can't have good new art. 4e's art turned me off, but not as much as 3rd edition. PATHFINDER has some gorgeous art, as does DRAGON AGE (the pen and paper game). In spite of not liking the rules much the new WARHAMMER FANTASY ROLE PLAY is just gorgeous in terms of artwork.
Take that as you like!
With that said, I would also not mind a return to the "varied" artwork - A book that's nothing but the same illustrations by the same artist over and over, and all with the same tone (usually GRIMDARK! for later editions) wears on one. Throw in some cartoons again! Mix it up a bit. Aaron Williams of NODWICK fame did the front and back cover for my module WGH5 LORD OF THE HOWLING HILLS, and I really really like it. It's cartoony, but still very nice. Even if you don't wanna play it, you can download a copy http://www.thedelversdungeon.com/Modules/WGH5.pdf]here[/url].
I'm A Banana
Potassium-Rich
I don't really mind the "dungeonpunk" look, though I know that it is pretty divisive.
I really don't like certain 4e artworks -- green dragons, and some of the comic-book-esque/cartoony, boxy critters leave me cold, too. I had some issues with some 3e art (like most of Crabapple's), too, though.
I think the thing I want the most out of new artwork is to show context. I don't just want a monster floating in the white text, or a character with a weapon and no scene. I want to see the combat. I want to witness the vistas. I want to be privy to the scenes of discovery and tension. 4e art in this respect is quite improved on a lot of 3e stuff, really.
I should note I'm also not a big fan of most Otis stuff or a lot of the old-school black-and-white sketches, though there's certainly plenty of gems in there, too.
I dunno. I'm looking forward to WotC's art directors' articles about it.
I really don't like certain 4e artworks -- green dragons, and some of the comic-book-esque/cartoony, boxy critters leave me cold, too. I had some issues with some 3e art (like most of Crabapple's), too, though.
I think the thing I want the most out of new artwork is to show context. I don't just want a monster floating in the white text, or a character with a weapon and no scene. I want to see the combat. I want to witness the vistas. I want to be privy to the scenes of discovery and tension. 4e art in this respect is quite improved on a lot of 3e stuff, really.
I should note I'm also not a big fan of most Otis stuff or a lot of the old-school black-and-white sketches, though there's certainly plenty of gems in there, too.
I dunno. I'm looking forward to WotC's art directors' articles about it.
TwinBahamut
First Post
Completely new artists would help.
It would be nice to see more use of art to clearly illustrate important concepts and ideas being presented in the books. Too much art in 3E and 4E was just a bunch of characters standing around trying to look angry and awesome, and served very little actual purpose except to break up the text. It would be better to use more of that artistic effort replacing the bad token/miniature-based rule explanations with something better.
Having the main rulebooks be filled with well-illustrated gameplay examples and suggestions would probably be a big improvement.
It would be nice to see more use of art to clearly illustrate important concepts and ideas being presented in the books. Too much art in 3E and 4E was just a bunch of characters standing around trying to look angry and awesome, and served very little actual purpose except to break up the text. It would be better to use more of that artistic effort replacing the bad token/miniature-based rule explanations with something better.
Having the main rulebooks be filled with well-illustrated gameplay examples and suggestions would probably be a big improvement.
Aldarc
Legend
The 5E art should...
* be evocative of the game system and its rules.
* inspire players and DMs in the sort of characters and adventures they can create.
* invoke narrative and storytelling. (I admit this is vague.)
* not take itself too seriously, but to give room for humor and genre/brand self-awareness.
Particular Artists:
* Kekai Kotaki: He's the lead concept designer for the upcoming Guild Wars 2 MMORPG. But the game mirrors much of his concept art closely, and the goal of Arena Net was to create inspiring landscapes, scenery, and even action scenes, which they incorporated into their cinematics.
* be evocative of the game system and its rules.
* inspire players and DMs in the sort of characters and adventures they can create.
* invoke narrative and storytelling. (I admit this is vague.)
* not take itself too seriously, but to give room for humor and genre/brand self-awareness.
Particular Artists:
* Kekai Kotaki: He's the lead concept designer for the upcoming Guild Wars 2 MMORPG. But the game mirrors much of his concept art closely, and the goal of Arena Net was to create inspiring landscapes, scenery, and even action scenes, which they incorporated into their cinematics.
Nemesis Destiny
Adventurer
Most of the art in 3.x and 4e was/is terrible IMHO. Especially Wayne Reynolds art *shudder*
I loved the art from most of the 2e books, but then, that's what I started with. Lakey, Elmore, Easley, Parkinson, Caldwell, and so on. And all those lovely little blue & white inklings. I also have a strong appreciation for some of the 1e art.
Failing that, there are a lot of artists doing work for M:tG that I would like to see in D&D. There was an excellent thread just last month in General on this very thing.
I will say that the later-period 4e stuff has gone for a much more diverse mix of styles, which is probably the best compromise that an art grognard such as myself could hope for.
I loved the art from most of the 2e books, but then, that's what I started with. Lakey, Elmore, Easley, Parkinson, Caldwell, and so on. And all those lovely little blue & white inklings. I also have a strong appreciation for some of the 1e art.
Failing that, there are a lot of artists doing work for M:tG that I would like to see in D&D. There was an excellent thread just last month in General on this very thing.
I will say that the later-period 4e stuff has gone for a much more diverse mix of styles, which is probably the best compromise that an art grognard such as myself could hope for.
Lanefan
Victoria Rules
For the art:
Pull out "Worlds and Monsters" (the 4e preview book). Look at the landscapes and scenes in there. Then make that your goal for 5e art: to present landscapes and scenes that we can stick adventures in!
I don't need to see any more pictures of a guy waving a sword around, or a half-naked babe casting a spell (though the latter never goes amiss!
), or an orc being macho. I want vistas, scenes, action - and if the occasional adventurer happens to be doing something in the distance, that's fine too. But people (and monsters, and animals, etc.) should be secondary if present at all.
Also, EVERY adventure should come with a picture iconic to that adventure; be it a scene from the dungeon*, the landscape in which the dungeon is set, the nearby village, whatever. The idea here is that picture can go on the outside of the DM screen as a reminder to the players where they are and what they are doing and-or up against.
* - but please avoid giving away any information about said dungeon in the picture!
Lanefan
[edit to add a second to [MENTION=34865]thedungeondelver[/MENTION] regarding Warhammer RPG art - they get it]
Pull out "Worlds and Monsters" (the 4e preview book). Look at the landscapes and scenes in there. Then make that your goal for 5e art: to present landscapes and scenes that we can stick adventures in!
I don't need to see any more pictures of a guy waving a sword around, or a half-naked babe casting a spell (though the latter never goes amiss!
), or an orc being macho. I want vistas, scenes, action - and if the occasional adventurer happens to be doing something in the distance, that's fine too. But people (and monsters, and animals, etc.) should be secondary if present at all.Also, EVERY adventure should come with a picture iconic to that adventure; be it a scene from the dungeon*, the landscape in which the dungeon is set, the nearby village, whatever. The idea here is that picture can go on the outside of the DM screen as a reminder to the players where they are and what they are doing and-or up against.
* - but please avoid giving away any information about said dungeon in the picture!
Lanefan
[edit to add a second to [MENTION=34865]thedungeondelver[/MENTION] regarding Warhammer RPG art - they get it]
Argyle King
Legend
I think the designers should all be required to dress up as one of the character archetypes presented in the first core book set, have their photo taken, and then have that be used as the basis for some of the artwork for the first round of books.
Aside from that? I'm unsure of the style, but there are a few pictures I have in mind from 3rd Edition which I felt were done really well:
http://www.wizards.com/dnd/images/hob_gallery/89523.jpg
http://www.wizards.com/dnd/images/ph2_gallery/97112.jpg
After more thought, I think I'd like a style in the vein of the movie Legend. http://www.figmentfly.com/legend/gifs/legendsingledvd.jpg
Aside from that? I'm unsure of the style, but there are a few pictures I have in mind from 3rd Edition which I felt were done really well:
http://www.wizards.com/dnd/images/hob_gallery/89523.jpg
http://www.wizards.com/dnd/images/ph2_gallery/97112.jpg
After more thought, I think I'd like a style in the vein of the movie Legend. http://www.figmentfly.com/legend/gifs/legendsingledvd.jpg
delericho
Legend
Honestly, this is the one aspect of 5e that I'm not worried about. Each edition of D&D to date has had its own distinct stye, and I've quite liked them all. (I have preferences, of course, but have never disliked an edition for its art.)
The one thing I don't want to see is 5e copying the style of one of the previous editions. Either have a very diverse style (in keeping with the "universal edition" theme), or develop a new and distinctive style for 5e that sets it apart from any previous edition.
Oh, and be sure not to ape Pathfinder, either. Again, I like the art there; I just want something different!
The one thing I don't want to see is 5e copying the style of one of the previous editions. Either have a very diverse style (in keeping with the "universal edition" theme), or develop a new and distinctive style for 5e that sets it apart from any previous edition.
Oh, and be sure not to ape Pathfinder, either. Again, I like the art there; I just want something different!
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