D&D 5E Toward a new D&D aesthetics

[Yaarel]

I might characterize this as "Renaissance oil painting style".

 

[BookTenTiger]

This here is probably my favorite D&D illustration
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Why do I like it so much? It looks real. The gear the characters are wearing and carrying is all functional and appropriately sized, and the dragon is something they could concievably kill without the help of Hollywood physics. And of course the artist's technical proficiency and attention to detail lifts it all to a new level. The realism really highlights the fantastic elements of the image and makes me want to explore this world.

I thought you might post that one! It is a real exemplar.

I like those quiet "between adventures" art pieces too. One trend I've noticed is towards more "cinematic" art that has a lot of movement and action, portrayed at an extreme angle. Something like:

(From Tasha's.)

But I think there's still a good amount of the between-adventures art still around. Like this from the PHB:

One thing I do notice from your 2e piece is that the overall aesthetic is kind of muddy / worn / used, like the x-wings from Star Wars. I like that too.

 

[BookTenTiger]

Thats what I'm talking about.

Contrast that with this? Or anything else being splashed with vast amounts of Blue/Purple/Pink digital ink?

Take us back please.

I've got to admit, I don't see too much of a difference between that piece of art and this 2e one I posted earlier:

 

[Scribe]

I've got to admit, I don't see too much of a difference between that piece of art and this 2e one I posted earlier:
View attachment 154104

I dont know about that, lol but its art and not an objective thing if we are being honest with each other.

 

[Jer]

Personally, I love that Tony DiTerlizzi 2e art because it mixes serious with whimsical.

Even 2e art was varied in its style and content.

It's funny - some post the other day reminded me of Usenet and I remembered how divisive DiTerlizzi's art was on Usenet at the time. You could almost take this thread and make it about DiTerlizzi's Planescape artwork and it would have fit right in with the discussions going on on rec.games.frp.dnd back in 95 or so.

 

[BookTenTiger]

I dont know about that, lol but its art and not an objective thing if we are being honest with each other.

I think part of it is that there's a lot of art in the 50 years of D&D, so we can kind of create a "canon" of art styles that fits our own preferences. I'd argue, though, that there's always been a wide variety of art styles, and whatever kind of art you liked back in the day is most likely still present in modern D&D!

However, the medium has definitely changed. I can't imagine there's much oil painting going on anymore!

 

[Yaarel]

I've got to admit, I don't see too much of a difference between that piece of art and this 2e one I posted earlier:

I was going to say the same thing.

@Scribe

In terms of style, the ballroom image you gave seems moreorless identical to the "renaissance oil painting style" of 2e image. Close enough anyway. Even the masters can be geometric, especially Botticelli, but Michaelangelo and Leonardo too.

The style is realistic but clearly a painting.

There isnt much difference between elves in the 2e image and this 5e image here, except color and gender.

 

[BookTenTiger]

Here's a piece from Tasha's that I think shows some trends. Like the 2e piece, it's got realistic adventurers doing something that's not necessarily cinematic or heroic: they are offering meat to an Owlbear.

Some differences I notice:

The digital art has a brighter color palate.

The characters' clothing and items aren't worn and dirty.

There's a tiefling, and the female character has darker skin tone.

...

Overall, I think it supports these trends: a move towards digital art, and more diverse peoples are represented.

 

[UngeheuerLich]

View attachment 154107
Here's a piece from Tasha's that I think shows some trends. Like the 2e piece, it's got realistic adventurers doing something that's not necessarily cinematic or heroic: they are offering meat to an Owlbear.

Some differences I notice:

The digital art has a brighter color palate.

The characters' clothing and items aren't worn and dirty.

There's a tiefling, and the female character has darker skin tone.

...

Overall, I think it supports these trends: a move towards digital art, and more diverse peoples are represented.

If that is the trend, I agree. Some more worn clothes would be appreciated and a general darker tone.

 

[Undrave]

This thread needs more art in it!

I'm not at home so I can't participate like that, sorry.

Oops, sorry - been getting my Jims mixed up. Instead of Roslof, I’ve been meaning Jim Halloway.

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"First of all, that's really rude..."

That skeleton's spine is something to behold. I don't think it was a human.