New Dungeons & Dragons Dungeon Master's Guide Art and Details Revealed

The marketing cycle for the 2024 Dungeon Master's Guide is underway. Wizards of the Coast has released the first video and accompanying article previewing the 2024 Dungeon Master's Guide. Wizards has already told fans what's actually in the new 2024 Dungeon Master's Guide, so there's not much in terms of actual new details. The video/article revealed that the Bastion system got another look from designers after its initial Unearthed Arcana playtest, that there will be a DM's Toolkit for everything from "alignment to traps," now arranged in alphabetical order, and that there will be 400 "new and improved" magic items.

The 2024 Dungeon Master's Guide will also be the home of rules for crafting magic items and a new Greyhawk campaign setting guide, with a focus on showcasing how Greyhawk can be customized or be used as a model for homemade campaign settings. Finally, the Dungeon Master's Guide will contain a lore glossary and a full chapter about D&D cosmology, the latter of which helps to drive home the idea of the D&D multiverse.


While much of this information was already known, the video and article did show off a LOT of new art, some of which can be found below:

 

[Jahydin]

I have no idea why this picture is causing so much contention...

I see a Dragonborn that said something that set off the other two. So much so, the Halfling is walking forward while giving him an earful in order to get in front of him so she can block his path and demand his full attention.

As someone with a shorter mom, I recognized this scenario immediately.

 

[overgeeked]

Just started watching the DM Toolbox video. I foresee the dwarf with a shotgun piece (at 1:11) being the next art kerfuffle. Especially from people who’ve actually held any kind of gun before, but especially a shotgun. At least someone caught it and lampshaded it with the text.

 

[Vaalingrade]

Just started watching the DM Toolbox video. I foresee the dwarf with a shotgun piece being the next art kerfuffle. Especially from people who’ve actually held a any kind of gun before, but especially a shotgun.

As long as the dwarf isn't showing any signs of joy or fantasy or especially of being drawn in any style or medium post 1980, I'm sure they'll be fine.

Of god forbid if they have 'glasses'.

 

[Jahydin]

Just started watching the DM Toolbox video. I foresee the dwarf with a shotgun piece (at 1:11) being the next art kerfuffle. Especially from people who’ve actually held any kind of gun before, but especially a shotgun. At least someone caught it and lampshaded it with the text.

Had to look it up. That is too funny.

I don't even think it's lampshading, TBH. 100% original intention. It beautifully illustrates a fantasy character that has no idea how a modern weapon is properly employed perfectly.

Maybe a look of shock and wonder on his face would have been a little better though...

 

[Oofta]

View attachment 382238
Had to look it up. That is too funny.

I don't even think it's lampshading, TBH. 100% original intention. It beautifully illustrates a fantasy character that has no idea how a modern weapon is properly employed perfectly.

Maybe a look of shock and wonder on his face would have been a little better though...

There should be a second picture about training to get proficiency with weapons. In it, the dwarf has black eye an a broken nose.

 

[BruceBrenneise]

This thread IS the illustration of the adventurers arguing while a beholder floats up behind them, right?

Speaking of which... thanks for all the comments on my illustration of Greyhawk for the new DMG! To answer a reckless implication, no part of my work ever was or will be AI. This particular piece was at least 70% acrylic painting on linen-mounted aluminum board. The remaining details and polish were added in Photoshop CS6 (i.e. a version not polluted by Adobe's current use of AI dross). As a long time fan of D&D, including the work of artists like Keith Parkinson, Larry Elmore, Brom, and Todd Lockwood that inspired me to take up this career, it was an honor and a pleasure to bring forth my take on this classic location. I hope (most of) you enjoy it!

Here's a look at the acrylic underpainting and tonal sketch.

 

[BookTenTiger]

This thread IS the illustration of the adventurers arguing while a beholder floats up behind them, right?

Speaking of which... thanks for all the comments on my illustration of Greyhawk for the new DMG! To answer a reckless implication, no part of my work ever was or will be AI. This particular piece was at least 70% acrylic painting on linen-mounted aluminum board. The remaining details and polish were added in Photoshop CS6 (i.e. a version not polluted by Adobe's current use of AI dross). As a long time fan of D&D, including the work of artists like Keith Parkinson, Larry Elmore, Brom, and Todd Lockwood that inspired me to take up this career, it was an honor and a pleasure to bring forth my take on this classic location. I hope (most of) you enjoy it!

Here's a look at the acrylic underpainting and tonal sketch. View attachment 382860

That tonal sketch is gorgeous and could be a D&D illustration in its own right.

It's great to see real paint making it into a modern D&D book!

 

[Oofta]

This thread IS the illustration of the adventurers arguing while a beholder floats up behind them, right?

Speaking of which... thanks for all the comments on my illustration of Greyhawk for the new DMG! To answer a reckless implication, no part of my work ever was or will be AI. This particular piece was at least 70% acrylic painting on linen-mounted aluminum board. The remaining details and polish were added in Photoshop CS6 (i.e. a version not polluted by Adobe's current use of AI dross). As a long time fan of D&D, including the work of artists like Keith Parkinson, Larry Elmore, Brom, and Todd Lockwood that inspired me to take up this career, it was an honor and a pleasure to bring forth my take on this classic location. I hope (most of) you enjoy it!

Here's a look at the acrylic underpainting and tonal sketch. View attachment 382860

This image was one of my favorites from the preview! Awesome to see the work in progress.

 

[Parmandur]

This thread IS the illustration of the adventurers arguing while a beholder floats up behind them, right?

Speaking of which... thanks for all the comments on my illustration of Greyhawk for the new DMG! To answer a reckless implication, no part of my work ever was or will be AI. This particular piece was at least 70% acrylic painting on linen-mounted aluminum board. The remaining details and polish were added in Photoshop CS6 (i.e. a version not polluted by Adobe's current use of AI dross). As a long time fan of D&D, including the work of artists like Keith Parkinson, Larry Elmore, Brom, and Todd Lockwood that inspired me to take up this career, it was an honor and a pleasure to bring forth my take on this classic location. I hope (most of) you enjoy it!

Here's a look at the acrylic underpainting and tonal sketch. View attachment 382860

To be honest, while I like the final product quite a bit, I think I prefer the Acrylic base?

 

[BruceBrenneise]

To be honest, while I like the final product quite a bit, I think I prefer the Acrylic base?

A tangible object like a traditional painting carries a certain psychological weight, so I get this. That said, my traditional skills are not on par with my digital skills yet, certainly not within my deadlines, so this piece was part of my process of working towards eventually finishing my illustrations fully traditionally. I'm only nine years or so into my career, so I've got a long way to go yet.