Favorite Artists
Initially upon starting this thread, I didn't want this to turn into a discussion about "favorite artists," largely because such discussions end up turning into a silly "1ed vs. 2ed vs. 3ed" nostalgia/newness debate. However, I think I erred in not recognizing that's it's virtually impossible to discuss art of this type without focusing on favorite artists.
So, I'm going to offer a list of some of the artists who I really liked in D&D to date. I'm sure I'll miss a few, but c'est la vie (I think that's correct French).
The following is in no particular order.
Larry Elmore: For many people, this man is the perrenial D&D artist. His is the first "realistic" mural-type art most players were introduced to in the OD&D boxed sets. I was 11 or so when I started with D&D and I loved his art, particularly the stuff he did for Dragonlance (to me he is The Dragonlance artist). However, he's not my favorite artist largely because while his images are very realistic and sometimes technically sound, they too often are too "posed" and static. When he does offer powerful, kinetic images, they tend towards being illustrative. Also, I think his art's deteriorated a little over the years... although the stuff he's done for his world lately have recaptured his earlier style. A great artist.
Keith Parkinson: Probably my favorite 1ed artist. It's all about texture and presence with this man. There are two images that stand out for me that Parkinson did: Lord Soth's Charge, perhaps the greatest image of a Death Knight I've ever seen, and The Great Red Wyrm, which I think defines dragons. His images are always filled with energy and emotion, and you almost feel like you can reach in and touch every scale on the dragon. Truly excellent stuff.
Clyde Caldwell: Another big 1ed artist, Caldwell offered smoothness and vibrancy in his work. A lot of his images were very nicely done, but like Elmore he suffered from static images... and he had this gem fetish.
DiTerlizzi: For many, this man defined the image of Planescape. Possessing a light, airy quality, DiTerlizzi's art was perfect IMO in capturing the otherworldliness of Planescape, melding the high magic of D&D with the stylized art of the book Fairies. DiTerlizzi's images could be whimsical, horrific, or shadowy, but they were very distinct, which made them stand out against the largely "realistic" art that dominated other areas in D&D at the time. Although I love his stuff, I can see why others do not. It is extremely stylized and not "realistic," and kind of distanced some people from it. Still, great stuff.
Brom: Heh heh heh. Anyone interested in truly creepy images needs to look no further. I believe I first noticed his stuff for Elric some time ago. There's something... S&M about his images; they're simultaneously beautiful and repulsive, making them extremely appealing. His stuff reminds me of a Marilyn Manson video... I can't stand Manson, but I love Brom. If I could chose someone to create evocative images of the lower planes, particularly to complete works for the Lords of the Nine and the various Demon Princes, it would be this man. That said, it's precisely this somehow... disturbing nature that sets Brom in a category of a fetish artist that can be distancing to some. But, hey, still great stuff.
Sam Wood: If one wants to see truly impressive work, look no further. Wood has created some inspiring images, although I think his best offers are usually those involving hellish or otherwise "occult" images. His art tends to bear a great deal of weight, and his use of shadows is excellent. Sure, he (and Lockwood) don't necessarily draw the most realistic armor and such, but... this is a FANTASY game, not a treatise on realistic armor and clothing. My only issue with Wood is either he sometimes seems muddy due to poor technique or his images are often completed in color and then reproduced in b&w, which doesn't look that great.
Wayne Reynolds: The man. If you are looking for truly powerful, kinetic, and just plain fun images, look no further. I was struck with WAR's images in MM with his tendancy for illustrating monsters that seemed like they were about to walk off the page. His b&w stuff is just as powerful. He's the one that was chosen to complete the work for 3.5 stuff I discuss at the beginning of this thread, and it's no wonder. The power and energy of his images effortlessly translate into how many great games would look like if they were in a comic book or in an adult, animated movie or series. Frankly, he's one of my favorites of my favorites and only his sometimes "comic book" style keeps him from being at the top of my list. As it is, I tie him with...
Todd Lockwood: The man (I already said that, but he's tied with WAR). Lockwood has really, IMO, defined the look and feel of 3ed. His images have the realism and classical/surreal elements of Elmore coupled with the energy and technique of some of the greatest comic book artists (Bolland, Mignola, early Byrne, etc.) His dragons are awe-inspiring and that's really all it takes to impress me.
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