[ELH] Is the art in this book utter crap?
- Thread starter gfunk
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derverdammte
Explorer
Anabstercorian said:
I'm sorry, did you actually look at the *stats* for the paragon illithid? Or was it just me that was unimpressed?
derverdammte
Explorer
As a related thought, this is what the epic wizard should have looked like:
A youngish fellow of unexceptional appearance, carrying no visible items, and seeming totally unremarkable in every way.
Not all epic characters look "epic." In fact, I'd submit that most of them don't look epic, because looking epic is the best way to get into a pecker contest with virtually everyone. If you look like you're powerful, every wannabe badass and his mommy is going to try to prove him/herself against you, and eventually you'll lose. Or at least, you'll get really friggin' sick of all the puny wimps trying to kill you in your sleep, as you raise a mug of ale, as you walk down the street, when you're trying to take a crap, etc.
A youngish fellow of unexceptional appearance, carrying no visible items, and seeming totally unremarkable in every way.
Not all epic characters look "epic." In fact, I'd submit that most of them don't look epic, because looking epic is the best way to get into a pecker contest with virtually everyone. If you look like you're powerful, every wannabe badass and his mommy is going to try to prove him/herself against you, and eventually you'll lose. Or at least, you'll get really friggin' sick of all the puny wimps trying to kill you in your sleep, as you raise a mug of ale, as you walk down the street, when you're trying to take a crap, etc.
Anabstercorian
First Post
More Evocative Imagery - Because I'm full of myself
This is what an Epic Shadowdancer should look like, or at least could.
A bright, sunny day, the sun is out, the sky is blue, the plants are green and everyone is smiling. The landscape is partially shadowed by a cloud.
The shadowdancer is walking through, wearing gray clothing that hugs her skin and a light black cloak. Half of her body is in the shadow, the other half is in light. The half that's in shadow is nothing but a nondescript gray smear. She's smiling enigmatically at a gawking peasant youth who's mind is struggling to comprehend this. The shadow she casts on the earth is stretching far past where it should, and doesn't quite look like her.
This is what an Epic Monk should look like, or at least could.
The scene is largely empty. There are no clouds above. The sunlight is harsh and bright, though the sky is a brilliant blue.
The monk is balancing carefully on the tip of one foot at the very peak of a mountain. On closer examination, she is not actually touching the mountain. She is balancing on a single blade of grass. It does not bend beneath the weight of her enlightened spirit. She wears magical gems and tattoo's all over her body, but is nearly naked, even though frost coats her form and the sun must sear her flesh raw at this altitude. Her eyes are closed. She is meditating.
This is what an Epic Barbarian should look like, or at least could.
A massive jungle, filled with Marilith demons entwined through the trees, armed with dozens of weapons. The air is filled with flying needles.
The barbarian is swinging through the trees, wielding a weapon that glows with incredible light. He is holding the greataxe in both hands, and the vine in his feet. He snarls with wide eyes, foaming at the mouth slightly, and several severed snake demons drape through the trees behind him. His skin is peppered with needles. One is in his eye. He shows no signs of discomfort, only rage.
This is what an Epic Sorcerer should look like, or at least could.
A nearly naked, mysterious looking handsome man, with a gaze that could cut a man down but no other obvious abilities. His hair is red, almost fiery, and he is girded in several less than memorable magical devices.
He is standing on the surface of the sun, surfing on a solar flare.
This is what an Epic Shadowdancer should look like, or at least could.
A bright, sunny day, the sun is out, the sky is blue, the plants are green and everyone is smiling. The landscape is partially shadowed by a cloud.
The shadowdancer is walking through, wearing gray clothing that hugs her skin and a light black cloak. Half of her body is in the shadow, the other half is in light. The half that's in shadow is nothing but a nondescript gray smear. She's smiling enigmatically at a gawking peasant youth who's mind is struggling to comprehend this. The shadow she casts on the earth is stretching far past where it should, and doesn't quite look like her.
This is what an Epic Monk should look like, or at least could.
The scene is largely empty. There are no clouds above. The sunlight is harsh and bright, though the sky is a brilliant blue.
The monk is balancing carefully on the tip of one foot at the very peak of a mountain. On closer examination, she is not actually touching the mountain. She is balancing on a single blade of grass. It does not bend beneath the weight of her enlightened spirit. She wears magical gems and tattoo's all over her body, but is nearly naked, even though frost coats her form and the sun must sear her flesh raw at this altitude. Her eyes are closed. She is meditating.
This is what an Epic Barbarian should look like, or at least could.
A massive jungle, filled with Marilith demons entwined through the trees, armed with dozens of weapons. The air is filled with flying needles.
The barbarian is swinging through the trees, wielding a weapon that glows with incredible light. He is holding the greataxe in both hands, and the vine in his feet. He snarls with wide eyes, foaming at the mouth slightly, and several severed snake demons drape through the trees behind him. His skin is peppered with needles. One is in his eye. He shows no signs of discomfort, only rage.
This is what an Epic Sorcerer should look like, or at least could.
A nearly naked, mysterious looking handsome man, with a gaze that could cut a man down but no other obvious abilities. His hair is red, almost fiery, and he is girded in several less than memorable magical devices.
He is standing on the surface of the sun, surfing on a solar flare.
Raschesohn
First Post
I'm sure it's been said before, but I think the whole spikiness look of 3E art was done on purpose to make the game seem "edgier" and therefore cooler so as it appeal to younger gamers. WotC would be foolish if it didn't try to at least attract a new generation of players, most of which has been raised on video and computer games with slick graphics. This video game mentality does seem to come across in the endless customization of characters and epic powers they can now have in 3E.
Personally, I've always loved the classic look of Larry Elmore's style, along with the sketchy quality of Tony Diterlizzi, Sam Wood, and Todd Lockwood's stuff. I would have loved to have seen some more anime based art in D&D products (like some of the pin up art from Record of Lodoss War), but anime isn't everyone's cup of tea just as the goth spike look of 3E isn't either. I also would have liked to have seen more interior art work similar to that in the Sword and Fist book -- Dennis Cramer, I believe the artist's name is, as his line drawings have a lot of dynamic movement and action with a hint of anime to it. As an amateur artist myself, I like that blend of western and eastern styles with a dash of sketchiness (since I mostly do black and white line art myself).
I dunno what they were thinking with the Assassin, Monk, and a few other of the iconic artwork. That blurry half-finished paint look is just awful. It's nothing like the soft and subtle watercolor (if it is that) applied to say Diterlizzi's work. The Arcane Archer looks like a beefy man rather than a woman (at least in the DMG it looks like a woman, even with the distorted face). The Blackguard and Divine Emissary are my personal faves, although the ones for the Druid, Bard, and Rogue aren't half bad.
Personally, I've always loved the classic look of Larry Elmore's style, along with the sketchy quality of Tony Diterlizzi, Sam Wood, and Todd Lockwood's stuff. I would have loved to have seen some more anime based art in D&D products (like some of the pin up art from Record of Lodoss War), but anime isn't everyone's cup of tea just as the goth spike look of 3E isn't either. I also would have liked to have seen more interior art work similar to that in the Sword and Fist book -- Dennis Cramer, I believe the artist's name is, as his line drawings have a lot of dynamic movement and action with a hint of anime to it. As an amateur artist myself, I like that blend of western and eastern styles with a dash of sketchiness (since I mostly do black and white line art myself).
I dunno what they were thinking with the Assassin, Monk, and a few other of the iconic artwork. That blurry half-finished paint look is just awful. It's nothing like the soft and subtle watercolor (if it is that) applied to say Diterlizzi's work. The Arcane Archer looks like a beefy man rather than a woman (at least in the DMG it looks like a woman, even with the distorted face). The Blackguard and Divine Emissary are my personal faves, although the ones for the Druid, Bard, and Rogue aren't half bad.
