Elmore cover art for final issue of Dragon

[Wolv0rine]

I didn't notice anyone comparing Elmore's work to anything "hip and now." That was the conclusion you leaped to. Plus the counter to what you're saying is that what's "hip and now" (whatever that means) may well have just as much technical merit - but then it becomes a circular argument, like most arguments about subjective topics. People can dislike an artist simply because they dislike his work on its own merits or lack thereof. Along those lines, I wouldn't have minded seeing a cover by Erol Otus, an artist I'm definitely a fan of, and who has been bashed repeatedly for a perceived lack of technical merit. Besides, as I said, I've never been a fan of Elmore, and I've played D&D since 79 - I wasn't a fan back when he was "hip and now." He has done some good work, though, including many Dragon and module covers. I also said his presence on the last Dragon is appropriate, and I'll even go further and say it's welcome.

johnnype said

I'm with you.

Time to move on and look to the future. I'm done with the past.

Which was one of (if not the) last post I saw before I posted, which is likely what prompted thatr part of it. Granted, one person isn't a flood of "He's too old skool" or anything, but like I said, it was just about the last thing I saw before I posted, so it was still at the front of my brain.
I'm not saying that everyone MUST dig Elmore's work, it's the fact that so many people seem to dislike it, when the man has skill oozing out of his brush like mad that just shocks me. Sure it's often static, I'll grant that. But the man's more a 'fantasy portraitist' than a comic book artist, action and dynamism isn't really the focus he goes for. I'm just shocked that the skill and ability gets so little love, I'm not trying to say anyone's wrong about their art preferences.

 

[RavinRay]

That's absolutely beautiful. Bravo!

Doesn't it remind you of his Dragonlance DM screen? I got that from you guys for the Monks of Majere contest.

Ah, the good ol' days of Elmore…

 

[Jedi_Solo]

I love Elmore's art. He is the artist that defined what "fantasy" looks like when I see it in my head.

The Last Drgaon Mage may not be my favorite piece of his but I like it and I think it fits perfectly for the last issue of Dragon.

 

[Calico_Jack73]

EHowever, I do think it's a nice touch to ask him to draw the last cover because he's an old timer. It's a coming full circle thing. You close the book and on the last page there was a nudge back to the first chapter.

Personally I'd rather have seen an Erol Otus cover.

 

[Glyfair]

Personally I'd rather have seen an Erol Otus cover.

Really, if we are going down the "I'd rather have seen..." road, I would rather have seen a Trampier cover. That had no chance of happening, however.

 

[Krafus]

I love it. The twilight sky, the trees starting to take on autumn colors, the woman and the dragon seeming to look almost nostalgically at the castle in distance... Perfect cover for the last issue of Dragon.

 

[The_Gneech]

Alas, Keith Parkinson was not available.

But as far as symbolism goes, I can totally see why they'd want Elmore.

-The Gneech

 

[BiggusGeekus]

It's like they're trying to break my heart!

All I can say about this Elmore cover, is at least she doesn't have big frizzy hair.

I disagree, but then I'm a purist.

 

[Desdichado]

I know I'm in the minority here but I can't stand Elmore's art.

I should scroll through the thread to see if buzz has replied yet.

I like some Elmore. I think his original Dragonlance covers were kinda iconic, and the series he did for the red green and blue boxes back in the day are really good pieces of art that I'd love to have big poster-sized prints of.

HOWEVER, this particular picture is one (of many) that I find incredibly "eh, so what?"

 

[Nepenthe]

Doesn't it remind you of his Dragonlance DM screen? I got that from you guys for the Monks of Majere contest.

Ah, the good ol' days of Elmore…

As a DM, I have this constant urge to use it the other way around, I like it that much