In Praise of Scenes of Artwork

[Ralif Redhammer]

I dig action shots as well. I hate it when a book's illustrations are nothing but characters or creatures floating in a white background. Context is important.

I also miss those full page pieces of art in 2e. They were inspiring.

 

[Qualidar]

I love 'em. Actually, I like a blending of the 2 styles. Viva verieté!

~Qualidar~

 

[Nyaricus]

I have a few AD&D books, and i always thought that the full page art was excellent. I was dissapointed that it took WotC 5 years to get back to that with some of Wayne Reybolds EXCELLENT artwork (included the Tarrasque in . .hmm, complete divine?)

As it stands, I am really digging the full page art - it gives a sense of epicness in some cases, in others a sense of humanity and empathy. I always like the AD&D PHB with the dwarf with his feet up on a stool with a big old flagon of ale in hand, a a serving wench nearby.

As for todays artists, I think that Wayne Reynolds is probably the best. His style intrigues me and his pictures are just so well done.

Jerry Jarvis is an artist who's quality has really gone up in the last couple years. In the beginning, i thought his work was terrible. Then, players guide to faerun came out, and i say that PrC 'Spellguard of Silverymoon' and I was hooked. I couldn't beleive it was done by the same guy!! I was taken aback. and then a few more sourcebooks later, and i was like "wow, this guy can really draw'.

How about you all > do you like the new artists, or are you old-school fans?

 

[I'm A Banana]

I dig action shots as well. I hate it when a book's illustrations are nothing but characters or creatures floating in a white background. Context is important.

One reason, I think, WAR is so widely praised 'round these parts (by those who can stand the dungeonpunk style, anyway). His characters, 80% of the time, seem caught in mid-motion, ready to move the moment you look away, so you want to watch, to follow the action, even though it's a static picture on an unmoving page.

I like it. But I like it more when I can see the rest of the scene, too. Even if it's entirely static. I want to know about the WORLD, not just the people.

 

[Nyaricus]

you are right, diaglo i went over to my bookshelf and grabbed my HoH book, and YUCK what a terrible cover. Didn't even notive that the first time around. Great, now that is gonna bug me for just about forever. Thanks

 

[mara]

I really enjoyed the artwork in the Spell Compendium. That book what where I started to notice the scenes. I particularly like the assassin absorbing a dagger outside of a tavern, the cleric kneeling before a statue to pray for spells, the mass awaken scene, and the illustration for Tiny Mount. I also noticed that they're using some 'lesser iconics', such as the Wizard of Turmish, the Thayan Knight (without her tattoo), the Wu Jen, the dagger-whatevers, and a crowned lich that I didn't recognize but appears several times.

General opinions about some of WotC's artists:

Wayne Reynods: Very good action, very distinctive style. I sometimes get tired of his color choices, but overall very good.

Wayne England: Rather recognizable style. I don't mind the character portraits but I don't like the way his magic item pictures look very similar to each other. And purple. Lots of purple.

William O'Connor: I like the way he directs the action out towards the viewer. The faces on his characters are too indistinct for me.

David Martin: I LOVE some of the spell/character illustrations he did in the spell compendium. Such as this one: http://www.wizards.com/dnd/images/spellcomp_gallery/92279.jpg One of my favorite things about his characters is that they're not wearing clothing that would require magical intervention to avoid falling off.

Crabapple McClain: Thankfully not appearing in the spell compendium. Very not my style.

I hope WotC stays with their current trend of using scenes as illustrations. I like it a lot.

-Mara

 

[davidschwartznz]

compare Nebin with Alhandra and Eberk. they were cut and paste into place. and now their sizes don't match.

Obviously, Nebin is under the effects of an enlarge person spell and he's sharing that spell with his familiar (who's been helping itself to extra scooby snack).

I think the real issue is: Why do the artists always pick on Regdar?

 

[Pants]

How about you all > do you like the new artists, or are you old-school fans?

I'm really glad to see full-page/action-scene art coming back. Even though a lot of the older art I didn't much care for, at least they weren't static shots.

As for favorites:
WAR ranks at the top, though I understand why people may not like him.
Todd Lockwood is an old favorite.
Sam Wood
Ron Spencer
Micheal Phillippi (sp?)
Mark Tedin
Lucio Parillio (once again... sp?)

 

[dave_o]

I just remembered this glorious piece of art from the AD&D2e PHB -- it's a suave halfling, with sideburns, of course, slitting open the coin purse of some orge/goblin thing while it played cards with two buddies. I think that's what got me hooked on rogues.

 

[Bibliophile]

Here's to 2-page art scenes!

Speaking of which, I have to echo Crothian's comment about A Game of Thrones. I finally had a chance to look at it in the bookstore, and this book is beautiful.