D&D 4E In terms of theme, tone, and spirit, I hope 4e . . .

[Xyxox]

What it really comes down to is that whether someone likes a piece of art is going to depend on the piece of art and not just in which era it was produced.

How true. OVerall, I prefer the old 1e and 2e artwork, but I despise Erol Otus's work as much if not more than the general 3/3.5e artwork.

 

[Tewligan]

Funny thing... all those years and I never noticed that 'surprise' until you brought it up here!

Same here - now I need to go home tonight and give the old art a closer look to see what ELSE I missed 25 years ago!

 

[w_earle_wheeler]

I really like much of the interior art for the 3.5 books. The covers not so much.

I'm also a big fan of the 1e/Moldvay-Cook era art.

I don't really like much of the RPG fantasy art that came between the two eras.

 

[Glyfair]

If that is the tone and spirit of the past, then I think I will stick to modern stuff.

Again, the art varies within the era.

Other classic AD&D art:

 

[Whizbang Dustyboots]

I say the Guard's picture wins. And actually, I'd rate the sorcerer second. The other picture is sizeist, suggesting that small people adventure only with other small people

It's totally true, except when you don't have access to an enlarge or levitate spell and need someone to get stuff off the top shelves.

 

[Whizbang Dustyboots]

How true. OVerall, I prefer the old 1e and 2e artwork, but I despise Erol Otus's work as much if not more than the general 3/3.5e artwork.

Pistols at dawn, sir. If your pistol turns out to be a pustulent pistol-shaped thing with acidic skin from beyond the known planes, well, these things happen.

 

[VirgilCaine]

My God. He isn't wearing boots, so apparently his feet are shaped like boots. For some reason. Or those are the fanciest waders I've ever seen.

Also, his face is worthy of an old Chaosium module's closeups. I mean, that's really, really bad.

 

[The Thayan Menace]

Sophia!

Ahh, so you are postulating that Hennet is a Poser

Well, he's no Rick James.

-S.A.

 

[The_Gneech]

Image hosted by Tripod? Noooooooooooooooooo!

-The Gneech

 

[Zaruthustran]

Given that 3E's spikey/dungeonpunk look was a deliberate design choice meant to emphasize "Hey! This is a New Product!", I'm hoping that whatever comes next will likewise be a great departure from 3E's style.

Those two pieces by Michael Komarck are really outstanding; I could go for more of that. Or anything by Matt Wilson.

Summed up: I want gritty high fantasy. Not anime fantasy.