Deuce Traveler
Adventurer
I have yet to see a DnD book, either by TSR or WOTC, that did not have some art I really liked and some I didn't care for at all.
D&D 4E In terms of theme, tone, and spirit, I hope 4e . . .
- Thread starter Shortman McLeod
- Start date
WayneLigon
Adventurer
Shortman McLeod said:
I think y'all need to get used to the fact that times and tastes have changed and the old 1e look and feel ain't coming back. It simply isn't.
mhacdebhandia
Explorer
Wizards of the Coast have never published any piece of artwork that factually resembled manga or anime artwork - and I should know, because I hate that stuff.
"Anime" isn't just a buzzword you can use to denigrate contemporary fantasy art. It doesn't mean "not like Elmore, Parkinson, Trampier, and Sutherland".
If you don't like "dungeonpunk" artwork or non-traditional fantasy artwork, that's fine. Not everyone's going to appreciate (for instance) the Mike Mignola-esque chapter headers in the Eberron Campaign Setting (much as I love them).
If you'd rather see weapons and armour drawn with an eye to historical verisimilitude, well, you have a sickness, but that's okay. Personally, I'm glad that the current roster of D&D artists don't assume that every PC is pretty much a 14th-century European in dress and appearance, but I understand a lot of people prefer that pseudomedieval look.
It doesn't do you any good to wave your ignorance around like a flag, calling the Third Edition core book illustrations "anime", though.
"Anime" isn't just a buzzword you can use to denigrate contemporary fantasy art. It doesn't mean "not like Elmore, Parkinson, Trampier, and Sutherland".
If you don't like "dungeonpunk" artwork or non-traditional fantasy artwork, that's fine. Not everyone's going to appreciate (for instance) the Mike Mignola-esque chapter headers in the Eberron Campaign Setting (much as I love them).
If you'd rather see weapons and armour drawn with an eye to historical verisimilitude, well, you have a sickness, but that's okay. Personally, I'm glad that the current roster of D&D artists don't assume that every PC is pretty much a 14th-century European in dress and appearance, but I understand a lot of people prefer that pseudomedieval look.
It doesn't do you any good to wave your ignorance around like a flag, calling the Third Edition core book illustrations "anime", though.
Mouseferatu
Hero
mhacdebhandia said:
I have a sickness, then.
The thing is, there's a reason medieval armor and weapons looked like they did: Because that's what worked. While there's certainly some room for artistic deviation, and I'm all for D&D showing a wide range of styles, changing the baseline often creates armor or weapons that are absolutely non-functional.
What I'd really like to see is more of a mix. Even though it doesn't appeal to me as much, I don't mind D&D having the wilder, more out-there equipment, because I know that appeals to some people. But I'd also like to see more artwork that does at least offer a nod toward historical accuracy. Since D&D can have multiple cultures, and even has multiple worlds, I see no reason why the artwork can't reflect both.
Whizbang Dustyboots
Gnometown Hero
I demand that 4E all be illustrated solely with photographs of the Renton, WA Society for Creative Anachronism chapter.* That's realism, baby!
* I also demand stats for rattan and foam rubber weapons and armor.
* I also demand stats for rattan and foam rubber weapons and armor.
TwinBahamut
First Post
Two images are unseeable, but the other two are better than the magic mouth oddity, despite being a bit busy, vague, and overly adhering to a rigid single-point perspective. At least the artist is creative, if not terribly technically proficient.Glyfair said:
And for those debating historical accuracy, the sidewalks in that street scene are anachronistic.
Whizbang Dustyboots
Gnometown Hero
You guys hating on the magic mouth 1E pic make me sad. First off, even today, in the era of characters whose outfits seem to be mostly pockets (Mialee apparently spent her money on pockets in lieu of pants or a bra), most characters are not wearing backpacks or anything of the sort. Heck, Reaper Minis has to explicitly call out miniatures when they're carrying supplies (check out the "adventuring wizard" mini).
Secondly, that art is wildly reminiscent of the Brothers Hildebrandt, and I'd be thrilled to have a D&D book illustrated by them. No, the tone isn't Fafhrd & the Grey Mouser, but it is 1970s wonder-and-mystery fantasy.
And magic mouth IS a weird-looking spell, unless you cast it on a statue or the like. And, frankly, I'm not sure if that was even an officially available option in the 1E PHB. I'd love it if more artists actually illustrated the RAW instead of just had characters firing laser beams from their fingers.
And yes, lordy, pick up more Goodman Games if you like 1E art. They definitely capture the feel, warts and all, even going so far as to employ a fair number of the old guard artists.
Secondly, that art is wildly reminiscent of the Brothers Hildebrandt, and I'd be thrilled to have a D&D book illustrated by them. No, the tone isn't Fafhrd & the Grey Mouser, but it is 1970s wonder-and-mystery fantasy.
And magic mouth IS a weird-looking spell, unless you cast it on a statue or the like. And, frankly, I'm not sure if that was even an officially available option in the 1E PHB. I'd love it if more artists actually illustrated the RAW instead of just had characters firing laser beams from their fingers.
And yes, lordy, pick up more Goodman Games if you like 1E art. They definitely capture the feel, warts and all, even going so far as to employ a fair number of the old guard artists.
mhacdebhandia
Explorer
As long as I don't have to see 15th-century harness like that stodgy crap in the original "A Paladin in Hell", okay.Mouseferatu said:
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