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Message: <blockquote data-quote="DMZ2112" data-source="post: 6340370" data-attributes="member: 78752">Aside from [MENTION=607]Klaus[/MENTION]' bugbears, who look great, this selection doesn't inspire a lot of confidence in me.  Most of it is technically sound, but it is so /flat/.  Where are the glistening scales, the shining fur, the glint of chainmail?  Where's the /light/?  The color?  The detail and sharpness?  This is all so muddy!- Contrast that red dragon with <a href="http://www.rpgonlinegathering.com/Member_Image/1357-BG.jpg" target="_blank">these</a> <a href="https://s3.amazonaws.com/ksr/assets/000/695/580/845fd29aaae50e2b1c2b4cf352c9b92a_large.jpg?1372026760" target="_blank">red</a> <a href="http://www.komarckart.com/bk_cov02.html" target="_blank">dragons</a>.- WAR's owl is nice, and it doesn't even have its beak open, but I still can't get over the blatant asymmetry of the sword itself, right in the focal point of the image.  I could do better with crayon.  Contrast <a href="http://www.rpg.net/pictures/show-pic.phtml?picid=2480" target="_blank">these</a> <a href="http://media.wizards.com/images/magic/daily/boab/boab199_jb0imjxi9w.jpg" target="_blank">swords</a>.- That elven city looks like Ralph McQuarrie just /lifted/ it straight out of one of John Howe's notebooks; it's evocative, but it's not a finished piece of artwork.  It's quality halfway point to a movie set or matte painting.  Contrast <a href="http://www.wizards.com/dnd/images/376_realmslore.jpg" target="_blank">these</a> <a href="http://theshatteredlands.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/Mithrendain.png" target="_blank">locations</a>.- If the elven wizardess is what we have to look forward to in terms of female art, I'll take my chainmail bikinis back, thanks.  Easily in the running for the ugliest piece of D&D art ever, and I'm not talking about her looks.  What is with that /pose/?  If she sticks her ass out any farther it's going to /come off/!  Oh, but /thank the gods/ her cleavage isn't showing, that would be /gauche/.  What's she doing, anyway, casting Headlong Fall into the Orchestra Pit?  Contrast <a href="http://www.boredwrestlingfan.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/lance155.jpg" target="_blank">Tika Waylan</a>, who might be showing a little thigh but at least I believe she remains standing following the snapshot.Even the PHB cover, which is a beautifully detailed piece of art, is all in shades of brown.  Sure, it's better than <a href="http://img4.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20110711074544/forgottenrealms/images/d/db/Player's_Handbook_-_Revised_(2nd_edition).jpg" target="_blank">Harald the Hip-Checker</a>, but compared to the cover art of any of <a href="http://www.fantasyflightgames.com/ffg_content/rogue-trader/site/RT-Cover.jpg" target="_blank">the</a> <a href="http://stuffershack.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/Deathwatch-cover.jpg" target="_blank">WH40KRP</a> <a href="http://darkreign.org/sites/default/files/ONLYWAR.jpg" target="_blank">core</a> <a href="http://dustygamer.mcmuumio.net/wp-content/uploads/2008/02/dark-heresy-cover.jpg" target="_blank">books</a> it's incredibly subdued.  I thought this was a clever design decision limited to the book covers (PHB - red-brown, DMG - purple, MM - navy blue), but apparently lifeless and matte is the order of the day for D&D5.Disappointing and not very inspiring, but hardly a deal-breaker.  Just a missed opportunity!</blockquote>

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