Post your Top 20 D&D Illustrations of All Time!

[Hussar]

While it may be hard to draw down to 20, I'm having trouble thinking of 20 without actually referencing any books first. So, these are the ones that come to mind when people ask me what I think of as great D&D art. In no particular order:

One of my all time fav's

One from 3e's Tome of Magic, but, really, I could probably get all 20 from that book alone

 

[Morrus]

This thread has made it clear to me that I definitely prefer the art to depict normal looking people rather than superheroes with 12-ft swords. And they should wear clothes. I love Elmore's Dragonslayers, above. It evokes something in me, whereas a lot of the art over the last few years has left me cold.

 

[Hussar]

This thread has made it clear to me that I definitely prefer the art to depict normal looking people rather than superheroes with 12-ft swords. And they should wear clothes. I love Elmore's Dragonslayers, above. It evokes something in me, whereas a lot of the art over the last few years has left me cold.

Well, normal is a bit tricky - what does a normal tiefling look like. But, I do take your point. One thing I dislike about Wayne Reynolds is his preponderance of 12 foot swords.

To be fair though, he does put lots and lots of clothes and other gew gaws on his characters.

But, if you look at the pics in this thread, one thing that strikes me is that there are virtually no portraits (although I did post one) - almost all of them have scenery. In many of them, there is something going on - there's a story being told.

That's what's been missing from WOTC D&D art for a while.

 

[I'm A Banana]

what does a normal tiefling look like

To me, not like it has forehead tumors:

Your overall point is well taken (few of those tieflings look like normal folk), but I wanted to correct the gross injustice of the lack of DiTerlizzi in this thread.

 

[UngeheuerLich]

I do like those old pictures. They jus look right and remember me of the good old times...

One outstanding picture... i don´t find the link... is in 4e presents races and classes:
the redhaired elven magic user performing a ritual in the forest, standing in a magic circle.

 

[delericho]

This

and this

Were the two that sprang immediately to mind. D&D has an enormous amount of great art over the years, but the Red Box is the one that sums up D&D for me (perhaps because it was my way in to the hobby). While that Caves of Chaos picture is probably my favourite picture from my favourite edition.

 

[Klaus]

I do like those old pictures. They jus look right and remember me of the good old times...

One outstanding picture... i don´t find the link... is in 4e presents races and classes:
the redhaired elven magic user performing a ritual in the forest, standing in a magic circle.

 

[Ant]

It's taking me lot longer than I thought it would to find images of my "quintessential D&D" art but here's what I have so far, in no particular order.

Some of this art may not be "good" technically but for me they really capture the essence of D&D.

There's so much more I could add to this list. I don't even have any Otus on there yet! Blasphemy!

1. Dragonslayers and Proud of It! by Elmore. Already posted but I love this so much because you just feel for how hard that party worked to earn that treasure. I also like it because you could swear they're deliberately posing to get their picture painted.
2. Companion Box Cover by Elmore. My favourite BECMI box set cover. It's majestic, terrifying and hopeful.
3. Dragonfire by Todd Lockwood. This is actually quite horrific but it grabbed me the instant I saw it.
4. Saving the Best for Last by Daniel R. Horne. Full of energy and desparation.
5. Slave Pits of the Undercity by Jeff Dee. To me this will always be the piece showing how a D&D party works together.
6. Skeleton Trap by David S. La Force. Still gives me the willies!

 

[Mercurius]

[MENTION=22260]TerraDave[/MENTION], where did that last image come from? Who is the artist? That is a lovely picture. I keep on trying to dislike digital art but then I see something like that (it looks digital, although it might not be).

I won't come up with twenty, and I'll stay away from the word "favorites," but here are some good ones:

 

[UngeheuerLich]

Thanks a lot! I can´t give you xp right now.