[Rant, Nitpicky, Public Service] Artists and Archers

[Thorntangle]

Dragon 309 - pg.9, Art for 3.5 PHB (was in previous issue as well, but now is convenient ranting time)

This illustration is representative of about 50% of the art depicting archers with arrow nocked and drawn that I have seen. The arrow is drawn on the incorrect side of the bow.

If you have a friend, acquaintance, or loved one involved in the field of fantasy art, please tell them to depict the arrow on the correct side of the bow. If the archer is right-handed they will draw the arrow with their right hand and the arrow will lie on the left side of the bow from the archer's perspective.

Have them do a Google Image search for "Archery". Or better yet, please have them actually go out and plunk a few arrows into a target with a qualified instructor.

Thanks!

 

[Mark]

It takes some of the prestige out of a Prestige Class when you see that, doesn't it?

 

[chatdemon]

I concur! These type of errors, while admittedly minor, do tend to glare out at me, and in some way lend an aura of non-credibility to the entire article or book.

The other gripe I have about depictions of archers is that arrows are often drawn/painted far too short for the bow they are being used on. The picture of the owl-creature holding a bow and arrow in Masters of the Wild springs to mind. The arrow it's holding is hardly even as long as the distance between bow and bowstring when the bow is at 'rest'. Give that string a pull and voila! You've got a totally useless arrow in your hand.

From an art stand point, the pictures aren't really bad, but as Thorntangle said, come on guys, do a wee bit of reasearch and depict things accurately!