tattoos, spikes, punk, and goth in D&D images?

[Red Spire Press]

Personally, Adrian Smith is my favorite artist. But then again, I'm biassed. Oh, and here's an exclusive Adrian Smith Dark Legacies image just for fun (and to contribute to the thread):

 

[kenjib]

ok well i only got to half way through the second page of these posts...i couldn't take much more whining...

Now why am I supposed to read the rest of your post? If you want me to take the time to read your argument, please give me the same respect.

 

[Mystery Man]

ok

now, my thoughts are a little jumbled.

No way!

 

[I'm A Banana]

3e art is MORE cartoonish?

I'm sorry, what was it, about the 1e Monster Manual, around the "L's" where they took basically a comic strip and used it for the monster picture?

I think people had it right when they called a lot of 1e and some 2e art "pulpy." It definately felt that way to me...and I didn't groove on it so much...

And I think perhaps some of the reason this art is being called 'cartoony' is because it is very....active....you don't get a sense of these guy sitting around in a setting, you get a sense of them caught in the action, like a photograph, or an animation cell...these pictures do look like they should be moving....and that's a good thing.

 

[Gothmog]

Personally, Adrian Smith is my favorite artist. But then again, I'm biassed. Oh, and here's an exclusive Adrian Smith Dark Legacies image just for fun (and to contribute to the thread):

I love it! Much better than the bland, uninspired crap WotC is putting in their books now. It has atmosphere, soul, and you can feel the tension as the cleric/paladin and his chort face down two shadowy creatures. Very nice! Who says you need color to be great.

One of the guys I really like now who does a lot of work for FFG, Mongoose, and Green Ronin is David Griffith. His art uses a more more modern style, but but captures action, excitement, nostalgia, and actually has soul unlike the WotC stuff by WAR, Lockwood, or Wood. His poses and facial expressions are also superb- his art doesn't seem fake or modeled, but rather like you are there in the moment. I also read on David's homepage that he recently got a commission by WotC to work on their books! About time! Congrats David, and I'm hoping to see a lot more of your work. Here is a sample of some of his work that really captures the spirit of D&D:

 

[Pants]

Red Spire Press:
Oh my god, look at that spikey armor, that's so dungeon-punky and anime styled!

Pretty nice actually, although I don't like those faces...

David Griffith looks pretty mediocre. Nothing really stands out as bad or good... at all. Although, it does remind me of the cartoony 1st edition illustrations.

 

[rounser]

Oh my god, look at that spikey armor, that's so dungeon-punky and anime styled!

Pretty nice actually, although I don't like those faces...

It screams Warhammer (John Blanche doing charcoals in particular) to me. Extra-chunky ornate armour and grim/ugly faces all in greys. The metal star on his belt box and the hanging chains are Games Workshop art trademarks. I wouldn't be surprised at all if that was the inspiration for Mr Smith.

 

[Red Spire Press]

Red Spire Press:
Oh my god, look at that spikey armor, that's so dungeon-punky and anime styled!

Hey I've never once complained about spikey armor! As far as facial detail goes, it needs to be seen up close in full resolution to be appreciated. Adrian's attention to detai is mind boggling.

 

[Red Spire Press]

It screams Warhammer (John Blanche doing charcoals in particular) to me. Extra-chunky ornate armour and grim/ugly faces all in greys. The metal star on his belt box and the hanging chains are Games Workshop art trademarks. I wouldn't be surprised at all if that was the inspiration for Mr Smith.

Other way around actually. Adrian brings his style to all of his projects, which is why we chose him for Dark Legacies. It perfectly suited the dark, realistic, pseudo-modern vibe we were going for.

 

[Pants]

Hey I've never once complained about spikey armor!

I know.
More of a jab at those who do.