The Quintessential D&D Artist.

[Hakkenshi]

My main question to you people that are mentioning Otus and the like: Do you truly feel that Otus is the best, quintessential D&D artist, even with today's standards, OR are these just feelings of nostalgia and respect for "old school", while ignoring the "superior" artwork of today's artists? I'm not being sarcastic or mean -- I truly don't understand.

Absolutely, Khan, that seems to be exactly what's happening. I used to love the Elmores, Easleys and Caldwells out there when I was 12 and started playing 2e, but then I had never seen art by Lockwood, Brom, or Reynolds, etc.

It's a matter of perspective, I guess.

 

[Khan the Warlord]

Absolutely, Khan, that seems to be exactly what's happening. I used to love the Elmores, Easleys and Caldwells out there when I was 12 and started playing 2e, but then I had never seen art by Lockwood, Brom, or Reynolds, etc.

It's a matter of perspective, I guess.

I'm glad I'm not the only one!

This reminds me of those "metal-heads" from the 70s that cannot accept Metallica and the like, but still for some STRANGE reason consider KISS truly hardcore.

 

[Hand of Evil]

Should have been able to pick more than one on this poll!

 

[Sulimo]

My main question to you people that are mentioning Otus and the like: Do you truly feel that Otus is the best, quintessential D&D artist, even with today's standards, OR are these just feelings of nostalgia and respect for "old school", while ignoring the "superior" artwork of today's artists? I'm not being sarcastic or mean -- I truly don't understand.

Well personally, I do really think the 80's/90's art of guys like Easley, Elmore and Caldwell is better than what I've seen of 3e art. I was actually QUITE dissapointed in the art that appeared in the 3e PHB/DMG.

 

[Marius Delphus]

Uhh... Keith Parkinson?

 

[Flexor the Mighty!]

Where is Erol Otis? What a piss poor poll!

Art has gone downhill in 3e, I'd like to just cover it up so I don't have any more "edgy & spikey" "art". Maybe I'd like it more if I was 12...

 

[Kilmore]

You know, I used to laugh about Erol Otus when Elmore, Parkinson, Jim Halloway, Roger Raupp and the others came out in late 1st ed.

Looking back, I gotta hand it to the old school gang. Their technical expertise was not up to modern standards, but there was not the pool of D&D trained artists that we have today. Those folks were there first, and I think they were fueled by pure enthusiasm for what they were doing. It shows.

Personally, I salute all D&D artists: Elmore, Easley, Otus, Dee, Darlene, Lockwood, DiTerlizzi, Valusek, Roslof, Jaquays, Wood, Brom, Kaluta, Sutherland, Grant-West, Raupp, Trampier, Halloway, Baxa,... TSR, WotC, Independent publishers...

Still, Trampier would have to be one of my favorites. He is the ONE I think of when I think of D&D pen and ink rendering.

 

[Khan the Warlord]

Y
Personally, I salute all D&D artists: Elmore, Easley, Otus, Dee, Darlene, Lockwood, DiTerlizzi, Valusek, Roslof, Jaquays, Wood, Brom, Kaluta, Sutherland, Grant-West, Raupp, Trampier, Halloway, Baxa,... TSR, WotC, Independent publishers...

Oh no, you didn't...

BAXA?!

As in TOM BAXA?!

Ugh... I have to fight back the urge to puke whenever I look through my old Dark Sun books and see his art...

*shudder*

 

[Dr Midnight]

My main question to you people that are mentioning Otus and the like: Do you truly feel that Otus is the best, quintessential D&D artist, even with today's standards, OR are these just feelings of nostalgia and respect for "old school", while ignoring the "superior" artwork of today's artists? I'm not being sarcastic or mean -- I truly don't understand.

I feel that Otus is the quintessential D&D artist. If I were asked for the BEST artist, I'd answer Todd Lockwood.

Erol's art looks like what I want to feel when adventuring. Not so much for the goofy shapes and poses, but for the classic look of knights and sorcery. With 3E, artists have tried to jazz up the style of fantasy. I'm just a fan of the old guard, who drew wizards with pointy hats more often than not and gave big handlebar mustaches to the fighters.

 

[Hakkenshi]

This reminds me of those "metal-heads" from the 70s that cannot accept Metallica and the like, but still for some STRANGE reason consider KISS truly hardcore.

LOL

Give me Metallica over KISS any day!

I think Kilmore has made a great point, though. What I don't understand is people complaining that the art is too spiky and edgy. If you think in the context of the worlds of D&D, edgy and spiky armour makes much more sense than the ornate and impossible-to-wear armour that some artists drew for 2e.

Lockwood, for one, seems dedicated to drawing functional and useful armour, which I really like. You can actually see where all the straps connect. Whereas some 2e art was like anime fantasy art: all looks and no logic.

That, and the Dragons have never looked better (except maybe the Gold, but I still like it).

But Keith Parkinson is definitely cool, despite his Everquest stuff.