This qualifies as art?

[Mallus]

I dont need art to say this is childish... or trivial (not worthy of investing effort) ... plenty of critics available for mocking if we need that.

I'm guessing the people who think fantasy is inherently juvenile will mock you for liking a serious troll just as much as they would for liking a whimsical one.

Also, are you equating whimsy with triviality? (asks the guy whose spent many hours detailing whimsy-positive campaign settings)

 

[OhGodtheRats]

Also, I don't think anyone would like this being the sole style of art used by WotC (well, maybe said artist ), but as another way of looking at the monsters- I like it. It's a fresh enough style that it gets noticed, as this thread has shown.

Well said. If this was the "normal" style of the game, it wouldn't "work". Even I don't want that....what I do only works if there's a "straight man" to make the comedy/weirdness work. If that makes sense. If everything is silly/wacky, it sort of loses its meaning.

On a slight tangent, keep in mind that Whimsical/Silly Art is as old as 1st edition. Check out the 1st picture of a Mindflayer in a Monster Manual:

I "assume" that was meant to be funny. I know I laughed.

And as someone who's come into the hobby late (I really started playing with 4th edition and mostly played the DDM game earlier than that) having a sense of humor about it seems a good idea. There's too much whimsy & silliness hardwired into the game's history to discount that aspect of it completely. Hell, it's the reason some folks (self included) really dig the game. And yes, I really did enjoy the April Fool's Dungeon Delve. Flumph Fun at it's finest.
-Jared

 

[Keefe the Thief]

I think we should all keep this in mind for future Kzach posts. He rarely does anything other than troll - helpful for you to admit it.

I think that´s a little bit harsh.
...
I mean, yeah, the title of his last thread on RPG.net WAS "[4e] You all need to get laid more", but... let´s not jump to conclusions, eh?


Anyway, i really think that non-serious, over-the-top art is something D&D needs now and then. I always groan when someone tries to paint a freaky D&D-esque monster as "realistic" as possible. Seriously, i´d rather have OhGodtheRats paint a 4.0 Adherer than Reynolds.

 

[fanboy2000]

I like the art since its very presence on the wotc site shows that Wotc has a sense of humor towards themselves and their product lines.

You need to look-up Unglued sometimes. It's a Magic set from way back.

 

[Dragonbait]

I like the art since its very presence on the wotc site shows that Wotc has a sense of humor towards themselves and their product lines.

True. WoTCs has shown time and again that they have a sense of humor. I think that's it's the people who use WoTC's products that are devoid of any kind of mirth.

D&D is serious business, mang.

 

[AllisterH]

I must admit that his art is well done considering the style he was aiming for, but my initial reaction was one of shock and the art does seem very out of place. But if thats what the young folks like nowadays then I'll just follow the old proverb "keep your nose outa trouble, and no trouble'll come to you" I prefer Rebecca Guay's work myself, It has a much more modest, graceful, elvish feel as opposed to the macho ripped guys and scantily clad women in most of the new stuff and the comic lampoon of the art that you are adressing. At least the figurines are'nt cartoons!

"Young ones"???

Looks at early D&D art....Er, you might want to rephrase that.

 

[Garthanos]

I'm guessing the people who think fantasy is inherently juvenile will mock you for liking a serious troll just as much as they would for liking a whimsical one.

Also, are you equating whimsy with triviality? (asks the guy whose spent many hours detailing whimsy-positive campaign settings)

"You honestly dont take this seriously?"..."Well of course not look at how light hearted the artwork makes it all out to be."

The other end is "See the artwork shows the connection of what we do with horror, legend and myth... it presents a dash of what we are imagining"

speaking of which.

This artwork also fails the "helps me with the game" litmus test ... "ie no help building a basis for me and my players visualize the game from"

 

[Herschel]

How about an old wound... being a source for why I don't get off on whimiscal D&D art.

"Roleplaying is for kids - REALLY playing lets pretend?... You are an adult what are you doing playing with little figurines --- are you obsessed with dragons or what .. ad nauseum. "

I dont need art to say this is childish... or trivial (not worthy of investing effort) ... plenty of critics available for mocking if we need that.

'That Monet guy couldn't paint a straight line and every time I see one of his paintings I try to clean my glasses.'

Some people will always complain about something. So be it.

 

[darjr]

Yea yea ya.

What about that one eared guy! What was with that!

 

[TerraDave]