Zaruthustran said:
That's one big reason why Elmore should win this poll. The other reason being that Elmore is a better artist. 
Remember kids, a vote for Elmore is also a vote against Todd "strappy-historical-anachronism-screwball" Lockwood.
-z, IMO
Bring it on.
Better Lockwood's dramatic-looking costumes than the lumpy, "Jeff Easley thinks skin is orange," stiffly-drawn-from-photographs art that defined the 'style' of 2nd edition, if you could really call it as much. Really, there's like two pictures in the entirety of the 3e core rulebooks that has armor with spikes on it; most of the characters have believable, cool-looking costumes that are much more complicated than the default chainmail or robes everyone wore in 2e.
Don't mind the hyperbole in the previous paragraph; it was just put for the sake of being silly. Really, the good art of 2e was just as good as the good art of 3e. I just think 3e has a more consistent feel, with more pictures that inspire you to make cool characters and adventures. Also, the whole complaint about spikey armor and buckles is a little overblown; Hennet has gratuitous buckles, sure, most of the characters just have armor with a realistic number of pieces.
Then again, I'm a bit unusual as my art tastes go; I know what I think is skillfully done (and both Lockwood and Elmore are very talented), and I know what looks cool and when serious or goofy art is appropriate. I could use with a little more Rebecca Guay or DiTerlizzi in 3e to have some magical art to balance the super-munchkin, groovy-cool art, but overall, I think 3e has better production qualities. And as for Elmore vs. Lockwood, I think Lockwood has a much better handle on expressions, and most importantly on storytelling. Look at the cover of the Mind Flayers book that just came out, or the cover of The Forge of Fury. Those pictures tell great stories, right in the exact moment of most intense action. Compared to these, far too many of Elmore's pieces, in my opinion, look like portraits.
Then again, I should just shut up and stick with the most beautifully-buckled sorcerer in the world, all mine.
