What do you find most Magical about 3E/3.5 art?

[CRGreathouse]

I love the vibrant colors, where most earlier work was b/w.

The poses are in general more dynamic, certainly much more dynamic than the staid 2E illustrations but in my opinion also more so than the average illustration from the 1E MM and FF.

The creatures have more sensible anatomies, where in 2E they were generally drawn without regard to anatomy or physics.

The quality is more even.

The pictures have backgrounds to set the scene, where this was comparably rare in 2E and somewhat less common in 1E.

 

[Gentlegamer]

Nothing.

 

[tx7321]

I remember when I first came to ENworld (before 3E was officially released); there was some FANTASTIC artwork leaked out by Eric Noah that was supposed to have been in the original PH (but apparently didn't make the cut). It was more "old school" in attitude then most 2E era art, and didn't have any of the cheeky odd posing or spikey armor that came to characterize 3E. One, I remember, was of a bad a$$ monk. Another I think was a really cool ranger. Both were by the same artist and I think they were sketched (or at least not colored). Does anyone remember those images or who the artist(s) was (I think there were half a dozen PCs illustrated). Anyone here remember what I'm talking about.

I always felt those early images (and the WOTC return to old school 1E hype) were released to attract the pre-2E crowd and build buzz amongst it (kind of a bait and switch). I guess it worked. I know I wouldn't have checked it out (as a hard core 1Eer) if I hadn't seen those pics here and read all the 1E buzz floating around. When I saw those images, they confirmed to me, this new game wasn't 2E it was the return of 1E (but improved)man, I could hardly wait. Yet it didn't take long to figure out the game was a completely new thing.

 

[Turjan]

I forgot to mention Todd Lockwood, who does some amazing dragons!

Not only dragons, although this falls in the "static" category :

I'm not sure. Sometimes, there are pieces that make my mind wander, and that's what art is for. I remember that first "Circle of Storm" (Eberron) adventure in Dungeon, where the intro illustration made me want to go there, although I was never interested in Eberron at all.

 

[trancejeremy]

Now that is something I've never heard before. What's creepy about it?

Bear in mind, I only have the corebooks and some of the early 3.0 stuff. But in that, many of the people were deformed looking - arms and legs and heads are misshapen. Particularly one piece of a bartender in the DMG. And the texturing of the skin is often just weird, plasticy looking.

 

[Dragonhelm]

I love that pic. It really cemented in my mind what elven chain looks like.

Plus, that's an elf! If I have any complaint about 3e's art, it's Mialee. When I think of elves, I think of Laurana and Gilthanas. They were beautiful creatures who evoked the fantasy mindset. Mialee isn't beautiful, IMO. Really, I think her head is shaped weird.

 

[Abisashi]

Mialee... Really, I think her head is shaped weird.

QFT.

 

[Nightfall]

Best thing about 3.x art? Claudio Pozas.

 

[Nyaricus]

Wayne Reynolds.
-blarg

Three cheers, mate! WAR is very possibly one of the best D&D artists in this edition, and he defined for me what amazing artistry is. The sheer epicness, and finished feel to his work is awesome. I bought Creatrues of Freeport simply for the cover (and 'cause it was 75% off )

Jerry Jarvis, though I despised him when he first surfaced (in 03, perhaps?) is slowly creeping up behind WAR, Lockwood and Wood for my favourite D&D artists.

cheers,
--N

 

[gamecat]

Ron Spencer FTW.

I adored his art back when he did a few magic: the gathering cards back in the late 90s.