D&D 4E What period of D&D art would you most like to see 4E emulate?

[Aus_Snow]

If it had to emulate art from an era of D&D - assuming for a moment that I would even buy 4e, and therefore care - I'd go with 3.5, primarily due to a relative lack of goofiness, cheesiness and general awfulness.

 

[Baby Samurai]

Jeff Dee.

Yeah!

That picture he did of Elric in the 1st edition Deities & Demigods really put the hook in me.

 

[Hussar]

I like how the earlier editions had those full page fantasy pictures. They looked great. 3e started doing it, but it looked more like D&D Super-Heroes and less like fantasy.
I'd like a return to fantasy and get rid of the Anime-Esque and Comic book style that seems to be the current direction.

Ok, Arashi, here's the challenge assuming you read this. Show me three examples of anime style art from any WOTC 3rd edition book. Please. I've been begging people like you for years to give me examples of this, and not one can.

So, put up or shut up. Let's see this anime artwork. C'mon. I'll give you a donut if you can.

But, on topic, for the love of god can we leave 1e art in the dustbin where it belongs? Sure, there is the odd bit of goodness there, but, the vast majority is just plain old bad. For every Paladin in Hell, you have a cover of the Monster Manual and ten more pics just like it.

 

[Zaukrie]

Not re-used. That is, I want new art in every new book. No more reprinting art from previous books. Whew, now that that rant is out of the way.....

I think 4E needs to look like 4E, not some other edition. I prefer my art to be mostly realistic. There is one artist I hope to never see again, and if his work is there, it might actually dissuade me from buying any 4E works. I don't particularly like the blocky look in the first Pathfinder character pictures, but some of the other art there is good. I could go with less spikes and tatoos, that would be good. Parkinson's art is probably the art I've liked best over the years, though I really like WAR also. Much of the 1E art just isn't that good, but we have good memories of it.

 

[Celebrim]

I think far and away the golden age of D&D/Dragon art was late 1st edition through 2nd edition. This was the period where D&D/Dragon art work was most influential (and deservedly so) on fantasy art in general, and which TSR was most investing in illustration the big names in fantasy art. D&D art from that period has a legitimacy and quality of execution lacking in every other period.

Early first edition art varied widely in quality, and is endurable primarly because its slightly out of proportion drawings and odd woodcuts give it an ancient and arcane feel. Third edition art has been generally very substandard, with a strong comic book vibe that never to me really even rises to the level of respect I'd equate with a serious graphic novel. None of it is serious art, and I can't see an artist really turning a 3rd edition D&D portfolio into a serious career outside the gaming industry. That isn't to say some won't, but it won't be based on the strength of thier work with WotC.

Like him or not, Diterlizzi is a Caldecott winner and likely in the midst of pricing himself out of the (current) gaming market because his work will be in such high demand.

 

[Celebrim]

So, put up or shut up. Let's see this anime artwork. C'mon. I'll give you a donut if you can.

This is as weak as threatening to punch someone in the face over the internet. You've got access to matter transportation over the wires? Don't offer me a donut you can't deliver.

Most of the art of 3rd edition is clearly inspired by American comic book art, but there are definite manga stylings in alot of the 3rd edition art (which isn't surprising considering how much cross pollenation goes on in the industry now).

Mmmmm... donuts. If I thought you could, I'd make more effort. But frankly, you strike me as not wanting to be convinced, and therefore unconvincable.

 

[Howndawg]

Personally, I would prefer artwork be evocative of the fantasy genre. Too much of 3e art, although technically quite good, was not very evocative. A lot of Mongoose art (I know I'm going to take flak from mentioning Mongoose and art in the same sentence), while technically quite amateurish, had a much more evocative feel to it. Capturing the feel of fantasy is a very important part of art.

Howndawg

 

[Doug McCrae]

there are definite manga stylings in alot of the 3rd edition art

I don't agree. See Exalted for definite Manga stylings.

There are no manga faces in 3e. No big eyes coupled with small mouths. There's blackline, there's oversized weapons. But they come, as you say, from American comic books, not manga.

It might be interesting to trace the development of the oversized weapon in fantasy art. You can see it in Frazetta's 70s barbarians. I wonder if it stems ultimately from Kirby's big-fisted superheroes, whose look got translated to fantasy in the 70s with the Conan resurgence.

 

[WhatGravitas]

I voted 3E/3.5, but meant late 3.5. The stuff in the newer 3.5 book is less "dungeonpunkish" than the early stuff, i.e. no Hennets, but more Kormarck-art. I'm also partial to Wayne Reynolds, Kieran Yanner, Todd Lockwoodm, Raven Mimura, and Sam Wood.

Cheers, LT.

 

[Jupp]

I'd be happy if the art style of 4e would go to towards Frazetta, Jeff Jones, Easley. Dark, grim, gritty sometimes with an unexpected twist of humour.Too bad that the art of some of the above isn't featuring enough clothing in order to be put into a D&D rulebook .

I never really liked the art style of 3.xE. To me there was alway too much comic in there. Too many spikes, unrealistic armor and the aforementioned taste of a comic. For example WAR. I really appreciate his talent and I like some of his art very much. But it does not really fit into how I would like to see D&D art-wise. He paints very "flat" and with a good amount of asian flavour. Not really my taste.