What was so magical about 1E/OD&D art?

[Glyfair]

Should I just remain ignorant?

Let's just say that Avalon Hill decided to save some money by paying their cartographer/layout person to do art (even though he wasn't an artist, at least not that sort of artist).

 

[Tarek]

One of the D20 publishers recently tracked down Erol Otus and convinced him to do a couple of covers for their modules.

 

[tx7321]

The use of black and white art does NOT always mean a cheaper product. Often its chosen intentionally, as it gives a different feel then color. I think it allows the viewer to "color" the picture with his imagination, thus giving some ownership to it. For instance, the Players Handbook 1E depiction of the ghoul. I look at that and see in my imagination the slimey thing crawling around. What I imagine is different each time slightly...and I'll bet what others see is slightly different as well. But the B&W image give us both a close point of departure (so we as players can share that image). In color its not so much that way.

 

[Particle_Man]

Personally, I loved "A Paladin in Hell" by Sutherland in the 1st ed PHB. But that said, I would be interested to see a 3E (or even non-3E) homage to it.

I also must admit that I prefer the "auld medieval" look to modern looks, but admit that is my own personal taste.

 

[Asmor]

Speaking as someone who's been interested in D&D for as long as he can remember, but only actually started playing when 3rd edition came out, the old art by and large wasn't that good.

I'll come right out and admit that I'm not the artistic type, though. I don't have much appreciation for different styles for their own sake. I vastly prefer Wizards' consistent quality, even if it does all seem largely the same style. It beats the hell out of the hit or miss mish mash of ages past. Sure, there was a lot of good art, but there was also a ton of really crappy art. Plus, most of the interior art was black and white and I've always disliked black and white stuff...

So stick me firmly in the "it wasn't that good, you've just a ton of nostalgia" camp.

 

[tx7321]

Partical Man:"I also must admit that I prefer the "auld medieval" look to modern looks, but admit that is my own personal taste."

Yeah the new art seems to feature made up armor in an attempt to make it more "interesting". 1E art seems to match the look of the armor you see in Medieval paintings, fairs and museums. Its more utilitarian and functional looking, thus more believable.

Asmore, I think we must have opposite tastes in artwork. I actually prefer B&W interior art for monster manuals (for the reasons I gave above).

 

[Knightfall]

One of the D20 publishers recently tracked down Erol Otus and convinced him to do a couple of covers for their modules.

That would be Goodman Games.

 

[pawsplay]

I definitely prefer the neo-Frazetta style to the modern airbrushed side of a van style.

 

[broghammerj]

I've always liked the old black and white pics for a number of reasons.

1. Appears old and unfinished. Makes me think if medival times.

2. People have seemed to lost the ability to sketch well. There are some obvious beautiful fantasy paintings out there but I like a simple drawing once and a while.

3. Inking a sketch can really make it come alive. Not something we see as often.

4. Coloring takes out alot of what I imagine a creature should look like.

 

[Xyanthon]

I'll have to agree with what some of the others have said about characterization in the older drawings. As a kid, I came to D&D through the myths and legends of medieval Europe. The naturalistic clothing and styles of the 1e era artists (probably excluding Dee and Otus) really appealed to me more as they capture a more "true" feel to me. The newer artists have some stuff I really dig. Wayne Reynolds is my current favorite and maybe even moreso because of his work with Osprey Publishing historical titles. I guess I'd just like to see more of that style. All of this is interesting to me in that I'm finding that in newer games, I'm being drawn more to things like Pendragon and Ars Magica.