WotC Artwork in books

[Pants]

I'm not trying to start an argument of old versus new, but it hurts to see guys who did good work in an era of low production values being compared unfavourably to the artists of today with no qualifying statements.

Edit:spelling

Well, I think liking/not liking Otus is more a style thing really. He has some pretty bizarre pictures, muddy textures, and a clay-like quality to all his creatures. I'm not a big fan. Everything looks too cartoonish, but he does have some unique and evocative pictures.

 

[ColonelHardisson]

Well, I think liking/not liking Otus is more a style thing really. He has some pretty bizarre pictures, muddy textures, and a clay-like quality to all his creatures. I'm not a big fan. Everything looks too cartoonish, but he does have some unique and evocative pictures.

What's interesting is that I agree with your assessment of Otus' work, but all those things are what I like about his stuff...

 

[Orius]

Every so often we have an artwork thread; usually so someone can complain about "dungeonpunk" and profess eternal love of Larry Elmore, which naturally brings buzz out in turn, etc. etc.

I decided to point to a few of my favorite pieces in a fairly recent book; Races of Eberron that were by artists I hadn't seen much of earlier, but which I really like. I guess my overlaying point is that I think the artwork in WotC books is actually pretty good these days, and if anything, improving on average.

Some of those aren't bad.

It's really an issue of aesthetics I suppose. Everyone has a different taste. I prefer the old classic art from the mid 80's when Elmore, Easley, Caldwell, and Parkinson were the big name artists at TSR. Some of the more recent artists I like though, particularly Lockwood, who has a style not unlike that of 80's art.

I definitely disliked the "dungeonpunk" look. Too much armor that looked pieced together, shields with funny shapes, excessive body piercing, spiky unnatural hair, and strange buckle fetishes did not do it for me at all. I don't know how much of this look Eberron incorporates, but Eberron is a sort of pulpy fantasy that tries not to emulate every real world culture ever known (*cough* FR), so a unique look to it wouldn't really bother me, sort of in the same way Planescape's rather...unique look didn't bother me.

 

[haiiro]

I guess my overlaying point is that I think the artwork in WotC books is actually pretty good these days, and if anything, improving on average.

I guess I must be in the minority: I can only think of one WotC artist whose work I strongly dislike, and a small handful that I'm not overly fond of. From the start, I've enjoyed the majority of the art in WotC's books, and the things you highlighted are no exception -- they're pretty sweet.

 

[Psion]

I guess I must be in the minority: I can only think of one WotC artist whose work I strongly dislike, and a small handful that I'm not overly fond of. From the start, I've enjoyed the majority of the art in WotC's books, and the things you highlighted are no exception -- they're pretty sweet.

Don't let a few consistent complainers lead you astray. I think by and large, WotC has had some excellent artwork.

I think they went through a dry spell for a while, but I think they are currently very strong. They did lose some of their early mainstays, but they did lose some of their weaker early artists. I was pleased to see Swekel back doing the "chapter header sepia illustrations" in DMG II, and hope that it means he's doing them again, not just that they had some art in their file...

The few tiny instances of what could really be called "dungeonpunk" never phased me. For the most part, it seemed limited to one or two iconics. I can't help but thinking Ari &cetera are making a mountain out of a molehill on the issue.

If there is anything I loath in 3.x art, it would be particular artists. If I ever see a character or creature illo by Dennis Cramer/Crabapple again, it will be too soon.

 

[Westgate Polks]

I am been disappointed with a lot of the art in the various monster books, but I think that much of the work in the PHB and the DMG is alright.

However, at last evening's game session the DM had just bought the DMG2. As I was glancing through the work I came across 3 different pictures that actually made my mouth stop working and my jaw drop.

The first was the picture drawn by Mitch Cotie of the Half-Orc wielding the two HUGE swords drawn by . He has an overcoat and "bucket" hat and looks very intimidating. And while it is a bit "steampunkish" and that genre has not been my favotite, this picture stands out. The link is here:
http://wizards.com/dnd/images/dmg2_gallery/90035.jpg

Mitch seemed to have several great illustrations in the book, but this one stood out particularly since I do not recall seeing him name before. I see a lot of good art in his future.

The second piece depicting a half-orc (again!) battlling salamanders over a lava pit; this was drawn by Micheal Phillippi. The style is a bit different, but the evocative nature of the work (esp, the brilliant color here) just grabbed my attention. The link is here:
http://wizards.com/dnd/images/dmg2_gallery/90048.jpg

Again, I do not recall seeing this artist before. I hope he continues to illustrate for WotC, as his work is very enjoyable.

The third piece was bit out there but still marvelous to view. An adventuring party trying to destroy the Wand of Orcus using the Terrasque (sp?) as a garbage disposal. This was by Wayne Reynolds, and I am familiar with some of his work. The link is here:
http://wizards.com/dnd/images/dmg2_gallery/90120.jpg

I cannot recall the last time I looked through a gaming book soley for the art. Maybe there is a new Art Director at WotC, or there is a new group of pool artists, or Melil has choses to shine on us, but If this is the future of the art in the gaming industry I am okay with that.

 

[Pants]

What's interesting is that I agree with your assessment of Otus' work, but all those things are what I like about his stuff...

Yeah, he has a sort of surreal quality to his work that I just cannot like.

Oh well, some people don't like WAR for his style either, so I guess it's fair.

 

[Hussar]

Some of those aren't bad.

It's really an issue of aesthetics I suppose. Everyone has a different taste. I prefer the old classic art from the mid 80's when Elmore, Easley, Caldwell, and Parkinson were the big name artists at TSR. Some of the more recent artists I like though, particularly Lockwood, who has a style not unlike that of 80's art.

I definitely disliked the "dungeonpunk" look. Too much armor that looked pieced together, shields with funny shapes, excessive body piercing, spiky unnatural hair, and strange buckle fetishes did not do it for me at all. I don't know how much of this look Eberron incorporates, but Eberron is a sort of pulpy fantasy that tries not to emulate every real world culture ever known (*cough* FR), so a unique look to it wouldn't really bother me, sort of in the same way Planescape's rather...unique look didn't bother me.

I think that perhaps a lot of that perception also stems from some very popular CRPG's. Namely Baldur's Gate and to some extent Planescape:Torment. BGII came out around the same time as 3e, so they are linked in some people's minds I think. Like you said, the funny shaped shields and piecemeal armor thing was very prevalent in those games and I think it carried over into print to some degree as well.

Considering the pool of art resources WOTC should be able to draw from, they bloody well SHOULD have good quality art. Come on, umpteen bazillion artists drawing cards for Magic should give them some idea of who would be a good artist for a book.

One last comment. The original 3e MM had a lot of art that I detested. I still do. The Callista Flockhart skinny monsters just looked bad IMVHO. It was one of the things which really turned me off WOTC for a number of years. OTOH, I just picked up Sand Storm and there's some truly excellent art there. That and Dragon has had some really great covers lately as well. I think they've listened to the customer and given us what we say we want.

Bad WOTC, no treat for you!

 

[Testament]

The second piece depicting a half-orc (again!) battlling salamanders over a lava pit; this was drawn by Micheal Phillippi. The style is a bit different, but the evocative nature of the work (esp, the brilliant color here) just grabbed my attention. The link is here:
http://wizards.com/dnd/images/dmg2_gallery/90048.jpg

Again, I do not recall seeing this artist before. I hope he continues to illustrate for WotC, as his work is very enjoyable.

If you like that one, check out his full page Shadowbane Inquisitor and Stalker in the Complete Adventurer. I have a feeling he used to do art for Games Workshop, some of the art in their 40K products is similar to his. Or maybe its just a false positive from how the CV illo reminds me of the Dark Angel Space Marines, and their Deathwing troops.

 

[Desdichado]

We may want to take this to a different thread, though. JD has mentioned that he dosen't want this thread to turn into a Old Edition Art vs New Edition Art argument, so I'll respect his wishes.

It's probably inevitable. At least I started on a positive note!