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10 months ago ::
Aug 08, 2012 - 9:57PM
#61
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Date Joined:
Dec 17, 2005
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I think the most important thing WotC can do with art is to ensure that every book is FILLED with lots of different styles, that way everyone can find something they really like. Look at the art in the 3.5 MM, lots and lots of different artists with different styles.
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10 months ago ::
Aug 09, 2012 - 12:25AM
#62
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Date Joined:
Apr 10, 2009
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Agreed. But I'm far more concerned with differences in composition and 'story-telling' in the art than I am in different styles of art. Someone earlier gave the PHB3 cover as an example of "their favorite". To which I have to ask: What is this cover trying to say? (besides "Wow are we cool adventurers!"). Compare that to the AD&D1st cover  Which one shows an actual moment in time from an adventure? Which one "tells a story" and shows something actually happening? Which one draws you in and makes you wonder what is going on and just who these characters are? In short - which one actually says something about the game and which one just shows off the artists technical skill? Sure - the PHB3 art maybe technically better (although I've seen critics disagree on that issue as well). But even if technically better, it just isn't as interesting. In my opinion. It lacks ..... something to make me care about what is happening on the canvas. It's technically exceptional and, ultimately (my opinion, again) pointless. Even the monster manuals show this trend: In AD&D MMII we see a human (back towards the viewer) battling to survive against a giant (even I won't try to defend the original AD&D1st cover); in each of the the various 4E MMs we see an example of a creature from the book - posed just as are the players in the PHBs, ready to burst out of the cover and show off just how cool they are. But with out a shred of story or anything else to say except "I'M AWESOME!" Carl
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10 months ago ::
Aug 09, 2012 - 12:31AM
#63
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I am ashamed to admit how many years it took me to realize they were trying to pry an eye-gem out of that demon. Uncle Gary's spirit would demand my DM card if I did!
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10 months ago ::
Aug 09, 2012 - 12:41AM
#64
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Date Joined:
Apr 10, 2009
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I am ashamed to admit how many years it took me to realize they were trying to pry an eye-gem out of that demon. Uncle Gary's spirit would demand my DM card if I did!
I'll concede that it would have probably been more effective if the viewpoint were lower and closer to the idol so that the PCs, at least those in the foreground, were more noticeable. And an overall lighter background might have worked better as well, although the darkness does seem somewhat appropriate. But even with those flaws I still think its a far more interesting work.
Carl
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10 months ago ::
Aug 09, 2012 - 12:50AM
#65
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I am ashamed to admit how many years it took me to realize they were trying to pry an eye-gem out of that demon. Uncle Gary's spirit would demand my DM card if I did!
I'll concede that it would have probably been more effective if the viewpoint were lower and closer to the idol so that the PCs, at least those in the foreground, were more noticeable. And an overall lighter background might have worked better as well, although the darkness does seem somewhat appropriate. But even with those flaws I still think its a far more interesting work.
Carl
Don't disagree with the overall assessment at all. I always thought that the 2 were lounging up there trying to figure out just what the heck the other 2 were discussing on the map lol. 
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10 months ago ::
Aug 09, 2012 - 1:13AM
#66
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Date Joined:
Dec 17, 2005
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Agreed. But I'm far more concerned with differences in composition and 'story-telling' in the art than I am in different styles of art.
I think story pieces have a place as well as static pieces, though story pieces should always be more numerous because the evoke a reaction.
Take one of my favorite pictures from the Complete Divine:
IMO, each class should have a picture like ^^ that to really illustrate what they do and showcase the class "in action" as it were.
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10 months ago ::
Aug 09, 2012 - 2:09AM
#67
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Date Joined:
May 18, 2002
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The hell is that? Extreme CPR?
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10 months ago ::
Aug 09, 2012 - 2:18AM
#68
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The hell is that? Extreme CPR?
Concentrated Prayer Revival?
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10 months ago ::
Aug 09, 2012 - 4:35AM
#69
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Date Joined:
Aug 22, 2007
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Okay. That picture makes me what to see a medical drama with magic.
"Clear! Lightning bolt! It didn't work. Everyone, get back. All I have left are Chain Lightnings."
Orzel, Halfelven son of Zel, Mystic Ranger, Bane to Dragons, Death to Undeath, Killer of Abyssals, King of the Wilds.
Constitution Based Class for Next!
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10 months ago ::
Aug 09, 2012 - 4:48AM
#70
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Date Joined:
Jan 17, 2010
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One of my favorite pictures is the big tavern fight scene depiction in Races of Eberron. I somehow find it extremely inspiration and really captures the feel of both D&D adventuring and the setting of Eberron in particular. I'm afraid I can't find a larger picture than this:  It's a bit ruined because you can't see much of the detail, I'm afraid. Much of that book's images were really good actually:  
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