teh bunneh Posted February 27, 2008 Report Share Posted February 27, 2008 OK, I'm one of those types who doesn't really care how wonderful the art in a gaming book is. As long as it's functional, I'm good. I'm also not much of an artist myself, so I don't really know what kinda art people look for in a game book. So I'd like to ask a favor of the visually-oriented gamers out there. Take a look at these pieces. Let me know, if you saw this style of art in a gaming book, you'd think: 1. "Hey, awesome!" 2. "Pretty good." 3. "Functional." 4. "Not so good." 5. "WTF? That's terrible! What kinda monkey-scratchings are these?" Comments about the specific pieces are OK, but mostly I'd like to know what you think of this particular style. Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mayapuppies Posted February 27, 2008 Report Share Posted February 27, 2008 Re: Art question I'd give it a 3. While I personally think it's a neat medium, it has a very "I'm a miniature in my other life" feel to it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zeropoint Posted February 27, 2008 Report Share Posted February 27, 2008 Re: Art question Whatever the objective quality of the images, the fact that they're obviously altered photographs of miniatures detracts a LOT from their appeal. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lord Mhoram Posted February 27, 2008 Report Share Posted February 27, 2008 Re: Art question 4 or 5. I don't care for how miniatures look, and photoshopped minis (or art that looks like it) leaves me cold. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redmenace Posted February 27, 2008 Report Share Posted February 27, 2008 Re: Art question I'd rate it a three on average with one point up or down depending on the specific piece. If it is for a gamebook it would probably be in grayscale which might effect the posterizing somewhat. If I might suggest something, putting the minis on some kind of miniature background, in line with the adventure or write up, might grant them a more interesting quality. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Comic Posted February 27, 2008 Report Share Posted February 27, 2008 Re: Art question As thumbnails, 4-5; as expanded images, I'd start with the Witch figure at 4, and improve by one. Thor = 3; Seeker = 2. The Nornan figure conveys a more-than-accidental subtlety and drama, 1. Regardless of the origin of the image or how it came to be what it is, it's got something going for it that sets it apart. IMO. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tadk Posted February 27, 2008 Report Share Posted February 27, 2008 Re: Art question Seeker I like the best it is something to be said for it other than copyright issues of course i could live with it in a book Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Enforcer84 Posted February 27, 2008 Report Share Posted February 27, 2008 Re: Art question I think the fact that the minis are tiny sculpted metal detracts when turned into a 2D medium. But that being said, they are well crafted and painted minis. I'd give them somewhere between 3 functional and 4 Not a good representation. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Certified Posted February 27, 2008 Report Share Posted February 27, 2008 Re: Art question The treatment is good, the subjects on the other hand I'm not so sure about. I use a similar treatment for a book that I'm working on now. You can find directories of public images or cruise to any given ren-fair for fantasy style subjects. I would like to see how some live models turn out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gojira Posted February 27, 2008 Report Share Posted February 27, 2008 Re: Art question I'd give it a "Pretty Good." I can see how others might have a different opinion, but I basically like it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Supreme Serpent Posted February 27, 2008 Report Share Posted February 27, 2008 Re: Art question As pics, 3. They're there, they don't get confused with fire hydrants or something. Some of the effects used on minis don't seem to come through well in that medium (like highlights). Based on the pics, I'd imagine the minis *as minis* are in the 2 or 1 range. I like nice clean B&W art most of the time. The pics in the old Champions I-III books and old supplements (especially the Mark Williams pics), V&V and the like are good for me. Even with big Jeff Dee thighs. If a book is going to have color pics, they should be GOOD color pics. Colored Storn pieces, stuff by Elmore or Keith Parkinson, that sort of thing. Rendered blurry pieces with muddled colors isn't worth it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GoldenAge Posted February 27, 2008 Report Share Posted February 27, 2008 Re: Art question 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scifi_Toughguy Posted February 27, 2008 Report Share Posted February 27, 2008 Re: Art question They look like painted minis. If that were the art going into a book like say Fantasy Hero, I'd think the quality was subpar. If they were going into a min game book, the it would be much more acceptable. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pattern Ghost Posted February 28, 2008 Report Share Posted February 28, 2008 Re: Art question Question: ARE these painted minis? There may be a copyright problem in using photos or photo manipulations of them in a publication if so. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
teh bunneh Posted February 28, 2008 Author Report Share Posted February 28, 2008 Re: Art question Thanks for the input, folks. One more thing I'd like to ask you to take a look at. Terrible? Passable? Good? Bill. (Please forgive me for the d20 (ack! spit!) mechanics on the page...) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hfergus Posted March 1, 2008 Report Share Posted March 1, 2008 Re: Art question As pictures, about a 3.5. As minis, 3. I can't draw very well, but given a a well scuplted mini, people tend to be very impressed by my painted minis. I tend to paint them so it looks like any second they can move. Would post some, but have no digital camera (yet) and have a poor scanner. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.