I wanted to take a moment and commend the artistic direction for the entire Theros block. I am absolutely floored with the starry themes, heroic depictions, battle scenes, and color intensity.
While I'm not an art student by any means, the art of MTG is my 2nd favorit aspect of the game (right behind actually playing!) Theros more than delivered in my eyes.
Dictate of Heliod and Nyx-Fleece Ram are Terese Nielsen's style at its best; the starry aspect of her vivid figures is well-suited to the enchantment stuff.
On a separate note, I'm reminded of this thread of mine: http://www.mtgsalvation.com/forums/magic-fundamentals/magic-general/549499-mtg-on-race-and-gender-representation
I noticed a lot of the human art in Theros block isn't white. This seems reasonable, especially since "but it's a European-style setting" is often used as a cop-out on racial representation. It's not like Europe is entirely white, and Mediterranean Europe such as Greece would have a somewhat darker skin tone anyway. Yes, it's a fantasy setting, but I don't think that's an excuse to entirely discard realism.
This isn't directly related to Theros, but more of a trend I've been noticing since the RtR block, actually. I've been seeing increasing amounts of "3D modeling" art in images. While it was only occasional in RtR, it's become quite dominant in Theros, I feel. Of course, we still have breathtaking art such as Therese Nielsen's and the above you guys posted, but we also have: Hundred-handed one , Mogis's Marauder. Even the gods are affected. While Pharika, God of Affliction is absolutely beautiful, Iroas, God of Victory has this tasteless 3D rendering. Now I know there's no accounting for taste, but I really find this new 3D art absolutely hideous. A real shame, especially when you see it next to other brilliant works. I just don't understand what the point of these is.
HamsterFabulous, you sound like someone who is very opposed to digital artwork. However, tasteless is going a little too far I'd say. I am someone who can enjoy the ultra stylistic artwork of Terese Nielsen as well as the very detailed renderings of artists such as Brad Rigney (Who was the artist of Hundred-handed one, which I can assure you, is not 3D rendered). All I can say is keep an open mind, just because you don't like something doesn't mean it's hideous.
I really like the art for Pharika, God of Affliction. The colors used give the art a sickly feel. In a good way. It helps portray the mood of the piece. I also like pieces like Starfall. The card is red, the art is predominantly blue with a bit of red. In the card frame the art, in my mind, just stands out beautifully. I really like when artists use a non-traditional color pallet on their pieces (cools in red and warms in blue as examples).
As an aside, HamsterFabulous: I don't think Iroas is a 3d rendered item. You can create painted depth like that by using a green/blue color pallet. Doing so allows you to paint something in "the distance" as ozone adds that type of look to distant items. Argyle's work is sometimes(?) a base 3d model which he digitally paints upon, if I recall correctly.
I wanted to take a moment and commend the artistic direction for the entire Theros block. I am absolutely floored with the starry themes, heroic depictions, battle scenes, and color intensity.
While I'm not an art student by any means, the art of MTG is my 2nd favorit aspect of the game (right behind actually playing!) Theros more than delivered in my eyes.
My Top 5:
Bearer Of the Heavens
Deicide
Extinguish All Hope
Dictate of the Twin Gods
Kruphix, Athreos, and Keranos are all amazing and take my "5th" spot
What are your thoughts?
Have you been impressed/unimpressed?
On a separate note, I'm reminded of this thread of mine:
http://www.mtgsalvation.com/forums/magic-fundamentals/magic-general/549499-mtg-on-race-and-gender-representation
I noticed a lot of the human art in Theros block isn't white. This seems reasonable, especially since "but it's a European-style setting" is often used as a cop-out on racial representation. It's not like Europe is entirely white, and Mediterranean Europe such as Greece would have a somewhat darker skin tone anyway. Yes, it's a fantasy setting, but I don't think that's an excuse to entirely discard realism.
Vintage: Dredge | Legacy: Burn, Goblins, Soldier | Standard: Mono-Red Aggro
Commander: Nicol Bolas, Sliver Overlord, Rafiq
Casual: Selesnya Saproling Smackdown, Izzet Labs, Rebel
Played since June 2004, mostly inactive June 2011 to March 2018
Other usernames include AlanFromRochester, homerthebeerbaron
MTG checklists from Alpha to Ravnica Allegiance - https://www.mtgsalvation.com/forums/magic-fundamentals/other-magic-products/third-party-products/805324-checklists-for-everything-from-alpha-to-ravnica
As an aside, HamsterFabulous: I don't think Iroas is a 3d rendered item. You can create painted depth like that by using a green/blue color pallet. Doing so allows you to paint something in "the distance" as ozone adds that type of look to distant items. Argyle's work is sometimes(?) a base 3d model which he digitally paints upon, if I recall correctly.
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