I've been trying to track down a very specific piece of fantasy artwork that I remember seeing when I was little. Around the age of 5 I was introduced to AD&D through my Uncle (this was around 1983). At the time he and his friends were in high-school and I watched them play a few games as a wide-eyed kid who wanted to play with the big boys. My uncle had a totally awesome poster on the door to his room of a black-robed wizard summoning a demon or something (I can't quite remember) surrounded by flames. The artwork was of very good quality and not cartoony or anything like that. It looked like a Larry Elmore or Jeff Easley-style painting but it wasn't done by either of them.
The other one is a similarly-themed piece of artwork that I think featured either Raistlin or his alter-ego Fistandantilus surrounded by gruesome minor demons/thrulls.
If anyone has any idea of the title of either of these pieces of artwork or can point me in the right direction on where I can get them, I'd appreaciate it. I googled for about half and hour on both of these things with no luck.
Thanks,
Frog
...poster on the door to his room of a black-robed wizard summoning a demon or something (I can't quite remember)
Neither can I; you need to furnish us w/ more detail (too vague). Given '83, I would venture an Easley or Elmore as you've ventured, unsure though.
The other one is a similarly-themed piece of artwork that I think featured either Raistlin or his alter-ego Fistandantilus surrounded by gruesome minor demons/thrulls.
Ah, easy, "Lair of the Live Ones", Art of Dragonlance. Very popular, and that was the reprint (it had to be toned down as it was too graphic originally).
Ok, here's a very rough sketch I made of the layout of the poster art. You can see the Wizard on the left facing right and the demon on the right facing the wizard. I believe they were surrounded in flames.
Not only did I draw this in 5 minutes, I'm going on memories from 25 years ago, so bear with me
I hope this sketch helps!
Thanks,
Frog
(cleaned up the sketch a little :p )
I did a quick search and came up with nothing. The Dragonlance website says that Jeff Easley has requested to not allowed to be contacted by e-mail?
Thanks,
Frog
Awesome! One down! Thanks!
You're very welcome.
Ok, here's a very rough sketch I made of the layout of the poster art. You can see the Wizard on the left facing right and the demon on the right facing the wizard. I believe they were surrounded in flames.
Not only did I draw this in 5 minutes, I'm going on memories from 25 years ago, so bear with me
I hope this sketch helps!
And yes, the sketch helps immensely. I wish more ppl would follow your lead in this vein as "a picture is worth 1,000 words"...bla bla bla.
:whatsthis
Well, hmm. It's ringing a few bells upstairs, but as I'm at work and w/out my stax of art books, I can't give a completely accurate summary. Upside is, the sketch jogged my memory and it feels quite familiar, plus the timeframe helps a lot too. Best guess, might've been a Dragon magazine cover. I have the Art of Dragon Mag which is a solid resource in addition to a lot of other gaming fluff, artistic and otherwise. Some in .pdf if you want copies. '83 though? Uh, that's early 1st ed, though it could be completely unrelated to D&D at the time; just some random fantasy artist. Upside is since it's early in the game ('83), there's not as many to choose from/easier search.
I'll poke through Dragon. I'd recommend getting it (Amazon likely) and every year when the new Spectrum comes out, get that too. Think they're on #14 or 15. Essentially, it's the Bible for fantasy artists in this country, very prestigious, and very high standards. A few D&D guys/girls get in there. Very cool book. Anyway, I'll see what I can do for you...
Does anyone know where I can order a large print of the Jeff Easley art "Lair of the Live Ones"?
Not a clue. My g/f and I usually just go down artist's row a few times during each trip to Gencon and buy on the spot, meet the artist in question, etc. Pretty decent patrons, but never order anything, save for an Ursula Vernon print g/f wanted. Safe bet you could get "Lair..." at Indie this year probably.
I did a quick search and came up with nothing. The Dragonlance website says that Jeff Easley has requested to not allowed to be contacted by e-mail?
Unsurprising. He was kind of a dick to me @ Gencon '06. "Oh, Mr. Easely, it's such an honor, bla bla bla, I'm an art grad too, such an inspiration *insert other nicesties and ass kissing here
*, it's truly a privledge...""Yeah, that's nice...what do you want?" was his reply. ie)Buy something and go away.
I know the hassle of a flooded inbox, but, IDK. Elmore was infinetly friendlier and far more professional, though they are both good artists.
I'd examine WotC links here, poke around for old TSR ones, not sure.
It was a poster that was bigger than the cover of Dragon so I don't know if was a cover ever or not. It wasn't a huge poster, probably 11x17 in size. Perhaps it was a magazine insert?
I have had some of the same experiences at Gen Con with artists and writers, but many are very nice and eager to talk to you. I had a nice experience talking with Larry Elmore. I have a signed print above my desk here at work.
-Frog
Thanks for the suggestions. It's entirely possible that the artwork is older than that, that's just when I first saw it.
It was a poster that was bigger than the cover of Dragon so I don't know if was a cover ever or not. It wasn't a huge poster, probably 11x17 in size. Perhaps it was a magazine insert?
A lot of grey area, but I'll dig nonetheless.
I have had some of the same experiences at Gen Con with artists and writers, but many are very nice and eager to talk to you. I had a nice experience talking with Larry Elmore. I have a signed print above my desk here at work.
Yeah, most are pretty cool, sociable pp. Perhaps I just caught Easley on a bad day. Tried not to gush, waited for my turn politely, was polite, prompt, etc., but boy did he snub me. Got some looks from others in line as well.
Elmore, he's cool as sh-t. Mimura is the man too, very nice, and very helpful. Saw him at the downtown club mixing it up as well after they closed the exhibition hall. Most of the fantasy artists are good, hardworking ppl. But, like in any demographic, there are exceptions.
Turns out it is by Frank Frazetta
Titled: "The Sorceror"
Thanks to everyone for your input on this artwork. I found and ordered a print, it's on its way to hang above my miniature-painting table.
-Frog