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Masters of Dragonlance Art
A showcase of more than a decade of Dragonlance artwork.
This book features artwork from Dragonlance novels, games, calendars, and other materials created over the past ten years. With pieces from artists such as Brom, Matt Stawicki, Mark Zug, Todd Lockwood, Larry Elmore, and more, this collection features some of the best fantasy art published over the last decade.
This book features artwork from Dragonlance novels, games, calendars, and other materials created over the past ten years. With pieces from artists such as Brom, Matt Stawicki, Mark Zug, Todd Lockwood, Larry Elmore, and more, this collection features some of the best fantasy art published over the last decade.
128 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2002
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280 people want to read
About the author
Margaret Weis
697 books5,910 followersMargaret Edith Weis is an American fantasy and science fiction author of dozens of novels and short stories. At TSR, Inc., she teamed with Tracy Hickman to create the Dragonlance role-playing game (RPG) world. She is founding CEO and owner of Sovereign Press, Inc and Margaret Weis Productions, licensing several popular television and movie franchises to make RPG series in addition to their own.
In 1999, Pyramid magazine named Weis one of The Millennium's Most Influential Persons, saying she and Hickman are "basically responsible for the entire gaming fiction genre". In 2002, she was inducted into the Origins Hall of Fame in part for Dragonlance.
In 1999, Pyramid magazine named Weis one of The Millennium's Most Influential Persons, saying she and Hickman are "basically responsible for the entire gaming fiction genre". In 2002, she was inducted into the Origins Hall of Fame in part for Dragonlance.
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
February 2, 2020
I’m not a big fan of Dragonlance and don’t know a lot about it. But I am a child of the ‘80s and played a few games of Dungeons & Dragons, both role playing and the old school PC computer games as a kid. The realistic style of the art depicting fantasy settings always appealed to me. So when I came across this book at a thrift store for $1, I decided to take it home to flip through. Then I ended up reading it.
There are two brief introductions, one of which is written for the avid fan who is no doubt their target reader, but left me a bit lost. I had to do a quick a Google search to confirm my memory that Dragonlance was a spin-off of Dungeons & Dragons. This book features primarily the book cover art, the books being an extension of the games. It’s organized by artist, and it’s nice to see the artists being recognized for their work, which doesn’t often happen for book cover work. Granted, there aren’t a lot of original paintings being done these days for book covers, so much has shifted to computers. These artists contributed to shaping the world, which is perhaps unique to TSR because the books brought to life the world also featured in their games.
There are brief notes on each piece offering some insight into either the art or its creation. Sometimes the artists are given a detailed description, a few times there was a manuscript available, but often they’re working from a brief description of key elements. Larry Elmore notes that he uses people as models, often hanging out at the local Wal-Mart in a Kentucky and asking people if they’d be willing to pose. Several artists mentioned using the same models for multiple characters in the same painting, which became evident on closer inspection, and a few used themselves as models. Matt Stawicki notes that he sometimes builds physical models for things like mountains and dragons as reference for his paintings. He also mentions using seasonal color palettes, and Brom also notes having a strong singular color palette for each book cover. This is a cover design element I’m familiar with from working at a publisher. You want to create a uniform look to a series, but make each book clearly distinct so readers know it’s a new one they haven’t read. Distinct colors are an effective way to do that.
I particularly liked Jerry Vander Stelt’s photorealistic style, and he mentioned using an airbrush. I also liked how Stawicki gave his paintings an epic feel and how they extended to the back cover. Elmore’s work also stood out to me, particularly the illustration of blue merelves for The Dragonesti.
I appreciated that most of the covers featured a strong female character, and most of the women were not sexualized as is often the case in super hero comics and video games. Though there were a few illogically sexy warriors, including one female warrior in what was essentially a steel bustier with nothing underneath it, which would pinch and/or chafe, not to mention lots of bare skin seems illogical combined with armor that’s supposed to protect you from weapons.
While this isn’t the kind of book I typically read, I found it interesting. I may even try reading one of these novels now, to see what makes them so popular.
There are two brief introductions, one of which is written for the avid fan who is no doubt their target reader, but left me a bit lost. I had to do a quick a Google search to confirm my memory that Dragonlance was a spin-off of Dungeons & Dragons. This book features primarily the book cover art, the books being an extension of the games. It’s organized by artist, and it’s nice to see the artists being recognized for their work, which doesn’t often happen for book cover work. Granted, there aren’t a lot of original paintings being done these days for book covers, so much has shifted to computers. These artists contributed to shaping the world, which is perhaps unique to TSR because the books brought to life the world also featured in their games.
There are brief notes on each piece offering some insight into either the art or its creation. Sometimes the artists are given a detailed description, a few times there was a manuscript available, but often they’re working from a brief description of key elements. Larry Elmore notes that he uses people as models, often hanging out at the local Wal-Mart in a Kentucky and asking people if they’d be willing to pose. Several artists mentioned using the same models for multiple characters in the same painting, which became evident on closer inspection, and a few used themselves as models. Matt Stawicki notes that he sometimes builds physical models for things like mountains and dragons as reference for his paintings. He also mentions using seasonal color palettes, and Brom also notes having a strong singular color palette for each book cover. This is a cover design element I’m familiar with from working at a publisher. You want to create a uniform look to a series, but make each book clearly distinct so readers know it’s a new one they haven’t read. Distinct colors are an effective way to do that.
I particularly liked Jerry Vander Stelt’s photorealistic style, and he mentioned using an airbrush. I also liked how Stawicki gave his paintings an epic feel and how they extended to the back cover. Elmore’s work also stood out to me, particularly the illustration of blue merelves for The Dragonesti.
I appreciated that most of the covers featured a strong female character, and most of the women were not sexualized as is often the case in super hero comics and video games. Though there were a few illogically sexy warriors, including one female warrior in what was essentially a steel bustier with nothing underneath it, which would pinch and/or chafe, not to mention lots of bare skin seems illogical combined with armor that’s supposed to protect you from weapons.
While this isn’t the kind of book I typically read, I found it interesting. I may even try reading one of these novels now, to see what makes them so popular.
April 21, 2019
A wonderful collection of the art created for various book covers in the dragonlance saga. A good way to pour over how the visual style have changed slightly over the last 30 years, and to pick out your favorite artist! (Mine is Larry Elmore, of course :))
Of course, the only problem is that it is somewhat short.. I wanted more!
Of course, the only problem is that it is somewhat short.. I wanted more!
March 17, 2017
Nice little artbook with all of the beautiful coverart.
April 1, 2010
These are beautiful paintings (most book covers and illustrations)from the "Dragonlance Universe". There are 9 well known artists plus some "contributing artists". I like them because I love Fantasy art in it's own right plus it is sympathetic to a hobby I have (I paint fantasy figures). If you're a Dragonlance fan, a fantasy art fan, a fan of any of the contributing artists, or just like beautiful paintings you'll probably like this.
June 22, 2009
Great collection of Dragonlance artwork.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews