• Hey Guest. Check out your NeoGAF Wrapped 2025 results here!

Blizzard's FANS Art is Beyond Awesome

Ok, let me clarify my opinion. Most art, specially the drawings that Borys highlighted as "beyond awesome" range from very bad to average. However, there are a few truly good artists there, like Bontea (the Ironforge could pass as true concept art, I guess he is a pro)

I am not an artist, but I used to draw a lot (and quite well) and I can see some glaring mistakes even on some of the better pictures. Take this one:

ss003.jpg

Good use of colours, nicely draw characters and good light, yet it has some glaring perspective problems. I used to have the same issue, I know what I am talking about.
 
Man, gotta love the art critics here. Check this one out. It's a little older than these but also deserves some critique.
persistence.jpg


Clearly, there are many things wrong with this picture. The perspective, first off, is just all wrong. And the lighting, it just stops in the bottom right part of the picture. And just like many of the pictures posted above, it's not realistic AT ALL. Look at those watches; they're just drooping there. How many drooping watches do you have? We won't mention that a tree is growing out of a cube though. </snark>

Yes, using surrealism to illustrate a point may be a bit extreme. But some people here seem to have forgotten that not all artists have the same goals with their pieces. Some may not be concerned with lighting, realism, a perspective that imitates real life. Some may actually want to do something stylistic with their work. Some may choose to be simplistic for the sake of it. And hell, some may consider their art godly despite its utter crapitude. That's art for you, different things for different people.

But I guess that doesn't fly with gaf's "BAD ART" mantra. We aren't looking at game screenshots or even game concept art here people. I think a little creative leeway is warranted.
 
drumlord said:
But I guess that doesn't fly with gaf's "BAD ART" mantra. We aren't looking at game screenshots or even game concept art here people. I think a little creative leeway is warranted.

That's true, calling bad art those drawings because something's wrong with their perspective or lightning is very ingenuous and has nothing to do with art critique at all.
It's more or less like calling a poem bad because there's no rhymes.

With that being said, this is bad art for many other reasons.
 
Yes, using surrealism to illustrate a point may be a bit extreme.
Yes it is, and you know it. There is a difference between deliberated errors and amateur ones.

Most fan-art makers are amateurs and they show it. This is not bad, they put a lot of effort and a few of them came with something really cool, but for most part their works are just that, amateur works. Those pieces are the result of lots of hours, passion and failed attempts till they have something they like, but for most part they are not beyond awesome as the title claims.

I used to be one of the geeks drawing other artist's characters and as I said, I drew a lot and made the same mistakes.

If only Rare had contacted Blizzard's fans to do the artwork for Kameo...
Now that you talk about Rare I must say that most Blizzard fan art is indeed better than the crap from Kameo.
 
drumlord said:
Man, gotta love the art critics here. Check this one out. It's a little older than these but also deserves some critique.
persistence.jpg


Clearly, there are many things wrong with this picture. The perspective, first off, is just all wrong. And the lighting, it just stops in the bottom right part of the picture. And just like many of the pictures posted above, it's not realistic AT ALL. Look at those watches; they're just drooping there. How many drooping watches do you have? We won't mention that a tree is growing out of a cube though. </snark>

Yes, using surrealism to illustrate a point may be a bit extreme. But some people here seem to have forgotten that not all artists have the same goals with their pieces. Some may not be concerned with lighting, realism, a perspective that imitates real life. Some may actually want to do something stylistic with their work. Some may choose to be simplistic for the sake of it. And hell, some may consider their art godly despite its utter crapitude. That's art for you, different things for different people.

But I guess that doesn't fly with gaf's "BAD ART" mantra. We aren't looking at game screenshots or even game concept art here people. I think a little creative leeway is warranted.


You are an idiot.
 
drumlord said:
Some may not be concerned with lighting, realism, a perspective that imitates real life. Some may actually want to do something stylistic with their work. Some may choose to be simplistic for the sake of it. And hell, some may consider their art godly despite its utter crapitude. That's art for you, different things for different people.

But I guess that doesn't fly with gaf's "BAD ART" mantra. We aren't looking at game screenshots or even game concept art here people. I think a little creative leeway is warranted.


well said. :)

Seriously. Anyone can pick apart a piece of art. It doesn't mean it's not quality. The image at the top of the page is amazing. I'm sorry, but it is. Especially for "fan art"
 
I don't see how the art is pretty bad, I think it's pretty good. Though I just probably don't have a good eye on things like these.
 
sp0rsk said:
You are an idiot.
And because somebody on gaf said it, it must be true.

Yes it is, and you know it. There is a difference between deliberated errors and amateur ones.
Oh definitely. I'm not trying to make everybody suddenly say "wow, these now look fantastic, best art ever." But several of those posted here look pretty good. They show talent, not perfection. These are the people in the SATs that score in the top 10%, maybe not the top 1%, but the flaming posts here about how these are just mindbogglingly horrible ignore the 90% of garbage that is out there. For instance, if my art was posted here, these would look fantabulastic in comparison.
 
Picking apart techincal aspects of an art piece doesn't make you an art critic. It's sorta a novice thing to do.
 
Arluss said:
Picking apart techincal aspects of an art piece doesn't make you an art critic. It's sorta a novice thing to do.

agreed. I find it pretty amusing actually when people become armchair art critics and pick apart an amazing picture. heh.
 
taku said:
Um, what? Everything here is barf ugly, except for maybe



Caling these people even remotely talented is an overstatement.[/QUOTE]

I'm hard pressed to call people idiots. Well okay, I'm not hard pressed to call people idiots. But any which way you are one of them.

Show us what YOU draw like,or show us what the majority of the world's population draws like. Then you will know theze few pieces of art are excellent work. Do you think concept artists at many game developers are better perse? Are you measuring their talent magically by one of their works? I-D-I-O-T

I dare bet that some of those 'fans' are actual real life renowned artists making a living with their work, making a pic to add to the fanart for their hobby. You tell them they are not remotely talented in their face while they are laughing al the way to the bank getting paid for making great paintings. I laugh in your general direction and pitty your cynisism whilst enjoying and respecting these artists.

I and they rule, you suck, end of story no returnies or backtalks, always one more backtalk then you in advance. :)
 
There's just something about Blizzard's games that turn you into a hard-core fan of theirs...I got a 10-Day World of WarCraft Trial this summer...Now I'm a WoW addict, I've purchased and I'm playing both WarCraft III: Reign of Chaos, and it's expansion, Frozen Throne, and I'm reading the WarCraft: War of the Ancients Trilogy. I can officially say I'm a WarCraft fanboy.
 
When you have as large a fan-base as Blizzard, it's not suprising to think that a few of their fans will have pretty good art skills... or even be professional artists.

I've even seen a few pictures that look better than Blizzard's art.

That said, most of that stuff is pretty good for amateur art.
 
Fucking LOL guys, fucking LOL.

First I posted only a few samples, chosen by me and me only with my SUBJECTIVE feeling of it being "beyond awesome".

I didn't even browse the whole 28 pages - only first 5 or 10.

Is there crappy art? Very rarely, but of course.

Is the majority fuck-awesome? Yep.

I didn't really meant to start a shitstorm :|

There is awesome anime art and there is awesome Blizzard fans art. I just wanted to point some of the "paintings" to GAF hive. Fucking armchair critics, seriously.
 
ToyMachine228 said:
There's just something about Blizzard's games that turn you into a hard-core fan of theirs...I got a 10-Day World of WarCraft Trial this summer...Now I'm a WoW addict, I've purchased and I'm playing both WarCraft III: Reign of Chaos, and it's expansion, Frozen Throne, and I'm reading the WarCraft: War of the Ancients Trilogy. I can officially say I'm a WarCraft fanboy.

Always nice to hear someone "rediscovering" or "discovering" Blizzard - one of the best if not THE best PC developer out there. If you've got spare cash, Toy, and time you can check out Diablo 2. Amazingly addictive game - online, offline your choice.
 
I'd love to have the creative and artistic talent some of these artists have demonstrated. Check out another one of Jason Chan's works:
hunters-moon_big.jpg

Hot. I like how the tiger in her tattoo is looking to chomp on some boob.
 
sp0rsk said:
Werent you permabanned before?

I hope he does't get permabanned for that statement though. He's right. People are too critical these days. It's kickass art they're doing and everybody's like "omfg! it sucks!".
 
Takuan said:
I'd love to have the creative and artistic talent some of these artists have demonstrated. Check out another one of Jason Chan's works:
hunters-moon_big.jpg

Hot. I like how the tiger in her tattoo is looking to chomp on some boob.

Yes, we must have more boob chompage!



....somebody turn on the avatars again so I can hunt down the boob chompage.
 
Kobold said:
I'm hard pressed to call people idiots. Well okay, I'm not hard pressed to call people idiots. But any which way you are one of them.

Show us what YOU draw like,or show us what the majority of the world's population draws like. Then you will know theze few pieces of art are excellent work. Do you think concept artists at many game developers are better perse? Are you measuring their talent magically by one of their works? I-D-I-O-T

I dare bet that some of those 'fans' are actual real life renowned artists making a living with their work, making a pic to add to the fanart for their hobby. You tell them they are not remotely talented in their face while they are laughing al the way to the bank getting paid for making great paintings. I laugh in your general direction and pitty your cynisism whilst enjoying and respecting these artists.

I and they rule, you suck, end of story no returnies or backtalks, always one more backtalk then you in advance. :)

Perfectly said, just perfectly.

I feel the same way - some of them are OBVIOUSLY proffesional artist working in the industry and making WoW/ Diablo/ Warcraft art in their spare time just because they LOVE Blizzard's games. Nothing more, nothing less.
 
Kobold said:
I'm hard pressed to call people idiots. Well okay, I'm not hard pressed to call people idiots. But any which way you are one of them.

Show us what YOU draw like,or show us what the majority of the world's population draws like. Then you will know theze few pieces of art are excellent work. Do you think concept artists at many game developers are better perse? Are you measuring their talent magically by one of their works? I-D-I-O-T

I dare bet that some of those 'fans' are actual real life renowned artists making a living with their work, making a pic to add to the fanart for their hobby. You tell them they are not remotely talented in their face while they are laughing al the way to the bank getting paid for making great paintings. I laugh in your general direction and pitty your cynisism whilst enjoying and respecting these artists.

I and they rule, you suck, end of story no returnies or backtalks, always one more backtalk then you in advance. :)

First off, It's not really nice going around calling people "idiot". And second off, it's pretty damn retarded going around and comparing people who can somewhat draw with people who can't just to be able to state that "oh oh!..since the MAJORITY of people can't draw, these people must be TALENTED!".

Excuse me for having an opinion. You can NOT go around calling people names just because of their opinions. No..you know what.. f*ck that, YOU'RE AN IDIOT, f*ck you for being a decroted piece of crap who so quickly starts to name call people ONLY because they have a different perspective on things..

I'm not sorry for not liking 90% of these god awful illustrations. I'm not sorry at all, because I know I've seen lots and lots of better artists who have real talent. Why the hell should I go settle for these artists? Why should I even appreciate them if I don't like them? (the illustrations, not the artists, I have nothing against them)

It's JUST an opinion. Nothing else. It's like religion, I don't believe in god...do you want to start caling me names because of this as well? Because of my state of opinion, my own perspective?

And even though I can't draw as good as half of these people, I don't care, I have eyes, I have my own taste, I know what I like and I know what I see. Have you never bad mouthed a movie because you thought it was crap?..or did you stop to think that "oh wait..I can't do better..I can't direct a movie like this..I can't act like that johnny depp..". I bet you haven't.

YOU, sir, are an idiot.

Edit: And yes..yes I am "magically measuring their talent by only one of their works".
 
JRPereira said:
I hope he does't get permabanned for that statement though. He's right. People are too critical these days. It's kickass art they're doing and everybody's like "omfg! it sucks!".


nah, just 2 weeks.
 
Lukkas said:
some of you are fuckin idiots seriously, this isnt a fuckin art competition for a scholarship at some leading art and design university, this is stuff people drew on their own time cause they are fans of world of warcraft

just shut the fuck up you fuckin faggot gaf critics, 99% of those guys have more talent in 1 follicle of their ass hair then you will in anything during your entire life


I won't get as f-bomb filled with my response as this guy did but I agree with the sentiment. The original poster was simply posting what he thought was nice artwork to look at. For the most part, art is interpretive, but good art is good art.

It's like saying that Michael Jordan is an ok basketball player. That is not an opinion that is just flat out wrong. Period. He is great. The stats prove that. A lot of this artwork is great work, period. It may not be your personal taste, but it does not negate the fact that it is good work.

When compared to OTHER fan art I have seen, this stuff is really good. I honestly feel like the people who sit and overcritique the artwork on that website are the same guys who sit and say " I could have done that better than Mike [Jordan] "

If you could have, then we would be buying your shoes instead of his.

Get off your high horses already. Geez...
 
taku said:
YOU, sir, are an idiot.

Edit: And yes..yes I am "magically measuring their talent by only one of their works".
Now you know how it feels when your work is not loved by people who have nothing to gain or loose by disrespecting you for what you did. (and therefore might as well not disrespect you when it seems unreasonable to do so)

Instead of telling them they are not talented. Which 'seems' rather disrespectful and at least somewhat personal I can imagine if you read this as an artist. You could've said you didn't like 90% of the pictures, but can't judge their talent because you've only seen some of their work.

Sounds much better eh?

Just like I can't judge wether you are a real idiot or not, because I've read only one of your posts, which I didn't like, much like you didn't like the painting. So SORRY for me having an opinion on you being an idiot. :lol

I hope this was a learning experience, tune in next time to the learning channel. Do unto others as you want done unto you. Shoot your mouth in disrespect, prepar to get shot mouthy in disrespect at.

(So, I don't really think you're an idiot, I'm sure you're really nice really, but you were inconsiderate and judgemental to the artists on no grounds in that one post)
 
Makes we wish I keep pratice drawing in highschool, but it does make more of appreciative of other people's works though knowing how difficult it is. I like seeing such things and like browsing through GAF's own art thread, eventhough it makes me look worse in comparision with my abilities.
 
HomerSimpson-Man said:
Makes we wish I keep pratice drawing in highschool, but it does make more of appreciative of other people's works though knowing how difficult it is. I like seeing such things and like browsing through GAF's own art thread, eventhough it makes me look worse in comparision with my abilities.
Me too, I wish I was good at drawing, takes lotsa practice, but also some inherent talent I'm sure.
 
Yeah, that's pretty awesome too. Though I don't like his "breathing" signature, and the character models are kind of undefined and hidden w/ generic faces. Hell of a coloring job though. That man knows his photoshop though.
 
Top Bottom