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Concept artist behind Star Wars passes away

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He's a legend. It didn't really hit me until later how much influence this guy had on Star Wars and entertainment history in general. The creative collaboration that made up the original trilogy will probably never be topped. So many visionaries at the peak of their game, at the right place and right time.
 
http://www.starwars.com/news/ralph_mcquarrie_remembered.html

"I am deeply saddened by the passing of such a visionary artist and such a humble man. Ralph McQuarrie was the first person I hired to help me envision Star Wars. His genial contribution, in the form of unequaled production paintings, propelled and inspired all of the cast and crew of the original Star Wars trilogy. When words could not convey my ideas, I could always point to one of Ralph's fabulous illustrations and say, 'Do it like this.'

"Beyond the movies, his artwork has inspired at least two generations of younger artists—all of whom learned through Ralph that movies are designed. Like me, they were thrilled by his keen eye and creative imagination, which always brought concepts to their most ideal plateau. In many ways, he was a generous father to a conceptual art revolution that was born of his artwork, and which seized the imaginations of thousands and propelled them into the film industry. In that way, we will all be benefiting from his oeuvre for generations to come. Beyond that, I will always remember him as a kind and patient, and wonderfully talented, friend and collaborator."

—George Lucas

RIP, Mr. McQuarrie.
 
And yet the concept artist of Jar Jar continues breathing.
WTF - McQuarrie was 82, he would be more likely to pass away before someone younger does. You're saying the talented concept artists behind the prequels, regardless of whether you liked the end products, should have died sooner? The raw hatred some people have for the prequels astounds me at times.

The heart of Star Wars no longer beats.

Yep. Between this and Kirsh, it feels like a huge piece of what made Star Wars great just broke off and fell into the void.
Dennis Muren is still very much alive and kicking, thank you. :P

Anyways, really sad to hear he's passed on. We have several examples of his work hanging in the ILM hallways.
 
Such amazing art, would love prints of some of them to put up.

RIP, largely responsible for the look of my favorite series of movies ever.
 
Wow, his work is just incredible, very cool style, which of course helped make Star Wars such an interesting universe. Always sad to see someone so talented pass away, R.I.P.
 
Duuude... that's crazy. By all accounts he was instrumental in the original movies being made, period. He made quite a mark.
 
Remember stumbling across a bunch of SW cards when I was little. Like baseball cards but, huh? Ugnaughts? Everyone had a card. Even GONK. But you were little and didn't know that yet.

...Every once in a bunch you'd find Mcquarrie cards with the concept art like everyone's already posted and it was mind-blowing. Kind of a rad dude.
 
Rest In Peace, man that guy was a Legend

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I would hug the person who could make some of these into facebook cover pictures. They're so amazing. Artists need more imagination like these!
 
Absolutely beautiful. I feel like my heart is settled knowing exactly why the prequels are so artistically different from the trilogy art and design-wise.

I really need to study his works for my own sake because older sci-fi styles simply don't exist today.
 
RIP.

An amazing artist who's shared a lot of incredible treasure with the world!

Love that people are posting up his work, no better way to celebrate his life than to enjoy his art.
 
I was introduced to concept art through his work on Star Wars. I loved his paintings.

Edit

Three of my favourite Star Wars related pieces:

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spaceship_o_city_ralph-mcquarrie.jpg


RMsw9.jpeg
 
his art is some of the most iconic and coolest shit honestly ever, ever ever

i think the one with the stormtroopers with the lightsabers and shields just screams "sickest shit you've ever thought of"

oh it's this oen!

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RIP Ralph. An amazing artist. I'm loving the pics that people are posting, a proper way to show appreciation for a truly iconic artist.
 
I've got a portfolio thing of print of his art for Empire. I got it when I was a little kid, and still have it to this day. Back then, it was just a bunch of loose pages of cool, yet weird, Star Wars art. When I grew up, I appreciated it a lot more.

I keep telling myself that, one of these days, I really need to do something with those pages.
 
I was obsessed with the original trilogy when I was 10. I used to love looking at his art. This is sad, but his art will always live on.
 
Damn, his work made my childhood special. Can't say that I'm all that sad, his body of work will never be forgotten. I already planned to have a few of his prints in my house so my kids could get lost in the world he created.
 
This is probably the first time I've seen his art (besides, obviously, the backgrounds he painted for the movies).

Damn.
 
Sad, RIP

Got to meet him briefly once and saw most of the original matte paintings and concept art on display, was a really fantastic. Art exhibit also had a bunch of Star Wars sketches he did that were never really published, mostly rough pencil works.
 
RIP.

His artwork is more iconic to me than much of the films themselves. I use to spend hours reading through The Star Wars Universe getting lost in the fantastic worlds he had envisioned. The color palettes are stark and memorable and manage to capture a mood/tone better than most films. He was absolutely one of a kind and left a very large imprint on many people with his excellent work.
 
Wow, didn't know who this guy was, but OMG his work was/IS awesome and superb!

R.I.P.

And BTW, I'm stunned by the great vision and artwork Mr. McQuarrie did. I mean, it's outstanding! It almost speaks for itself! Now I want a movie with the rest of those elements, or maybe a graphic novel or a game with the same art style!
 
his art is some of the most iconic and coolest shit honestly ever, ever ever

i think the one with the stormtroopers with the lightsabers and shields just screams "sickest shit you've ever thought of"

oh it's this oen!

Yep, originally George planned that lightsabers were a more common weapon. See the riot shields the troopers were carrying. He kind of pictured more traditional knights.

But later he decided to make the lightsaber solely a Jedi weapon and it makes it more special, but this art is still pretty cool.
 
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