I just remembered that this is mine. It was on the cover of my first RPG, "Drager og Demoner", and I loved this scene, whatever it was. The game was based on Basic Roleplaying. A few months after, when friends realized I was into fantasy, someone suggested I read Lord of the Rings, and I was hooked.
Took me a long time to realize that the illustration by Whelan was actually showing Moorcock's character Elric (the illustration for the book Stormbringer). I enjoy Moorcock, but I still like Tolkien better. A lot of credit goes to Michael Whelan here though.
(https://isleyunruh.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/michael_whelan_elric_stormbringer_epic.jpg)
I loved the artwork especially of the original Hidden Shrine of Tamoachan (C1) and Ravenloft (I6). Those two had a really rich style that really brought the setting of the modules to life for me. If I had to pick one piece, I'm torn between these two, but it's more the collection of art.
(https://darkshire.net/jhkim/rpg/dnd/img/C1-illus4.gif)
(https://www.belloflostsouls.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/tamoachan-cat-e1490071331100.jpg)
The Relayer album cover has launched many an adventure back in the day.
(https://classicalbumcovers.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/yes-relayer-album-full.jpg)
Quote from: jhkim on March 30, 2025, 01:40:58 AMI loved the artwork especially of the original Hidden Shrine of Tamoachan (C1) and Ravenloft (I6). Those two had a really rich style that really brought the setting of the modules to life for me. If I had to pick one piece, I'm torn between these two, but it's more the collection of art.
(https://darkshire.net/jhkim/rpg/dnd/img/C1-illus4.gif)
(https://www.belloflostsouls.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/tamoachan-cat-e1490071331100.jpg)
If I hadn't seen your provided context to these images, I think I would have guessed that you were into settings like Glorantha or even Tekumel or something like that. Is that something you have checked out?
Here's a second piece from the Michael Whelan series of illustrations for the Elric series. When I was a kid they put this one on the "Expert" version of "Drager og Demoner", which I would argue is actually an excellent roleplaying system, with some unique tweaks to Basic Roleplaying.
I have also read this Moorcock short story, it's called "Kings In Darkness". This is one of the Moorcock stories that I actually like quite a lot.
(https://i.pinimg.com/originals/94/87/28/948728489eaced1137c6c90078d1f604.jpg)
The oldest piece of fantasy art I can remember being exposed to is this absolutely dreadful cover for The Hobbit:
(https://i.postimg.cc/L51vNmMB/71sqb-Fe-ag-L-AC-UF1000-1000-QL80.jpg)
I wouldn't call it influential, but it sure stuck with me.
Let's see, what other bits of art do I remember sticking out to me...
There's the album cover for Blind Guardian's Nightfall in Middle Earth:
(https://i.postimg.cc/SKds59GD/blindguardian-nightfallinmiddleear-b5ij.jpg)
I've always liked this illustration from the 3rd edition PHB. It's rare that you see adventuring portrayed in such a practical way, and I remember looking at it as a kid and enjoying thinking about how my characters would wear all their equipment.
(https://i.postimg.cc/KYRRwN0Q/Capture-Equ.jpg)
There was an awesome black & white battle scene I remember from one of the 3rd edition books, too, but I can't find it now.
EDIT: Found it! I had to go find my physical copy of the original 3.0 Dungeon Master's guide and take a photo.
(https://i.postimg.cc/kgnf8y8X/PXL-20250331-201114103.jpg)
I absolutely loved this illustration when I was younger, and apparently it got cut from the 3.5 version of the book. Tragic.
Oh, Lord. There's no contest.
Elmore's Ancient Red.
Next after Michael Whelan's images, I was actually enamored for many years with Angus McBride's work on MERP and Rolemaster, to the degree that I still may base a campaign around some of his work. Here's one that is Middle-Earth based
(https://i.pinimg.com/originals/f6/3d/a0/f63da0a8b782214d24674dc9ffdd7fe9.jpg)