'Star Wars' conceptual artist Ralph McQuarrie passes away at age 82

[smilodon]

http://www.theverge.com/2012/3/3/2843126/star-wars-conceptual-artist-ralph-mcquarrie-passes-away-at-82

Artist Ralph McQuarrie has passed away at the age of 82. One of the primary visual forces behind the original Star Wars trilogy, Raiders of the Lost Ark, and Close Encounters of the Third Kind,  McQuarrie created the original designs for such iconic characters as  Darth Vader, Chewbacca, R2-D2, and C-3PO. Before partnering with George  Lucas, McQuarrie had worked illustrating movie posters and creating  artwork for CBS News. He collaborated with Steven Spielberg several  times, including on E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial, and eventually won an Academy Award for his work on Cocoon.  Contributing illustrations and conceptual drawings to video games,  books, advertising campaigns, and numerous other projects over the  years, it's no stretch to say that McQuarrie influenced science-fiction  sensibilities for an entire generation. For a further look at his  prolific body of work, you can visit McQuarrie's site or Facebook page.

[voyak]

Great artist and amazing matte painter.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=Y06dwLnrWDk

Just after watching the Original Trylogy "a couple of times" i've come across his matte painting work and i was blown away. It's so invisible and well crafted. I never knew i was looking at a piece of a painting. So realistic.

[TeaLeaf]

The Matte technique has been used extensively in the past and you'd be surprised just how many big films you know will have used it without you realising.  Ralph McQuarrie did more than most during his career, RIP.

Explanation of the technique: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Matte_(filmmaking)

Bladerunner (not one of Ralph's) was one of the biggest and best examples imo, combining matte painting with exquisite models and multipass filming.  The result was some truly stunning visuals for the era. If you own a Bladerunner CD and have the 'making of' documentary then there is an excellent section on how matte painting is used.

Unfortunately CGI is replacing these skills and they are becoming a sadly lost & dark art :sad:

[Twyst]

Unfortunately CGI is replacing these skills and they are becoming a sadly lost & dark art :sad:

I see it more as progress, not unfortunate.

[voyak]

Yup, it's a progress. But hand crafted things never cease to amaze.

@TL yeah, i'm well aware of that, since i'm a VFX Artist myself

[TeaLeaf]

Agreed Voyak, you can CGI the Mona Lisa, but painting it is a different thing altogether.  It's progress true and I enjoy the software packages that allow me to 'paint' stuff, but it's also unfortunate as I admire the art.   I still remember being amazed the first time I found out about the matte process and how many times I'd looked at things in a film and not known that they were painted backgrounds!

Personally I'm hopeless at anything that requires artistic talent, so I admire your dedication & skill Voyak! :worship: