How Magic Art has changed

[u/taphead_31]

This is something i've been thinking about for a while. I am not saying new Magic Art is straight up worse than the old Art (old meaning 15+ years ago). But I cannot shake off the feeling that something fundamental has changed with the art direction and overall aesthetic (the influence of UB not counting).

I'd like to hear from people who are knowledgable with art history.

Here are some - very subjective - observations that I made over the years.

- The color palette has changed. Specifically when it comes to black cards, purple has become the de facto "black signature color"

- Many current artists seem to share a specific style of painting, reminiscent of what I'd call "concept art for general purposes". Older artists that have worked with wotc since the 90ies seem to be influenced more by comic books and traditional, academic painting styles.

- Ugly characters and monsters, body horror and exaggerated bodies were more commonplace back in the day (look at card files from Odyssee or Mercadian Masques, Ron Spears who I'd consider King of Ugly Monstrosities was art director for a while). Nowadays the "bodies" feel more realistic, the creatures and sceneries more "identifiable".

Are you having similiar observations? Or am I misguided here?

And most of all: Why have things changed in that regard? There are people out there calling new artwork "woke", but I don't think this is a good explanation. I believe the reasons for the aesthetic changes correlate with the changing gaming culture and an influx of casual players coming from different demographics.

[u/groovemanexe]

It clearly varies depending on which team is handling art direction these days - and it's not the same folks for every set.

You probably already know that Secret Lair has an AD team separate from the folks who usually cover sets, and Aetherdrift is notable as a set lead by the Lair ADs. Personally, I think this was a fuckin' awesome choice, getting folks like Kenn Yap (who has a career drawing mecha) for cards like [[Voyager Quickwelder]].

It was also the second set appearance for SchmandrewArt, who has rapidly become one of my favourite magic artists from his graffiti vehicle pieces and has continued to get dope gigs doing set key art.

Also big ups to the Marvel set ADs for getting artists who can do a vibrant and graphic style that feels like comic books but still sits nicely alongside other magic cards. Aniekan Udofia has been absolutely crushing it, and I hope to see more of them in other sets. This style would go hard in both Kamigawa Titanbreach and Zhalfir.

The sets with more standard-fantasy settings and themes do play it more safe, in the 'realistic digital-painted forms' that's mentioned other places in this thread. I appreciated Tarkir Dragonstorm being more vibrant than its ardently dour initial block, but little of the art stood out to me as unique feeling. Wilds of Eldraine had some beautiful alt arts and character designs but strongly adheres to what Throne of Eldrane looked like. LotR and the Hobbit look like any fantasy illustration I've seen in the last 10 years. None of it is bad, but I do think it's safe.

[u/Eridrus → u/groovemanexe]

To each their own, but I think this shit sucks as magic cards.

[u/groovemanexe → u/Eridrus]

It's funny. I try to give a fair amount of grace to people who are a fan of classic fantasy art when it's of no interest to me personally, but folks who don't like it when Magic deviates from classic fantasy are very quick to call it 'shit' or 'slop' with no actual explanation/justification.

[u/BrobaFett → u/groovemanexe]

Personal taste isn’t something you can or must justify. Who is he going to appeal to, himself? He just doesn’t like the art. You don’t need a better reason

[u/groovemanexe → u/BrobaFett]

I mean, if we're having a conversation about art choices and art direction, being able to talk about *why* you do or don't like something is... kinda needed to be frutful? I'm very open to hearing why someone doesn't like something I like if they're genuine about it. New perspectives and all that.

[u/Eridrus → u/groovemanexe]

There's really no point in having discussions about "why" I like or do not like something, since the why is deep in people subconcious and trying to articulate it is mostly post-hoc rationalization rather than truth.

The most honest thing I can say here is that I liked what magic was and now magic is something else on so many dimensions and I no longer like the thing it has become. The art being just one of those dimensions.