'Star Wars' concept artist Ralph McQuarrie has died
#1
DVD Talk Legend
Thread Starter
'Star Wars' concept artist Ralph McQuarrie has died
This really makes me sad. I loved his paintings and concept drawings as a child.
From Empire Online:
From Empire Online:
The world of science fiction and fantasy art and design has lost one of its true legends as Ralph McQuarrie died today at the age of 82.
McQuarrie began his design career after moving to California from Indiana in the early 1960s. While he started out working as a technical illustrator for Boeing, he also found jobs designing film posters and providing animation elements for CBS News coverage of the Apollo space program.
An offer to work on concept art for a film project followed, and his designs caught the eye of director George Lucas, who had an ideal for a little movie about adventures in space. McQuarrie worked on designs for Star Wars before it was even known by that name and, in 1975, was commissioned to provide the now iconic designs for the likes of Chewbacca and Darth Vader, plus many concepts for the sets and ships. His art actually helped convince 20th Century Fox to take a gamble on Lucas’ dreams, making him a key component in one of the most beloved franchises of all time.
"I just did my best to depict what I thought the film should look like, I really liked the idea,” he’s since said. “I didn't think the film would ever get made. My impression was it was too expensive. There wouldn't be enough of an audience. It's just too complicated. But George knew a lot of things that I didn't know."
Lucas naturally asked him to work on The Empire Strikes Back and Return Of The Jedi, and he even got to appear on screen in the uncredited role of General McQuarrie. But despite his close connection to the Star Wars universe, he declined Lucas’ offer to return for the prequels, commenting that he'd rather hand the baton to a new generation of artists and designers.
Outside of Star Wars, McQuarrie worked closely with Steven Spielberg on Close Encounters Of The Third Kind and ET, providing the jaw-dropping designs for alien vessels. He also contributed to Raiders Of The Lost Ark and won an Oscar for Cocoon before moving on to work as either a consultant or the concept artist for such films as Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home, Batteries Not Included and Jurassic Park.
A true original, McQuarrie is survived by Joan, his wife.
McQuarrie began his design career after moving to California from Indiana in the early 1960s. While he started out working as a technical illustrator for Boeing, he also found jobs designing film posters and providing animation elements for CBS News coverage of the Apollo space program.
An offer to work on concept art for a film project followed, and his designs caught the eye of director George Lucas, who had an ideal for a little movie about adventures in space. McQuarrie worked on designs for Star Wars before it was even known by that name and, in 1975, was commissioned to provide the now iconic designs for the likes of Chewbacca and Darth Vader, plus many concepts for the sets and ships. His art actually helped convince 20th Century Fox to take a gamble on Lucas’ dreams, making him a key component in one of the most beloved franchises of all time.
"I just did my best to depict what I thought the film should look like, I really liked the idea,” he’s since said. “I didn't think the film would ever get made. My impression was it was too expensive. There wouldn't be enough of an audience. It's just too complicated. But George knew a lot of things that I didn't know."
Lucas naturally asked him to work on The Empire Strikes Back and Return Of The Jedi, and he even got to appear on screen in the uncredited role of General McQuarrie. But despite his close connection to the Star Wars universe, he declined Lucas’ offer to return for the prequels, commenting that he'd rather hand the baton to a new generation of artists and designers.
Outside of Star Wars, McQuarrie worked closely with Steven Spielberg on Close Encounters Of The Third Kind and ET, providing the jaw-dropping designs for alien vessels. He also contributed to Raiders Of The Lost Ark and won an Oscar for Cocoon before moving on to work as either a consultant or the concept artist for such films as Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home, Batteries Not Included and Jurassic Park.
A true original, McQuarrie is survived by Joan, his wife.
#2
DVD Talk Legend
Re: 'Star Wars' concept artist Ralph McQuarrie has died
I was in a Walden Books at least 10 years ago, and they had a set of McQuarrie prints in a portfolio for some insane price ($15 or so). I've kicked myself on and off ever since for not buying them. Always liked his vision of the SW universe. Too bad no one ever made an animated version based off his work.
A great talent. Such design work is sorely lacking in this age of Transformers.
A great talent. Such design work is sorely lacking in this age of Transformers.
#6
DVD Talk Hero
Re: 'Star Wars' concept artist Ralph McQuarrie has died
Will certainly be missed.
#8
DVD Talk Legend
Re: 'Star Wars' concept artist Ralph McQuarrie has died
Sad news, I was always a big fan, gave a presentation of his work for a college assignment. I've got most of the SW books, will certainly look through some this wknd. His simple painting of the Alderaan city Aldera was so much better than anything they used for ROTS. All they had to do was simply create his concept art, but most of the time they added a bunch of unnecessary clutter.
Edit: Yeah, "The Illustrated SW Universe" is my fav - just about every painting is better than what ended up in the films. (they did use a half dozen or so for the prequels) My favs are when he conveys scale without being too busy... the Tatooine and Coruscant shots especially.
Edit: Yeah, "The Illustrated SW Universe" is my fav - just about every painting is better than what ended up in the films. (they did use a half dozen or so for the prequels) My favs are when he conveys scale without being too busy... the Tatooine and Coruscant shots especially.
Last edited by Artman; 03-03-12 at 11:44 PM.
#10
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Re: 'Star Wars' concept artist Ralph McQuarrie has died
I have a DVD interview of him from a few years back. Came with a signed trading card too. Been a big fan since the original films came out. He was the first artist I knew by name.
#11
Banned
#18
Re: 'Star Wars' concept artist Ralph McQuarrie has died
They even made him into an action figure a few years ago!
He made a blink-and-you'll-miss-it appearance during the Hoth scenes in Empire.
Key figure in making Star Wars the success that it was.
He made a blink-and-you'll-miss-it appearance during the Hoth scenes in Empire.
Key figure in making Star Wars the success that it was.
#19
Banned
Re: 'Star Wars' concept artist Ralph McQuarrie has died
Lucas sends the guy off with some great words...
http://www.starwars.com/news/ralph_m...emembered.html
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http://www.starwars.com/news/ralph_m...emembered.html
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#21
DVD Talk Reviewer & TOAT Winner
Re: 'Star Wars' concept artist Ralph McQuarrie has died
But his work never matched George Lucas's original vision.
#23
DVD Talk Limited Edition
Re: 'Star Wars' concept artist Ralph McQuarrie has died
Back in the days of Starlog he was the artist. His paintings of Star Wars really captured the look of that universe. He will be missed.
#24
DVD Talk Legend
Re: 'Star Wars' concept artist Ralph McQuarrie has died
Wow, I never saw the one with the injured rebel troops in the trench before. Incredible.
#25
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