I’ve mentioned before here how much I adore the art of Dave Trampier (“DAT”). His work very much shaped the way in which I visualize fantasy adventuring—especially the more “gritty” kind characteristic of early AD&D and the World of Greyhawk.
Of course, I’m not alone in my admiration! Today I stumbled upon a rather nice tribute to Trampier’s art in the Monster Manual at Heavy Metal (which I was surprised to learn still existed—I have distant memories of the magazine from my adolescence, but had assumed that it had gone the way of the Dinosaurs).
The article mentions Trampier’s final year, including his interest in reengaging with the fantasy role-playing community, but which was thwarted tragically by his death in 2014. I find Trampier’s tale to be a mysterious and melancholic one. I can't help but wonder what amazing works he might have produced had he not walked away from it all in the late 1980s. But I am profoundly grateful for the invaluable contributions that he did make to our hobby.
Here are two of my favourite DAT illustrations: the Lizard Man and the Rakshasa.
I was always curious why TSR stopped using his work in their manuals at the point when they went for more and more color and he'd mastered color (judging by later Wormy strips).
ReplyDeleteJolly Blackburn of Knights of the Dinner Table was able to track him down and contact him. He really did not want to discuss why he stopped doing artwork. His last check from TSR were returned uncashed.
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