Source: Buzzfeed
It is a fantastic time to be a Star Wars fan: A new trilogy is off to a great start, the anthology movies are about to kick off, and there are a series of new novels that are being released, re-establishing the expanded universe.
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To top it all off, we have seen some fantastic concept art being released to satiate our appetite for all things Star Wars. This past September, the definitive works of long time Star Wars artist Ralph McQuarrie were published. The absolutely amazing $250 collection includes pieces primarily from the original Star Wars movie. This includes prototypes of iconic characters such as Darth Vader, Chewbacca, and C-3P0.
Source: Starwars.com
Just looking at the art, you can see how the creators of the different films drew inspiration from McQuarrie’s work. The collection provides fans with some insight into the creative process involved in creating one of the most beloved universes in film history.
Personally, I think it is fantastic that this type of art is made available to us fans. Apart from giving us some insight into story construction, it’s also incredibly breathtaking to look at. I think it’s also fascinating to see where the artists gain inspiration from, and how that impacts the finished product. Whether you are interested in story development, art, or are just a plain Star Wars fan, then this is a great pick up.
Source: Star Wars
Perhaps something the casual fan may be even more interested in is the tidbits of behind the scenes information the book provides. Aside from background information on the artist, there is some information on the inner workings of Lucasfilm. The insight into McQuarrie’s life, in particular, is very fascinating.
Source: Star Wars
Overall, this will make a great gift for any Star Wars fan. The artwork looks fantastic and the behind the scenes look the book provides adds some substance to it. You could also just buy it for yourself and bask in the majesty of the added content. This will definitely hold over any die hard fan until the next movie.
Star Wars Art: Ralph McQuarrie was published on September 27, 2016.
YouTube Channel: WatchMojo
Featured image via Forbes
h/t Polygon
