Ralph McQuarrie Has Passed Away

[Hypo Lil' Leaguer Find all posts View Profile Close Hypo]

Star Wars Visionary Ralph McQuarrie Has Passed Away Aged 82

I didn't actually know who he was before this but looking at his work all I can say is damn...he DEFINITELY influenced a series that a TON of people, me among them, loved. RIP.

[Mister.Weirdo Guardian of the Universe Find all posts View Profile Close Mister.Weirdo]

Well at least he lived to be 80. R-I-P.

[Big Daddy Dave Skywalker Moisture Farmer Find all posts View Profile Close Big Daddy Dave Skywalker]

This is a sad day to be a fanboy.

[Abin Surly or ewe sirius Find all posts View Profile Close Abin Surly]

May the Force be with you, Mr. McQuarrie.

[myuserid Lantern Hex Find all posts View Profile Close myuserid]

RIP Mr. McQuarrie

[Tazer That Evil, Yellow Bastiche Find all posts View Profile Close Tazer]

Yo.

and for the 3rd time this week, my childhood has taken a direct hit..........

/salute
/kneel
/mourn




Tazer

[Jeff Guardian of the Universe Find all posts View Profile Close Jeff]

For my birthday in 1983, my parents got me this folder of Ralph McQuarrie's art for Return of the Jedi. I still have it to this day. Thank you sir, for bringing my childhood to life.

[Lex Luthor Corps Honor Guard Find all posts View Profile Close Lex Luthor]

Rest In Peace.

[Darth_Primus Guardian of the Universe Find all posts View Profile Close Darth_Primus]

May the Force be with you, Mr. McQuarrie.

That's my favorite piece from McQuarrie.

I remember watching some documentary and Lucas had a tough time pitching his ideal for Star Wars. McQuarrie helped Lucas with his concept art and was very influential in getting Star Wars green lit for production.


R.I.P. Ralph McQuarrie

[Space Cop The Dandy Find all posts View Profile Close Space Cop]

Has Lucas made a statement?

[Evergreen City Corps Den Mother Find all posts View Profile Close Evergreen City]

A noble and generous talent. Rest in peace, and we'll see you on the other side.

http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg...213664&df=all&

[Space Cop The Dandy Find all posts View Profile Close Space Cop]

To answer my question, yes, Lucas did.
Ralph McQuarrie Remembered
March 03, 2012
"I am deeply saddened by the passing of such a visionary artist and such a humble man. Ralph McQuarrie was the first person I hired to help me envision Star Wars. His genial contribution, in the form of unequaled production paintings, propelled and inspired all of the cast and crew of the original Star Wars trilogy. When words could not convey my ideas, I could always point to one of Ralph's fabulous illustrations and say, 'Do it like this.'

"Beyond the movies, his artwork has inspired at least two generations of younger artists—all of whom learned through Ralph that movies are designed. Like me, they were thrilled by his keen eye and creative imagination, which always brought concepts to their most ideal plateau. In many ways, he was a generous father to a conceptual art revolution that was born of his artwork, and which seized the imaginations of thousands and propelled them into the film industry. In that way, we will all be benefiting from his oeuvre for generations to come. Beyond that, I will always remember him as a kind and patient, and wonderfully talented, friend and collaborator."

—George Lucas

McQuarrie's expansive body of work — including character, creature, vehicle, and setting designs for A New Hope, The Empire Strikes Back, and Return of the Jedi — has left an indelible mark on the world's imagination, creating what can only be called the unmistakable 'Star Wars aesthetic.'

You can view a selection of Star Wars concept and licensed product paintings by Ralph McQuarrie in the slideshow below. [Click on link]