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Star Wars Concept Art - by Ralph Mcquarrie
R.I.P. Ralph McQuarrie
Ralph McQuarrie, one of the principal concept designer for the original Star Wars Trilogy has passed away today. He created stunning Star Wars artwork over the years, we will never forget you and May The Force Be With You…
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RIP: Ralph McQuarrie, the legendary conceptual artist best known for designing several key Star Wars characters including Darth Vader and Chewbacca, passed away today in Los Angeles. He was 82.
In addition to his influential work on the original Star Wars trilogy — indeed, his designs are said to have convinced 20th Century Fox to greenlight the first film — McQuarrie is also remembered for designing the look of the original Battlestar Galactica series as well as the alien spaceships in Close Encounters of the Third Kind and ET.
“His influence on design will be felt forever,” reads a statement posted to his official website. “There’s no doubt in our hearts that centuries from now amazing spaceships will soar, future cities will rise and someone, somewhere will say… ‘that looks like something Ralph McQuarrie painted.’”
[tor / geeksofdoom.]](http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m0ce69YzZ01qzpwi0o1_500.jpg)
RIP: Ralph McQuarrie, the legendary conceptual artist best known for designing several key Star Wars characters including Darth Vader and Chewbacca, passed away today in Los Angeles. He was 82.
In addition to his influential work on the original Star Wars trilogy — indeed, his designs are said to have convinced 20th Century Fox to greenlight the first film — McQuarrie is also remembered for designing the look of the original Battlestar Galactica series as well as the alien spaceships in Close Encounters of the Third Kind and ET.
“His influence on design will be felt forever,” reads a statement posted to his official website. “There’s no doubt in our hearts that centuries from now amazing spaceships will soar, future cities will rise and someone, somewhere will say… ‘that looks like something Ralph McQuarrie painted.’”
[tor / geeksofdoom.]
When I was around 6 years old, I got a Star Wars portfolio poster book from my dad. He got it from a garage sale, and most of posters inside were either torn or damaged.
The most pristine one was Ralph McQuarrie’s concept art of the Death Star trench run, with an X-Wing being chased by a Tie Fighter. I loved how detailed, dynamic and iconic this piece was, it was almost as if a scene of the movie was playing right in front of me. It mesmerized me so much that the poster hung on my bedroom wall for the longest time. It was Mr. McQuarrie’s art that opened my young mind to the amazing world of science fiction, and inspired me to become the mecha/sci-fi geek that I am today.
Earlier today, I found out that he passed away at the age of 82.
His amazing work has undeniably shaped how sci-fi artwork feels and looks today and for years to come. The obituary on his homepage says it best:
His influence on design will be felt forever. There’s no doubt in our hearts that centuries from now amazing spaceships will soar, future cities will rise and someone, somewhere will say…
“that looks like something Ralph McQuarrie painted.”
Thank you and Rest in Peace Ralph McQuarrie, you will be missed.
The world of art has lost another very talented artist today. Ralph McQuarrie, the artist responsible for the set and character designs of the original Star Wars trilogy passed away today. The original Star Wars films would have never been as memorable and as successful without the imagination and talent of Ralph McQuarrie. Goodbye Mister McQuarrie. Thank you for inspiring us.
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.
R.I.P. Ralph McQuarrie
