We are sad to report that Ralph McQuarrie has passed away today at his home at the age of 82.
RIP Ralph McQuarrie
Started by rpvee, Mar 04 2012 01:28 AM
31 replies to this topic
#1
rpvee
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Posted 04 March 2012 - 01:28 AM
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Charlie Brigden
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Posted 04 March 2012 - 01:39 AM
There are no words.
Repeat the JWFan pledge after me: 'I hereby recognise John Towner Williams' place in the world as the great composer there has ever been, and I therefore renounce the works of Rozsa, Korngold, Herrmann, Horner, Kamen, Giacchino (unless the prophecy is fulfilled and he becomes the heir to JTW) and Goldsmith, especially Goldsmith. I understand that if I ever refer to Jurassic Park as anything less than "a masterpiece sixty-five million years in the making" I will be resigned to living out my days at the Zimmershrine.'
#3
Trent Bennett
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Posted 04 March 2012 - 01:51 AM
Damn he was a great artist. Rest In Peace Mr. McQuarrie.
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#4
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Posted 04 March 2012 - 02:03 AM
An iconic artist. RIP
#5
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Posted 04 March 2012 - 02:09 AM
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Posted 04 March 2012 - 02:13 AM
Star Wars, the Close Encounters and E.T. spaceships...what a legend.
#7
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Posted 04 March 2012 - 02:17 AM
The world will miss this exceptional artist! R.I.P.
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#8
Hedji
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Posted 04 March 2012 - 02:21 AM
Just... profoundly heartbreaking.
#9
Trent Hoyt
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Posted 04 March 2012 - 02:48 AM
Big bucket of win for Mr. McQuarrie!
#10
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Posted 04 March 2012 - 05:03 AM
He was an amazing and influential artist.
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#11
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Posted 04 March 2012 - 05:18 AM
#12
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Posted 04 March 2012 - 06:13 AM
It's incredible how close the final films were to his concept art. Truly one of the greats. Tremendous artist which will be sorely missed and fondly remembered
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#13
Incanus
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Posted 04 March 2012 - 06:17 AM
You took the words right out of my mouth Romão. Rest in peace Mr. McQuarrie.It's incredible how close the final films were to his concept art. Truly one of the greats. Tremendous artist which will be sorely missed and fondly remembered
Ars superior est vita hominum.
"We pop out and come into the world and music is there. We didn't invent it - it's all organised in the atmosphere by divinity or whatever. It's a miracle." - John Williams-
I think music is a stream of some kind. It could be blood. It could be water. It could be ether. Whatever it is it seems to be a living, organic force that’s in motion, that serves humanity and is part of humanity and part of what describes us as humans. We sing, play, dance, all the things that we do. And there is a vibrant and great literature we have been given. ... As musicians, we join the stream. We swim in the stream with all the other millions of music makers. It’s a life force, a strong one, surrounding us and we are part of it. -John Williams-
#14
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Posted 04 March 2012 - 06:58 AM
Very sad. Without his contributions, there really would have been no Star Wars. RIP
#15
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Posted 04 March 2012 - 09:13 AM
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
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
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#16
Ro Sajooc
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Posted 04 March 2012 - 10:12 AM
Very sad news
"I get asked all the time, 'What happens after Return of the Jedi?,' and there really is no answer for that. The movies were the story of Anakin Skywalker and Luke Skywalker, and when Luke saves the galaxy and redeems his father, that's where that story ends."
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#17
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Posted 04 March 2012 - 10:41 AM
Such a sad news. His contribution to Star Wars trilogy couldn't be overestimated. In fact, the films may have not been made if not for these works.
RIP and thanks!
Karol
RIP and thanks!
Karol
From a storytelling point of view, from a directing point of view, there is one thing I associate with what he does, which is calm. There is such an inherent calm and inherent trust of the one powerful image, that he makes me embarrassed with my own work, in terms of how many different shots, how many different sound effects, how many different things we’ll throw at an audience to make an impression. But with Kubrick, there is such a great trust of the one correct image to calmly explain something to audience. There can be some slowness to the editing. There’s nothing frenetic about it. It’s very simple. There’s a trust in simple storytelling and simple image making that actually takes massive confidence to try and emulate.
- Christopher Nolan
#18
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Posted 04 March 2012 - 10:50 AM
Looking at these incredibly vivid paintings again, I'm reminded of the man's influence not only on Star Wars as an icon, but also the wider reaching impact he's had on contemporary sci-fi and its embedded place in western culture. RIP.
#19
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Posted 04 March 2012 - 04:28 PM
His artwork was a huge part of my childhood. Fantastic and hugely imaginative. RIP Ralph McQuarrie.
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#20
king mark
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Posted 04 March 2012 - 09:53 PM
That's too bad. He's probably the most iconic Star Wars contributor besides John Williams
I have the book The Illustrated Star Wars Universe and it's the best Star Wars book
Were all his illustrations done between 1977 and 1983 or some later?
I have the book The Illustrated Star Wars Universe and it's the best Star Wars book
Were all his illustrations done between 1977 and 1983 or some later?
#21
indy4
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Posted 04 March 2012 - 10:02 PM
Rest in peace! His work is fantastic.
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1. Nightwatch/Killer By Night - Johnny Williams and Quincy Jones 2. Diamond Head/Gone with the Wave - Johnny Williams/Lalo Schifrin 3. Mass - Leonard Bernstein 4. Bernstein with the New York Philharmonic - Leonard Bernstein
#22
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Posted 04 March 2012 - 10:56 PM
That's too bad. He's probably the most iconic Star Wars contributor besides John Williams
I have the book The Illustrated Star Wars Universe and it's the best Star Wars book
Were all his illustrations done between 1977 and 1983 or some later?
He did a lot of paintings throughout the 80s and 90s. If memory serves, a lot of the Illustrated Star Wars Universe was freshly done for the book.
#23
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Posted 05 March 2012 - 01:12 AM
I think it's safe to say I'm an uber-fan of Ralph's work.
Here is the definitive volume of all of his work. Not only Star Wars, but E.T., BSG, CE3K, Coccoon, Star Trek TMP, and endless book covers and advertising art. This book is huge, glorious, and pretty comprehensive.
Here is where it started for me - The original trilogy portfolios.
This is an early promotional kit of a couple paintings from ESB. For a lot of us, it was our first glimpse of the Star Wars sequel.
This is a framed print, signed by Ralph. I treasure it.
Kotobukia produced this statue based on McQuarrie's "The Duel" painting of Luke Vs. Vader.
This is a fan sculpted C-3PO. Only 9 in the world, and I'm proud to own one.
This is a fan-sculpted, full size fiberglass Vader helmet based on Ralph's early designs.
Here is the definitive volume of all of his work. Not only Star Wars, but E.T., BSG, CE3K, Coccoon, Star Trek TMP, and endless book covers and advertising art. This book is huge, glorious, and pretty comprehensive.
Here is where it started for me - The original trilogy portfolios.
This is an early promotional kit of a couple paintings from ESB. For a lot of us, it was our first glimpse of the Star Wars sequel.
This is a framed print, signed by Ralph. I treasure it.
Kotobukia produced this statue based on McQuarrie's "The Duel" painting of Luke Vs. Vader.
This is a fan sculpted C-3PO. Only 9 in the world, and I'm proud to own one.
This is a fan-sculpted, full size fiberglass Vader helmet based on Ralph's early designs.
#24
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Posted 05 March 2012 - 01:27 AM
Wow! That is very impressive Hedji! I love the C-3PO bust. Quite the collection! Thanks for sharing! Now I feel like I need to get a few portfolios myself 
This just goes to show how much of a loss this is...
This just goes to show how much of a loss this is...
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#25
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Posted 05 March 2012 - 05:11 PM
Although there were countless individuals involved in the creation of Star Wars, this very well may be the man who singlehandedly made the biggest impact on the film's success. There's just no way around that. And even if the film had done well, without his involvement, I doubt it would have interested me. And without Star Wars to introduce me to Williams, my life might have turned out very differently. I'm truly saddened by this man's death, and I'll always be amazed and grateful when I think about his work.
RIP Ralph McQuarrie.
RIP Ralph McQuarrie.
#26
Jason LeBlanc
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Posted 05 March 2012 - 05:20 PM
It's incredible how close the final films were to his concept art. Truly one of the greats. Tremendous artist which will be sorely missed and fondly remembered
+1, well said
Love the art posted ITT. Keep 'em coming!
-Jay
#27
KK.
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Posted 05 March 2012 - 09:04 PM
Just more work from this brilliant artist for those interested:
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#28
Jason LeBlanc
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Posted 05 March 2012 - 09:23 PM
Brilliant stuff, thank you!
-Jay
#29
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Posted 06 March 2012 - 02:16 AM
This one was used as Anakin's personal transport in The Clone Wars series:
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#30
Jason LeBlanc
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Posted 06 March 2012 - 02:59 AM
I don't think I'm familiar at all with his non-Star Wars work. Anybody have any good ones?
-Jay
#31
Wojo
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Posted 06 March 2012 - 01:57 PM
This one was used as Anakin's personal transport in The Clone Wars series:
That's interesting. Perhaps the same company that produced them slimmed down their transport to create the B-wing starfighter several decades later?
~*~
Ralph McQuarrie's artwork alone makes the booklet to the Star Wars Anthology a compelling collector's item.
@Wojo: stop being facetious.
#32
Krang
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Posted 06 March 2012 - 04:00 PM
RIP
He was truly the force behind Star Wars.
He was truly the force behind Star Wars.
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