That sort of addresses the essence of my problem with the lack of continuity.
Most folks commenting only say, "I prefer the bg1 portraits" or "I prefer the bg2 portraits", dancing around my contention that they look nothing alike.
@Edwin I think that was intentional. As I alluded to, I think it was part of the more toward more character-centric writing. Giving them more depth and their own, custom portraits.
Perhaps..but if that was the case, I find it a strange choice. The Forgotten realms were invented before I was born and released in a solidified form in the late 80's. By the time that Baldur's Gate was made the characters had been described in quite a bit of detail in the P&P material as well as the books.
It almost looks like the originals were done with paint. They almost look like real people. The ones in BG2 and Icewind deal look like a different art style that isn't quite as realistic looking. There are a few portraits in BGEE that were added and they look less realistic as well.
I prefer the BG2 version of Imoen, Jaheira and Viconia portraits. Minsc is awesome in both BG1 and BG2.
BG1 Imoen - looks like a woman, not a girl; BG2 Imoen - the opposite BG1 Jahiera - looks like a male human; BG2 Jahiera - looks like a female half-elf BG1 Viconia - looks like a human, not a drow; BG2 Viconia - the opposite BG1 Minsc - both Minsc and Boo look great; BG2 Minsc - the same
The only BG2 portrait I like better is Imoen. I just prefer the BG1 art style in general. It's a little more 3D and realistic. The BG2 portraits look a lot flatter to me. The hair also looks very thin and unrealistic on her. I much prefer the Jahiera and Viconia of BG1. My favorite portait in all the games is Garrick though. I almost always use his potrait as I never take him in my group.
It almost looks like the originals were done with paint. They almost look like real people. The ones in BG2 and Icewind deal look like a different art style that isn't quite as realistic looking. There are a few portraits in BGEE that were added and they look less realistic as well.
I read somewhere that the BG1 portraits actually were based off real people; they'd start with a well-lit head shot of someone and paint a portrait based on it. That's why they have that semi-realistic look. I'm not sure if that's really the case for all of them, but I know that Garrick is based off Cameron Tofer. But yeah, when I first heard that it made a lot of sense and explained a lot, as I had always felt that the BG1 portraits had a really unique quality to them, but was never able to put my finger on it.
I'm guessing that the BG2 portraits didn't do this (except for Viconia), and that's why they look so much different. As to which type I prefer, overall I'd say I prefer BG1.
Edit: Also, the guy who did EE portraits is the same guy who did IWD portraits. I always though IWD portraits were pretty sweet, but they sure do stick out in BG though.
It almost looks like the originals were done with paint. They almost look like real people. The ones in BG2 and Icewind deal look like a different art style that isn't quite as realistic looking. There are a few portraits in BGEE that were added and they look less realistic as well.
I read somewhere that the BG1 portraits actually were based off real people; they'd start with a well-lit head shot of someone and paint a portrait based on it. That's why they have that semi-realistic look. I'm not sure if that's really the case for all of them, but I know that Garrick is based off Cameron Tofer.
That would make sense.
I wish there were more portraits like Gerricks. His picture is so generic (no weapons) he could be almost any class. I can never find a portrait I like for half elf fighter/cleric or ranger/cleric. All the male half elf potraits are pretty bad IMO.
I did know that Garrick was based on Cameron Tofer, but that is the only one I knew.
Minsc looks suspiciously like Bad Rutten and you clued my into Zdenka Podkapova. Do you know of any other IRL models for the characters?
Unfortunately no. I've actually been wondering about it recently though, as it'd be pretty cool to see the people that the portraits are based on (if they actually are all based on real people). Normally I'd just google it, but I think it'd be hard to come up with any kind of succint search phrases or effective keywords. Any search with "baldur's gate" and "portraits" would probably just turn up a million fan created portraits.
Edit: Huh, I'd never heard of Bas Rutten, but after seeing the results of a quick search, I think you could be on to something.
I am going to have to look into importing that pic and replacing Viconia's own. Then I dare someone to say -2 reputation for having her in my party. LOL (Joke).....
Aside from the debate as to whether Imoen's hair is (meant to be) pink or red in the BGII, I do think it's a good update to the BGI image. I have to say I much prefer Jaheira's BGI portrait though, her features in the second portrait seem far too exaggerated for a half elf and I'm just not sure about the hair colour change. I liked her original portrait as it was attractive but without being unattainable or perfect like a lot fantasy art can be. In fact on that score both sets of artists have to be commended, the first set of portraits feel real because they're based on real people, not all of them glamour models, and the second set feel real on account of their imperfections. Pretty much why I hardly ever substitute portraits, except where I can't find anything appropriate for my Charmane's class / race.
I love either portrait of Minsc. The BGI image is such a lovely depiction of one man's love for his miniture giant space hamster
I prefer the BG2 version of Imoen, Jaheira and Viconia portraits. Minsc is awesome in both BG1 and BG2.
BG1 Imoen - looks like a woman, not a girl; BG2 Imoen - the opposite BG1 Jahiera - looks like a male human; BG2 Jahiera - looks like a female half-elf BG1 Viconia - looks like a human, not a drow; BG2 Viconia - the opposite BG1 Minsc - both Minsc and Boo look great; BG2 Minsc - the same
I'd have to say that half elves look a lot like humans. They just have pointy ears. Ears that can be covered by lots of hair. In the Chronicles Tanis Half Elven was able to cover his elven parts by growing a long hair and a beard. I don't believe Half Elves had super large pointy ears or large high check bones. I don't even think elves have that. Elven features are usually small and delicate in my view. Both Jahiera and Viconia have huge check bones and ears.
Comments
That sort of addresses the essence of my problem with the lack of continuity.
Most folks commenting only say, "I prefer the bg1 portraits" or "I prefer the bg2 portraits", dancing around my contention that they look nothing alike.
Perhaps..but if that was the case, I find it a strange choice. The Forgotten realms were invented before I was born and released in a solidified form in the late 80's. By the time that Baldur's Gate was made the characters had been described in quite a bit of detail in the P&P material as well as the books.
BG1 Imoen - looks like a woman, not a girl; BG2 Imoen - the opposite
BG1 Jahiera - looks like a male human; BG2 Jahiera - looks like a female half-elf
BG1 Viconia - looks like a human, not a drow; BG2 Viconia - the opposite
BG1 Minsc - both Minsc and Boo look great; BG2 Minsc - the same
I think that Viconia and Boo are the only two that meet that criteria.
I'm guessing that the BG2 portraits didn't do this (except for Viconia), and that's why they look so much different. As to which type I prefer, overall I'd say I prefer BG1.
Edit: Also, the guy who did EE portraits is the same guy who did IWD portraits. I always though IWD portraits were pretty sweet, but they sure do stick out in BG though.
I did know that Garrick was based on Cameron Tofer, but that is the only one I knew.
Minsc looks suspiciously like Bas Rutten and you clued my into Zdenka Podkapova. Do you know of any other IRL models for the characters?
I wish there were more portraits like Gerricks. His picture is so generic (no weapons) he could be almost any class. I can never find a portrait I like for half elf fighter/cleric or ranger/cleric. All the male half elf potraits are pretty bad IMO.
Edit: Huh, I'd never heard of Bas Rutten, but after seeing the results of a quick search, I think you could be on to something.
Sorry,
Aside from the debate as to whether Imoen's hair is (meant to be) pink or red in the BGII, I do think it's a good update to the BGI image. I have to say I much prefer Jaheira's BGI portrait though, her features in the second portrait seem far too exaggerated for a half elf and I'm just not sure about the hair colour change. I liked her original portrait as it was attractive but without being unattainable or perfect like a lot fantasy art can be. In fact on that score both sets of artists have to be commended, the first set of portraits feel real because they're based on real people, not all of them glamour models, and the second set feel real on account of their imperfections. Pretty much why I hardly ever substitute portraits, except where I can't find anything appropriate for my Charmane's class / race.
I love either portrait of Minsc. The BGI image is such a lovely depiction of one man's love for his miniture giant space hamster
To super model Viconia look alike...
To... whatever that... why... WHY!!!