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Larry Elmore (born August 5, 1948[1]) is an American fantasy artist whose work includes creating illustrations for video games, comics, magazines, and fantasy books. His list of work includes illustrations for Dungeons & Dragons, Dragonlance, and his own comic strip series SnarfQuest. He is author of the book Reflections of Myth.

Key Information

Early life and education

[edit]

Elmore was born August 5, 1948, in Louisville, Kentucky, and grew up in Grayson County in midwestern Kentucky.[1] Elmore described his school days by saying, "The rural school I attended didn't have any art program, so I spent my time drawing - and daydreaming. I was a pretty bad student ... I was always getting into trouble for drawing in class. I wish I had a quarter for every drawing of mine a teacher destroyed."[1] He majored in art at Western Kentucky University.[1]

Career

[edit]

A month after graduating from college, Elmore was drafted into the U.S. Army and stationed in Germany. After leaving the service, Elmore worked as an illustrator for the United States government in the Fort Knox Training Aids Department.[1] Three years later, Elmore turned to freelance work, his art being published in National Lampoon and Heavy Metal magazines.[1]

One of Elmore's friends, a fellow government illustrator,[2] introduced him to the Dungeons & Dragons game while Elmore was freelancing.[1] Elmore joined the staff of TSR, Inc., the producers of Dungeons & Dragons, as its first professional illustrator,[2] in November 1981, and created art work for adventure modules, game books, and novels, as well as paintings for posters and calendars.[1] Elmore created the SnarfQuest comic which appeared in Dragon.[1] During the "Project Overlord" development phase of the Dragonlance setting, Elmore created the concept artwork which was used to promote Dragonlance to the upper levels of management at TSR.[3]: 16  Elmore was in charge of creating a look for the Dragonlance saga, and did many of the early sketches for the series,[1] his first cover appearing on Dragons of Autumn Twilight.[4] British game designer Graeme Davis commented that Elmore "... should get some kind of award for drawing so many dragons and making them all different".[5]

Elmore left TSR in 1987.[2] He has illustrated cards for the Magic: The Gathering collectible card game, and provided cover art for the MMORPG EverQuest. In 1996, Elmore wrote the novel Runes of Autumn[6] with his cousin Robert.[citation needed] Elmore did most of the black-and-white artwork for Marc Miller's role-playing game, Traveller in 1996, published by Imperium Games.[3]: 332 

In the late 1990s, Margaret Weis and Tracy Hickman used Elmore's fantasy world, Loerem, in their Sovereign Stone trilogy.[3]: 351  In the early 2000s, Elmore created new Snarfquest comics for the short-lived magazine Games Unplugged, published by Ken Whitman's Dynasties Productions; Whitman later acted as product manager for Elmore Production, the art company of Larry Elmore.[3]: 351  Elmore provided the artwork for the fantasy world in the Sovereign Stone Game System (1999).[3]: 352  In 2004, Sovereign Press returned the rights for Sovereign Stone to Elmore, and he then licensed the game to the small press company known as White Silver Publishing.[3]: 352 

Elmore scaled back his activities in 2006, switching to contract work only, stating, "A friend of mine, Keith Parkinson, who also worked at TSR, died of leukemia three years ago. We shared a studio, and we were always talking about how when we hit 50 we'd be doing our own thing. ... He didn't make it, and I was 57 and still pulling all-nighters. I was tired of it. I was tired of paying dues."[2] His work appears in the book Masters of Dragonlance Art.[7] Elmore released a book of artwork called 20 Years of Elmore in 2005.[8] He has frequently been described as a legend in the fantasy and gaming communities.[2][9][10][11]

In 2013, Elmore raised funding through Kickstarter for a 336-page hardback book of his artwork over his 40-year career.[12]

In 2014, Scott Taylor of Black Gate, named Larry Elmore as #1 in a list of The Top 10 RPG Artists of the Past 40 Years, saying "Elmore not only helped define a good portion of 1980s TSR, but he also got to do the Shadowrun core cover for FASA that was so incredibly popular it reappeared on the 2nd edition and video game as well."[13]

Personal life

[edit]

In 1971, before leaving for his Army service in Germany, Elmore married his wife, Betty. He has two children, and currently lives with his wife in Leitchfield, Kentucky.[citation needed] He attends fantasy and science fiction conventions held in the United States[6][9] and Europe.[citation needed] He has said that inspiring others with his art has often been more rewarding than the money he earns in his profession.[14]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Larry Elmore

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Larry Elmore (born August 5, 1948) is an American fantasy and science fiction artist renowned for his illustrations in role-playing games, novels, comics, and magazines, particularly his iconic contributions to Dungeons & Dragons and the Dragonlance series during his tenure at TSR, Inc. from 1981 to 1987. Born in Louisville, Kentucky, Elmore earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from Western Kentucky University before serving two years in the U.S. Army, where he worked as an illustrator at Fort Knox. In the 1970s, he began freelancing, contributing artwork to publications such as Heavy Metal and National Lampoon, which helped establish his reputation in the fantasy genre. At TSR, Elmore's paintings defined the visual style of advanced Dungeons & Dragons (AD&D), Star Frontiers, and the Dragonlance Chronicles, including the famous cover art for the first Dragonlance novel, Dragons of Autumn Twilight, featuring the Companions of the Lance. He also created the comic strip SnarfQuest for Dragon magazine, blending humor with fantasy elements over several years. Since leaving TSR in 1987, Elmore has worked as a freelance illustrator for major publishers including , Bantam, Warner Books, and DC Comics, as well as video game companies like Online Entertainment for . His portfolio spans book covers, trading cards, model box art, and original paintings sold to collectors, often depicting heroic figures, dragons, and epic scenes in a realistic yet imaginative style achieved through traditional media like pencils, pens, paints, and brushes. Elmore has received recognition for his contributions, including the Phoenix Award for lifetime achievement from DeepSouthCon and the Lifetime Achievement Award for Outstanding Contributions to the Arts in 2018; he has also earned multiple nominations for the Chesley Awards from the Association of & Fantasy Artists, such as for Best Cover Illustration and Lifetime Artistic Achievement. Married to Betty Clemons with two children, Elmore continues to produce art and judge contests like Illustrators of the Future.

Early life and education

Childhood in Kentucky

Larry Elmore was born on August 5, 1948, in , and spent his formative years in the rural setting of Grayson County, approximately 70 miles south of Louisville near the town of Clarkson. His family briefly relocated to Louisville for his early schooling at Hazelwood Elementary before returning to the countryside, where the absence of modern amenities like television and electricity fostered an environment rich in oral storytelling around kerosene lamplight. Growing up in a strict household, Elmore helped his father, who had learned bookkeeping and ran a local clothing store, while his mother worked as a waitress at Louisville's Brown Hotel. The family's emphasis on academic performance meant that even "D" grades were unacceptable, creating a disciplined atmosphere that contrasted with Elmore's budding creative pursuits. Rural life, marked by deep hills, dark forests, and tales of ghosts and spirits shared by elders, instilled in him a sense of mystery about nature, shaping his early fascination with epic landscapes and fantastical elements. Without formal art programs at his rural school, Elmore became self-taught, often sketching during class and facing reprimands for his distractions. At around age 12, he discovered after seeing an image of a , preferring to draw over typical rural activities like or . His early works featured fantasy themes, including dragons and knights, influenced by the imaginative stories of his surroundings and a natural inclination toward . In high school, his parents supported this interest by purchasing an set and an art instruction book, further encouraging his development before he pursued formal studies at .

University studies and military service

Elmore enrolled at in , in the late 1960s to pursue a formal education in fine arts, focusing on as his major. He immersed himself in artistic techniques and studies during this period, earning a (BFA) degree in 1971. Elmore earned his BFA in 1971 and married Betty Clemons shortly thereafter. Shortly after graduation, Elmore was drafted into the U.S. Army and served a two-year enlistment in the early 1970s, stationed in as a , where he also performed illustration duties and operated armored vehicles. Upon completing his military service and returning to the , he secured a position as an illustrator in the Training Aids Department, where he created drawings for military manuals and training materials. This role provided early professional experience in illustration and facilitated initial freelance opportunities through military contacts.

Early career

Freelance beginnings in the 1970s

After completing his military service around 1973, Larry Elmore joined the Training Aids Department at , , as a civilian , where he created diagrams, charts, and visual aids for manuals and materials. While holding this stable government position, he began pursuing freelance illustration work from home in the mid-, focusing on his personal interest in fantasy and themes to transition toward a full-time artistic career. Elmore's initial freelance publications appeared in established magazines that catered to humor, satire, and speculative fiction, including National Lampoon and Heavy Metal. These outlets provided platforms for his early fantasy and illustrations, such as interior artwork and covers featuring dynamic scenes of mythical creatures and futuristic elements, which demonstrated his skill in realistic rendering and narrative composition. For instance, his back cover for the April 1979 issue of Heavy Metal, titled "Gidget Meets The Squirrel Men From Outer Space," depicted a humorous scene with a beach girl encountering alien squirrels, marking a significant step in gaining visibility within the genre community. His contributions to these periodicals allowed him to steadily build a professional portfolio, showcasing a range of styles from whimsical to epic that attracted attention from editors and peers. During this period at , Elmore was introduced to early games like by a coworker, sparking his enthusiasm for the medium and influencing his freelance explorations in fantasy art. The demands of juggling a with irregular freelance assignments highlighted the financial uncertainties and promotional efforts required in the competitive illustration market of the time.

Entry into role-playing games

In the late 1970s, while working as an illustrator at Fort Knox, Kentucky, Larry Elmore was introduced to Dungeons & Dragons by a coworker during lunch breaks, sparking his interest in the role-playing game genre. A friend encouraged him to submit artwork to Dragon magazine, TSR's official publication for Dungeons & Dragons, alongside his own submission; Elmore's pieces were accepted, marking his initial foray into RPG illustration. His first published work in Dragon appeared in issue #55 (November 1981), including the illustration "Da Letter." Elmore's first major RPG-related commission came in 1980 with interior artwork for TSR's , an Advanced Dungeons & Dragons supplement featuring mythological figures in a fantasy context, which showcased his emerging style of dynamic, heroic compositions. This freelance project for TSR preceded his full-time employment and demonstrated his ability to capture the epic scope of RPG lore. To build his portfolio, Elmore sold original artwork at local science-fiction conventions in , gaining exposure to the gaming community and attracting attention from industry professionals. These networking opportunities, combined with his accepted submissions and commissions, culminated in TSR offering him a staff position in November 1981 as their first full-time professional illustrator for .

TSR tenure (1981–1987)

Role at TSR and Dungeons & Dragons illustrations

In November 1981, Larry Elmore was hired by as the company's first full-time professional illustrator, marking a significant milestone in the production of game materials. Prior to this, TSR had relied on freelance artists, but Elmore's appointment allowed for a dedicated in-house focus on high-quality fantasy artwork to support the growing line. During his tenure from 1981 to 1987, he produced numerous illustrations that became iconic within the Advanced (AD&D) , including covers for key modules. One of Elmore's most enduring contributions was the cover artwork for the 1984 Dungeons & Dragons Companion Set, featuring a dramatic scene of a green dragon perched atop a besieged , which exemplified the epic scale and heroic fantasy themes central to the game. This piece, along with his interior illustrations for various AD&D supplements, helped visualize the game's lore in a way that resonated with players and elevated the aesthetic appeal of TSR's publications. His work extended briefly to other TSR lines, such as illustrations for the game , demonstrating his versatility while primarily anchoring the fantasy genre. Elmore's role at TSR was instrumental in establishing visual standards for fantasy game , shifting the industry toward more polished, narrative-driven illustrations that emphasized realism and dynamism. As the first staff artist, he influenced subsequent hires and set a benchmark for cover that prioritized immersive, high-fantasy imagery, which became synonymous with during the . This foundational work not only boosted the commercial success of AD&D modules but also shaped the expectations for professional illustration in the burgeoning RPG market.

Dragonlance series and SnarfQuest

During his tenure at TSR, Larry Elmore created the cover artwork for , the first novel in the trilogy, published in 1984. This piece, featuring the companions , , and Flint Fireforge against a dramatic fantasy backdrop, established the visual identity of the series and became one of the most recognizable images in role-playing game literature. Elmore's illustration captured the epic tone of the story, blending heroic figures with mythical elements like dragons, and influenced subsequent covers and merchandise for the franchise. Elmore also developed and illustrated SnarfQuest, a humorous black-and-white comic strip serialized in Dragon magazine starting with issue #75 in July 1983 and continuing until 1989. The strip followed the misadventures of Snarf, a bumbling thief on a quest for wealth and glory, often involving fantastical creatures and satirical takes on adventure tropes, and gained popularity among role-playing enthusiasts for its witty storytelling and detailed line art. Due to its success, selections were later compiled into the graphic novel SnarfQuest: The Book in 1987. Beyond , Elmore contributed artwork to other TSR projects outside the core line, notably the science fiction role-playing game . He provided the iconic box cover for the 1982 Star Frontiers set, depicting diverse alien species and spacefarers in a vibrant interstellar scene that helped define the game's exploratory theme. His illustrations also appeared in Star Frontiers materials, enhancing the narrative of planetary adventures with dynamic depictions of technology and extraterrestrial environments. These works showcased Elmore's versatility in shifting from fantasy to sci-fi aesthetics while maintaining his signature realism and dramatic composition. Elmore left TSR in 1987 to pursue freelance opportunities.

Freelance career (1987–present)

Book covers and video games

After departing TSR in 1987 to pursue freelance opportunities, Larry Elmore began creating illustrations for various publishers, including Baen Books, Bantam, Warner Books, and ACE/Berkley. His work encompassed fantasy and science fiction novel covers, such as the 1988 Bantam Spectra edition of Forging the Darksword by Margaret Weis and Tracy Hickman, and the 2003 Baen Books cover for The Second Coming by J.R. Dunn. These commissions highlighted Elmore's signature style of dynamic, detailed fantasy scenes that captured the essence of epic narratives. In the realm of video games, Elmore contributed artwork to several prominent titles during the 1990s and beyond. He illustrated 11 cards for Wizards of the Coast's Magic: The Gathering collectible card game, including pieces from sets like Legends (1994) and Fifth Edition (1997), featuring iconic fantasy elements such as dragons and warriors. For Imperium Games' 1996 edition of Marc Miller's Traveller, Elmore provided much of the interior black-and-white artwork, enhancing the science fiction role-playing game's immersive universe. Additionally, he created cover art for expansions of Sony Online Entertainment's EverQuest massively multiplayer online role-playing game, including Dragons of Norrath (2005) and Depths of Darkhollow (2006), which depicted the vibrant world of Norrath with his characteristic realism and epic scale. Elmore's freelance period also involved collaborations with major companies, expanding his influence across media. He produced illustrations for DC Comics, including covers for titles like comic adaptations, and contributed concept art to projects. His partnership with through further solidified his role in digital gaming visuals. In projects like the Sovereign Stone series, Elmore integrated his artistic vision with narrative contributions from co-creators and , providing cover art for the novels and role-playing game supplements.

Writing and collaborative projects

During his freelance career, Larry Elmore expanded beyond into writing and conceptual . In 1996, he co-authored the fantasy novel Runes of Autumn with his cousin Robert Elmore, published by as a 309-page mass market . The story centers on a village terrorized by mysterious murders where victims' hearts are stolen, blending classic fantasy elements with themes of evil and heroism. Elmore's most significant collaborative writing project came with the Sovereign Stone trilogy, a fantasy series set in the world of Loerem, which he conceived and developed conceptually alongside authors and . Published between 2000 and 2003 by , the novels—Well of Darkness (2000), Guardians of the Lost (2001), and Journey into the Void (2003)—explore a realm divided by ancient magics and a powerful artifact known as the Sovereign Stone, with Elmore contributing world-building details, character concepts, and cover illustrations that defined the series' visual identity. This collaboration extended to an associated game system, where Elmore served as the primary designer, introducing innovative mechanics for d20-compatible play focused on racial and cultural diversity in Loerem. In recent years as of 2025, Elmore has continued to leverage platforms for collaborative projects that combine his artistic output with fan engagement. Building on his 2013 success, he launched campaigns for The Complete Elmore Volume II: Black & White in 2023 and The Complete Elmore Volume III in 2025, the latter raising over $440,000 from nearly 1,900 backers; these initiatives curated selections from his four-decade career, involving backers in content choices and editions, and highlighted his ongoing role in ventures. By 2006, amid a shift toward more selective contract work, these efforts allowed Elmore to maintain creative control over such publications.

Artistic style and influences

Characteristics of Elmore's art

Larry Elmore's artwork is renowned for its embodiment of "fantastic realism," a style that merges meticulously rendered, lifelike details with imaginative fantasy elements to produce epic, immersive landscapes and scenes. This approach emphasizes powerful, heroic characters posed in dynamic compositions that convey motion, emotion, and tension, often set against vast, detailed backdrops of otherworldly environments. Central to Elmore's visual lexicon are recurring motifs such as majestic dragons, armored knights, and figures drawn from mythology, rendered with a focus on nobility and grandeur to evoke a sense of adventure and wonder. These themes are typically executed in oil on masonite, allowing for rich textures and luminous effects that enhance the dramatic interplay of light and shadow, though he has also employed gouache for its versatility in achieving precise, vibrant hues in illustrative works. Over the course of his career, Elmore's style has evolved from the precise, high-contrast clarity reminiscent of Silver Age illustration in his 1980s game pieces—characterized by polished, idealized figures and bright, structured compositions—to more mature, nuanced freelance creations that incorporate live models for greater anatomical realism while preserving an unwavering commitment to and inspirational fantasy. This progression reflects a deepening emphasis on emotional depth and subtle storytelling, moving from stylized perfection to layered, evocative maturity. His dynamic fantasy elements briefly echo influences like , particularly in the bold posing and atmospheric drama.

Key artistic influences

Larry Elmore's artistic development was rooted in self-taught efforts during his childhood, where he was mesmerized by illustrations depicting knights, castles, and from old books and magazines, fostering an early fascination with fantastical imagery. A primary influence on Elmore's fantasy style was , whose dynamic compositions, dramatic lighting, and muscular figures in epic scenes profoundly shaped his approach to illustrating adventure and heroism. Elmore has cited Frazetta as the artist who most impacted his work, particularly in capturing the energy and scale of fantasy narratives. Elmore also expressed deep admiration for Jeff Jones's nuanced character rendering and the Brothers Hildebrandt's evocative landscapes and mythological depictions, which influenced his techniques for portraying detailed figures and immersive environments.

Notable works and publications

Major illustrations and covers

Larry Elmore's contributions to include several iconic illustrations that defined the game's visual identity in the . One of his most recognized pieces is the for the 1983 Basic Set (Red Box), depicting a lone warrior confronting an ancient red dragon perched atop a hoard of treasure, capturing the essence of heroic fantasy adventure. He also provided interior illustrations for the 1983 II, featuring detailed depictions of mythical creatures that enhanced the book's monstrous lore. Additionally, Elmore illustrated the cover for the 1983 Expert Set (Blue Box), showing a armored hero charging toward a diving dragon with flames erupting from its maw, emphasizing themes of bravery and peril. For the Dragonlance series, Elmore created the front cover illustrations for the original Chronicles trilogy, which became synonymous with the epic narrative. The cover for (1984) portrays the companions , Sturm, Caramon, Flint, Tasslehoff, and Raistlin gathered around a campfire in a misty autumn forest, with a shadowy dragon silhouette in the background, evoking mystery and . Similarly, the artwork for (1985) features Laurana the elf maiden standing defiantly on a snowy peak against a stormy sky, symbolizing resilience amid war. Elmore's cover for (1985) depicts a climactic battle scene with heroes clashing against draconian foes under a dawning sky, highlighting the trilogy's themes of sacrifice and victory. In his freelance career, Elmore produced notable box art for EverQuest expansions, blending digital-age fantasy with his signature style. His illustration for EverQuest: Dragons of Norrath (2005) shows a fierce dragon confrontation in a volcanic landscape, with adventurers wielding weapons against the beast, underscoring the game's expansion focus on draconic lore. He also created covers for EverQuest: Omens of War (2004), featuring epic sieges with massive dragons and armies, and Prophecy of Ro (2006), depicting prophetic visions of fiery destruction led by a colossal red dragon. Elmore illustrated several cards for Magic: The Gathering, contributing to the game's artistic canon. Notable examples include basic lands from Magic Origins (2015), such as Plains, Island, Mountain, Forest, and Swamp, rendered in lush, immersive landscapes that evoke magical realms. Other cards like Childhood Horror (Odyssey, 2001), a nightmarish scene of a child tormented by spectral figures, and more recent works such as Cave of the Frost Dragon (Adventures in the Forgotten Realms, 2021), highlight his ability to convey fantasy dynamics. Throughout his career, Elmore has maintained a thematic series centered on dragons, spanning decades and showcasing evolving interpretations of these iconic creatures. Early pieces like Ancient Red Dragon (1981) from the Basic Set portray massive, treasure-guarding wyrms with intricate scales and fiery breath, establishing his dragon archetype. In the 1990s, works such as Blue Dragon (1990s) depict aerial pursuits over stormy seas, emphasizing speed and elemental fury. Later illustrations, including Dragon Slayers and Proud of It (1989), feature triumphant groups of adventurers posing victoriously over a slain dragon carcass, celebrating human (and elven) triumph over monstrosity. This series, compiled in various collections, underscores Elmore's enduring fascination with draconic majesty and conflict.

Art books and collections

Larry Elmore's first major art book, Reflections of Myth: The Larry Elmore Sketchbook Volume One, was published in 1993 by S.Q. Productions as a 64-page collection of sketches and preliminary drawings showcasing his fantasy illustrations. This volume highlighted early concepts from his work in role-playing games and fantasy media, establishing a format for his subsequent self-published compilations. In 2001, Elmore released Elmore: Twenty Years of Art, a volume compiling selections from two decades of his career, including painted works and freelance pieces from the 1980s and 1990s. The served as a milestone overview, featuring high-quality reproductions of key illustrations alongside commentary on his artistic evolution. A 2013 Kickstarter-funded collection, The Complete Elmore, emerged from a 2012 campaign that raised over $300,000 and resulted in a 336-page full-color hardcover spanning 40 years of Elmore's painted and drawn art, including career-spanning illustrations from his TSR era to freelance projects. This self-published effort emphasized high-production values, with glossy paper and detailed captions for each piece. In 2022, Elmore announced a Kickstarter campaign for Best of Elmore, his third major art book, which funded successfully and led to its release in 2025 as a curated selection of standout works from his portfolio. Titled The Complete Elmore Volume III: Highlights of a Path Well Traveled in its final form, the 280-page hardcover features over 330 images and was produced as a limited Kickstarter exclusive.

Awards and recognition

Industry honors and rankings

In 2014, Black Gate magazine ranked Larry Elmore as the top RPG artist of the past 40 years, praising him as the foundational figure who defined the genre's visual identity through his iconic illustrations for and related publications. Elmore earned two nominations at the 2013 Chesley Awards, administered by the Association of and Fantasy Artists, for Best Work (Unpublished) and the Award for Lifetime Artistic Achievement, highlighting his enduring influence in illustration. Elmore's pivotal role in shaping 1980s fantasy art, particularly through his work at TSR Inc., has been acknowledged in the Science Fiction Encyclopedia and other industry compilations as a cornerstone of the era's imaginative visuals for role-playing games and novels.

Lifetime achievement awards

In recognition of his enduring contributions to the fantasy art genre, Larry Elmore received the L. Ron Hubbard Lifetime Achievement Award for Outstanding Contributions to the Arts in 2018 from the Writers and Illustrators of the Future Contest, where he served as a judge for the Illustrators of the Future competition. This honor highlighted his decades-long influence on science fiction and fantasy illustration, particularly through his foundational work on role-playing games and book covers. The following year, at XI in 2019, Elmore was awarded the E. Lifetime Achievement Award, named after the co-creator of , for his pivotal role in shaping the visual identity of the game and its associated media, including the series. Presented by previous recipient , the award underscored Elmore's impact on the tabletop gaming community and fantasy storytelling. Earlier in his career, Elmore earned the Phoenix Award in 2003 at DeepSouthCon 41, a lifetime achievement honor from the Southern Fandom Confederation for professionals who have significantly advanced Southern and fantasy fandom through their creative work. Additionally, in 1995, he received the Award at Lunacon, recognizing his excellence in and fantasy illustration as a tribute to the pioneering artist . These accolades built on his prior industry recognitions, affirming his lasting legacy in the field.

Personal life and legacy

Family and residence

Elmore has been married to Clemons since 1971, shortly after earning his BFA from , and the couple raised two children, Jennifer and Jeremy, together. The family has provided ongoing support for Elmore's artistic endeavors, including during his early freelance period when he produced significant works alongside his wife and children from their home setup. Elmore maintains a dedicated studio in his home, enabling him to continue his freelance career while rooted in a family-centered environment. Since the late 1980s, Elmore and his family have resided in , where he returned after working in , preserving close connections to his Grayson County heritage.

Convention involvement and cultural impact

Larry Elmore has maintained a prominent presence at major fantasy and gaming conventions since the 1980s, beginning with his guest appearance at in 1988, the second year of the convention, where he contributed to the event's growing reputation as a hub for game enthusiasts. His involvement extended to , where he served as Artist Guest of Honor in 2007 and continued signing illustrations for fans as recently as 2019. In the 2020s, Elmore has focused on select events, including in 2024 and 2025, often accompanied by family members who join him in engaging with attendees. Elmore's artwork profoundly shaped the visual identity of Dungeons & Dragons during its formative years, with his illustrations for modules, books, and calendars establishing a realistic yet heroic aesthetic that defined for millions of players. This influence extended to the series, where his covers captured the epic scope of the narratives and became synonymous with the game's immersive worlds. Even after scaling back his professional commitments around 2006 to pursue more selective projects, Elmore's legacy endures in inspiring subsequent generations of fantasy artists, who cite his blend of realism and as a foundational influence on the genre's evolution. Elmore retired from taking commissions, focusing on personal art and selective projects. In recent years, Elmore has remained active through online platforms, maintaining an official store where fans can purchase hand-signed prints of his iconic works, such as those from Dragonlance and D&D, with promotions like 20% off sales on prints in 2025. He has also shared insights on creativity via public forums, emphasizing in October 2025 that artistic inspiration expands indefinitely with new perspectives, encouraging emerging creators to explore boundless imaginative spaces.

References

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  43. https://larryelmore.com/store/DRAW/dragonlance--dragons-of-winter-night
  44. https://scryfall.com/search?q=a%3A%22Larry+Elmore%22
  45. https://larryelmore.com/store/BLUD/blue-dragon
  46. https://larryelmore.com/store/DRAS/dragon-slayers-and-proud-of-it
  47. https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/pl.cgi?605445
  48. https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6757155-reflections-of-myth
  49. https://www.mycomicshop.com/search?TID=21397753
  50. https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/8450236-twenty-years-of-art
  51. https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/larryelmore/larry-elmore-art-the-complete-elmore-artbook
  52. https://kicktraq.com/projects/1488741362/larry-elmore-art-the-complete-elmore-artbook/
  53. https://larryelmore.com/store/BKE3/the-complete-elmore-volume-iii
  54. https://www.blackgate.com/2014/02/12/art-of-the-genre-the-top-10-rpg-artists-of-the-past-40-years-2/
  55. http://www.artcyclopedia.com/awards/larry-elmore-chesley.html
  56. https://sf-encyclopedia.com/entry/elmore_larry
  57. https://writersofthefuture.com/the-anthology/anthology-volume-34-2018/
  58. https://www.facebook.com/GaryConLLC/posts/this-year-the-e-gary-gygax-lifetime-achievement-award-was-presented-to-larry-elm/2115626135172503/
  59. https://sf-encyclopedia.com/entry/frank_r_paul_award
  60. https://www.gencon.com/experience/formergoh
  61. https://www.saturdayeveningpost.com/2019/08/what-we-can-learn-from-gen-con/
  62. https://garycon.com/gary-con-xviii-special-guests/
  63. https://scentofagamer.wordpress.com/2021/02/13/explore-fantasy-art-larry-elmore/
  64. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r-UC-nWZwAw
  65. https://orkerhulen.dk/artists.html
  66. https://larryelmore.com/contact/
  67. https://larryelmore.com/
  68. https://www.facebook.com/WotFContest/posts/-words-for-thought-from-larry-elmore-legendary-fantasy-illustrator-known-for-his/1458048286326193/
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