This guy was as (or more) important to Star Wars as Lucas and an amazing artist. RIP.
http://www.ralphmcquarrie.com/

RIP to a designer whose work has become embedded in culture.

RIP to a wonderful artist whose work has touched so many.

In the pre-Empire days I used to have this irregularly shaped soft-cover book that I would drag with me everywhere - The Art of Star Wars. I used to pour over it for hours every day. Ralph McQuarrie has pretty much been a holy name to me ever since! RIP, sir!

OMG. Very sad new. Ralph was one of my childhood idols and still is today. Both Ralph McQuarrie & Syd Mead single handedly shaped the sci-fi genre through the 70s-80s. Movies are still trying to replicate their futuristic visions.

So long Mr. McQuarrie! Thanks for everything, especially Boba Fett!

When is was I kid, I thought I was a Star Wars fan.
I understood later that I was a Ralph McQuarrie fan.

This.

This is some of the saddest news I have ever read on skullbrain. There are those small things in life which shape us in ways we can't measure - I can see from these posts that I am not alone in feeling this way about the art that created the Star Wars universe I fell in love with. When I was young I was extremely lucky to have stumbled across the Empire Strikes Back portfolio at a yard sale. It was one of those things that actually did change my view on Star Wars, and was the first thing to introduce it to me as something beyond a line of action figures, in the world of my imagination. You can keep all your carded POTF Yak Faces and Brazilian Vlixes, this still remains one of my most treasured possesions.

I don't think the inspiration that art like brings in to the world can ever be truly appreciated. Along with artists like Frazetta, these people have shaped a part of our culture just as much as any 'recognizable' name. And those who would proudly display a print of a great master on their wall as a sign of being cultured, I would say explain to me what the piece really means to you on a personal level - not some BS rehashed interpretation any undergrad art student can quote.

Thank you Mr. McQuarrie, you will not soon be forgotten.

well put.

^^^Excellently put; RM was a visionary right up there with Giger, in terms of how his art shaped all cinematic sci-fi that came after. It's so important to remember all the great people whose artistry shaped the SW galaxy, when Lucas has absolutely crapped on the franchise with his cluelessness.

RIP, Mr. McQuarrie!

R.I.P.

This thread needs more pics.