There’s definitely something about these Andrew Wilson illustrations that tickle viewers’ eyes in a peculiar and pleasurable manner. Audiences may be quick to credit Wilson’s vibrant depictions of classic Nintendo characters as the trigger for the euphoric feelings they are experiencing, but that’s inaccurate as other artists’ renderings don’t quite have the same effect. Personally, I believe it’s his distinct and rigid use of the ¾ perspective.
Andrew Wilson’s paintings of Super Mario Bros., Metroid and Legend of Zelda characters all adhere to the same set of conditions: each game avatar is presented in a ¾ shot with a light source coming from the upper right corner. As such, when sifting through these images, viewers almost feel as though the subjects are interacting in the same environment, much like a video game. This creates a pseudo-3D effect that’s inventive and distinct to these particular Wilson illustrations.
What Makes This Trend Stand Out
- Pseudo-3d Game Avatar Art
- Opportunity for artists to explore creating game avatar art using the ¾ perspective technique and a consistent light source to create a pseudo-3D effect.
- Distinct Artistic Style for Gaming Characters
- Opportunity for artists to create their distinct style for classic gaming characters while still adhering to the recognizable traits that make them iconic.
- Nostalgic Gaming Art
- Opportunity for artists to create nostalgic gaming art that elicits feelings of euphoria and nostalgia amongst audiences.
Sectors Adopting This
- Gaming
- The gaming industry can leverage unique and innovative game avatar art to enhance their games' user experience.
- Art
- The art industry can explore creating and selling nostalgic gaming art to tap into a market that values pop culture and nostalgia.
- Merchandising
- The merchandising industry can take classic gaming characters and turn them into consumer products with unique and distinct style to appeal to a broad audience.
