The Best Star Wars Art Books for Your Coffee Table
There is a vast wealth of Star Wars art – from concepts and storyboards to posters and comics – collected in these Star Wars art books.
Star Wars Art: Ralph McQuarrie
If you’re going to get just one collection on this list, this is it. It’s gorgeous and has a trove of Star Wars history in it – both creation and lore.
Ralph McQuarrie is the most iconic artist in the history of Star Wars. He worked hand-in-hand with George Lucas to help establish the saga’s visual aesthetic, its inimitable look and feel. Beyond designing Darth Vader, C-3PO, and R2-D2, McQuarrie produced hundreds of pieces of Star Wars artwork. This includes conceptual paintings, costume designs, storyboards, and matte paintings. As well as posters, book covers, and album covers – even Lucasfilm’s annual holiday cards. All rescanned and rephotographed for this book.
Star Wars: The Blueprints
Explore the ships and locations of the galaxy in this book that has a ton of big fold outs.
Star Wars: The Blueprints brings together the original technical drawings from deep within the Lucasfilm Archives. Combined with commentary from J. W. Rinzler, the collection maps in precise, vivid, and intricate detail the genesis of one of the most enduring onscreen stories. Special features include more than 250 blueprints; over 500 photographs and illustrations; and, ten gatefolds.
Star Wars Art: Concept
Get an insiders’ look at the creation of the galaxy far, far away with this concept focused Star Wars Art book.
Star Wars Art: Concept collects the very best Star Wars conceptual artwork. From Ralph McQuarrie and Joe Johnston to Doug Chiang, Ryan Church, Iain McCaig, Erik Tiemens, and the next generation of animation and video-game artists. Curated by George Lucas, the artwork that helped bring the Star Wars Saga to life is revealed in all its glory. It features pre-production drawings and paintings from the Original Trilogy, the Prequel Trilogy, the TV shows, and the video games. Spanning the years from 1975 to the present, Star Wars Art: Concept is a fascinating look at the process of conceptual design.
Star Wars Art: Illustration
Are full color paintings and illustrations your thing? This is your book.
The instant and massive success of Star Wars took Lucasfilm by surprise. In 1978, an industry unto itself was born, consisting of books, trading cards, magazines, video games, and merchandise. The art created for these projects continues to expand the limits and celebrate the iconography of the Star Wars galaxy.
Illustration, collects the best of these artworks, as curated by George Lucas. Featuring previously unpublished and fan-favorite art from Mark Chiarello, Dave Dorman, Hugh Fleming, Tim and Greg Hildebrandt. Plus Ralph McQuarrie, Jon J. Muth, Tsuneo Sanda, Drew Struzan, Jerry Vanderstelt, Christian Waggoner, and many others.
Advertisement
Star Wars Visions
Artists from across the globe look to Star Wars for inspiration in the way that George Lucas looked at N. C. Wyeth and Norman Rockwell. Iconic characters enter new universes and scenes are re-imagined.
When Star Wars debuted in 1977, it revolutionized mainstream American filmmaking. It transported fans to new galaxies. And introduced them to countless now-classic characters, aliens, planets, and starships. In the decades since, the Star Wars Saga has become a phenomenon.
Star Wars Storyboards: The Original Trilogy
Not a fan of all nine movies? This Star Wars art book focuses on the storyboards for the original trilogy. Explore Luke’s story in an entirely new way.
From the opening chase above Tatooine in A New Hope to the Battle of Endor in Jedi, this book presents the visual inspiration behind iconic moments. Readers can finally see a full set of storyboards by legendary artist Joe Johnston. Plus early boards for Episode IV by Alex Tavoularis and for Episode V by Ivor Beddoes. And rarely seen Episode VI boards by Roy Carnon. And Ralph McQuarrie’s never-before-seen storyboards for Episode V.
Star Wars Art: Posters
This collection focuses on the creation of over 30 years of posters that have been displayed across the world. A great option if you’ve always wanted to get your hands on one of the originals, but you can’t spare the cash.
Few pieces of artwork distill the passion for Star Wars as do posters. Star Wars has enjoyed nearly four decades of poster art from some of the most renowned artists working in movies. ‘Posters’ collects the best artwork from all six Star Wars films, the Star Wars: The Clone Wars animated television series, and limited-edition prints. This collection unites all of the action, artistry, and drama of a galaxy far, far away into one lavishly produced tome.
Just so you know BoLS may collect a share of sales from the links on this page if you decide to shop from them.
