RIP Ralph McQuarrie
‘Star Wars’ Designer Ralph McQuarrie Has Died at 82
George Lucas typically gets credit for visualizing the Star Wars universe, and in turn creating the image of popular science fiction that is so pervasive today. But in truth, much of what became Star Wars was truly visualized by conceptual artist Ralph McQuarrie, whose pre-production paintings defined the look of many major characters in Star Wars, and specified the general look of the film’s many worlds. McQuarrie also contributed to Close Encounters of the Third Kind, Cocoon (for which he won an Oscar), E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial, Raiders of the Lost Ark, and more.
Sadly, Ralph McQuarrie passed away yesterday at the age of 82. George Lucas wrote a eulogy for his friend and co-conspirator in Star Wars, which you can read after the break.
http://www.slashfilm.com/original-star-wars-designer-ralph-mcquarrie-died-82/