Jason Palmer's beautiful character mural adorns the Star Wars homepage on Disney Plus
Jason Palmer’s beautiful character mural adorns the Star Wars homepage on Disney Plus

In honor of May the Fourth and the artistry that brought Star Wars to life, Disney Plus is showing rare and unseen concept art from each era of Star Wars on their homepage carousel. Next time you drop into Disney Plus, scroll through the carousel and see what new artwork is on display in celebration of Star Wars day. Here’s a few of the samples from Star Wars.com below:

Ralph McQuarrie's original "Droids in the Desert" concept - credit: Disney Plus
Ralph McQuarrie’s original “Droids in the Desert” concept – credit: Disney Plus
Another Ralph McQuarrie original concept from The Empire Strikes Back - credit: Disney Plus
Another Ralph McQuarrie original concept from The Empire Strikes Back – credit: Disney Plus
Rey on Ahch-To by Seth Engstrom - credit: Disney Plus
Rey on Ahch-To by Seth Engstrom – credit: Disney Plus
Another amazing Star Wars concept artist, Doug Chiang - credit: Disney Plus
Another amazing Star Wars concept artist, Doug Chiang – credit: Disney Plus
Seth Engstrom creates the opening scene of The Mandalorian - credit: Disney Plus
Seth Engstrom creates the opening scene of The Mandalorian – credit: Disney Plus
Vader vs. Scuba Steve by Ralph McQuarrie for A New Hope. Just kidding... I don't know who the aqua-dude is supposed to be, but cool nonetheless! - credit: Disney Plus
“Vader vs. Scuba Steve” by Ralph McQuarrie for A New Hope. Just kidding… I don’t know who the aqua-dude is supposed to be, but cool nonetheless! – credit: Disney Plus

Ralph McQuarrie: The Godfather of Star Wars concept art

RMQ works on Bespin concept art for The Empire Strikes Back
RMQ works on Bespin concept art for The Empire Strikes Back. Credit: Lucasfilm

Ralph McQuarrie, or RMQ as he liked to sign his art, is responsible for most of the futuristic design we know as the original trilogy. George Lucas made Ralph McQuarrie his first Lucasfilm LTD hire. From there, he went on to create the most amazing and immersive universe in film history. All that we fans celebrate and argue about is thanks to the artwork of one man, RMQ. Ralph passed away in 2012, but his artwork lives on.

Ralph McQuarrie concept art from The Empire Strikes Back. Image: Lucasfilm
Ralph McQuarrie concept art from The Empire Strikes Back. Image: Lucasfilm

“Beyond the movies, his artwork has inspired at least two generations of younger artists—all of whom learned through Ralph that movies are designed. Like me, they were thrilled by his keen eye and creative imagination, which always brought concepts to their most ideal plateau. In many ways, he was a generous father to a conceptual art revolution that was born of his artwork, and which seized the imaginations of thousands and propelled them into the film industry. In that way, we will all be benefiting from his oeuvre for generations to come. Beyond that, I will always remember him as a kind and patient, and wonderfully talented, friend and collaborator.”

George Lucas on his friend, Ralph McQuarrie
Joe Johnston's original concept designs for Boba Fett - Lucasfilm
Joe Johnston’s original concept designs for Boba Fett, designed along with Ralph McQuarrie.

Share your Star Wars fan art with us!

Hey Hashtaggers, like to draw, sketch, paint and create? Share your Star Wars concepts with us on this May the 4th in the social media comments section! I’ll start by dropping in one of my own below this section. I’m no Ralph McQuarrie, but hey, it’s fun to draw Star Wars stuff anyway!

Maul sketch by me!
Maul sketch by me! May the 4th!

You can tell us your thoughts and share your art by hitting us up on Twitter or leaving a comment on this page. Also make sure to stay up to date on all the Star Wars news by following us at ThatHashtagShow.com and the Star Wars Fanatics on Facebook. We can’t wait to see you all this year at Celebration.