Pathfinder cover art = Erol Otus homage?

[Michael Gentry]

Curious question for the Pathfinder staff -- was the cover art to the Pathfinder RPG Core Book meant to be an homage/shout-out to the cover of the old D&D Basic Set, drawn by Erol Otus?

The style is obviously very different, but the composition is remarkably similar. Both of them feature a male warrior and a female spellcaster (lower right), facing off against a dragon (left), in a subterranean setting. I don't think any other incarnation of D&D had that exact configuration. Come to think of it, even Seoni's outfit looks similar to the old cover.

Compare:

Basic D&D
Pathfinder

I always liked that old cover. Is the similarity a coincidence, or conscious design?

[Set]

Oh wow, that's an awesome coincidence, if so. It's just missing the chest of gold & jewels to make it complete!

[Erik Mona]

Sort of.

We said: "Wayne, give us Valeros and Seoni fighting a dragon in a dungeon," and that's what he gave us.

[Asgetrion]

Erik Mona wrote:

Sort of.

We said: "Wayne, give us Valeros and Seoni fighting a dragon in a dungeon," and that's what he gave us.

And boy, didn't he deliver... Wayne's cover art for the Core Rulebook and Bestiary are the best pieces I've seen from him, and they capture the "Paizonian Feel" just perfectly! :)