05-18-2019, 11:21 PM
It may have been traditional to portray ships a certain way during part of this period, just as it was frowned on to show people smiling in portraits during the US Civil War era. Photorealism was not the goal of these portraits, they were stylized publicity pics.
The reaction against AI may even have played a role; introducing deliberate flaws in contrast with machine precision. Of course if precision was needed they had the option available, but it wasn't popular for personal entertainments.
Example: in my teen years, the trend in comic books was increasingly realistic, even painted artwork. Alex Ross, late stage Chris Claremont. But soon after, the predominant styles shifted to a highly stylized, cartoony drawing trend. Liefeld and the like. So changes in representation can go in and out of fashion.
The reaction against AI may even have played a role; introducing deliberate flaws in contrast with machine precision. Of course if precision was needed they had the option available, but it wasn't popular for personal entertainments.
Example: in my teen years, the trend in comic books was increasingly realistic, even painted artwork. Alex Ross, late stage Chris Claremont. But soon after, the predominant styles shifted to a highly stylized, cartoony drawing trend. Liefeld and the like. So changes in representation can go in and out of fashion.