The last

Dungeons & Dragons supplement cover artwork.
© WOTC; D&D.

Acrylic, Approx 13" x 17".

Original artwrok for sale:
Web Shop:[link]

The steely gaze tell us something of why the Hobgoblin clan is now only remembered through their fallen statues.

I wanted to try to create a sense of tension within the image, of a power capable of being unleashed at any moment. To do this I tried to juxtapose a fairly static figure against the movement of her cloak and hair, with the added element of the magically powered up arrowhead.

This is further reinforced by the colour conflict between the subtle purples in the shadows and the strong saturated green of the cloak.

You can see the painting on the cover along with full details of the book here:

[link]

Emmi Sprinklestrike

Acrylic, approx 10.5" x 24"

World of Warcraft trading card game illustration
©Blizzard Entertainment & Upper Deck.

Original artwork for sale; UK£350

One strike is all it takes.

The 'hero' cards for the World of Warcraft trading card game are double sided. The front has the image cropped to a landscape format to allow for text, but when the card is played it is then flipped to show it has been used, and you get to see the image in full. However Emmi was an exception in that the reverse has a different image.

It was fun to get show an actual progression in the narrative. Illustrations usually capture a moment in time, and it is up to the viewer to think about what might happen next, indeed this is often part of the enjoyment of looking at a picture. So to get to realise that action myself was a special treat.

Talisman: Frostmarch

Talisman boardgame expansion, Frostmarch, cover artwork.
©Fantasy Flight games/Games workshop

Acrylic, Approx 9" x 13".

Original artwork SOLD

The Ice Queen twisted the howling icy gales into a raw elemental force to be flung against the adventurers.

This painting was created as the cover for the latest Talisman baord game expansion. I was working with existing designs for the adventurers but had more freedom with the Ice Queen.

Fortunately the yellow skin of the Ogre allowed for a lovely colour contrast with the Ice Queen, helping the foreground figures pop, whilst the strong highlight helped bring the collaged elements of the adventurers and Queen together.

I also tried to make looser and more expressionistic marks in the background, whislt the foreground elements were more tightly rendered. Again to help create contrast and strong readability.

Follow this link to see the picture with the trade dress on and to find out the product details:

[link]

Betrayal

Acrylic, approx 7" x 10"

World of Warcraft trading card game illustration
©Blizzard Entertainment & Upper Deck.

Original artwork for sale; UK£200

"Friends are mere stepping stones when plans are hatched..."

I wanted to try and capture the sense of devious malevolence that is clearly redolent in this Troll. To do that I opted for strong directional lighting. This would mean dark shadows to aid the mood, and by choosing the green light I am visualling signalling that something less than good is at hand.

The closer crop on the figure, and static, almost profile, form further helps give the sense of a quiet, composed, moment as the cogs begin to whirr!

Elder Zeez

Acrylic, approx 7" x 10"

World of Warcraft trading card game illustration
©Blizzard Entertainment & Upper Deck.

Original artwork for sale; UK£350

"Your courage will be their inspiration."

I wanted to offer a different approach with this image. I adopted a slightly more stylised design, which was emphasised by the way the winged windserpent curls around and over the Draeni.

The main focus of this piece was meant to be on the Draeni's weapon. It is given a prominent position in the images, almost in profile, whilst it's colour scheme is strongly contrasted by the background colour's I chose.

Lastly we look up at the figures, which helps make them all that more imposing, whilst a narrative element is added by their attention being drawn off to the left.

Boggspine Knuckles

Acrylic, approx 10" x 11"

World of Warcraft trading card game illustration
©Blizzard Entertainment & Upper Deck.

Original artwork for sale; UK£350

"Equipped with her Boggspine Knuckles the Gnome fears nought!"

I really enjoyed working on this feisty character.

To help keep the focus on the Gnome I employed looser and broader brushstrokes in the background, with the tighter detail and rendering being applied to the figure.

The Monk

Dragon #375 cover artwork; Dungeons & Dragons. ©Wizards of the Coast

Acrylic, Approx 16.5" x 16.5".

Original Artwork for sale; £1000

Size and power should not be confused.

It was fun to work on such a 'David & Goliath' image. I decided to frame the Monk within the triangle of the two Goristo demons, then emphasise and contrast him with the use of the intense cool blue colour of his robes.

A low down view was chosen to help emphasise the scale and the immensity of what he is up against. The green 'flame' helps provide a source for the cast green rim light, which also helps pick out the figures one against the other.

The cover artwork can be seen in use here:

[link]

Metallic Dragons: Jungle Encounter
Draconomicon 2: metallic Dragons - chapter start artwork; Dungeons & Dragons. ©Wizards of the Coast

Acrylic, Approx 21" x 19".

Original artwork for sale:
Web Shop:[link]

Breaking through the cover into the clearing suddenly seemed like less of a good idea...

I adopted a viewpoint that places us in the same position as the adventurers. Hopefully this helps aid the sense of coming upon the jungle lair of the Orium Dragon, with his Gnoll bodyguards.

It also allowed the darker, shadowed, elements to frame the image, placing the Dragon and serpent at the centre of the action. This is important as they are the key features of this piece. The Orium Dragon's breath attack (which is a mist that can adopt the illusory form of a giant serpent) and the Dragon were further emphasised by the use of strong contrasting colours.

Beyond the Vault of Souls

Pathfinder module artwork.
© Paizo; Pathfinder.

Acrylic, Approx 13" x 16.5".

Original artwork for sale; UK£1300.

The demonic Glabrezu tears the armour from the helpless warrior as his companions magic dissipates ineffectually against their foe!

Interlocking loosely formed triangles were used in constructing the composition. The foreground elements are within one which is anchored on the rocks and the demons head. The backgound has another 'V' created by the clouds, line of the wall, and angle of the magical blast, which help draw attention to the hole in the huge wall, and the demon perched within the breach.

The focus, and smallest triangle, is wizard to demon head to warrior and back to wizard, all accentuated by the stand-out saturated blue of the magic.

Details of the product, and the cover with full trade dress can be seen at:

[link]

Bladehands Spigotgulp

Acrylic, approx 7" x 10"

World of Warcraft trading card game illustration
©Blizzard Entertainment & Upper Deck.

Original artwork for sale; UK£350

The battle cry rent the air as Bladehands launched herself towards her prey...

I wanted to depict this Gnome as feisty, vicious, character. I chose a low viewpoint to make her more imposing, and added to the movement and drama by placing her in mid-flight.