Zooooom!

My weekend of SCG coverage and completing commissions continues. Nice little EDH pair:

Pimp Bears Gonna Pimp

Few random commissions I've finished up this weekend.

Density of Detail

Part of what attracts me to altering is the tedium of it; achieving precise, miniscule features. Some alters are about creating a particular density of detail (look at that, it's the title). It's alters like these that, when executed well, can really deliver awe from the viewer. Essentially that's what I'm going for in every alter I produce. I want to make cards that hold the viewer's gaze for longer than a few seconds. I want them to wonder how I went about composing the work.

Recently Adam Styborski, writer for DailyMTG and GatheringMagic.com, asked me to recreate a panel from the Doomsday/Superman Saga. Sitting down this evening, I quickly realized that there was a challenge on my hands. Hope you like it Adam!

If I Only Had a Brain

3-D rendered images are hard, so I'm pleased with the way this pair came out. Another great idea commissioned at SCG Cinci.

It's Not Easy Being Red?

Neat little pair commissioned at SCG Cinci.


In other news I decided to not attend SCG Pittsburgh. As tempting as it is, the time's better spent clearing out my queue before Gen Con next week. It's going to be an insane four days filled with games, good food, and awesome people. Hope to see you there!

You Call Him Doctor Jones, Doll

I always try to fit characters thematically with the cards they're going on. Most of the time, it's the people bringing me commissions that have the best ideas. That holds true with this one for sure.


This gold paint is a little addictive...

Pick a Card, Any Card

A new set of business cards came in the mail yesterday. I'll have some on me for SCG Pittsburg (hopefully attending) and Gen Con. Come say hi and ask for one.

We Didn't Start the Fire

I don't post extensions a lot, but you won't see this one very often. I love working on P3K cards. All the art is very soft and stands apart from most Magic images. On a technical note, this is one of the few cards I had to photograph because my scanner wasn't picking up on the subtle color variations.

Super Grover!

Clearly the most powerful Planeswalker of all time.

Sign Here

Today I got to revamp an old idea. Imperial Seal was the first, really expensive card I was asked to alter.


I'll leave you with a reminder about Jeremy Froggatt's June Alter Review, up on SCG today. As always you should check it out!

Planets Go Nom!

When Galactus eats your planet, it's a sort of Wasteland lock. Commission piece for Ali Aintrazi - had a lot of fun with this one.

In Gideon We Trust

Another year of Gideon in Standard means more Captain America! Just one of the commissions I picked up at SCG Cinci. On the way are the remaining Guru Moxes, two more Jace, the Mind Sculptor, a sweet Crucible of Worlds idea from Ali Aintrazi, and many more.


Remember to check in daily - I'll try to keep the updates rolling!

Eat Your Wheaties, Kids

SCG Cincinnati Standard Open Champion Tim Pskowski only plays with high-quality Klug Alters.


After staying with Tim for SCG Baltimore, it was nice to return the favor and give him a ride from the airport down to Cincinnati. Of course, when he won the Standard portion clearly I was due a little more. This photo is payment enough, Tim. Payment enough.

SCG Cincinnati

Just two of the pieces completed yesterday at SCG Cincinnati. If you're in the area, come by the booth and say hello.

Human-Cyborg Relations

It's been at least a month since I've been able to produce any non-commission work. Last night I set out to break the hiatus and gave the folks on Twitter some control over a key decision.

Have the option to use gold paint in my next alter. Yay or nay Twitterverse?

And the 'yays' have it.


Of course this and many other cards will be for sale at SCG Cinci this weekend! Can't wait!

Three Down

Here's the third in the series - probably my favorite art when it comes to Nelsen's originals. The Forest has the most contrast and the shapes are great. Also the monochrome scheme works fantastically in relation to the Mox.


All of these will be on display for a short time at SCG Cinci (until their owner picks them up). After not working Baltimore I'm pumped for this event! See you there!

Gotta' Jet

The second in the series. This one was especially tough. The surface had rock hard glue all around the border (no clue why). Before I started painting it had to get sanded, scraped, primed, rinsed, and repeated. Alters are great for restorations like this.

It's a Twister! It's a Twister!

For me, part of getting ready for an event is making sure I've got lots of goods for display. And to supplement that, sometimes I borrow cards that are already sold. Two weeks ago when I swung by SCG Baltimore, I made sure to pick up this gem from 2009. Touched up and ready to show at SCG Cinci.

24 Jaces

Over the course of my short altering career I've produced over 400 paintings. What cards have I painted the most of? Well, today I'll show you.


For those counting, that's 13 Jace, the Mind Sculptors and 11 Jace Beleren. And these are just the ones I have scans of...

Jace^3

Much like reproductions, imitating another artist's style is a challenge of getting into that artist's head. It would be awesome to go back in time and give the Magic style guides to some of the masters. For now, we'll have to settle with some guess work.

You've Got Moxy, Kid

The next two weeks look to be both exciting and stressful. The upcoming prerelease, SCG Cinci, and several commissions are just a few of the things I'm juggling at the moment. That said, I got back this evening from Baltimore and went straight to work. Finished something I started over my trip:

Freedom Isn't Free

Happy 4th of July everybody!

King Me!

I never posted this second King commission I picked up a few months ago in Louisville.


It really was a stroke of luck hitting upon the ol' playing card alters. I still would love you do an entire deck - but would need to work out if the non-face cards are even possible or worth the trouble.