Through the Eyes of a Goblin

One of the first artworks for Goblin Grenade was this number by Dan Frazier.

If you ever wondered what it would be like to walk in this goblin's shoes, maybe this will lend some insight.

One of the neat things about this alter is that it references not one, but two Magic artworks. The other being Volkan Baga's alternate Mox Pearl. 

The Fourth Lotus

This month I have three more pieces of power on my desk, including the fourth Black Lotus I've had the opportunity to work on. This time around the client wanted something to tie each of the cards together but still maintain their tournament legality (obviously).

Keeping the art recognizable while tying the pieces together was a bit of a head scratcher, but I liked the idea of basic extensions with a twist. Here's the 'stormy' Lotus.

The biggest challenge on this one was patching some over-zealous silver sharpie on the flower itself. It's not clear if this was done by a previous owner or by Christopher Rush when he signed the card. All in all I think the card ended up looking loads better. 

Definitely a Lotus screaming to be painted.

Among the Sierra Nevada

One of my all-time favorite artists is Hudson River school painter, Albert Bierstadt. Bierstadt was a German-American who, during the late 1800's, travelled west and brought back imaginative compilations of the American landscape. His paintings are as dauntingly massive as the subjects he depicted. Among the Sierra Nevada, California measures in at over ten feet wide. I did a Bierstadt reproduction while in art school, it's a wonder why I haven't tapped his work for an alter until now. It's possible that the challenge of shrinking a ten foot painting to sixty-three millimeters was not something I wanted to take on until now.

As a bonus, I felt it appropriate to upload a 600dpi scan of this one. Right click, view in new window to check out some of the details.

I'll have a table at the SCG Invitational in Indianapolis this coming weekend. This alter will be on display and you're welcome to stop by and check it out in person. See you there!

I Never Metamorphosis I Didn't Like

This weekend I saw to another Dali commission based on his 1937 painting, Metamorphosis of Narcissus.

The client wanted to see some process photos and I was happy to oblige. After the initial drawing was inked in, I started with a light wash of all the colors to establish some values.

From there it's all about building up layers until everything's opaque; pushing the range of values. Believe it or not, a piece as detailed as this one is a full-day affair.

I worked all the larger area first, saving all the tiny details for last. Notice the lack of figures in the background, ants on the hand, crack in the thumbnail, etc.

And finally, all these steps together in sequence.

A metamorphosis indeed.

So Long May

While the majority of my work gets posted to my Facebook page, I think I'd like to use this blog as a tool for reflection whenever I get the chance. I wrote a lot more about my thought process and source material in the first year of Klug Alters, and I sort of miss that. That said, here's a few pieces from the past month.

I finally got the chance to alter my first Recall in May. There are few rare and expensive cards now that I haven't altered. This concept came from the client. I love simple, clever ideas like this; I couldn't have asked for a better project!

Speaking of clever ideas, I love this one proposed for The Mimeoplasm. I grew up with Bob Ross so I can never be unhappy working on that grinning, afro'd head. A little bizarre? Maybe. But who doesn't love an alter that can make you smile? Also, check out Douglas Shuler's Alpha Mountain on the easel. 

I posted a Dali basic earlier in the month, and these two complete the set I was commissioned for. I've only worked on one other Dali in the past, so these were a real challenge to wrap my head around. I'll definitely be doing more of his work in the future.

And finally, a Mucha inspired work. My art nouveau work has easily been the most popular in the past,  so my challenge continues to be how to keep it fresh. This Brainstorm omits several elements from the original piece and incorporates some from the Ice Age Brainstorm art. Tweak some colors to make it all work together, and there you have it! 

Coming up next month, I'll have a table at the SCG Invitational in Indianapolis June 15-17. I'll be working all week long, showing off completed work and taking commissions on site. See you there!

Happy Birthday Dali!

Apparently it's Salvador Dali's birthday today. I wasn't aware when I was completing this one last night.

Happy birthday Dali!

Mirari Is So Jealous

Another Escher is in the books.

I chose not to finish this piece with any outlines, as I've done with my past Eschers. The light in the original is what makes it for me, and outlines would killed that. One of my favorites to date.