Pathfinder Art

Two away from a Decade!

2012-03-08T14:09:00.000-08:00

This month will be 8 years that I have worked at Paizo! WOW!! It seems like only yesterday that I was coming in for an interview not really knowing what the company was or what they did. All I knew was that it had something to do with gaming. It was a short interview and from that I learned it was for a game that was called Dungeons & Dragons. My only introduction to D&D was when I think I was 10 when some friends of the families two boys wanted to teach me and my sister a game. They brought out a box that only had books and paper in it. I thought to myself um...where is the board and the game pieces. I was confused and not into it. And that was it, that was the last time I had contact with D&D until I entered for my interview. I drove away amazed that D&D was still around. I got the job and I started as a graphic designer for Dragon magazine. You can see my efforts on Dragon issues 320-359

A few years later in addition to being the graphic designer I became Art Director for Dragon and that was the start of making contacts with all the great illustrators that I work with today.

After Dragon and Dungeon magazines went back to Wizards...enter Pathfinder! Pathfinder I think is what I am most now associated with and its great to collaborate with the most creative team of designers, developers, and editors!

Its weird to say that I love my job and although I may not be an expert on all things fantasy I am thankful for the tabletop RPG for giving me a long career :)

Oh and now I know who H.P. Lovecraft is and what he created....

Now some art! Our pirate adventure Skull & Shackles will be out soon. Here are great pieces from the first installment!

Illustration by Tyler Walpole

Illustration by Bryan Sola

Illustration by Emiliano Petrozzi


Illustration by Mikael Leger

Front Cover art by Daryl Mandryk

Heading To Lucca!

2011-10-25T13:07:00.000-07:00

Since I am leaving for Italy tomorrow to attend Lucca Comics & Games I thought I would showcase some of the Italian artists that have been illustrating for various Pathfinder products for the past couple of years. All of these artists are great to work with and have had the opportunity to meet each one of them and look forward to meeting them again this year.

This will be my second time attending Lucca Comics & Games and it is easily one of my favorite conventions of the year! I am looking forward to all the great cosplay and seeing some portfolios! Enjoy the great art below!!!

Alberto Dal Lago

Roberto Pitturru

Francesco Graziani

Maichol Quinto

New Series: Iconic Study

2011-09-14T12:25:00.000-07:00

I have started a new series called Iconic Study. For this series I ask an artist that I have been working with for awhile and ask them to sort of tell what is hard or easy about the chosen Iconic. For the first study I have chosen Seoni and enlisted Craig J Spearing to write about his experiences in drawing and redrawing one of our more famous character.

Finding Seoni
by Craig J Spearing

Depicting Seoni is a double-edged sword. The one aspect that makes it easier than some of the other Pathfinder Iconics is also the aspect that makes it more difficult. Simply put: she ain't wearin' much. Her attire certainly isn't as revealing as many other fantasy femme fatales, but compared to the wonderfully extravagant costuming on most Wayne Reynolds characters, it's downright minimal. With the exception of a few thin straps, her sides are completely exposed from her knees to her shoulders. She's also very busty, and the material covering her chest would easily fit into a Ziplock™ sandwich bag. This is not a complaint -- quite the opposite. The first time I was assigned Seoni, I happily exclaimed: "Yippie! Time to paint some boobs!"

However, to illustrate Seoni as a capable adventurer and powerful sorceress without stumbling into the pitfalls of "pin-up girl" can be rather difficult. A couple methods to prevent her from looking like a pin-up are by giving her a strong stance and avoiding overly provocative poses. Another approach is to draw focus to her abilities, one hand (or both) crackling with arcane energy makes her visually say: "Seriously fellas, you do NOT want to piss me off". I also tend to make her costuming slightly more covering than the reference, particularly when viewed from behind.

My favorite parts of the minimal attire are the costume elements that flow off the figure. Whipping the long braids and cloth belts around her, and blowing the waist cloth back help to give her a sense of movement. I picture her moving with the fluid grace of a ballerina, or River Tam in Serenity. Despite my aversion to drawing knees, it's always a joy to paint Seoni (Why Wayne? Why couldn't you have made those leg gaiters go up over her knees?). She's become almost real to me, which is a lot less weird than it sounds.

Craig graduated from the Rhode Island School of Design in 1992, and illustrated children's material from 1995 to 2008. He is currently doing digital science fiction/ fantasy illustration for clients like Paizo and Wizards of the Coast. He lives in Portland Oregon.

Illustrating for Pathfinder.

2011-09-07T21:13:00.000-07:00

With convention season over I look back at all the portfolios and art submissions that I have seen throughout the year. I have seen some really great art and have added a number of new artists within the Pathfinder line. But as Pathfinder makes its way into the the fantasy genre I have one advice to all potential artists. If you really want to work for me and for Pathfinder I suggest maybe submitting an art piece with maybe an iconic or two fighting some really creative monster. This will give all the things I look for in a potential artist. Its really simple.

1. Can they reproduce our iconics

2. Creativity of the creature

3. How dynamic is the action in the halfpager

4. Would this image really want someone to play Pathfinder

That is it. Study our Iconics cause once you start with Paizo you may be drawing them over and over again. Here is a link to all of the iconics to get started. There are a lot of blogs out there that will give you great advise on what to put in your portfolio but this will definitely show me that your really interested in working for me.

Below is one of the best illustrations of our Iconic Seoni. Even though she is not really in an action pose (the description didn't call for it) But I think she turned out great.

Illustration by: Roberto Pitturru

Andrew Hou and Schoolism.com

2011-09-01T15:02:00.000-07:00

Its been awhile since I posted been super busy ever since GenCon I came across this and thought it would be a good thing to share. Andrew Hou was the subject of the first blog on Pathfinder Art and he has done a video on his techniques. Thanks to Mike Corriero for the link.

Here is the link to the video

http://schoolism.com/interview.php?id=60

Andrew Hou's cover for Goblins of Golarion

Back to the Grind!!!

2011-08-15T12:05:00.000-07:00

Well it has been a week since being back from GenCon and I am sure happy to be back in the Pacific Northwest! After a few days of getting back into work mode its time to get right back into it.

This was the best GenCon. No longer am I the newbie and it was great to see the reaction of the newest Paizo employees to the spectacle that is GenCon!! I saw a lot of great portfolios which just means that Pathfinder is making its way into the fantasy art world. We have some great products coming up and I personally think that it is the artists that sell our products. Its the first thing customers see!!

Andrew wrote his about his first GenCon...he can't wait for next year!!!
Wow, so that’s what GenCon is all about. I can’t say I wasn’t warned. I don’t think I’ve ever had so much fun being tired in all my life. And while I am extremely glad for the opportunity to get know my coworkers and the Paizo fans better, the clear highlight of the show was talking with all the talented and friendly artists who took the time out of their busy schedules to chat, whether in Artist’s Alley, the Paizo booth, or (even better) one of Indianapolis’s fine drinkeries.

As this was my first time attending GenCon, I obviously can’t compare it to last year, but I was surprised by the number of talented artists who stopped by to show us their portfolios. I certainly wasn’t expecting such a great turnout. And I can’t think of a better way to spend my time. Thanks to all who came by the booth and helped make my first GenCon such a great experience. I hope you all had a successful con, and I can’t wait to see you next year!

Pathfinder Minis from Reaper!! Including the Beginner Box.


Always amazed by the amount of books we do in a year!

Wayne and the Iconic Witch!

This banner is HUGE!!!


Eva Widermann's Grey Maiden!!

Its Time for GenCon...

2011-07-29T02:18:00.000-07:00

Sorry for being so quiet lately! Everyone at Paizo has been getting ready for the company exodus to the yearly GenCon in Indy! We have some great products with some great art and some surprising annoucements! I will be doing posts from the show to document the exciting stuff that we will be announcing. In the meatime hope you like this Wayne Reynolds sketch and final of the Ultimate Combat!

If you wish to have a portfolio review with me or Andrew we will be doing them on Sunday at GenCon. We will have a sign up sheet so just come on by anytime and sign up for the slot that works best for you. See you at the show!!!

Best Convention of the Year!!!

2011-07-13T11:58:00.000-07:00

Every year in the first week of June Paizo puts on our own convention creatively called PaizoCon. With all the conventions in a year why would you want to add another convention to your list well because PaizoCon is low-key and really fun!!!

It is my favorite con of the year mainly because its local (Redmond, WA) and all I really do is hang out with the artists and make sure that they are happy and get anything they need (like beer delivery!!) It is a small convention just under 500 attendees but they are the best fans in this genre and like to spend money!!! :)

This past June it was our third year and every year its gets bigger and better. Tyler Walpole was our Artist Guest of Honor and I think he had a pretty good time and did pretty well in sales. Past years we had Eva Widerman and Wayne Reynolds. I know in 2012 Wayne Reynolds will return and I am hoping to get the artist in the very first blog here Andrew Hou out sometime. Anyone is welcome and I am told next year we will be in bigger better hotel so if you want to attend the best laid-back, fun convention make it out to PaizoCon!!!

I generally do not do portfolio reviews at PaizoCon but now I am thinking that this is the best time to do them cause I will be able to spend more time with each artists so if you want to illustrate for Paizo this would be the best time to get a one to one review with me and Andrew Vallas!!

Here are a few pics from this years show!

Kieran Yanner, Craig J Spearing and Tyler Walpole

Guest of Honor Tyler Walpole working a character illo

Todd Lockwood decided to show up and hang out!

PaizoCon Banquet!

All 8 Lined up in a Row!

2011-06-30T09:15:00.000-07:00

Its really hard to believe that we have done eight Adventure Paths (AP). Its seems like it was just yesterday I was scrambling to get the first title Burnt Offerings to the printer and now we are on volume 51!!! There are two APs during the year and they are great fun to design plus it gives me a chance to work with some of the most talented fantasy artists.

The way the AP art descriptions are handled is I give the artist all six at once giving them a month for each cover. I try to keep the descriptions small so they can put there own creativity into the characters and backgrounds. I rarely have to send anything back for revisions and sometimes the illustration will be so much better than what we had in our head that words will change to match.

Its hard to pick a favorite but my favorite character done so far has to be Council of Thieves: The Sixfold Trail. Steve Prescotts opera singer is amazingly great!!! And so is the mini.

Wayne Reynolds returns as the cover artist for the current AP Jade Regent and Daryl Mandryk has signed on for the AP after that...all about pirates!

Its rare to see the AP covers all lined up together so here are the completed eight so far. (click for larger view)


Rise of the Runelords by Wayne Reynolds

Curse of the Crimson Throne by Wayne Reynolds

Second Darkness by Steve Prescott


Legacy of Fire by Jesper Esjing


Council of Thieves by Steve Prescott

Kingmaker by Vincent Dutrait

Serpent's Skull by Kerem Beyit


Carrion Crown by Dave Rapoza

Welcome Andrew Vallas!

2011-06-23T21:37:00.000-07:00

If you have worked with me for awhile you would know that I did mostly everything for all Pathfinder products. Art direction, graphic design, and layout. It was certainly a lot of work but now Andrew Vallas has joined Paizo and he has been super magnificent not only taking the workload from me but he has also brought his own designs to the Pathfinder line and is now out there searching for artists! So you should remember his name and welcome him into the fantasy art community!!! Both he and I will be at GenCon this year so stop by and say hi and buy him (and me) a few rounds! Here are a few words from him.
_________

Hello and welcome to the second installment of the Pathfinder Art Blog! I’ll keep this brief so we can get to the art. My name is Andrew Vallas, and I’m the graphic designer at Paizo Publishing, where I work on the page layout and design of many of our game products and novels. Additionally—and more pertinent to this blog —I am responsible for commissioning the art for four of our regular product lines.

I started with Paizo in September 2010, and can say with absolutely no hesitation that this is the best job I’ve ever held. As a lifelong fan of the fantasy genre, I am thrilled to be working with the creators and developers of the Pathfinder Roleplaying Game. Even more enjoyable, however, is the opportunity to work with and interact with so many of today’s leading fantasy artists.

Speaking of which . . .

Dmitry Burmak (burmak.ru) is a freelance artist living in Moscow, Russia. His evocative illustrations appear in numerous upcoming Pathfinder products, starting with the adventure module The Harrowing. Here are two of my favorites pieces:

J.P. Targete (www.targeteart.com) He is an accomplished digital and traditional illustrator whose works have given life to many characters from our Pathfinder Tales line of webfiction, as well as an upcoming book in our Pathfinder Campaign Setting line of game products.

Hello!

2011-06-14T21:59:00.000-07:00

Wow! I had wanted to start a art blog for quite awhile but work or life got in the way. I am now finished with the main project that had kept me busy for about five months and so now I have some time to start!

I am not sure how this blog will go but I am going to try to at least post once a week. Hopefully it will be entertaining :) I have a few ideas but any suggestions given I will gladly take.

Ok so I guess first about me! I am the Senior Art Director at Paizo Publishing makers of Pathfinder Roleplaying Game and a huge handful of supporting products...too many to list. I have been at Paizo for (gulp) SEVEN years!!! Started as a graphic designer for Dragon & Dungeon Magazines and then just moved into the art director position.

Let's start off this blog with a little interview! I have been using Andrew Hou for about 8 years now. First with the magazines and now Pathfinder. His artwork is awesome and he has saved me on numerous occasions with last minute deadlines. I had the opportunity to meet him when I traveled to Korea a few years back and not only is he a great artist but a great awesome person as well!

Check out a few of his illustrations below! Also check out http://njoo.deviantart.com/gallery/ for his huge gallery!!! Also for something a little different check out http://hj-story.com/ that he does as well. (its super cute!!!)

1. How long have you been freelancing in the Fantasy art genre?
I've been freelancing for the fantasy genre for probably 8+ years now, it was probably one of the first freelance work that I did.

2. How did you get started working for Paizo?
When I just started my art career, I was trying to look for work everywhere, and I landed this really small project, and it so happen that the person that contacted me was also working as an art director (Sean) at Paizo. One of the artist I think backed out of a drawing and he had to find someone to fill in last minute and decided let me try and see if I can do it. That lucky opportunity was the start of my 7-8 years of freelancing for Paizo!

3. What programs and equipment do you use?
I use to draw on paper and then work in Photoshop, now I do everything in Photoshop.

4. How would you tell a new artist to get started in this genre
Draw draw and draw, make use of the power of internet, promote yourself. If you dedicate yourself to doing what you love, everything will work out eventually. Don't be picky at first and try to get exposure and experience by doing whatever work that comes to you.

5. I know that your working as a concept artist as your regular job. How do you keep in focus or keep ideas fresh for your freelancing jobs
It's actually somewhat different, in my day job, I manage the team as well as creating concepts drawing for the game project. I hardly do complete illustration in my day job. So when I go home, I actually enjoy doing complete illustrations instead of concept drawings. Sometimes it does get tiring drawing day and night, but one night of good sleep or a weekend of rest usually does the job of recharging my brain! Also I tend to take in a variety of genre in terms of freelancing to keep things interesting.

6. We have worked together for a long time. Any favorite images come to mind that you have drawn for us?
Looking back at old work, I can find all kinds of mistakes now that I should've fixed. I think for me, as an artist, I'm not satisfy with 99% of the old work. There're a few images that I still somewhat like, one of the would be Sage's nap, and Demogorgon cover for example, I also enjoy drawing the fun goblins that I've been doing lately!