Artist tidbits: Ben Thompson

[EvilBernd]

Hi there!!

Talked to Ben Thompson yesterday, who is spending his weekend signing cards at the Grand Prix Bochum and after some clever questions by me he revealed the following information:

- he did 3 (or 4 - he wasn't sure about this) pieces for Fifth Dawn
- he remembered doing arts for 2 artifacts and 1 special land for Fifth Dawn
- WotC hired some asian guy (probably a Japanese) to help them with the art direction of the next block (this Kamigawa-thing)
- art for Kamigawa-Block will be of a very high artistical level - he was very thrilled about it

I would have asked more, but there was this angry mob with a lot of Patriarch's Biddings in their hands waiting to get those signed, so I stopped interviewing him.

Cya EB

[extremeicon]

The art I've seen so far for the Kamigawa block looks pretty cool. I'm glad that for the most part, Wizards has gotten away from "telling a story" with the card art and not putting the main characters in every other illustration. I'm hoping that will continue into Kamigawa...so I guess it's good to hear the art will be "of a very high artistical level."

[ThornThallid]

What they've released so far for kamigawa artwork looks fantastic in my opinion, and I'm glad to hear that they're pushing to get really high artwork standard.
As much as I like the older card art from a nostalgic point of view, the artwork in magic just gets better and better.

[jobim]

Good art can give a card so much flavor...take slith predator for instance... Definetely looking forward to well stylized and high quality Kamigawa art, then.

[Gandalf-in-a-boat]

You mean Angry Mob.

I'd say I was really looking forward to the Kamigawa block, but I'm not done enjoying Mirrodin block yet.

[UnderdogDeckChamp]

You're lucky you have spies like me in the MTG.com forums....

I think you'll find the look of Kamigawa is rich with new directions. I know the project made me stretch my skill set to meet it and I suspect other artists may feel the same. Jeremy also will be introducing some new artists with this series, including the fellow whose work graces that teaser page: Ittoku Seta! Ittoku was a total kick to work with. He's as much a sweetheart as his work kicks ass. If you want to see more of his stuff (and shame on WOTC for not posting this link), here's his site:

http://members.jcom.home.ne.jp/ittoku01/hp/index.html

I highly recommend giving it a look. Check out his links section too; there are some AMAZING people there. As were the other people on the concept team, Hugh Jameison and Rob Alexander. We had a blast.

Yep, Ittoku Seta, i've never heard of him, but i'm sure his name will be blackened by many who don't like the change.
Anyway, this was a post from Anthony S. Waters on his personal thread in the artists forum.

[Jack Cain]

Didnt this guy draw Arcbound Fiend?

[Blitzer]

i think it was him that drew Rebulking ceremony, it is a very good paint job IMO

[rancored_elf]

Originally Posted by UnderdogDeckChamp

Anyway, this was a post from Anthony S. Waters on his personal thread in the artists forum.

That Dryad has nice bush... in the background of the artwork. That makes me think it'll be a green card

Uh, yeah, it's a little shocking for a Magic card, though. It's still nice art.

[TheSengirVampire]

Rebuking Ceremony does have amazing art. I really like the fact that they're trying to raise the standards of the art in MTG.

[Woapalanne]

*gives RE a PopeWoap warning for bad puns.*

Check out these Character Designs.
http://itk.hp.infoseek.co.jp/fantazy/f-html/f-top.html
Any of em! Very intricate, high details... Fun!

[MirrorrorriM]

That art will definitely show up on a card...

Hopefully, 'very high artistical level,' doesn't mean, 'nothing but photoshop work any puke could come up with in ten minutes.'

[atogatogatog]

One thing I've seen about art now adays is that if focus's around hte central object and the rest is just blurred...I just don't like the style. Make it like a paiting I say...Ah well I'm just picky.

[korbomite]

Wow. Thanks Woapalanne. That site has some killer art... pigs with mohawks and elephants with wing-ears? What's next, normal dwarves?

Oh. Thats cool.

It really isnt all any one nationality. I see japanese, indian, arabian, greek, russian, and some good old-fashioned tolkein too. Neat shtuff.

[rancored_elf]

Originally Posted by korbomite

That site has some killer art... What's next? It really isnt all any one nationality. I see japanese, indian, arabian, greek, russian, and some good old-fashioned tolkein too. Neat shtuff.

I don't think that site has Magic artwork on it... just random fantasy artwork. If that's confirmed Magic artwork, let's celebrate getting it several months early! Also, we should post it on the front page! But I'm pretty sure it's just a fantasy artwork collection.