So, I was admiring Drew Baker's art on Doji Makoto today, really loving the warm colors that we don't usually see in Crane, and it occurred to me: Are the artists aware of the frame colors? If so do they choose palettes to contrast with the frames? Granted, with Makoto the orange works with the blue in the art as well, but I thought I'd ask.
Anonymous
Most of them are aware of the frames coloring I have them displayed in the style guide. Not all of them take it into account. Long time artists like Argyle, Baker, and Engle do often keep the frame colors in mind.
Makoto is a great illustration and I like when unusual colors get worked in but don’t dictate or overwhelm the piece.
As a diehard Mantis player, I feel that I have to give you and the entire art team HUGE props for the TSE Mantis art. They are all seriously amazing! Also please let Sergio Camarena do as many cards as he can humanly make. :)
Anonymous
Thanks! Sergio is pretty much on personality and action duty for as long as he wants. We’re big fans of him.
Ok, just saw the Mantis personalities. Why didn't you use the character from Watchers in the Dark? That guy looks awesome!
Anonymous
It was replacement art for an artist who didn’t make his deadline. So all the characters were done at that point. I agree I like the character I might try and slot him for a full personality at some point. Which I have done before, there is a Dragon in an action whom I liked and a set or two later ends up as a personality.
Duel to First Blood - Jake Murray
The objective on this piece was to show a none lethal duel,so if you look carefully it is practice swords being used here. Good flow to the piece Jake captured nice movement.
Watchers in the Dark - Adam Schumpert
Strong Defenses - Alberto Tavira
Kuon’s Legacy - Mark Pennington
Easy Persuasion - Richard Garcia
Nikutai - Troy Graham
We wanted a follower who was a leader and almost a personality look of command. Troy did a great job establishing a mood in the piece.
Niiro no Oni - Chris Burdett - We met Chris at Gen Con 2011 and really liked his monster work. We wanted Niiro to be just creepy and unsettling and that he did.
Chuda Hitaka - Franz Vohwinkel - Crazy sculptor and if it’s crazy Franz can do it. Fun piece.
Quelsa - Carlos NCT - We wanted Carlos’s wild loose style for this. He’s really creative with humanoid creatures.
I have seen mention of design notes influencing art direction, i.e. Vorpal Bunny, does it ever happen in the opposite direction, art influencing design?
Not so much on mechanics those tend to be done by the time the art is completed. However art very often influences flavor text and story team designs. Once the art is done and framed then the ST goes in and does the flavor text which inevitably is based on the provided imagery.
Bishimon’s Tower - Noah Bradley - The implication here is that this massive structure was in large part brought into existence by Kuni Renyu’s earth magic so his forced could better observe and control the surrounding areas. It’s by far one of the most unique looking strongholds and we were going for this unexpected rock tower jutting up out of the wild jungle
Yuruginai - Steve Argyle - The biggest of the Celestial Swords, embedded with jade, reforged and the Celestial Sword that’s seen the most action. Even the saya is sturdy enough to be used as a weapon. It has one of the longest handles indicating military use over style as well.
Chiisai - So at times we consult a close friend named Steve DeBirk on descriptions this one was pretty much all his. We wanted Chiisai to be headed at the viewer almost like he’s ready to come out of the card at them, big up close and personal. We tossed on a jade crab “pendant” as sort of a decoration / joke that they’re not totally sold on elephants not being shadowlands monsters and just wanted to be extra sure.
Hida Bakari - Eddie Sharam - Bakari was imagined as a guy who is really really good at killing and gets easily distracted or bored when there is no one left to rip apart. Piece is a bit more digital looking than we usually want but at card size it ended up being alright.
Hiruma Hikazu - Prof Herbert - Called Hiruma Rally in design the goal on him was him getting his men back out of the jungle and a semi stealthy manner.
Hiruma Chokey Nikaru - Matt Armstrong - Nikaru has a throat crushing fixation. This also marks the return of Matt Armstrong to the L5R art family.
Kaiu Fumiko - Alberto Tavira - A female siege master something we’ve not seen much of. The idea here was she was a Hida who showed a lot more brains than brawny and was sent to engineering school.
Kuni Renyu - Drew Baker - The younger brother of Kisada, Renyu is a powerful and trusted witch hunter. We added the dog as nod to Kuni Tansho. Dogs are a witch hunters best friend.
Yasuki Ikke - Alayna Lemmer - Sleazy tax collector who is cooking the books.
Unexpected - Steve Argyle
Part of a series of images of this Yoritomo she is a fun one. Her traits that developed were amusing sort of this happy go lucky bounty hunter/magistrate. Look out for her personality and other action card.
