This is the thread to discover the community's favorite mtg card art by each artist.
Each week a different artist will be offered up. Check the last page in this thread, or the thread title to see which artist we are currently voting on.
How to vote: vote for one card only as your favorite by this artist. Give as many honorable mentions as you like. By all means tell us why your chosen card is your favorite. Remember to link directly to the card. This is especially important when we are voting for the likes of John Avon. If you like one of his forests best, link directly to the card, or we won't know which Forest you are voting for!
After you vote, by all means nominate an artist for the thread to cover next time. It won't be the sole means of selecting an artist, but will make a difference. Here's why:
During spoiler season, I will put up artists who are no longer being commissioned, the Rebecca Guays and Quinton Hoovers. Outside of spoiler season expect to see the Jason Chans and Kev Walkers etc.
I have decided to start with Igor Kieryluk, who seems a favourite of many.
Falkenrath Aristocrat. Even though the art isn't particularly detailed, the colors are absolutely perfect. There are three distinct parts; the background is grim and smudgy to contrast with the pristine white of the vampire, and that white is only getting marred by the deep red blood. The colors also are correctly focused, with the white being the most easily noticeable part, the red being the second most noticeable, and the grey being third so that Ms. Vampire is the focus of her card's art. I also like how the blood looks like a dress and gloves, emphasizing her elegance.
Honorable mention to Elesh Norn, Grand Cenobite, which still wows me with its detail, use of color, and overall set placement. I put it lower because I think Falkenrath Aristocrat is a more unique style.
I don't know if you guys all realized this, but for the longest time I thought Elesh Norn was some creature with a "hollow" face encased by some red, meaty flesh, carrying some scythe-like thing behind her.
If you look more closely at her, you realize that the scythe-thing is actually her head, and the red, meaty flesh is her neck...weird.
My vote has to go for my favorite card by him: Spectral Rider (simply because it is what lead me to spirit decks, and the artwork is awesome.)
HM to: Suture Priest & Adaptive Automaton
My choice would have to be Geosurge. It's been my favorite wallpaper for a while. The details on the flames are pretty amazing, and I love the textured geography in the background. Koth looks tiny in the foreground as well. It really adds to the whole visual experience.
HM to Banishing Stroke - goes nicely with the Miracle card frame
Artist nomination:
Richard Kane Ferguson
Matt Cavotta
Kev Walker
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Peace is a lie, there is only passion.
Through passion, I gain strength.
Through strength, I gain power.
Through power, I gain victory.
Through victory, my chains are broken.
The Force shall free me.
Honorable Mentions: Enclave Cryptologist/Linvala, Keeper of Silence
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Casual
:symu:Swirl the Paint:symu:
:symb:Relentless:symb:
:symr:Enchantshot:symr:
:symg:Lost in the Woods (You in the wrong neighborhood):symg:
:symg:Persistence:symg:
:symw::symu:Old-Fashioned Seance:symw::symu:
:symw::symu:Treasure Hunting:symw::symu:
:symrw::symwb:Kaalia:symrw::symwb:
Hum, since I'm pretty sure the new Borborygmos art is his, can I vote for that?
Ha! No, and this is why during spoiler season I will put up artists who aren't currently being commissioned. That art won't be on a card before next year, since Gruul are in Gatecrash.
(gatherer has all version of the same card by the same artist, plus good quality scans. MtgCards.info has larger images of cards and promo cards that gatherer does not)
Quick recap of the rules:
How to vote: vote for one card only as your favorite by this artist. Give as many honorable mentions as you like. By all means tell us why your chosen card is your favorite. Remember to link directly to the card. This is especially important when we are voting for the likes of John Avon. If you like one of his forests best, link directly to the card, or we won't know which Forest you are voting for!
Voting will be open for one week.
After you vote, by all means nominate an artist for the thread to cover next time. It won't be the sole means of selecting an artist, but will make a difference.
After a looong look at the cards, my vote goes to the promo Lotus Cobra, although I would prefer it to be available as a non-foil. This plays to Terese's strength of animals and vibrant colours.
My Vote: Force of Will - One of my favorite card, crazy good art ... We don't even need to bother tallying the votes ... This is going to win.
Honorable Mentions: Charisma - I just think this card is funny. Fact or Fiction - Another one of my favorite cards, but I am not a particularly huge fan of the art
M11 Holy Strength, M12 Lifelink - Amazing art, not so amazing cards
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Now Playing Modern RUBW Affinity BGR Midrange UWR Control RG Titan Shift RW Burn GW Bogles G Tron
This is a very tough choice. Terese Nielsen has illustrated a lot of Magic cards, and she has shown great variety in her art.
My first choice pick eventually settled on Secluded Glen. It's just gorgeous. The lighting is very realistically done, the scene is colorful but not garish, and the entire piece looks very fairy tale-esque. The soft outlines really make it look more subdued and peaceful. Whenever somebody criticizes Lorwyn's style, I show them this card.
Here were some of my personal favorites (All of these are honorable mentions).
I don't understand the love for Force of Will. Yeah, Force of Will is a great card and the art is really cool, but the art doesn't match the card ability at all. There are plenty of Nielsen arts that fit the card much better. Still, I applaud her use of a red palette on a very Blue card; it really stands out.
Hard choice as she's been around for quite awhile and also being my second favorite artist. For me, it's a hard choice between her two recent works of descendant's path and basandra. In the end, I'll have to go descendants' path due to how well the art pulled off the flavor of the card.
I'm actually a bit surprised that no perverts mentioned the female elvish ranger she made.
Each week a different artist will be offered up. Check the last page in this thread, or the thread title to see which artist we are currently voting on.
How to vote: vote for one card only as your favorite by this artist. Give as many honorable mentions as you like. By all means tell us why your chosen card is your favorite. Remember to link directly to the card. This is especially important when we are voting for the likes of John Avon. If you like one of his forests best, link directly to the card, or we won't know which Forest you are voting for!
After you vote, by all means nominate an artist for the thread to cover next time. It won't be the sole means of selecting an artist, but will make a difference. Here's why:
I have decided to start with Igor Kieryluk, who seems a favourite of many.
MagicCards.info link
//gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Search/Default.aspx?action=advanced&artist=+[%22Igor%20Kieryluk%22">"]Gatherer link
To ensure a reasonable choice between card arts, only artists with 20 or more card arts will be covered. That still leaves a lot!
Each week I'll tally up the votes, announce the winning card, and move on to another artist.
Previous winning cards
(Artists A-M):
Rob Alexander: Oboro, Palace in the Clouds (see post 159)
Steve Argyle: Mayael's Aria (see post 109)
John Avon: Unhinged Island (see post 293)
Volkan Baga: Elspeth, Knight-Errant (see post 1038)
Thomas M. Baxa: Blood Funnel (see post 332)
Steven Belledin: Etched Monstrosity (see post 275)
Zoltan Boros: Blazing Archon (see post 450)
Aleksi Briclot: Simic Guildmage (see post 425)
Brom: Desolation Angel (see post 362)
Matt Cavotta: Goblin Piledriver (see post 189)
Clint Cearley: Geist-Honored Monk (see post 686)
Jason Chan: Gisela, Blade of Goldnight (see post 325)
Cliff Childs: Homicidal Seclusion (see post 696)
Chippy: Lotus Cobra (see post 58)
Carl Critchlow: High Market (see post 121)
Daarken: Ethersworn Shieldmage (see post 201)
Eric Deschamps: Ash Zealot (see post 889)
Jesper Ejsing: Ballynock Cohort (see post 529)
Richard Kane Ferguson: Dakkon Blackblade (see post 249)
Scott M. Fischer: Serra Avenger (see post 263)
Kaja Foglio: Shahrazad (see post 398)
Randy Gallegos: FTV Balance (see post 641)
Donato Giancola: Memory Jar (see post 657)
Lucas Graciano: Nightwing Shade (see post 948)
Lars Grant-West: Glimmervoid (see post 1055)
Rebecca Guay: Channel (see post 347)
Nils Hamm: Baleful Strix (see post 611)
Greg & Tim Hildebrandt: Cho-Manno, Revolutionary (see post 495)
Quinton Hoover: Vesuvan Doppelganger (see post 580)
Alex Horley-Orlandelli: Breath of Malfegor (see post 1075)
Ralph Horsley: Howling Mine (see post 1064)
Ittoku: Scour (see post 380)
Jaime Jones: Progenitus (see post 231)
Dave Kendall: One-Eyed Scarecrow (see post 1089)
Igor Kieryluk: Linvala, Keeper of Silence (see post 21)
Brandon Kitkouski: Cascade Bluffs (see post 408)
Michael Komarck: Planar Cleansing (see post 176)
Karl Kopinski: Rix Maadi Guildmage (see post 760)
Todd Lockwood: Recumbent Bliss (see post 309)
Howard Lyon: Time Reversal (see post 507)
Anson Maddocks: Hurloon Minotaur (see post 846)
Slawomir Maniak: Prophetic Bolt (see post 996)
Jeff A. Menges: Thalakos Lowlands (see post 1104)
Christopher Moeller: Copper-Leaf Angel (see post 139)
Peter Mohrbacher: Erebos, God of the Dead (see post 856)
Jim Murray: Skyknight Legionnaire (see post 438)
Jesper Myrfors: Tundra (see post 544)
Winona Nelson: Bruna, Light of Alabaster (see post 937)
Terese Nielsen: Descendants' Path (see post 37)
David Palumbo: Totally Lost (see post 625)
Adam Paquette: Thunderous Wrath (see post 747)
Parente: Sadistic Hypnotist (see post 902)
Jung Park: Hallowed Fountain (see post 775)
Steve Prescott: Slaughter Games (see post 1014)
Vincent Proce: Day of Judgement (see post 516)
Chris Rahn: Glissa, the Traitor (see post 465)
Roger Raupp: Snake Basket (see post 960)
Wayne Reynolds: Ink-Eyes, Servant of Oni (see post 803)
Andrew Robinson: Destructive Urge (see post 1130)
Christopher Rush: Ihsan's Shade (see post 557)
Dan Scott: Moonlight Geist (see post 91)
Douglas Shuler: Mirage Island 300 (see post 832)
Ron Spencer: Crucible of Worlds (see post 215)
Greg Staples: Orzhov Guildmage (see post 473)
Matt Stewart: Gift of Immortality (see post 872)
Raymond Swanland: Gleam of Battle (see post 785)
Justin Sweet: Aurora Eidolon (see post 818)
Hideaki Takamura: Sowing Salt (see post 1155)
Mark Tedin: Primal Beyond (see post 735)
Drew Tucker: Dandan (see post 919)
Cyril van der Haegen: Knight of Sursi (see post 1119)
Svetlin Velinov: Talrand's Invocation (see post 593)
Pete Venters: Hellfire (see post 151)
Franz Vohwinkel: Snow-Covered Island (see post 706)
Kev Walker: Damnation (see post 77)
Anthony S. Waters: Hinder (see post 718)
Matthew D. Wilson: Serra Advocate (see post 668)
Yeong Hao-Han: Millstone (see post 978)
Mark Zug: (Lotus Bloom see post 483)
For the Curious - vote results by permanent type, colour, rarity, and set)
By rarity:
Common: 15
Uncommon: 17
Rare: 33
Mythic: 12
Special: 2
By colour:
White: 18
Blue: 6
Black: 10
Red: 6
Green: 3
Hybrid: 2
Multi: 14
Colourless: 9
Land: 11
By permanent type:
Instant: 6
Sorcery: 11
Creature: 36
Enchantment: 9
Artifact: 11
Land: 11
Planeswalker: 1
Tribal: 0
By set:
6
Avacyn Restored
4
Return to Ravnica
3
Alpha
From the Vault
Innistrad
Ravnica
2
Alara Reborn
Arabian Nights
Betrayers of Kamigawa
Dissension
Eventide
Legends
Magic 2011
Mercadian Masques
Theros
Time Spiral
Zendikar
1
10th Edition
Apocalypse
Coldsnap
Conflux
Dragon's Maze
Duel Deck
Fifth Dawn
Future Sight
Gatecrash
Guildpact
Homelands
Magic 2010
Magic 2013
Magic 2014
Mirage
Mirrodin
Mirrodin Besieged
Magic Player Rewards
Morningtide
Odyssey
Onslaught
New Phyrexia
Planar Chaos
Planechase
Promotional
Prophecy
Rise of the Eldrazi
Saviors of Kamigawa
Shadowmoor
Shards of Alara
Tempest
Unhinged
Urza's Destiny
Urza's Saga
Visions
The figure radiates power without violence.
My HMs go to Adaptive Automaton, Suture Priest, and Peace Strider.
I'd add that Peace Strider looks just like a life gaining artifact might and Sangromancer looks like she'd be fun at parties.
Honorable mention to Elesh Norn, Grand Cenobite, which still wows me with its detail, use of color, and overall set placement. I put it lower because I think Falkenrath Aristocrat is a more unique style.
Igor paints some great ladies, it seems.
Choice of artist for next vote: Terese Nielsen
Thanks to Rivenor of Miraculous Recovery Signatures!
Honorable mention: Suture Priest
Why?: I do not have a real explanation. I just think Elesh Norn looks really cool.
Modern
RUBW Affinity
BGR Midrange
UWR Control
RG Titan Shift
RW Burn
GW Bogles
G Tron
If you look more closely at her, you realize that the scythe-thing is actually her head, and the red, meaty flesh is her neck...weird.
HM to: Suture Priest & Adaptive Automaton
FULL TIME FAERIES
Selvala
Niv-Mizzet Ramp 'n' Wheel
Godo: Strap him up and turn him sideways!
Linvala and Infinite Reflection are second and third place I think.
HM to
Banishing Stroke - goes nicely with the Miracle card frame
Artist nomination:
Richard Kane Ferguson
Matt Cavotta
Kev Walker
Through passion, I gain strength.
Through strength, I gain power.
Through power, I gain victory.
Through victory, my chains are broken.
The Force shall free me.
Honorable Mentions: Enclave Cryptologist/Linvala, Keeper of Silence
:symb:Relentless:symb:
:symr:Enchantshot:symr:
:symg:Lost in the Woods (You in the wrong neighborhood):symg:
:symg:Persistence:symg:
:symw::symu:Old-Fashioned Seance:symw::symu:
:symw::symu:Treasure Hunting:symw::symu:
:symrw::symwb:Kaalia:symrw::symwb:
HM. Falkenrath Aristocraft
Artist N.
Chippy
1st place GPT Seattle
1st place GPT Anaheim
Ha! No, and this is why during spoiler season I will put up artists who aren't currently being commissioned. That art won't be on a card before next year, since Gruul are in Gatecrash.
My pick for next artist is the bantasically talented Michael Komarck.
I don't always post about Rafiq of the Many, but when I do, I cardlink to the original artwork, and not the supplementary product version.
"I trust myself to do my duty, even unto death. It's what comes after that I'm afraid of."
"Just fight without fear. Your soul is protected by the hand of Avacyn and will never submit to evil."
Also getting votes were;
Suture Priest
Sangromancer
Falkenrath Aristocrat
Peace Strider
Geist of Saint Traft
Elesh Norn, Grand Cenobite
Priests of Norn
World at War
Soul Parry
Geosurge
Water Servant
Spectral Rider
Thanks everyone who voted, and to those who gave nominations for the next artist to cover. I'll put up the next one shortly.
//gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Search/Default.aspx?action=advanced&special=true&artist=+[%22Terese%20Nielsen%22">"]Gatherer Link
MtG Cards.info link
(gatherer has all version of the same card by the same artist, plus good quality scans. MtgCards.info has larger images of cards and promo cards that gatherer does not)
Quick recap of the rules:
How to vote: vote for one card only as your favorite by this artist. Give as many honorable mentions as you like. By all means tell us why your chosen card is your favorite. Remember to link directly to the card. This is especially important when we are voting for the likes of John Avon. If you like one of his forests best, link directly to the card, or we won't know which Forest you are voting for!
Voting will be open for one week.
After you vote, by all means nominate an artist for the thread to cover next time. It won't be the sole means of selecting an artist, but will make a difference.
After a looong look at the cards, my vote goes to the promo Lotus Cobra, although I would prefer it to be available as a non-foil. This plays to Terese's strength of animals and vibrant colours.
HMs go to the Guru Mountain, Thought Reflection, Silverskin Armor, and Basandra, Battle Seraph. Yeah, hard choice.
HM to Swords to Plowshares. I dig the art, even though I imagine his left wrist is a little sore.
It appears that Descendants' Path has a bit of symmetry with other works.
Honorable Mentions:
Charisma - I just think this card is funny.
Fact or Fiction - Another one of my favorite cards, but I am not a particularly huge fan of the art
M11 Holy Strength, M12 Lifelink - Amazing art, not so amazing cards
Modern
RUBW Affinity
BGR Midrange
UWR Control
RG Titan Shift
RW Burn
GW Bogles
G Tron
HM:
Force of Will
Life from the Loam
Lotus Cobra Grand Prix art
all the GURU lands
Swords to Plowshares
Visions of Beyond
Argh! There's so many good Nielsen arts!
It's just...so...FLUFFY!!!!
Next artist Pick: Carl Critchlow.
My first choice pick eventually settled on Secluded Glen. It's just gorgeous. The lighting is very realistically done, the scene is colorful but not garish, and the entire piece looks very fairy tale-esque. The soft outlines really make it look more subdued and peaceful. Whenever somebody criticizes Lorwyn's style, I show them this card.
Here were some of my personal favorites (All of these are honorable mentions).
Unglued Forest
Tenth Edition
- Holy Strength
- Magus of the Candelabra
- Silverskin Armor
- Spiritual Guardian
(Nielsen really likes Wolverine.:o)Zombie Mob
I don't understand the love for Force of Will. Yeah, Force of Will is a great card and the art is really cool, but the art doesn't match the card ability at all. There are plenty of Nielsen arts that fit the card much better. Still, I applaud her use of a red palette on a very Blue card; it really stands out.
Nomination for next artist: Chippy
Thanks to Rivenor of Miraculous Recovery Signatures!
I'm actually a bit surprised that no perverts mentioned the female elvish ranger she made.
I think I'll go with Descendants' Path, closely followed by promo Natural Order and promo Eternal Witness
Edit: Apparently the promo Natural Order was also the Visions art.