Vildeburg & the Lands of Qaarra

Just a quick post today to let you know that this week might be somewhat light on posts.

Here's why:

Yes, I'm about to embark on my first CSW summer campaingn for SoBH. You should check it out. Pat has put together a really nice, fluffy background that is very much in my wheelhouse. The only thing is that means I've got six more riders to paint for my warband in the space of two evenings. So blogging might fall back a little bit.

Above is a map that I drew of the Lands of Qaarra, as devised by Pat. I couldn't resist trying my hand at it, especially after I spent some time reading the tutorials section of the fantasticmaps blog.

I'll try and post at least once more this week, but no promises. But after this week? Well, there will be some kick-ass new characters for my campaign warband that I'm really excited to show off, as well as several exciting battle reports, I'm sure.

In the meantime, feel free to post your thoughts in the comments box located South by Southwest. Don't get lost.

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Rider and Head

So I Was Stuck in DC for a Few Extra Days...

...and here is a preview of what I did to while away the time. 

There'll be a full scan with some color in a couple of days. But I thought you might like a peek a Head of time.

The Electric Wizard Comes to the Wastes

Check it:

Pilgrims to the Hidden City

How once those cities shone high in the gloom,

As patient embers...yes. A muted furnace for many souls.

What comfort came to the hearts of the pilgrims

When they saw far off the glittering collective, and knew peace.

But now the hidden city is lost again. 

Perhaps it is buried in dust, and the fiery domes are cracked.

Or perhaps it waits over the next rise,

Or in the shadow of that sneering mountain, or in the basin of some dry sea.

Scavenger Priest

Hail, brother Scratchbeak, why how cheerily you traipse!

Perhaps you found a trove of  calciferous shapes.

I can picture how, as you relieved them of flesh,

A smile must have crept

up your long, long face.

Blanche-Mania!

Following the call for John Blanche minis over at King's Miniatures, the fantasy/miniature gaming bloglomeration has been flooded with awesome zany miniatures and art. Made me blanche to look at them.

This led me, through the typical by-ways of blog browsing, to the fantasy art originals site, where they have collected a number of his original illustrations from various publications...

...and they're #$%^&ing awesome!

Seriously, some of the most inspiring artwork that I've seen in a long time. I've been fed up with drawing for a while now, but I think thanks to Mr. Blanche, I have a whole new direction to explore.

So to jump on the Blanche-wagon, here are my favorite illustrations from that website. I highly encourage everyone to check them out.

TOP 6 John Blanche Illustrations (The Absolute Must-Haves):

Untitled 08

The Sea People

Untitled 14

The Scoam

Untitled 22

The Downfall of Numenor

TOP 10 (I.E. four more that are Definitely Should-Haves):

The Phaeton

Land of the Marble Halls

The Dance of the Witches

Untitled 21

Number 22 is my absolute favorite. I think. His Battle of Five Armies is also great, though it didn't quite make this list (the Numenor one is better.) Oh, but they're all amazing! Those Reds! Those Blues!

I went ahead and emailed the people who run fantasy art originals, and they said that prints may be available soon! I can just picture a small collection of them hanging above my desk in all of their intricate glory, inspiring me to new heights where people wear conical hats and ride flying fish between fiery tottering wire constructs that sway freakishly in the upper atmosphere!