Fantasy Illustrations
A growing compilation of fantasy illustrations, inspired by D&D, Magic: The Gathering, film, video games, and fantasy novels, are just some of my never-ending sources of inspiration that constantly fuel my love of fantasy. Each illustration invites exploration and sparks the imagination, offering viewers an escape from the ordinary into imaginative realms filled with magic, mythical creatures, and epic adventures.
Design
An elf warrior illustration designed and crafted for a card game deck, this character is a dark elf warrior representing the game colors green and black. This card was designed for personal use only.
The card this was printed on had only a couple inches for the illustration to live therefore there needed to be high contrast, a relatively large central figure and a clear read from a distance.
Knowing this informed the overall composition. The colors were informed by the function of the card being green/back which is an important mechanic in the game.
The character also needed to represent a “dark elf warrior”. With those necessities in mind, additional storytelling elements can be found in the clothing and accessories adding depth and personality to the character.
Details
The arrows are crafted from dragonfly wings and hand-carved wood. The leather sheath features a metal atlas beetle and rugged edges for a worn, natural feel.
Continuing the insect theme there are ants running along the bow, beetle armor and butterfly wings along the cloak. Also, the crown is inspired by black shiny beetle legs and horns.
Hinting at another aspect of this warrior, a small bug net and various vials of insects and organic materials suggest that they may collect oddities in their free time.
This is a personal piece that was vaguely inspired by a combination of fantasy creations like Hayao Miyazaki’s Spirited Away, the video game Persona 3 Reload and the many creature horror movies I’ve watched.
