, our aim is to have every card tell a story, brought to life through the hand-painted illustrations of some of the world's most talented traditional artists.

One standout example of this approach is 

 set, a stunning piece that captures the transformation of a young squire, masterfully illustrated by 

Today, Lindsey shares her insights into the creative process behind this compelling illustration, one of many unforgettable pieces waiting to be discovered in the Contested Realm.

A Creative Process Rooted in Storytelling

For Lindsey, every illustration begins with research. “The more I research, the more meaningful details I can put into a piece,” she explains. Her approach to 

 was no different, pulling inspiration from historical references, books, and popular media. Originally titled, 

, searching for a way to capture the emotional weight of the moment, she found herself thinking of the young, knock-kneed Arthur from Disney’s 

“I imagined a squire that was watching an assault on his beloved mentor, who was only just too far away to help. Finding his mentor where he was struck down, he picks up his helmet. His vow to take up the knight’s mantle and avenge him is solidified in that moment.”

Lindsey's creative process starts with thumbnail sketches, usually with pencil and paper, though sometimes she paints them. She's also been known to incorporate modern tools like 3D sculpting or even going so far as to stage elaborate photography scenes with models and props. Each technique offers a unique perspective, and Lindsey’s skillset affords her the ability to adapt her approach for each new challenge.

After finalizing the concept and receiving feedback from Erik Olofsson, 

 founder and creative director, Lindsey refines her idea into a digital mockup. This serves as a blueprint for her final oil painting, where her skill and craftsmanship truly shine.


 comes with its own set of challenges, particularly when working with a vertical composition.  “It can be hard sometimes getting the vertical composition to work well,” Lindsey notes. While 

 Atlas cards provide ample space in their landscape format, 

is a Spellcard, requiring her to convey the emotional impact of the scene with a narrower frame. “Something needed to be avenged, and in this case, I want to hint at the fallen knight while bringing the main focus of the piece on the young squire, or heir," she explains.

But how to include both the fallen knight and the young heir without the composition losing its focus? Lindsey’s solution was to use a tree to frame the scene, guiding the viewer’s eye upward. “I think we all subconsciously store imagery in our heads from our favorite books and movies,” she reflects. For her, that meant challenging echoes of Boromir’s dramatic farewell in 

, we're honored to have artists of Lindsey's caliber shaping 

.  Join us in celebrating our artists  in the 

To discover more about the incredible talent behind 

, explore our full roster of artists on the 

Artist Spotlight: Lindsey Crummett and the Making of Vengeful Heir

Shadows stir, and something is brewing in the darkness of the realm.

Today we welcome one of the newest additions to the 

 roster, a talented traditional artist helping to bring our upcoming set 

 A master of mood and atmosphere, Pedro’s work reinforces Gothic’s brooding spirit, yet his range allows for moments of wonder and whimsy.

A traditional illustrator based in Porto, Portugal, Pedro’s artistic passion took root in childhood. “I was a timid child,” he reflects, but his imagination soared through the pages of 

 and he found escape in fairy tales like 

 by Hans Christian Anderson. It was that story specifically which introduced him to the enchanting work of Edmund Dulac; a discovery that was pivotal in nurturing his creative spirit and set him on his artistic path.

Crafting Mood and Mystery Through Tradition

Pedro’s artistic style fuses the expressive equalities of neo-impressionism with a passion for storytelling. Drawing inspiration from masters like Rembrandt and Velázquez, as well as iconic Japanese illustrators from the ‘80s and ‘90s, including Jun Suemi and Ayami Kojima, Pedro’s goal is to create works that stir emotion and atmosphere, embracing the power of suggestion over explicit detail. As he puts it, “Art ought to imply and suggest, rather than describe in a literal manner I want to add enough, just so that the viewer ‘gets it,’ but can also fill in the blanks.”

evolving tapestry, evoking both shadow and splendor. Take for example, his debut piece: “Gift of the Frog” - a nod to the community’s beloved frog-themed cards. A fitting first reveal - after all you can’t show up to a party empty-handed!


From thumbnail to final card, Pedro’s “Gift of the Frog.” Please note: Gothic is still in active development, card image is not final.

 began with an unexpected connection. While designing the album cover for 

, he met the album’s producer, a passionate 

fan, who urged him to share his portfolio with the Erik’s Curiosa team. When 

 founder Erik Olofsson reviewed Pedro’s work, he instantly recognized his talent. The timing was serendipitous: Pedro had recently transitioned from digital art to fully embracing traditional painting, perfectly aligning with 

Connect with Pedro and the Sorcery Community (and Stay Tuned!)

We’re thrilled to have Pedro’s artistry help shape the world of 

for more exclusive sneak peeks, artist spotlights, and gameplay reveals.

Welcome to the realm, Pedro. We can’t wait to see your creations unfold!

Welcome to Sorcery, Pedro G. Ferreira!

 is a hand-painted masterpiece, brought to life through the vision and creativity of our extraordinary artists. Among them is 

, have made a lasting impact on the game’s artistic legacy.

With a background steeped in anthropology, an eye for storytelling, and a love of myth and legend, Liz’s work weaves together rich narratives and visual splendor drawing from her research and personal experiences traveling.

We had the privilege of catching up with Liz to delve into the stories behind a few of her favorite pieces. Here's what she shared!

Mirror Realm: A Journey from Doubt to Pride

she hated it. “I stuffed it in a drawer and felt like I never wanted to look at it again,” she confesses. But, months later, everything changed. “I pulled it out and thought, ‘Gee, that’s actually really nice. I think I’ll frame and hang it.”

Unlike most of her work, which Liz says she loves initially but grows critical of overtime, 

 followed an opposite path. “It wasn’t my go-to preference for subject matter,” Liz says, referencing the landscape focus. “

 took a long time to do. It was painted in 2020, a trying time for us all, and I was also dealing with low-grade long Covid. By the time I worked my way to its conclusion, I was 

has a special place in her heart. The painting draws inspiration from her travels, blending elements like a rock formation along the California coast, captured in a photo she took decades ago, to clouds and sunlight from a trip to Italy in 2019, and Cedar trees and sunlit water from morning walks around the Rillito River in Arizona.

The piece came together with a critical suggestion from Erik Olofsson, 

 founder and creative director. “I’d actually done four small and completely different paintings to be melded together, and they didn’t make a satisfactory whole for either of us,” Liz explains. Erik proposed the concept of a literal “sky mirror,” which elevated the composition to its final form.

The Seelie Court: Twilight Elegance and Hidden Power

 as a scene that captured the Fae’s timeless beauty and mystery. “The features I wanted most included: a mournful sense of ancient nobility and magical wonder passing out of the world,” Liz shares. Twilight and autumn set the tone, with elements like fireflies and art Nouveau-inspired columns framing the scene.

At the center of the piece is Titania, the queen of the Seelie, whose unearthly power and beauty were inspired by an albino model and cosplayer, Nastya Zhidkova. “She is slightly out of focus and with a less detailed aspect, to encourage the viewer to bring their own image of what ‘beauty’ can be into the process,” Liz explains.

Next came the courtiers, presenting a new challenge: capturing the attitude of the Fae. While the composition was resolved, Liz now had to convey their personalities in a way that felt authentic to their otherworldly nature. 

The result? Courtiers who are anything but passive, each radiating attitude and intensity. “Almost every one of the Fae are giving the viewers a hard stare, a haughty sneer, cool indifference, or frankly amused delight like a feral cat might have when spotting a fledgling just slipped out from the nest too early,” Liz shares. Each figure was carefully crafted, incorporating changelings, archers, and unseen forest folk to create a scene rich with detail and story.

is its dark mirror, filled with rage and reprisal. ‘The ‘elevator speech’ for this piece was, ‘You mortals ruined our glorious realm, by driving us off, and I would rather see it burn to the ground than let you enjoy a single green blade of it,” Liz passionately explains.

At the heart of the composition is the Unseelie King, crowned with an Irish elk skull - a symbol of humanity’s destruction of nature. “The skull’s implicit statement is, “This is what they did to the deer. This is what they would do to us. Give them no mercy, give them no quarter,” Liz shares.

The painting is filled with mythological figures, each carefully chosen from their dark and menacing qualities. “The baen shidhe (banshee) was a given. The Hellhound behind her is a traditional white-coated, red-eared hellhound of Celtic myth rather than the darker variety. A common, troll, with a pig’s skull for the hammer of his bludgeon. The musician plays a harp made from the breastbone and pelvis of a murdered girl. The witch has a hollow tooth, another Gaelic myth found from Ireland to northern Spain. The murderous redcap, whose headwear is dipped in the blood of his victims,” Liz continues, “A crazed Cailleach peers from behind the Kelpie, a lovely horse associated with water. When children pet the pretty horsie, they find they cannot get their hand loose from its hide. The kelpie submerges, and drowns the child.”

 can also be found. The grown changeling child from Titania’s court reappears here, now corrupted and standing at the king’s side. “He is not the scared and vulnerable child anymore,” Liz reveals. “And although still mortal, he evidently has magic and an unnaturally long life to carry on the king’s campaign of revenge against humanity long after the Fae themselves have gone to the West or faded away.”

The dark, layered narrative underscores the 

s vengeance and its stark contrast to the ethereal grace of the Seelie. Every element is steeped in myth and menace, creating a painting that feels as haunting as it is unforgettable.

Liz adds an unnerving detail: the eyes of each character are painted with Ultrablack, capturing more than 99% of the incident light. “Reproduced on a card or print, it only gives the characters an empty dreadful gaze, but the darkness is truly unnerving in the original.”

captures the heart of what makes the game so inspiring. From the reflective beauty of 

, her art transports players not only into the contested realm but also an even wider realm of imagination!

Liz stays in close contact with her community via her 

. To discover more about the incredible talent behind 

Artist Spotlight: Liz Danforth & Stories Behind Sorcery’s Stunning Artwork

, excitement began to build for what new captivating additions might come to 

 officially released, we’re thrilled to share more about one of the masterful artists behind our most recent set: Bryon Wackwitz.

Bryon is no stranger to the world of trading card games. A true veteran, he was one of the original 49 artists for 

. Over his illustrious career, he’s brought his creative vision to several iconic games and now, he’s turning his artistic mastery to 

, delivering pieces that are sure to captivate fans!

When it comes to technique, Bryon is a true Renaissance artist (his airbrush work even gained recognition on 

.). Despite being well-versed in a variety of mediums, he favors oils for their richness and depth. This technique is showcased in several pieces for Sorcery, including the 

. Each work not only displays his technical prowess but also reveals personal stories that make these creations even more meaningful.

, for instance. After a 24-year hiatus from illustration, this piece marks a triumphant return to the world of card game art. It’s a breathtaking depiction that fuses the mystical with the natural world - a theme that has long fascinated Bryon. Through the intricate details and atmospheric tone, he manages to capture the spiritual essence of the character while still evolving his signature style.

 on the other hand is perhaps Bryon’s most personal work for 

. It’s a haunting portrayal of desperation and hunger, drawing on his own life experiences. “The figures of the peasant and priest amidst a medieval town symbolize the stark realities I’ve faced, and it was a challenge to convey these themes with both emotional depth and artistic precision,” he shares.

Whether you’re a seasoned fan of his work or discovering his work for the first time, his pieces in

 are sure to invite you to explore the world of 

Find out more about Bryon Wackwitz's work 

Please join us in giving Bryon a warm welcome to the 

 community! Let us know which pieces speak to you the most in the 

Want to meet the artist behind these incredible creations? Bryon Wackwitz will be joining the celebration of Arthurian Legends at the community-organized 

Welcome to Sorcery, Bryon Wackwitz!

, including works by legendary TCG artist 

In our latest Painting the Realm video, Jeff walks us through his process for creating "Invasion," with every choice a deliberate choice - a human one!

 is a hand-painted masterpiece, crafted using traditional mediums like oil, acrylic, watercolor, pen, and pencil. Every stroke is a deliberate choice—a human one.

Sorcery Art Portfolio

Latest Art Features

Artist Spotlight: Lindsey Crummett and the Making of Vengeful Heir

Welcome to Sorcery, Pedro G. Ferreira!

Artist Spotlight: Liz Danforth & Stories Behind Sorcery’s Stunning Artwork

Welcome to Sorcery, Bryon Wackwitz!

The Art of Arthurian Legends: Jeff A. Menges' Vision for Invasion

Artists