Franck Pawlowski

Today we’re thrilled to welcome another talented artist to Sorcery: Contested Realm: Franck Pawlowski.

Inspired by classic fantasy, tabletop adventures, and a passion for traditional painting, Franck brings a fresh voice to the realm while embracing the handcrafted spirit that defines Sorcery. Today we’re excited to debut his first Sorcery illustration, Mock Court, now available on the 

, manga, fantasy novels, and video games sparked a lifelong love of imaginative storytelling. But the moment that truly set him on the path to becoming a fantasy illustrator came much later than you might expect.

It happened during his very first game of 

“It wasn’t the best session of all time,” Franck laughs, “but when it ended, I thought, ‘I want to paint dragons, knights, and goblins.’”

From that moment forward, there was no turning back.

Today, his work draws inspiration from a wide range of creators and worlds, including Guillermo del Toro’s creature design and use of color, Robin Hobb’s 

. Together, these influences have helped shape the fantasy aesthetic that now finds its way into Sorcery’s realm.

After earning a degree in animation at ECV Lille in France, Franck worked on 3D miniature models and digital illustration before rediscovering what would become his favorite medium: acrylic paint.

Every Sorcery illustration he has created has been painted traditionally by hand.

His breakthrough came after studying the glazing techniques of acclaimed fantasy artist Jesper Ejsing. Rather than treating acrylics as a thick, opaque medium, Franck learned to build paintings through countless thin, transparent layers.

That deliberate process has become central to his work. Each glaze adds depth, atmosphere, and subtle shifts in color while preserving everything beneath it, allowing the painting to evolve naturally over time. It’s a philosophy that fits perfectly with Sorcery’s celebration of handcrafted fantasy art.

When Erik Olofsson, founder and creative director of Erik’s Curiosa, first described Mock Court, one idea immediately stuck with Franck: Corrupted judges.

“The composition came really quickly,” he explains. “I wanted the judges towering above the accused, almost crushing them beneath their words and their schemes.”

Drawing inspiration from the lavish costumes of 

, Franck imagined Renaissance-era nobles whose wealth and authority had slowly decayed into corruption. Every color reinforces that story: crimson marks the presiding judge’s power, gold reflects greed and influence, while cool blues isolate the lone accused beneath the weight of an unjust court.

Even the texture of the painting became part of the storytelling.

“I could have made the shadows smoother,” Franck says, “but I wanted the mood to feel dirty. I left the texture in the walls and shadows because it felt right for the piece.”

Like many artists before him, Franck first discovered Sorcery through Instagram. “I saw that several artists I admire were following Sorcery, and I fell in love with the aesthetic.”

As someone who grew up playing trading card games, seeing an entire game built around full-art, traditionally painted illustrations immediately resonated with him.

“So I sent an email to see if my style would fit.”

Sharing finished artwork has never become routine for Franck. “It’s always difficult for me to share my art. I’m excited and stressed at the same time. I really hope players feel happy when they open one of the cards I’ve worked on; just like I do when I open a card I love in a booster pack.”

And after getting to know the game, one thing has stood out above everything else. “The more I discover about Sorcery, the more I love it. The community seems incredible and it’s a real pleasure to become part of it.”

We’re delighted to welcome Franck to the growing family of traditional artists helping shape the world of 

Be sure to follow his work on Instagram at 

and explore his artist profile to learn more about his work and process.

Welcome to Sorcery, Franck Pawlowski!

For years, a passionate Sorcery community has been growing in Italy. This September 26-27, Magic Maze in Prato, Italy makes it official, hosting the Grand Contest that the Italian Sorcery community has been working toward since the very beginning.


Players from across Italy and neighboring European countries are invited to come and compete, connect, and celebrate a scene that has earned its moment on the international stage.

Magic Maze has been a driving force behind the Sorcery scene in Italy for years now, building a passionate and welcoming community from the ground up. Now, they open their doors to players from across the region for a Grand Contest that celebrates everything the game has become.

The Grand Contest takes center stage across the weekend, with players competing in a constructed tournament for exclusive Grand Contest prizes, including:

Alt-art Croaking Swamp (all participants)

Foil Silver Bullet for top finisher per 32 players (e.g. top 2 players if 33-64 players)

Uncut Gothic Print sheets for top placement and recognizing an exemplar of fair play or Sorcery spirit

Beyond the main event, the team is planning special guests, artists, and additional attractions to make the weekend feel like more than just a tournament. The Grand Contest will take center stage on September 26, with side events running on September 27 alongside the Top Cut. As Federico puts it, “We want to make the event feel special beyond the tournament itself.”


Prato sits at the heart of Tuscany, minutes from Florence, with easy transport links and extraordinary food and hospitality waiting beyond the venue doors. "Players can expect not only a great tournament, but also fantastic hospitality, great food, and the chance to visit one of the most beautiful areas of Italy," Federico says. "We want everyone who travels here to feel that the trip was absolutely worth it."

Inside the venue, players can expect a friendly and energetic atmosphere from a team that genuinely loves this game. Whether it is your first Sorcery event or your fifteenth, you will be welcomed like you belong there.

For Federico and the Magic Maze team, this event carries weight beyond the competitive side of the game. "Hosting a Grand Contest is a huge honor for our store and our local players," he shares. "It shows that the Italian Sorcery community is growing and deserves a place on the international stage." The hope is that this becomes a recurring meeting point for players from across Italy and nearby countries, and proof that Italy can host high-level Sorcery events that players will want to return to year after year.

More details on registration, side events, and special guests will be announced soon. You can connect with Magic Maze 

Sorcery's Grand Contest Comes to Italy

The gavel has fallen and four new Dust Reward Cards have been called to the stand: Court of Equity, Mobbed Court, Mock Court, and Overflowing Court.

These Dust store exclusive promos can only be claimed one way, by earning them. The court has spoken! 

Four new exhibits have been admitted into evidence:

The verdict? These four promos are now available in Foil and Non-Foil versions. Furthermore, should it please the court, these cards are hereby deemed legal for all official Sorcery events starting with Gen Con on July 30, 2026.

And you can’t talk about Courts without thinking of our judges! For those presiding over events as judges, an FAQ for these cards will go live tomorrow and will be posted 

Dust is our loyalty system that lets you earn and redeem rewards such as exclusive promos, playmats, and other treasures by opening and authenticating booster boxes and through playing in events on the Sorcery Play Network. Find out more about Dust 

Court is adjourned - but the Reward Store is very much open!

All Rise: New Dust Rewards Are Here

What Is Dust?

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Welcome to Sorcery, Franck Pawlowski!

Sorcery's Grand Contest Comes to Italy