In Sorcery: Contested Realm, 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 Vengeful Heir, from our Arthurian Legends set, a stunning piece that captures the transformation of a young squire, masterfully illustrated by Sorcery artist Lindsey Crummett.
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 Her approach to Vengeful Heir was no different, pulling inspiration from historical references, books, and popular media. Originally titled, Vengeful Squire, 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 The Sword in the Stone.
“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.”
From Concept to Canvas
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, Sorcery’s 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.
Tackling the Format of a Playing Card
Painting for Sorcery 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 Sorcery’s Atlas cards provide ample space in their landscape format, Vengeful Heir 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 The Fellowship of the Ring.
Leaving her Mark with Sorcery
From the deceptive Coy Nixie to Tintagel, we're honored to have artists of Lindsey's caliber shaping Sorcery. Join us in celebrating our artists in the Sorcery: Contested Realm Facebook group and connect with Lindsey directly on here.
To discover more about the incredible talent behind Sorcery: Contested Realm, explore our full roster of artists on the Sorcery Portfolio Page.
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