With a career spanning over 42 years, Ed Beard Jr. is a legend in the fantasy art world, and we're thrilled to feature his iconic work in Sorcery: Contested Realm's first mini set, Dragonlord, launching at Gen Con later this year.
From automotive airbrush portraits to illustrations in iconic card games, throughout it all, Ed has always remained committed to traditional techniques, favoring graphite, hand brush, and airbrush to bring his imagination vividly to life.
This timeless approach and the creativity behind his Dragonlord storyline, make him a perfect fit for the handcrafted aesthetic and narrative gameplay at the core of Sorcery: Contested Realm. Kairos the Archivist, featured today, is a prime example of the detail and depth of artistry found in the Dragonlord set.
Kairos the Archivist
Created specifically for Sorcery's Dragonlord mini set, Kairos the Archivist is a sprawling, intricate painting that may be the most detailed dragon-themed work of Ed Beard's career.
“Kairos is the most in-depth and largest piece I’ve created within the theme of dragons and the Dragonlord’s storyline that I wrote years ago,” shares Beard. “I loved the opportunity to bring this character to life, showcasing the architectural elements and the elder dragon, who is both a librarian and an embodiment of time itself.”
The painting is rich with symbolism and hidden details, featuring over 80 unique symbols, including astrological signs, alchemical elements, and runes inspired by Norse and Celtic traditions. From cryptic icons on ancient book spines to carefully placed objects on shelves, every inch of the artwork invites closer inspection.
Ed emphasizes, “It’s an 'I Spy' for adults, layered with narrative lore.”
Watch the Painting Come to Life
To celebrate Ed Beard Jr.’s illustrations in the Dragonlord set, we're thrilled to share this time-lapse video capturing the painting of Kairos the Archivist in real time. Originally recorded during a livestream for Ed's Patreon followers, this video offers a behind-the-scenes look at the techniques and vision behind one of Sorcery’s most iconic new illustrations.
Harness the Power of the Dragonlord
Dragonlord is one of Sorcery’s most personal and thematically unified releases to date and we can't wait for Sorcerers to get their hands on the Dragonlord at Gen Con 2025.
For more news and updates about Dragonlord, be sure to visit the Dragonlord launch page, and to join the conversations in our online communities!
Find more at Ed Beard Jr.'s artist page
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