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 Sorcery Rewards Store.
A Love Letter to Fantasy
For Franck, the worlds of The Lord of the Rings, 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 Dungeons & Dragons.
“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 Farseer Trilogy, Mike Mignola’s Hellboy, and games like The Witcher, Skyrim, and World of Warcraft. Together, these influences have helped shape the fantasy aesthetic that now finds its way into Sorcery’s realm.
Painting the Traditional Way
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.
Bringing Mock Court to Life
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 Pirates of the Caribbean, 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.”
Joining the Realm
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.”
We’re certainly glad he did.
A Message to the Community
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 Sorcery: Contested Realm.
Be sure to follow his work on Instagram at @grondolf_art and explore his artist profile to learn more about his work and process.
Welcome to the realm, Franck!
Find more at Franck Pawlowski's artist page
Share:
