FanArt_ink.Road

MTGinktober looks for the best route to Day 27, "Road," starring Azusa, Lost but Seeking; Sakura-Tribe Elder; and Captivating Crossroads!

Again, this year has had some really similar prompts, let alone across the years, but we make do.  I wanted to do a kinder version of that Sorin-Nahiri bickering scenario anyway, and Azusa seems like she'd keep good spirits (probably literally) even while lost.  Thankfully since we last met, her hair pin has some closer detail available.

Fun Facts:  This is Azusa's long-awaited second MTGintkober appearance after a seven-year absence.  STEVE debuts, as does this landscape--I feel like I've drawn a similar structure, though.  That those Crossroads's floating fireballs seem like Kamigawa spirit objects, particularly above the Gifts Given gift was an unintentional plus.  Azusa was on her way to deliver Gifts Given as an omiyage before she got lost and now they've both been at this so long, they've forgotten who's asking who for directions.

Easter Eggs:  The signposts are a commentary on how Magic's being phased out of Magic, as per Cardboard Crack.  One thing I love about MTGinktober is getting to explore all the lore and seeing how different characters might interact--it's quite disappointing they've basically conceded their lore is inferior and aren't trying to improve it--wasn't Marvel on the outs before they focused on their stuff and now it's a powerhouse?  At the root, I blame the escalation towards EDH as initiating these incessant money moves, hollowing out Magic.

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FanArt_ink.Camera

MTGinktober snaps up Day 26, "Camera," starring Meet and Greet "Sisay"; Svega, the Unconventional; and Questing Cosplayer!

All right, this was a fun one to put together--I've wanted to draw Svega for a while, and right during MagicCon Las Vegas, no less, we finally get a great opportunity to feature her.  I've also wanted to draw a sorta fan-talent kind of interaction, and this was just the prompt for all of that.  The trickiest thing was working a Magical camera in there, but fortunately, as Magic insists on getting more modern, we have a pretty strong solution in Undergrowth Recon. 

Fun Facts:  This isn't actual Sisay, of course, but some kind of imposter Elf, so this would be her debut, as with the others.  This is the second time I've used directory signage for our signature, though, oddly enough.  Also, I almost forgot Questo's hand-teeth, but was able to live ink them in there--not his other hand is the one with the buck teeth, critical details. 

Easter Eggs:  I studied actual photos of what MagicCon Las Vegas looks like this year to inform our background, so those vertical vendor banners and imposing pillars, for instance, come from that, but also memories of attending ComicCon, so a lot of people waiting in various lines.  I don't know the policy at MagicCon, but I added bracelets for press, and tags for weapons to signify they're props and the owner is an exhibitor, which I know some cons do--Svega's tag is swooped behind her for the photo.

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FanArt_ink.Scarecrow

MTGinktober frightens Day 25, "Scarecrow," starring Aminatou, Veil Piercer; Reaper King, and Pandora's Box!

I literally had to start drawing this to start drawing this, as I couldn't come up with any real plan of what to draw and it was already time to start so I just let things roll and follow the drawing.  All I knew was I wanted these two as our main guys, along with as many "Expressions of Magic" remaining from our little list as was reasonable for the illustration.  So it's just a creepy kid and her creepier buddy, who she rides into battle or whatever, while cradling her mysterious, destructive treasure.

Fun Facts:  This is Aminatou's second MTGinktober appearance, after a four-year absence, but she debuted in one of my favorite illustrations of that year.  Reaper King debuts, but in a way that I always am a little bummed at--basically a straight copy of the card art, which is fine for some incidental character, but not really my hope for a starring role.  One of our expressions stars here, Pandora's Box, which is one of the MircroProse Shandalar exclusive cards, I believe.  If anyone might wield that, it's prolly her.

Easter Eggs:  Two more Expressions off the list, here--rather than her regular staff, she's got a Spear of the General, which comes from the Theros prerelease series (JOU's specifically, so I'll have to get to the other two eventually), and rather than her regular moth things, she's leading a pack of Bog Humbugs, from the Holiday Card set.  And then, finally hitting every kind of test card, is Pinchy McStingbutt, from the test card series with an art credit, after already hitting the nameless ones.

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FanArt_ink.Expedition

MTGinktober goes on a trip for Day 24, "Expedition," starring Chandra, Flame's Catalyst and Mira and Tau of Ondu!

It's yet another of this year's relentless "people traveling" prompts, so mize illustrate some explorers being inept at achieving their goals, thus I went with these guys from one of Magic's "Journey to the Eye, Part I" webcomic, illustrated by Nic Klein, so all of these costumes are from that, including Chandra with this really cool cape.  I did use the Grzegorz Rutkowski art to anchor, though.  I like how Chandra's just trying to get a good guide, but keeps getting chumps, so here she's following their "expertise," while losing her patience with them.

Fun Facts:  This is Chandra's second (or third) MTGinktober appearance this year, and her surely-record fifteenth over-all!  I was just glad to give her more of a starring, rather than incidental role for this one, as she's playing the part of Death the Kid, who is trying to get her useless guides to not be terrible at their jobs (they die almost instantly in the comic).  This is our first instance of drawing webcomic characters, though I wouldn't count that as something from the "Expressions of Magic" list.

Easter Eggs:  The background is made up of Expedition arts for Kor Haven, and Canopy Vista.  My signature is cleverly hidden just under Chandra's left arm.  Note I almost forgot  Chandra's Regulator tube thing, that goes to her other hand, but I live-inked it in at the last minute--thankfully I kept bouncing between comic pages to get the costumes down.

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FanArt_ink.Rust

MTGinktober wears away into Day 23, "Rust," starring Emry, Lurker of the Loch and Solemn Simulacrum!

I don't know if I've ever drawn rust before, but this composition did subconsciously recall Collect, though here it's the opposite dynamic for who's crying.  Anyway, I thought it'd be interesting to see Emry realizing one of her prized artifacts was rusting away as she hoards her treasures underwater, and who better than a Sad Robot?  It mighta been funny if she didn't realize he was falling apart, like that one webcomic of like a forest dryad who has tea parties and stuff with her strong, silent boyfriend, not realizing he's a long-dead knight's remains, but I wanted to go emo.

Fun Facts:  This is Emry's fourth MTGinktober appearance, and Solemn's first, but not the first time we've had a real-world player (and Invitational winner) depicted--though such illustrations usually tank, but that's prolly cuz they're the focus of the illustration, whereas here he's more a supportive role.  I decided a while ago no longer to draw real-world players, cuz something terrible regarding them usually happens soon after, so I'm trying to avoid all that, but this prompt was perfect for this card, which only happens to be based on a real-world player.

Easter Eggs:  With all the scumbling texture, I was able to hide my signature pretty well in the bottom right.  You can also see some last minute details added in the ink touch-ups phase, which is after I've done my "principle inks" (see the image that is usually right above our pencils image, what the inks look like right after wiping the pencils but before going back in for the detailwork)--we last-minute added in her hair decorations and some lily pads.

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FanArt_ink.Camp

MTGinktober plans derivative activities for Day 22, "Camp," starring Spike, Tournament Grinder; Vorthos, Steward of Myth; and Lord Windgrace (Tatamepi version)!

This year is definitely about a lot of really similar prompts, so might as well make a sequel to our old Camping illustration, though Camp Wedonwannamull has upgraded its facilities (or Thalia and Tyvar just paid for the hardmode experience last time.  Anyway, I loved reading stories people post of their learning Magic while away at camp, so I wanted to draw a scene like that, where clearly only Vorthos is into it (see her various camp bracelets) while Spike is just constantly jamming games.

Fun Facts:  This is Spike's fourth MTGinktober appearance--and she's since learned not to play lands in front, at least as a courtesy to Vorthos, who makes her second appearance, her debut being with Spike last year.  And it's easy to scoff at Vorthos helping Spike prep her perfect 75, but she's instrumental in choosing the most thematic Basics.  Also we've done pretty well this year, but on the 22nd day, we've finally got an unmaskable ink smear (see Vorthos).  The cat's inspired by these charming, responsibly-nagging cat illustrations I've been seeing on Twitter.

Easter Eggs: As a sequel, theres there's continuity with the last Camp-themed illo--see the camp's shirt (unclear why Vorthos wears her costume to sleep) and six-timer Thalia, Guardian of Thraben's snoozing in the background with a familiar-symbol eye mask. Speaking of familiar symbols, her swooshy B (ß)'s on her pillow--campers BYOP.  There's a Clock of DOOOOOOOOOOOOM! and the cards are Mortivore, naturally, and Regal Bunnicorn (testing that */* matchup)--Vorthos like bunnies, Spike prefers the power of the best Lhurgoyf--and 七原しえ red Swamps for the edge.

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FanArt_ink.Rhinoceros

MTGinktober noses into Day 21, "Rhinoceros," starring Headliner Scarlett and Security Rhox!

Siege Rhino felt to obvious, but I finally got to draw Headliner Scarlett, after she narrowly missed out as a bombed-out failure of an artist/singer who couldn't chart.  I've always loved the composition and narrative in Security Rhox, so when I saw it, I knew I had to run on that.  It's kind of inspired by when I saw Bill Burr live--he was just hanging out in the hallway after the show (I was too nervous to talk to him) but he didn't have any security, though he was nowhere near the name he is now.

Fun Facts:  This is both characters' debuts.  I refuse to draw any Universes Beyond cards for MTGinktober, but I gave the Clue set a pass because they made a serious effort to bring that into Magic, as opposed to just giving us straight-up The One Walking 40kth Doctor--it really feels like how Magic takes on Greek/Norse/Egyption Mythology and so on, making it Magic's own.  So because of that, Clue is fair for MTGinktober.  That said, I don't want to return to it too much, as it's still on the periphery.

Easter Eggs:  I also feel hesitant to Duskmourn, as it's just too modern for Magic, but ironically the background comes from one of its rooms (and not the Clue-type--that's the set, not the artifact...) Ticket Booth.  The plucky ticket taker is Will, Scholar of Frost.  I wanted a kind of annoying, but earnest summer-job style character taking tickets--I figured he travels the multiverse doing various first-jobs--so he wouldn't expect to see the actual star of the show in-person, so he's thrilled to see a celebrity.  I also got to study Secret Service hands, pretty cool.

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FanArt_ink.Uncharted

MTGinktober maps out Day 20, "Uncharted," starring Amalia Benavides Aguirre and Cartographer!

I had two leading ideas for this prompt, one of which involved a pretty emotional scene with one of the Clue tie-ins, but ultimately I went with these guys as it felt a little more magical, and it was nice to draw these two characters again.

Fun Facts:  Indeed this is both characters' second MTGinktober appearances.  Time was super tight, as I'm really started to feel the exhaustion that this illustration is definitely undercooked--I even forgot to color in Amalia's collar in the originally posted art!  Ugh.  I'm getting delirious--gotta get it together. 

Easter Eggs:  My sig is scrawled in the upper map.  Also the spinning globe is the actual globe from Cartographer's card, as is most of the background.

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FanArt_ink.Ridge

MTGinktober gets the edge on Day 19, "Ridge," starring Jeska, Warrior Adept and Goblin Sharpshooter!

I knew I wanted characters with ridges, so here we went with these two chuckleheads.  Jeska has really defined abs and Goblin Sharpshooter has a similarly defined forehead, so they seemed like a great match for "Ridge."  They also synergize pretty well--you're wiping the board if you untap with these two, so I figure they run some kind of mercenary hustle together.  She's kinda in-your-face as they wrangle clients and he's just kinda silent-but-deadly (but not gassy--he's a serious Goblin.).

Fun Facts:  This is both characters' debuts.  I've always wanted to draw both of these guys, particularly tha Sharpshooter--one of the first Magic illustration that blew me away back when I was starting out--a lot of that early Greg Staples stuff, actually--though he remains a beacon, of course.  The actual art is also a bit hard to read at times, so I also consulted this incredible fan art by Merky Merx, which informed some of the armor design--I kinda split the difference between what I could discern in the official art and then got a second opinion from the unofficial one.

Easter Eggs:  The background is based on two cards, Dragonspeaker Shaman from my other early Magic inspiration, Kev Walker, and the Onslaught Mountain by David Day, which always enchanted me with its little cubby holes.  I figured these Onslaught-block red-aligned cards would depict Skirk Ridge, which I kept hearing about back in the day, but was casual enough that I didn't quite get that that was the block's red setting.  And then as is often the case with dreads, my signature is hidden within one of the locks.

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FanArt_ink.Drive

MTGinktober merges onto Day 18, "Drive," starring Kari Zev, Skyship Raider; Toluz, Clever Conductor; Ragavan, Nimble Pilferer; and Dodgy Jalopy!

The tough part was deciding which Toriyama illustration to mimic here, but I also borrowed the framing from a second one.  I had a concept of a younger character learning how to drive, and since the composition called for a monkey-like character holding on for dear life, Kari Zev and Ragavan were natural picks.  The teacher had to be someone wearing a hat with a bill, so Toluz got the role here. 

Fun Facts:  This is Kari Zev's fifth MTGinktober appearance, and I'm sure this time she'll break the curse of doing absolutely nothing each time--she never seems to be in a winning illustration, unfortunately, but as a glutton for punishment, the Kari Zev drawings will continue until morale improves.  She's also fun to draw, which is nice.  Ragavan makes his fifth MTGinktober appearance--three of which are with Kari Z.--and interestingly, last year he was also in a DBZ spoof.

Easter Eggs:  For added flavor, I wanted to have another character getting bumped off the road by the reckless student driver, and since I've always wanted to draw Toriyama-style turtles and rabbits, I went with Steady Tortoise, who has it all.  Flying Nimbus in the upper left and my signature is on the turtle shell.

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FanArt_ink.Journal

MTGinktober logs Day 17, "Journal," starring Ghoulcaller Gisa and Stitcher Geralf!

This scene came to mind pretty soon while pondering the prompt, and it felt like a perfect fit for these two, even though I really don't like drawing Geralf!  I'm so glad this illustration flowed so relatively smoothly--one giant time sink was I accidentally closed CSP without saving riiiiight after I plugged in all my card references--that's cards, fullviews of their art, each layer named, and key layers color-coded--all had to be redone, and so we were slightly less organized going into this than I prefer and usually am.

Fun Facts:  One of my personal favorites, Gisa now makes her eighth MTGinktober appearance.  Geralf makes his fourth, but all have been with Gisa, as I only feel obligated to include him to help a Gisa illustration land.

Easter Eggs:  We're seconds away from seeing Gisa's Favorite Shovel in action.  And then Geralf is gleefully embarrassing Gisa in front of her friends, lead by Champion of the Perished.  The doodle stickers on her journal are of the Black mana symbol in crossbones, plus One with Death and Bone Rattler.  The background comes from Ghoulcaller Gisa's card.

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FanArt_ink.Grungy

MTGinktober shoegazes at Day 16, "Grungy," starring Domri Rade; Drana, Kalastria Bloodchief; and Teysa, Envoy of Ghosts!

I knew I had to throw it back to our fashion crew with this one since it's so applicable to an aesthetic I'm forever a fan of--sorry Gisa, this was also a great prompt for you, but I know you'll get a chance to shine this year eventually.  These guys have all had several newer cards, but their original appearances look the coolest to me, so we're keeping the OGs.

Fun Facts:  This is this trio's third MTGinktober appearance together, but individually, it's Domri's sixth spot, it is Drana's fourth, and it's Teysa's third--the only one who hasn't solo'd or anchored a piece, yet.  And while I'm not actually a fan of grunge music per se, a lot of bands I love like them, and I love rock music in general, so I was eager to draw its heyday fashion.

Easter Eggs:  As is tradition with these pieces, we carve our name into Domri's gently tossed pumpkin. His hat has the Gruul logo, of course, but his shirt is a reference to the grungiest music I enjoy, which is merely grunge-adjacent, Jimmy Eat World's Static Prevails album, which you can see was the original reference, but I deemed it not grunge enough.  And then I always reference the old background--literally, I had the two prior pieces up while drawing to make sure I kept the composition on-theme.

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FanArt_ink.Guidebook

MTGinktober kindly directs your attention to Day 15, "Guidebook," starring Chandra, Acolyte of Flame; チャンドラ・ナラー; Shichifukujin Dragon; and Deb Thomas!

We coulda done yet another "People Traveling" piece, as that seems to be Jake's meta-theme this year, but this was just too ridiculous of an idea not to do.  It started with a desire to get Deb Thomas in an MTGinktober illustration in a believable way, and today we finally have that opportunity, not to mention another Magic Expression or two down--this has an actual Magic Manga representation plus two members of the elusive Celebration series. 

Fun Facts:  Ok, Chandra is one of the MTGinktober sluggers, so she's appeared perhaps the most of all characters, and this one will count as a double-header, so I have her total appearances at fourteen including five as Dora-chan, and now we have actual チャンドラ.  This is obviously Deb Thomas's  debut, though you can add it to the heap of fan art she must be inundated with, not to mention Shichifukujin Dragon, for that matter.

Easter Eggs:  The museum where these nerds are learning about an inexplicably Chandra-looking former CFO has placards with actual writing, however I purposefully made them illegible, but there's some little gags there, aside from my signature, which is more like gag-me-with-spoon.  The guidebook is "Obscure Red Cards," though.

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