Art from HellFire

16th May 2013
HellFire Promotion - for the rest of the month players of Hellfire can gain disciples (i.e. new players) and both get a special reward. If you have a tablet or phone and like the look of the game, I would really, really appreciate it if you added my game name (serotin) as your referrer.  http://moba.ge/GetHellFire

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Next update: Links to the artists of HellFire
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March/May 2013
HellFire, the Game
HellFire is a game app for iOS and Android devices. I tried it out last November and since then its become something of a hobby. Or addiction. Its a simple enough game to play - basically a glorified 'paper toss' - but I was taken in by the art, and every week something new comes out and I want see what the developers are going to serve up. Not unlike the old thrill of getting a weekly comic as a lad.

The game is based on obtaining and evolving cards, then using them in boss fights. Each card evolves from a basic Level 1 card by merging it with a duplicate, making a new card with higher stats and better art, which can then be reinforced with other, lesser cards (or food, as some call them). Cards are used in fights that have to be won to progress further into the basic game. And then there are the regular Raid events, and more recently Dungeons.

Art That I Like
I have been a fan of fantasy art since my schooldays in the 80's - my library is stuffed with books by artists such as usual long time suspects Vallejo, Frazetta, Whelen, Achilleos, Foss, Burns; to more recent names like Brom, Clint Langley, Paul Bonner, and not forgetting John Blanche for Citadel-philes. There is an ever growing number of artists producing great fantasy/sci-fi/concept art these days. So, this dedicated post is a placeholder for some of my favourite pieces from this game, and links to any art I can find on the interweb to share with fans.

There is a way more art than I can possibly put here at once, so these examples are some of my standout faves.

The Golems

From clockwise: Earth Golem, Water Golem, Fire Golem, Death Golem.
The format of the game means that the artist is working to a small format, unlike print. If they were for print it would be equivalent to a traditional trading card size, like those produced by Fleer, for example.

Despite the small format, these kick ass and I would love to know who the artist is. The green Earth Golem is pick of the bunch (and to be honest, is very reminiscent of a Space Marine), Death Golem is close second. The low resolution captures of my antique iPod don't do them justice. I just love the feeling of power in them.

The Djinns

Another awesome bunch. These are ubiquitous in the game. Advanced players will know that they kick hard.
Clockwise: Djinn of Growth, Djinn of Vapour, Djinn of Flame, Djinn of Ire.

Leviathan

Designated a 'Super Rare' card, I think this was the image sealed it for me (this was during the first War of the Mages). It feels so epic. It reminds me of Victorian era art, but I can't put my finger on what or who, and my memory could be playing me false. Will visit the National Gallery for research some day.

Phoenix

Simply beautiful. The artist uses a lot of photo manipulation, taking real landscape photos and turning them into atmospheric backdrops, or possibly using landscape generators like Vue, and in the first card photographing a life model and digitally painting her. I think there are specialist Photoshop plugins that can produce flames.

Stormbird

Have to wonder about the tiny figure that looks like it has a staff and a pointy hat.


War of the Roses

Clockwise: Jealousy, Wrath,  Scorn, Ecstasy. What has been very apparent to me is the direction HellFire has taken, going away from massively implausible monsters that feature in many of the first wave of cards (like those in Rage of Bahamut for example) to encompass old world gods and fairy tales. 

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Some John Blanche worshipfulness... Chaos Marauders!

Back in the 80's I bought loads of stuff from Games Workshop. Warhammer 1st edition to start with, followed by 2nd, then 3rd, several supplement box sets, Siege, Armies, etc etc etc. Even had things like Block Mania and Chainsaw Warrior upon a time.

Now, all I have left is McDeath and for a little while longer Orc's Drift, which is right now up for sale on evilbay. And Chaos Marauders. I am leaving aside the fact I am still clinging on to the two volumes of Realm of Chaos.

Some while ago I checked out the set, thinking to sell it. Looked at the cards, could see they had gotten in a muddle (I'd sorted them years before), then figured it was well worth scanning them to keep a handy record of JB's superb artwork. And this lot is well worth sharing. If you are an orc player/painter/collector/other, then you'll maybe find these somewhat, something or other... bugger I can't think of an appropriate adjective. Add your own.

Anyways, on to the lovely artwork...

Its worth pointing out that the art on each card is unique - there are no duplications whatsoever. JB has to be applauded for putting in individuality where others would cop out.

Ah - inspirational, thats the adjective I was looking for. Just imagine an army of miniatures using this art as its basis. Mmmmm...

~J~

Web Design

Yes, this post is completely unrelated to painting lead, but it was either this or starting a whole new blog, which for a one-off purpose is a waste of time. Apologies to my fellow lead fiends who follow this blog of mine. Normal service will be resumed, since I have a pile of half, almost finished and refurbished miniatures to post here (some classic Realm of Chaos stuff soon-ish). On the other hand, if you have need for a web designer...


So what is this about, if you have decided to look further? A long time ago - the late 90's - I got into digital art as a result of acquiring my first computer in '97, and hence onto web design. I took a strong liking to certain new art being produced for the British comic 2000AD. This art was, I think, the first time traditional comic art had been combined with CGI in this title. It was distinctive, original and I loved it. I was already a fan of Durham Red as portrayed by Mark Harrison, in stories traditionally illustrated by paint, but the new look was something else entirely.

The Bloodshrine of Saint Scarlet
Early days... the very earliest version (not the one shown below) was amazingly clumsy in execution. And this published version hasn't aged at all well. At the time though, it didn't have much to compete against. All progress advances by degrees anyway: you have to set down markers in order to advance. And learn along the way. The whole exercise was a steep learning curve in learning Photoshop (also some HTML3) and how to design effectively. I remember absolutely hating the lowest common denominator approach that said you MUST design to a screen size of 800x600 pixels. This is the site, condensed into a thumbnail sheet. I'm too ashamed to show them full size - they really really really haven't aged well:

I divided the content into two sections: Art (Illuminatus) & Writing (The Shrine). The Shrine was where I put things like original scripts, references and other writing, Illuminatus for all the art. I had a lot of fun designing all the little sub-sections, each with themed content. About half the pages never got any content, just a backdrop. Of those that did, there was a costume gallery, appearances in 2000AD and covers, unedited scripts from the Scarlet Cantos, a monograph by Mark about Durham Red, and clickable layouts of production art reference. In hindsight, this project would have benefited hugely from some content collaboration. It never occurred to ask anyone else if they wanted to join in, such as the folk behind the Strontium Dog fanzine Dogbreath.

Since I was referencing and using a lot of Mark Harrison artwork, I worked on a website in parallel that featured some of his other work. The design went through a quite a series of iterations (learning curve again), the final version was live for a while (circa 2001). This is an example page:

The whole thing was coded very simply, essentially just a set of clickable image maps. Design wise this is too busy.

Before my computer got badly hit by a virus (circa 2003), I got as far as designing a new main page for a 'revamped' Bloodshrine, and also a new site for Markus. After the virus, life and stuff went all awry, so they never got fully realised.

Aiming for slicker, sparer design with these, to let Mark's art really stand out. None too sure about my 'branding' though.

Here endeth the shameless, self-promotional pimpage and trip down memory lane.

~J~

McDeath's Last Stand (Part One)

Mentioned this project a while ago. I have no inclination to paint for wargames, but I still love the miniatures. So what to do with them? When the mood has taken hold (about 3 times), I have let my mind wander to imagine all sorts of dioramas. The list is definitely worth a future blog.

For some miniatures though, something else is required, and in this instance, how to present something worthy of Lord and Lady McDeath. Answer was obvious - recreate the cover of the Tragedy of McDeath guidebook, a Tableau Vivante made of miniatures.

Some background info: The Tragedy of McDeath was a box set campaign for Warhammer 2nd Ed. It was based on Shakespeare's play McBeth Macbeth. You will have undoubtedly guessed this very early. Citadel released miniatures that were specific to this campaign and only sold by mail order, 60p each. Oh how I wish I ordered more. And Sandra Prangle. Nowadays, the Lord and Lady sell for up to £100. Each.

So anyway, I am very fortunate to not only have the McDeaths but a good number of appropriate figures to fill out the battle scene above. There are, though, some glaring holes to be filled. Klinty the Treeman is the most glaring, the hardest to find (cheaply) is Sir John Quicksure (the mounted knight behind Dart with the flaming sword). And there are figures not shown but would be nice to include, like the wizards Een McWrecker and Chalconer.

Stage one is planning. Composition is absolutely key to making the scene work in 3 dimensions. It will not get done quickly.

TBC...

~J~

Goad to Self #2

On the premise that writing a blog will help induce me to finish a project, here is something almost completely irrelevant to miniature painting, but nonetheless related by subject matter.

Mucking about with clay is something I'd like to do far more often, but circumstances and my fickle mood get in the way. So I had this old lump of clay knocking about, just enough to form up into a head sized vessel. I've had this in mind for ages, something a bit different from my usual 'arty' ceramics. Don't be too critical of my efforts, although constructive crit is welcome. If it looks a bit asymmetrical, well, he is meant to be an ugly monster and its at least partially deliberate...

Teeth and eye are Fimo, waiting to be baked, but it just occurred to me to have a look for a taxidermy eye.

Painting it is another matter too. Being life sized, techniques will necessarily be different, more akin to special effects prosthetic mask painting. This means I get to use my airbrush for a change.

The inspiration was these lovely chaps, which are in turn inspired by JB's almost ubiquitous demon face in 1980's GW stuff. Fans of old Citadel should recognise them:

Time to shut up.

~J~

Lapsed Logo

Stop gap logo quickly composed in Photoshoppe. Perhaps sitting a little large on the top, could do with a nice border too, and a nice textured background behind the text, more grunge. Miniatures?

Oh yes, a pair of Dark Eldar Khymera's to be blogged here this weekend. Finishing them tonight.

Possible Eldar Scenery?

This is a bit of a detour from the usual post. Yesterday I was in the process of photographing old bits of work prior to sending them to landfill. I was happily snapping away, capturing fine detail, interesting colours, shapes etc, when my brain had a free association frenzy and gave me a really cool idea.

It was while photographing this that I imagined it as a ruined building...

Immediately I was reminded I had a second, which is THIS:

So a possible new project came to light. This would make for a great piece of wargaming scenery (after some appropriate painting). Either something Eldar/Dark Eldar, Necron, or just plain Alien. Now all I need to find is someone who would want such a thing.

~J~