MTG: Llanowar Sentinel (2006)

Flashback to 1994

The Artist’s Proof card of Llanowar Elves is available to purchase here.

When I started playing Magic in early 1994, one of the most iconic creature cards was Llanowar Elves, illustrated by Anson Maddocks. When illustrating the core set stuff, ie., illustrations not set in particularly-designed worlds, the default universe is Dominaria. So when I was assigned Llanowar Sentinel, it was fun to get back to that aesthetic.

Llanowar Sentinel (L) appeared in Tenth Edition, 2007. Llanowar Elves by Anson Maddocks ( R) first appeared in Alpha Edition (1993).

4 thumbnails during the Painter IX rake brush days. I found that tool to be a good way to keep from getting detailed, focusing on big shapes and some minimal value.

I ended up turning in two versions of this. Usually I just submit one sketch, but it hasn’t been unusual for me to do two from the onset. For Magic, I don’t think I’ve ever submitted three distinct concepts. I might do a bunch of rough compositions like the above, though. I think there were 4-5 more, my average being 9 these days.