reclusive mage

A fantasy scene in a dark, green forest depicts a mystical female figure with a crown-like headdress, seated and surrounded by glowing green orbs. She has a bejeweled face and is holding a staff. A white bird with glowing green eyes and feathers is flying towards her. The background features twisted trees, moss, and faintly glowing fungi.

I started playing Magic: The Gathering in 2013, when the expansion set Return to Ravnica was just released. The idea of the guilds and their unique personalities was fascinating to me. I was first drawn to the team Selesnya.

This painting is part of a planned series of Guildmages based on a non-existent Ravnica set, and opportunity I made for myself to work in one of my favorite fantasy worlds.

the process

step 1: thumbnails

I knew the basic elements I wanted to include: a robed mage wearing an intricate headdress or crown, holding a staff, and interacting with a bird or owl. I also wanted it to be a relatively dark, atmospheric composition, with a luminous spotlight on the main figure.

Ultimately it was between the first and second thumbnails for me, but I ended up going with the first because I liked the asymmetrical composition.

A skeleton figure sitting in a dark, possibly forest setting, holding a glowing orb in one hand and surrounded by butterflies and glowing orbs, with some butterflies flying nearby.

A person fishing in a boat on a body of water during sunset or sunrise.

A black and white drawing of a bee pollinating flowers on a plant with a background of abstract foliage.

A sketch of a humanoid figure with animal features, sitting on a branch, holding a tool, surrounded by floating fish and bubbles, in a dark, underwater-like setting.

step 2: line drawing

With the composition settled, I needed a tighter line drawing. I made one in Procreate, defining the forms and the complex patterns in the crown, clothing, and vegetation.

A detailed sketch of a fantasy scene featuring a regal woman with elaborate headgear sitting on a throne in a forest, reaching out to a bird flying towards her, surrounded by trees, plants, and a connected staff.

step 3: color comps

I knew that I wanted this painting to be mostly warm greens with some white mixed in. The only question was how monochrome to make it. I made two color comps in Procreate, one was more neutral, naturalistic tones, and the other was entirely shades of green. I rarely work in monochrome, so I ended up going with the greener one for fun.

A mystical forest scene with a fairy-like creature wearing leafy attire, sitting on a stone throne, and casting a spell. An owl with glowing eyes is flying nearby, and glowing green orbs and vines surround the scene.

A magical forest scene with a female forest spirit or druid sitting on a tree stump, holding a staff with glowing symbols. She has glowing hair and is surrounded by green orbs of light. A white bird with glowing leaves in its beak flies near her, and the background features tall trees and dense foliage.

step 4: paint

I now had all I needed to start the final painting: a tight line drawing and a color/value reference. I printed out my line drawing at size and did a graphite transfer to my board, then did a value pass using black paint. Then I covered that with a burnt sienna wash which would nicely complement the green palette.

Finally, I completed the painting working background to foreground, and using gouache in an airbrush to add subtle glow effects to the luminous elements.

A partially finished painting of a regal mage seated on a tree trunk in a dark forest. She wears elaborate attire and a headdress. She holds a staff topped with a spiral design and reaches out towards a flying owl with open wings.

A finished painting of a regal mage seated on a tree trunk in a dark forest. She wears elaborate attire and a headdress. She holds a staff topped with a spiral design and reaches out towards a flying owl with open wings.