Happy New Year!

Happy New Year!  I must apologize for the lack in new work.  I've been waiting for NDA's to lift so I can show some of my new pieces.  I have quite a bit to show, so please check back in the coming weeks for more work.  For now, here is a cover I did for a Pathfinder novel.

ONLINE STORE

In addition, I've updated my Etsy store with all of my available prints as well as collectible cards, and originals.  Please, head on over, take a look, and buy yourself or someone you think might enjoy a print or card!  Click on the image at the top right of the blog to be directed to the store.

Magic Grand Prix Shizuoka, Japan

In less than two weeks, I'll be a guest artist at Shizouka, Japan GP.  I am very excited to be visiting Japan.  My wife and I plan to fly out a week early and see as much of the country as possible before the event.

For those of you Magic fans in Japan...Special for this event I'm doing a limited run of custom tokens of two of my cards.  Both Thoughtseize and Advent of the Wurm original oil sketch APs will be available exclusively at the event.  I will have a total of 20 available and each AP will have a unique Wurm or Forsaken Mask token painted in oil on the back.  Each will be stored in a special card display holder.  Below are two examples of the original oil sketches and the card they will be painted on.

In addition to the oil sketches, I will be doing signings, sketches, and card alters at the event.  I will also have a wide variety of prints for sale.  Please stop by and say hi if you plan to attend the event.  Those of you who register early enough will receive an event play-mat with the artwork for Thoughtseize.

For more information about the event go here - Shizuoka, Japan Magic Grand Prix

Magic the Gathering Artist Proofs Etsy Store

For all of you Magic the Gathering Collectors.  I've add each of my Artist Proofs to my Etsy store.  Now you can easily navigate all of the AP's I have for sale.  You can check prices, quantities, and other info on the store pages.  This will also to make things easier for me, as I can now send inquiries directly to the store.

Store Link

New Everquest II Key Art

Here is a piece I did for Sony Online's new Everquest II expansion.  This is the third piece I've done for them in this same format.  I had a lot of fun working on this one.  The original painting is 20 x 48 oil on masonite.  You can check out more info on the game here - Everquest II

"Tears of Veeshan"

Here are a couple of detail shots.

Thoughtseize Artist Proofs

There have been many requests for my Thoughtseize AP's.  If you're not familiar with an Artist Proof, each artist is given 50 of each card they illustrate.  The card is special in that there are only 50 in existence.  Each card is an exact copy of the one you'll buy from any retail store except that it has a blank back.  This leaves an opportunity to do sketches or other alterations on each card making them even more a one of a kind.

Each of my AP's come signed and numbered.  I keep, for my own collection, my 50/50 card and sell the rest priced specifically to the card and it's rarity.  For Thoughtseize, because I've had so many requests, I'm going to sell them signed, numbered, and each with a unique sketch.  Please check out my Etsy Store for more information.

Below are some examples of sketches to give you a better idea of what to expect.

More Theros Work

Just got back from IlluXCon.  What a trip!  Made a lot of new friends and got see a lot of old ones.  The show is amazing, the work shown is among the best the industry has to offer.  As exhausted as I am, I can't wait until next year's show!

Here are the last two I've done for Magic the Gathering's Theros set.  What a fun set to work on.  I've always been a big fan of Greek Mythology and when they announced the style of work we'd be doing, I got very giddy!

Flamespeaker Adept

16x20 Oil on Masonite

Returned Centaur

16x20 Oil on Masonite

(This painting is available on my Etsy store)

New Magic Theros Art

Sorry for the lack of posts lately.  I've been crazy busy trying to finish work before heading to IlluXCon next week.  Here are two pieces that were recently spoiled for the upcoming set of Theros.  I've had a lot of interest in the original for Thoughtseize.  The painting is currently up on Ebay so everyone who's interested, can have a shot at owning it.  Head on over, take a look, and place your bid!

Thoughtseize

16x20 Oil on Masonite

Ebay Auction

Labor of Heliod

18x24 Oil on Masonite

The Watts Atelier Online!

The Watts Atelier will soon be much more accessible to the world!  At the end of August, Watts Atelier will be starting its online school.  Let me say, that this is some of the best education you'll find anywhere in the world.  Please take some time and watch the online teaser to get a small taste of what's to come!

You can also eagerly await the opening of the site here:

http://online.wattsatelier.com/


Congratulation Jeff!  What a great job getting this next phase of the school open!

Some New Work

Here is some new work that is starting to see light.  The first is for a book cover by author Mark Huffman.  The kindle version is available now on Amazon.  The hardcover version will be released shortly.  I only had enough time to read half of the manuscript, but I'm looking forward to getting to read the rest of the book.  I really enjoyed what I've read so far.

"Antediluvian"

16x20 Oil on Masonite

This is for an upcoming Magic the Gathering card set.  This is the Promo Megantic Sliver for M14.

"Megantic Sliver"

11x14 Oil on Masonite

And last, this is a cover I did back in January for Paizo that is just now being released.  The author is Ed Greenwood and you can find the book HERE.

"The Wizard's Mask"

20x30 Oil on Masonite

I will have the original on display at IlluXCon in September.

Advent of the Wurm Auction on Ebay

Due to all of the inquiries into the original painting for Advent of the Wurm, I've decide to put it up on Ebay.  Head on over and take a look.  Please feel free to share with anyone you think might be interested in owning this original art.  Thank you and happy bidding!

ADVENT OF THE WURM - ORIGINAL PAINTING, Artist Lucas Graciano, MTG

Advent of the Wurm

11x14 oil on hardboard

A New Magic Piece and An Award!

Here is a new piece for Magic the Gathering's M14 set.

The Scourge of Valkas

16x20 Oil on Masonite

I've won an award!  I was one of five finalists for the Institutional category in this years Spectrum book.  I won the silver award for my painting of Dragon Swarm!  I'm very excited and very humbled by this win.  There was some fierce competition.  John Picacio was there in Kansas City and agreed to accept the award on my behalf and my good friend Tom Babbey was at the show to snap the shot below and text me the good news.  Congrats to all of the winners.  You can see a full list of the winners at the Spectrum site.

Everquest 2 Expansion Key Art

This piece was done for Sony Online's Everquest 2 game that was recently released.  This is the second piece I've done for this series of games.  It's being used as a title screen in the game.  The painting posed a few challenges.  The layout for one, it was a very wide landscape ratio they needed.  The taller I went with the measurements the even wider the surface got.  In the end I settled on a 20x48 masonite board to work on.  This was tall enough that some of the smaller details would be easier to manage and not too wide that it wouldn't fit on my easel.  I had never painted a nocturne in oils before, so finding the right range of hues and values was a fun challenge.

I will have this painting on display at IlluXCon in September.

"Scars of the Awakened" 20x48 Oil on Masonite

Here are a few detail shots:

Unfortunately the octopus didn't work for them.  This is where digital comes in handy for me.  I was able to remove it without taking it off the original.

Last Dragon's Maze Illustration and My Next Grand Prix Event Scheduled

Here is my last contribution to Magic the Gathering's new Dragon's Maze set.  The final is 11x14 oil on masonite.

Pyrewild Shaman

11x14 Oil on Masonite

I've also added an event to my schedule.  I'll be attending Magic's Grand Prix Calgary at the end of July.  So if you're planning on attending make sure to stop by, say hi, and get some cards signed! I've added a list of cards below that you won't find on databases that I've done.  So make sure to bring those too!  If you have a certain illustration you want to make sure I bring a print of, make your remarks below and I'll do my best to accommodate.

Cards I've done that don't show up on databases:

PROMO Knight Token

 Zombie Token

 PROMO Grave Titan (miss-credited)

PROMO Treasury Thrull

New Magic the Gathering Work

Here are a few more pieces that were spoiled online.  These were all done for Magic the Gathering: Dragon's Maze.  The set will be released at the end of the month.  All of the originals are available for purchase.  Please check my Etsy account to see what's available.

Advent of the Wurm

11x14 Oil on Masonite

 Flesh

11x14 Oil on Masonite

 Blood

11x14 Oil on Masonite

New Work, Nominations, and What Not.

Sorry for the lack of posts, I've been unbelievably busy.  I'll have lots of new work to show in the upcoming weeks.  For now, I thought I'd give an update on some work from the upcoming Magic the Gathering: M14 set that was spoiled last week.  As well as some nomination news!

These two cards were spoiled last week.  These were assigned as companion cards.  The idea is that the Apostle is summoning the Demon through a ritual sacrifice.  I'm not sure what the logistics will be as far as actual game play between these cards.  These are both for the M14 and M14DoP sets due out this summer.  I've got more work that is supposed to be released soon, some for Dragon's Maze and (I think) more for M14.  Check back for updates over the next couple of months.

Shadowborn Demon

 Shadowborn Apostle

Both paintings are available for purchase, please check out My Etsy Store for these and other available Magic the Gathering work.

In other news, I've had two paintings nominated in this year Spectrum annual!  "Guardianship" was nominated in the Unpublished category and "Dragon Swarm" was nominated in the Institutional category   Guardianship is also a finalist for ARC Salon's Imaginative Realism category   Click on the links above to see the rest of the nominees and finalists.  Congrats to all!

Guardianship

Dragon Swarm

Interview

Jeff Watts interviewed me as part of a series for The Watts Atelier Blog.  He's interviewing each of the instructors for the blog to give people an insight on the inner workings of the school.  The interview covers a general amount of information ranging from my years as a student to my working in the industry.  It's about 23 minutes long so if you you've got some time, have a look.  A big thanks to Greg Goodman for working with Jeff on getting these videos realized!

New Magic the Gathering: Gatecrash cards

Here are two more cards I did for Magic the Gathering's new Gatecrash expansion.  Both are 11x14 oils on masonite and both are available for purchase.  Feel free to email me with any questions you might have:  lucasgraciano@yahoo.com