[AS&SH] Artwork for the game

[Ghul]

Here are some illustrations by Ian Baggley. These, along with about 50+ others, will be featured in the forthcoming Astonishing Swordsmen & Sorcerers of Hyperborea:



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[geoffrey]

Very promising!

[Ghul]

Fellows,

Here is the cover art for Astonishing Swordsmen & Sorcerers of Hyperborea. This painting is by fantasy & horror artist, Charles Lang, whose work is routinely displayed in Salem, Ma galleries, where he lives with his lovely wife and fellow artist, Wendy Snow-Lang. Charles' work has been seen on the covers of Cemetery Dance magazine, the Zombie Wars trading card set, several Magic the Gathering cards, and other projects.

[jasmith]

;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D

[Deleted]

Cool!

[Morandir]

There is so much awesome here. I can't wait for this!!

[kent]

Ian Baggley's work has character but the cover is poor. Glowing coloured light to suggest magic is a boring movie cliche, tired for cinema and lazy or unimaginative for an artist.

[Ghul]

Thanks for the comments, fellows! That's a lot of smiley faces, jasmith! Sorry it's not to your tastes, Kent!

Cheers,
Jeff T.

[jasmith]

Nov 5, 2011 17:59:08 GMT -6 Ghul said:

Thanks for the comments, fellows! That's a lot of smiley faces, jasmith! Sorry it's not to your tastes, Kent!

Cheers,
Jeff T.

The art posted in this thread has already sold me on the game!

And we need more covers that would be at home on a heavy metal album or a circa 1982 Heavy Metal magazine!

[Ghul]

Nov 5, 2011 20:54:52 GMT -6 jasmith said:

Nov 5, 2011 17:59:08 GMT -6 Ghul said:

Thanks for the comments, fellows! That's a lot of smiley faces, jasmith! Sorry it's not to your tastes, Kent!

Cheers,
Jeff T.

The art posted in this thread has already sold me on the game!

And we need more covers that would be at home on a heavy metal album or a circa 1982 Heavy Metal magazine!

Yes, I agree! I am of that era. Pulp fantasy, old heavy metal albums, Savage Sword of Conan, Heavy Metal magazine, animated films like Fire & Ice, Clash of the Titans, Sutherland and Tramp covers on the AD&D cover, and so much more: these elements all blend together to inform my way of thinking; thus the cover art by Lang, IMO, is perfect, and Ian's interior art defines the tone of our Hyperborea setting. Also, the cover picture was painted some 20 or more years ago (Late 80s to Early 90s, I'll have to check), so some of the same elements may have been at the fore of the artist's mindset, too.

Cheers,
Jeff T.

[jasmith]

I was extraordinarily fortunate growing up, as my father collected Heavy Metal, Savage Sword, Eerie, Creepy, Vampirella, Epic Illustrated, a host of comic books and sword & sorcery novels.

And let me read them. ;D

So, by the age of 12 I was immersing myself in all of that pulpy awesomeness!

[thorswulf]

My mom was extremely openminded about such stuff too! She's the one that turned me onto sci fi and fantasy novels. Mom didn't bat an eye if I spent my allowance on great magazine like those.

Ghul, you have an awesome artist. The sorceress sold me completely!

[mgtremaine]

Nov 6, 2011 10:55:49 GMT -6 thorswulf said:

The sorceress sold me completely!

Yes, I'm pretty sure she would sell you.

-Mike

[mabon5127]

Nov 4, 2011 15:55:01 GMT -6 kent said:

Ian Baggley's work has character but the cover is poor. Glowing coloured light to suggest magic is a boring movie cliche, tired for cinema and lazy or unimaginative for an artist.

Scantily clad princess, check.
Big muscle-bound barbarian, check.
Evil sorcerer, now dead, check.
Big glowing axe, check.

All Cliches in the order I noticed them. I love'm all and the picture as well. I do agree that the Baggley pics have character and would add that they are very evocative of the weird fantasy genre.

Morgan

[mabon5127]

Nov 6, 2011 10:18:12 GMT -6 jasmith said:

I was extraordinarily fortunate growing up, as my father collected Heavy Metal, Savage Sword, Eerie, Creepy, Vampirella, Epic Illustrated, a host of comic books and sword & sorcery novels.

And let me read them. ;D

So, by the age of 12 I was immersing myself in all of that pulpy awesomeness!

I was also very fortunate to have a mom who loved the strange and mysterious. She bought me the ODD books for Christmas including the Eldritch Wizardry supplement with the nekkid lady! The same Christmas she bought me Empire of the Petal Throne. My life would never be the same. I was also 12 and entering that real life dungeon known as middle school.

[jasmith]

Dec 18, 2011 10:12:04 GMT -6 mabon5127 said:

Nov 4, 2011 15:55:01 GMT -6 kent said:

Ian Baggley's work has character but the cover is poor. Glowing coloured light to suggest magic is a boring movie cliche, tired for cinema and lazy or unimaginative for an artist.

Scantily clad princess, check.
Big muscle-bound barbarian, check.
Evil sorcerer, now dead, check.
Big glowing axe, check.

All Cliches in the order I noticed them. I love'm all and the picture as well. I do agree that the Baggley pics have character and would add that they are very evocative of the weird fantasy genre.

Morgan

Yes! I'd buy this game for the art alone!

[Ghul]

Thanks, guys. I place a great importance on art. The art of D&D throughout the 70s and 80s, the art that graced the covers of many metal albums, John Buscema's Conan art, the Frazetta covers on the old Conan paperbacks, magazines like Heavy Metal, Eerie, Creepy, and so forth ... I can go on and on. You know, I've heard the opinion from some folks that if a publication's art is terrible, but if the text (say a game, a comic book, magazine, etc.) is well done, the art can be overlooked. I have trouble doing this, personally. Perhaps that is a bit shallow of me, but I can't help it. What I mean is, if the art is not to my tastes, I can shrug and say whatever. But if the art is simply horrible to me (IMO, of course), I just don't want to read the book.

Working with Ian has been great for me, because as he has forwarded me his various art pieces these last three years, I have at times (in a weird way) taken them as a sort of challenge, saying to myself, how the hell can I piece together text that matches this art?

[grodog]

Out of curiosity Jeff, why didn't you have Ian do the art for the cover, too? (If you can't share those details, I understand, too, of course).

I ask because I love Ian's artwork, so seeing something from him on the cover would feel more cohesive to me; I don't hate the cover art, but I don't particularly like it, either, and I think that the strong contrast to Ian's work (which has, admittedly completely taken over my vision for ASSH in the past few years) is at least part of why I don't like it. The art, on it's own, reminds me of the style seen in Solitaire's tarot from "Live and Let Die"---slightly stylized, but not cartoonish---and I like that style in general, but I can't get past how it clashes with me with Ian's stuff.

Anyway, just rambling---I'm really looking forward to the book!

[Finarvyn]

Dec 22, 2011 11:41:24 GMT -6 grodog said:

I don't hate the cover art, but I don't particularly like it, either...

Yeah, it's interesting to me that both of the B&W art pieces actually grab me more than the color cover picture.

Something about the guy in the color shot just seems off ... maybe it's the odd helmet that makes him look like he's wearing a buffalo skin or something like that. Just doesn't seem as vivid at the B&W artwork.

[Chainsaw]

Dec 22, 2011 16:01:51 GMT -6 Finarvyn said:

Dec 22, 2011 11:41:24 GMT -6 grodog said:

I don't hate the cover art, but I don't particularly like it, either...

Yeah, it's interesting to me that both of the B&W art pieces actually grab me more than the color cover picture.

Something about the guy in the color shot just seems off ... maybe it's the odd helmet that makes him look like he's wearing a buffalo skin or something like that. Just doesn't seem as vivid at the B&W artwork.

Think I have to agree with these guys. Maybe it's a function of associating Ian's art with the game for so much of the development. In any case, I have been excited about this project since learning of it and remain super-pumped.

[Ghul]

Dec 22, 2011 11:41:24 GMT -6 grodog said:

Out of curiosity Jeff, why didn't you have Ian do the art for the cover, too? (If you can't share those details, I understand, too, of course).

I ask because I love Ian's artwork, so seeing something from him on the cover would feel more cohesive to me; I don't hate the cover art, but I don't particularly like it, either, and I think that the strong contrast to Ian's work (which has, admittedly completely taken over my vision for ASSH in the past few years) is at least part of why I don't like it. The art, on it's own, reminds me of the style seen in Solitaire's tarot from "Live and Let Die"---slightly stylized, but not cartoonish---and I like that style in general, but I can't get past how it clashes with me with Ian's stuff.

Anyway, just rambling---I'm really looking forward to the book!

Charles Lang and his wife Wendy are old pals of mine whom I met in the early 90s when I owned a comic book and gaming shop. I actually bought the original painting from him around 1993 or 1994 or so. When I first conceived the original idea for this project, I contacted Charles about using the piece for the cover of the AS&SH project, and he happily agreed. It was some time after this that I remembered the guy who sent me an illustration of an evil necromancer from his Castle Zagyg / Yggsburgh campaign. I had saved the picture because I was so impressed by it. I found the email and contacted Ian, and we've been attached at the hip on this project ever since.

Allan, I do agree that it is Ian's art that defines the AS&SH project, but I do happen to love the piece Charles painted, too, so call it a combination of loyalty to an old friend and a genuine affection for the original piece (which hangs on my wall).

I am curious about your comment regarding artistic cohesion. We all grew up loving those college bound hardbacks that contained the art of Sutherland, Otus, Darlene, Trampier, et al., and they each had very different and distinctive styles. So, does this combination of styles, in your opinion, have its own cohesion? Let's say an old D&D manual had all Sutherland interior art and a Trampier cover. Would you feel that cohesion is lost in that example? I think there is a case for familiarity effecting a sense of cohesion, even if the styles are disparate. Similarly, I hope that the AS&SH project does well enough in this niche of a niche of a niche that familiarity with Charles' cover and Ian's interiors may effect a feeling of cohesion. One can only hope, of course.

Thanks for asking, Allan!

Cheers,
Jeff T.

[Ghul]

Dec 22, 2011 16:15:04 GMT -6 Chainsaw said:

Dec 22, 2011 16:01:51 GMT -6 Finarvyn said:

Yeah, it's interesting to me that both of the B&W art pieces actually grab me more than the color cover picture.

Something about the guy in the color shot just seems off ... maybe it's the odd helmet that makes him look like he's wearing a buffalo skin or something like that. Just doesn't seem as vivid at the B&W artwork.

Think I have to agree with these guys. Maybe it's a function of associating Ian's art with the game for so much of the development. In any case, I have been excited about this project since learning of it and remain super-pumped.

Much appreciated either way! I recall having some misgivings about the OSRIC cover, but after some time now, I really could not picture it with any other cover.

[mabon5127]

Dec 22, 2011 16:17:44 GMT -6 Ghul said:

Dec 22, 2011 11:41:24 GMT -6 grodog said:

Out of curiosity Jeff, why didn't you have Ian do the art for the cover, too? (If you can't share those details, I understand, too, of course).

I ask because I love Ian's artwork, so seeing something from him on the cover would feel more cohesive to me; I don't hate the cover art, but I don't particularly like it, either, and I think that the strong contrast to Ian's work (which has, admittedly completely taken over my vision for ASSH in the past few years) is at least part of why I don't like it. The art, on it's own, reminds me of the style seen in Solitaire's tarot from "Live and Let Die"---slightly stylized, but not cartoonish---and I like that style in general, but I can't get past how it clashes with me with Ian's stuff.

Anyway, just rambling---I'm really looking forward to the book!

Charles Lang and his wife Wendy are old pals of mine whom I met in the early 90s when I owned a comic book and gaming shop. I actually bought the original painting from him around 1993 or 1994 or so. When I first conceived the original idea for this project, I contacted Charles about using the piece for the cover of the AS&SH project, and he happily agreed. It was some time after this that I remembered the guy who sent me an illustration of an evil necromancer from his Castle Zagyg / Yggsburgh campaign. I had saved the picture because I was so impressed by it. I found the email and contacted Ian, and we've been attached at the hip on this project ever since.

Allan, I do agree that it is Ian's art that defines the AS&SH project, but I do happen to love the piece Charles painted, too, so call it a combination of loyalty to an old friend and a genuine affection for the original piece (which hangs on my wall).

I am curious about your comment regarding artistic cohesion. We all grew up loving those college bound hardbacks that contained the art of Sutherland, Otus, Darlene, Trampier, et al., and they each had very different and distinctive styles. So, does this combination of styles, in your opinion, have its own cohesion? Let's say an old D&D manual had all Sutherland interior art and a Trampier cover. Would you feel that cohesion is lost in that example? I think there is a case for familiarity effecting a sense of cohesion, even if the styles are disparate. Similarly, I hope that the AS&SH project does well enough in this niche of a niche of a niche that familiarity with Charles' cover and Ian's interiors may effect a feeling of cohesion. One can only hope, of course.

Thanks for asking, Allan!

Cheers,
Jeff T.

The difference was a bit jarring for me as well. Not so much from a style difference but the change in medium. A sharper color oil painting to B/W charcoal sketching. Hyperborea is a dark gritty reality fully captured by Ian's work sorta like looking through smoke smudged spectacles at a world of wonder. You almost feel like there is stuff around the edges that you can't quite make out..stuff that's getting ready to eat you or worse. You're in the middle of the world's action. There is a past and future.

The Cover by Charles is great! The color and light tells me the entire story is in the four walls of the picture nothing hidden off stage. The story is finished in the pic or seems to be. Nothing wrong with this at all just differences in my opinion as an amateur art nobody.

That being said with a lot of good money spent on covers only to have crappy art inside its a relief that the quality of both will be very good and more to the point representative of the world of Hyperborea!

Another art question. Is the sorceress booty shot the one going on the t-shirt offered on kickstarter?

Morgan

[Chainsaw]

Good points, Jeff, both about the mix of styles in classic books and that art can grow on you.

Again, for me, the style contrast was strong because I had only associated Ian's art with the project up until you released the cover. For you, the cover art pre-dated the game (and Ian's work) and, I am assuming, was in your mind all along as the project moved through the stages of development.

[Finarvyn]

Dec 22, 2011 19:24:04 GMT -6 Chainsaw said:

for me, the style contrast was strong because I had only associated Ian's art with the project up until you released the cover. For you, the cover art pre-dated the game...

A key difference in perspective.

As a Game Master I'm always struggling to get what is in my head into the minds of my players. Many a campaign has taken a sharp turn in a new direction because I was thinking Conan and my players were thinking Tolkien, or other such differences. That doesn't make either right or wrong, but simply different.

Jeff has a cool concept and it's been in his head for a while. He's picking the artwork that best demonstrates to us what he's thinking. I'm cool with it, especially once I heard the story behind the color artwork.

[Chainsaw]

finarvyn said:

Jeff has a cool concept and it's been in his head for a while. He's picking the artwork that best demonstrates to us what he's thinking. I'm cool with it, especially once I heard the story behind the color artwork.

Right, I agree and hope that was clear.

[Ghul]

Dec 23, 2011 9:16:20 GMT -6 Chainsaw said:

finarvyn said:

Jeff has a cool concept and it's been in his head for a while. He's picking the artwork that best demonstrates to us what he's thinking. I'm cool with it, especially once I heard the story behind the color artwork.

Right, I agree and hope that was clear.

Thank you, fellows. But to also be clear, I'm not trying to sway anyone's opinion on art. For example, I love Frazetta, and with the exception of a few pieces, I really can't stand Boris. Some people I've spoken with are baffled by the position, seeing the two as equals, others agree with me, and other still take the opposite position. It's all well and good.

The file for the cover piece I showed you fellows was really shrunken down. Here is a larger one (still not trying to sway opinions here, just giving a larger glimpse of the image):

[grodog]

Dec 22, 2011 16:17:44 GMT -6 Ghul said:

Charles Lang and his wife Wendy are old pals of mine whom I met in the early 90s when I owned a comic book and gaming shop. I actually bought the original painting from him around 1993 or 1994 or so. When I first conceived the original idea for this project, I contacted Charles about using the piece for the cover of the AS&SH project, and he happily agreed.

That's very cool, Jeff---and a wonderful way to show your love for your friend's work!

Dec 22, 2011 16:17:44 GMT -6 Ghul said:

It was some time after this that I remembered the guy who sent me an illustration of an evil necromancer from his Castle Zagyg / Yggsburgh campaign. I had saved the picture because I was so impressed by it. I found the email and contacted Ian, and we've been attached at the hip on this project ever since.

I'm glad to hear that you consider Ian's work as central to your vision for the game as I've been making it out to be, in my head, Jeff

Dec 22, 2011 16:17:44 GMT -6 Ghul said:

Allan, I do agree that it is Ian's art that defines the AS&SH project, but I do happen to love the piece Charles painted, too, so call it a combination of loyalty to an old friend and a genuine affection for the original piece (which hangs on my wall).

Nothing wrong with that!---had I the ability to put some Roger Dean, or Robert Gould in my publications, I would certainly be doing so

Dec 22, 2011 16:17:44 GMT -6 Ghul said:

I am curious about your comment regarding artistic cohesion. We all grew up loving those college bound hardbacks that contained the art of Sutherland, Otus, Darlene, Trampier, et al., and they each had very different and distinctive styles. [snip]

I hope that the AS&SH project does well enough in this niche of a niche of a niche that familiarity with Charles' cover and Ian's interiors may effect a feeling of cohesion. One can only hope, of course.

I agree, and I'm sure the aesthetic that you're driving for ASSH comes through as well. It's just that the aesthetic has been largely driven by Ian's work thus far---which is really what prompted me to ask about the cover in the first place, I suppose.

Dec 22, 2011 16:17:44 GMT -6 Ghul said:

Thanks for asking, Allan!

Sure, and thanks for answering!

[grodog]

Dec 23, 2011 9:30:48 GMT -6 Ghul said:

The file for the cover piece I showed you fellows was really shrunken down. Here is a larger one (still not trying to sway opinions here, just giving a larger glimpse of the image):

Thanks Jeff---the bigger pictures are always nicer for appreciating the smaller details. I do still like the piece, just need to get my head about its vibe, and insert that into my sense of ASSH-ness, too, now.

Hasta!

[Ghul]

Hello fellows,

Ian Baggley recently finalized the logo image for AS&SH. This image represents Xathoqqua (Tsathoggua) the toad god, whose orthodoxy is prevalent throughout the realm of Hyperborea.



Just like TSR had their little lizard man logo, then the wizard, this logo will be stamped on all our future projects.

Cheers,
Jeff T.