All talk and no art makes J.Q. a dull boy, so I welcome you to Rediscovered Realms’ new series that lets us gawk at some phenomenal fantasy illustrations - this time by the prolifically talented Michael C. Hayes.
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“Miserere” cover art for the novel, “Miserere: An Autumn Tale” by Teresa Frohack
“Vigilance” Preliminary from an ImagineFX magazine cover in 2014
“Compatriots” - a personal work of Michael’s that he finished when a client rejected the sketch
Michael C. Hayes has done illustrations for Magic the Gathering cards, book covers, private commissions, and more.
“Angelic Accord”, painted for the Magic: The Gathering’s Core 2014 expansion set
Asha (Greyjoy)
“Guardian Angel” - private commission that later become the cover of a Heavy Metal Magazine
He was trained on oils at the prestigious Watts Atelier of the Arts school and paints in the classical style.
“Exhale”
“Athena” - originally designed as a game mat
“Artemis” - originally designed as a game mat
“Mother of Dragons”
Michael has been honored with numerous awards, including the Chesley, Spectrum and Art Renewal Center awards as well as other nominations.
“Aesthyr”
I really like how his compositions hint at a lot more going on. They’re often tinged with Death and Loss who make their profound way into his palette.
“Love Never Dies”
He mostly depicts beautiful women - sensual, serious, or savage, but we’ve kept this issue to his less-spicier stuff.
“Siren”
“Ascension”
Check out how he advanced these preliminaries across to their full-colored finish lines
"Wildling"
“Death of Arthur” Preliminary
“Death of Arthur” - personal work. 2014
"Valkyrie"
If you like D&D old-school-style pen and ink artwork, you need to check out this Rediscovered Realms newsletter edition (and find out the answer to the mystery of who the artist was):
If clothes are what make the man, then artwork is what makes the fantasy book/game/RPG. Yes, I know that content & imagination is really what matters, and that’s true - but have you ever bought a book based on its cover? I know I have. Fantasy art is a genre where a booster-shot of someone else’s vision and imagination can expand your mind and creativity…
And if you think oil paintings are his only skill, you’ve got to see some of his fantasy pop culture charcoals!
Gandalf
Galadriel
Saurfan
Sansa
Link and Princess Zelda
Jon Snow
Tyrion
Dani
One of my favorite fantasy artists, Clyde Caldwell, is also known for painting beautiful women (as well as other exciting fantasy battles & scenes). Rediscovered Realms had the unique honor of talking with Clyde last year. This interview is full of heart and heartthrobs!
Today, we are speaking with the amazing fantasy artist, Clyde Caldwell. Clyde has been enchanting RPG, book, and art fans for decades with his badass dragons, beautiful maidens and scenes of epic adventure.
Now, if you think some of those women look downright dangerous, you are completely correct. Just be careful not to offend them, because I noticed someone else watching you.
“Adversary”
Michael currently works as a freelance illustrator, so makes sure to contact him (mike@artofmike.com) if you need any of his outstanding fantasy artwork for your own creations or coveting.
It’s expensive running a kingdom these days. That’s why occasional support from Generous Adventurers like you helps keep Rediscovered Realms’ moat stocked with monsters and swords sharpened for action.
Wake up and smell the coffee, Rediscovered Realms Readers! You can use it to clear your pallet between sniffs of Scented Realms RPG ScentVials as we interview the creator who is “bringing the 4th sense of Fantasy to life” for your TTRPG games and movies, Scott Curry.
Celebrate with an exclusive 40th Anniversary Collector’s Box, exclusive fleece blanket featuring a map of Magnamund, exclusive T-shirt featuring the . . . Summerswerd (by Gary Chalk), exclusive signed (by Ben Dever) 40th Anniversary poster illustrating Lone Wolf by Gary Chalk, premium velvet wolf-headed draw-stringed belt pouch, AND a custom d10 featuring a golden-colored wolfshead
Discover sword, sandal, and sorcery in RuneQuest—a TTRPG where the gods are real and everyone can use magic. This bundle includes everything you need to treat your group to endless adventure in the Bronze Age world of Glorantha.
The RuneQuest Starter Set will get you up and running, including rulebooks, adventures, pre-generated characters, and more. The Red Book of Magic is an essential sourcebook packed containing all the spells in the game, and rules for creating your own.
The Pegasus Plateau & Other Stories contains 7 adventures that'll transport your group to some of Glorantha’s most thrilling locales. Pay what you want for all these books and more, and help support Code.org with your purchase!
Lastly, this isn’t new news, but in case you never saw it I just had to share → A less-than-2-minute video on the making of the Bards Tale IV animated cover paying homage to the original from 1985!
I hope you enjoyed our 1st “FANTASY ART SAMPLER” edition. Make sure to comment below to share which Michael C. Hayes illustration was your favorite. Till next week, Inspired Adventurer!
“Art evokes the mystery without which the world would not exist.”
- René Magritte
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I love fantasy art. These remind me of the art of the mighty Boris Vallejo. Beautiful
Very nice selection, JQ. You could never be a dull boy
And don't be afraid to share spicier pictures. We are a all adults here (and juveniles at heart)