Fantasy illustrator: Wizards of the Coast, Orbit Books, Tor Books, Penguin Books, Darrington Press, Baldur's Gate 3, etc. || he/him π¨π¦ || wingbuffet@gmail.com
Joined November 2011
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49 Photos and videos
Pinned Tweet
9 Jan 2024
Good morning #PortfolioDay :D
I'm Mike, still painting Fantasy Characters doing Fantasy Things (often in Fantasy Places), and having a blast doing it! Last year I got to do my first book covers, and this year I've got some rad stuff in the oven that should be publishing soon π
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Mike Pape retweeted
13 Sep 2017
These Silicon Valley Geniuses Are Changing The Game Once Again By Replacing Good Things That People Like With Stupid Bullshit That Sucks Ass
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Mike Pape retweeted
16 Aug 2024
Destishire town at night
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Mike Pape retweeted
27 Jun 2024
Fireball
Hello guys, this is one of the illustrations I did for the new D&D player's handbook! It was fun to explore how to paint such strong color harmony. Until next time, guys, enjoy!
@Wizards_DnD @DnDBeyond #dungeonsanddragons
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19 Jun 2024
Third species opener that I painted for the new Revised Player's Handbook β Elves!
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19 Jun 2024
AD: Emi Tanji
The main focus this time was on the elves' innate magic and their artistic inclinations as a long-lived species β playing music, doing some gardening, painting, or just observing others!
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19 Jun 2024
The idea that younger elves are still figuring out their inborn magical abilities (often by observing others) was something I made sure to sneak in there π
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19 Jun 2024
Second illustration I made for the revised PHB β the species entry for Orcs!
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19 Jun 2024
Oh, and a weird little easter egg:
When sketching the orc in front, I based the design of their greataxe off of one of my fav old Wayne Reynolds D&D illos (from 3.5's 'Complete Warrior'), which showed half-orcs fighting a hag.
Maybe an obscure pull, so I wanted to share :D
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19 Jun 2024
AD: Emi Tanji
With Orcs' relatively short lifespan as fantasy races go, I really wanted to emphasize the multi-generational nature of a hunting party β kids and teens learning alongside the older folks.
They're hunting with Harris's Hawks, if you're curious :D
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19 Jun 2024
Sharing the first of my illustrations in the new PHB β the species entry for Dwarves!
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19 Jun 2024
AD: Emi Tanji
I think I watched about a dozen hours of video on blacksmithing to figure out the processes/tasks/layout of a shop, so now I know those things forever
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4 Jun 2024
One of the book covers I painted earlier this year!π
[For Tor publishing, AD: Lesley Worrell]
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Mike Pape retweeted
24 Apr 2024
This whips
24 Apr 2024
Wanted to share this amazing essay from artist Dave Palumbo. Who btw is an incredible artist so he definitely knows what heβs talking about!
So well written, and I agree so much with this. Worth a read:
muddycolors.com/2024/04/the-β¦
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Mike Pape retweeted
27 Apr 2022
If enforcing gender norms requires a constant state of surveillance and censorship then they probably aren't as biological or innate as you think they are
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4 Mar 2024
I've been going back through my 2023 work, with average time per piece spent as follows:
Client Management/Emails - 1.6 hours
Collecting Reference - 1.7 hours
Thumbnails/Comps - 3.4 hours
Drawing - 2.6 hours
3D - 0.7 hours (only used for ~35% of pieces)
Rendering - 13.9 hours
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4 Mar 2024
That's a total average of just under 24 working hours per finished illustration :D
Quickest start-to-finish: 5.5 hours
Longest start-to-finish: 69 hours
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4 Mar 2024
TTRPG Rates were also improved from past years, with compensation in the following ranges for my publishing work (much of which will be coming out this year π):
Quarter Pages - 550-900usd
Half Pages - 850-1250usd
Character Art (vignetted) - 650-700usd
Covers - 2100-3000usd
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28 Feb 2024
on my spare time I've been making cute little isometric maps/tokens to support a mini-D&D-campaign we've been running on Roll20, which has been a fun little departure from full paintings!
(new paintings soon though, my long NDA limbo is almost over)
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16 Jan 2024
I draw anniversary cards every year, and this year we got married so I got to draw that :y
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