Thursday, January 3, 2013

Warhammer Raven Helm


As you know, I've been reading novelizations from the game "Warhammer 40,000 AD." Since the game depends on moving painted miniatures around a constructed game space, the books contain detailed descriptions of environments, armor, weapons, vehicles and aircraft, and many spaceships. This makes illustrators happy. I find a wealth of artistic inspiration in this otherwise meaningless imaginary universe, where even the "good guy" characters kill, enslave, destroy whole civilizations, and obliterate planets. Even though the designs for the armor and gear are highly specified in game manuals, I've decided to get creative with illustrating Warhammer, starting with the fantastic armor. I use Renaissance designs for parade armor, as well as other grotesque and theatrical images from that period. Other influences would be Roman gladiator armor or medieval gargoyles. Here's a concept drawing of a helmet worn by the "Raven Guard," a legion of Space Marines whose helmets are beaked like their symbolic bird.

Ink and grayscale markers on brand new 2013 sketchbook page, about 4" x 4 1/2", January 2, 2013.

1 comment:

Mike (Altus) said...

I love this stuff too. I'm looking forward to seeing other designs from you.