Air Caste Courier - Warhammer 40K: Conquest

I for you a new piece of Warhammer card art that was spoiled last week with the announcement of the newest expansion of Warhammer 40K: Conquest, Legions of Death. While the piece was painted traditionally the final art was edited digitally to give production what they wanted. Here is how the final production art for the Air Caste Courier...

Air Caste Courier (Modified final)
Warhammer 40K: Conquest - Legions of Death
14 x 11 - Acrylic and pencil on board with digital edits

Original available over on my web store

Art Director - John Taillon
© 2015 Fantasy Flight Games

To compare that with the original painting you will see the entire image was color shifted more yellow and that the entire drop ship in the background was made significantly more yellow. While easy to do on the computer it would have meant a major edit to the painting to make happen. Here is what the original painting looks like...

Air Caste Courier (Original)
Warhammer 40K: Conquest - Legions of Death
14 x 11 - Acrylic and pencil on board

Art Director - John Taillon

Original available over on my web store 
© 2015 Fantasy Flight Games

The drawing for the Air Caste Courier will also so another change that was made after the drawing and prior to the painting, the head of the Courier was elongated significantly. This guy could not catch a break... edits and every turn. Oh well, things happen... especially when I work on Warhammer...

Air Caste Courier - Drawing
Warhammer 40K: Conquest - Legions of Death
17 x 14 - Pencil on paper

Art Director - John Taillon

Original available over on my web store 
© 2015 Fantasy Flight Games

Finally, here is a peek at the final production card that will coming out sometime first quarter of 2016...

Sneak peek of the Air Caste Courier in handy dandy card form

I will have more stories about the ups and downs of this piece (and some classic reference images of me as the Air Caste Courier) once the set is released next year!

That is all for another exciting Monday on the blog, see you back here on Wednesday! Until then...

For more samples of my work or to contact me regarding my availability head over to my website: www.christopherburdett.com