MtG artists: Steven Belledin

Steven Belledin debuted in the Coldsnap set and has since illustrated over 100 magic cards. He works in both traditional and digital formats, depending on the commission. He keeps a blog where he discusses the process of moving from initial description, to sketch, to finished piece.

Silumgar, the Drifting Death

This dragon lord appeared in the Fate Reforged set, and makes a formidable foe in Magic games.

Etched Monstrosity

In the Scars of Mirrodin block, the familiar realm was corrupted and eventually taken over by Phyrexians, a recurring villain group in Magic. Part of this was the presentation of familiar creatures in their new darker guise.

Gravecrawler

I love the way that the slickness of the bricks has been brought forward by this piece. The zombie is terrifying enough without the thought of slipping on the damp stones as you turn to run…

Idle Thoughts

I love this piece from the Eventide set. Whimsical, but the thought of books flapping their way across the landscape, occasionally delivering a lightning strike of inspiration, amuses me.

Rampant Growth

This card has been in the game for many years, and it is Steven Belledin’s illustration that is used whenever the card is reprinted these days. It contains a hidden resonance to Hokusai’s Great Wave off Kanagawa piece, which I am sure you recognise by sight if not by name:

See?

You can see all cards illustrated by Steven Belledin, or visit the artist’s blog.