Wodan (as a young God) riding Sleipnir. New Illustration for "Sonah Magazin", winter 2024.

 

Wodan (here represented as a still young God riding his eight-legged steed) is the name that the populations of Central Europe gave in the Middle Ages to the Scandinavian and Norse God Odin

(Old German: Wodan, Wuotan, Woden; Old Dutch: Wuodan; Old Saxon: Uuoden; Old English: Woden; Old Norse: Odinn). 

Even in Southern Germany he is a figure at the center of many legends, such as that, among others, linked to the horseshoe. Beautiful and in-depth article by Anika Meyer (Editor and Art Director I thank very much for allowing me to illustrate such a beautiful subject!) on the topic.

sonah-verlag.de

The God Wodan - Odin in his appearance as an old wanderer with a blue cloak and gray robe

Even the Frau Holle of fairy tales is the derivation of Holda, an ancient mythological Goddess (Hertha - Jord) among the wives of Odin and mother of Thor

Third group of illustrations for "Sorcery": The Templar Avatar, Medieval Forge and White Coursier

Here is a second group of my illustrations for "Sorcery: Contested Realm" Arthurian Legends

 

In this group I show some of my favorites among the illustrated subjects: the small medieval village "Hamlet", with its half-timbered house in the foreground on the left, the spring plants in the background, the thatched roofs...

The "Hunter's Lodge" in the depths of a forest, with the light penetrating the old trees in the background, the sleeping dogs in the foreground, the details of the vegetation...

The burning castle: I loved this subject! The research on the effects of light in a nocturnal context, the reflection of the flames on the forest, the full moon in the background of a distant landscape, with a silver river flowing in the distance (and castles... I always love them).

I brought these subjects together because I loved working on different lighting effects and details than usual

The "Plague" illustration: I also loved trying my hand at this subject, so different from the usual ones. This illustration owes a lot to Erik's suggestions, his idea of ​​the unhealthy and pestilential atmosphere suggested by the greenish colors of the background was, as always, FUNDAMENTAL! Thanks Erik!

"Sir Ironside", this is a much more usual historical subject for me: two knights who met in a duel. The chaimail armor and weapons are typical of the 13th century, what was different and what I tried to depict as best as I could was the detailed face in the background. Erik's great tip was to think about old movie posters.

See you soon with a new selection of Arthurian illustrations!

With IMMENSE joy, the new edition of "Sorcery: Contested Realm" was published at the beginning of the month; the expansion is entirely dedicated to "Arthurian Legends".

 

Seeing my Sir Perceval become part of the Cover Art of "Arthurian Legends" was a surprise and a unique emotion. I can never stop thanking Erik and the Sorcery Team enough!

All the information, artists, cards and works of art here:

https://sorcerytcg.com/

https://sorcerytcg.com/art

The Cover Art is truly gorgeous! The credit for this marvel for the eyes, decorated with gold leaf motifs, as refined and beautiful as in a luxurious medieval illuminated manuscript, goes to the incredibly talented Elvira Shakirova. Her skill is extraordinary!

The illustration with my "Common Village" for this edition. Unlike the previous villages (which depicted Alpine Walser, or North Frisian, houses), here I have tried to depict a typical late medieval English village. In a summer landscape.

The "Verdant Knight": I love making sunsets, I love landscapes, I love flamboyant and eccentric clothes of the late Middle Ages!😊

This is just a first taste: I have made many illustrations and I will try to show them all!

My painting "Sir Perceval", with the knight in front of the Grail (and the Fisher King) castle

Some illustrations among those published in various issues of the beautiful Swiss Magazine "Lebenslust Emmental Magazin"

The illustration published in the new issue of the Magazine "Lebenslust Emmental" number 65, autumn 2024.

The illustration is for Sandra Rutschi's beautiful new short story "Die Baeume wachsen nicht in den Himmel" ("The trees don't grow into the sky").

The Magazine is always beautiful with wonderful photos: it is impossible not to want to immerse yourself in the wonderful landscapes, villages and woods of the Bernese Emmental!

           A  Bernese Mountain Dog and some illustrations of botanical essences and flowers

Illustration of wildflowers (poppy, dandelion, red clover, plantain, bromes ... among others)

Semolina pudding (Griessbrei), with recipe and ingredients (cinnamon!), for the short story by Sandra Rutschi

The original paintings for the illustrations (always painted in watercolor and gouache on Arches paper) next to the Magazine

Some photos taken in the field looking for the wildflowers for the illustration

Magnificent animated video of the new "Sorcery" series dedicated to the Arthurian Legends. My knight Perceval is there too!

 Arthurian Legends: Sorcery Contested Realm Trailer

Magnificent animated video on YouTube of the new "Sorcery" series dedicated to the Arthurian Legends. 

My knight Perceval is there too!

The Video is simply wonderful: the music, the narrative voice, the atmosphere! I can't wait to see all the illustrated cards.

LOTS of new illustrations are coming!

On the occasion of the publication of the new expansion dedicated to Arthurian Legends here is an interview on the "Sorcery: Contested Realm" website: 

https://sorcerytcg.com/art/andrea-modesti

I sincerely thank Chase for the interview, his great kindness and attention. And ALWAYS a big thank you to Erik and the entire Sorcery Team. 

I also thank the Magic Maze Team who will organize an event for the launch of the new Arthurian Legends; Francesca Baerald will also be there!!

https://sorcerytcg.com/news/landmark-sorcery-event-for-italy-at-magic-maze-october-27th-2024

While waiting for the publication of the new illustrations, a small reminder of some of those already published ;-)

The Knight in progress: first the background, then the figures (initially protected by the liquid maskig fluid for watercolor)

New Interviews and Video Presentation for Collector Arthouse and "Sorcery: Contested Realm"!

 I apologize for the long absence from the blog, but it has been an "intense" period, so to speak, in many aspects.

Among the beautiful, or rather, really WONDERFUL  things, which I am infinitely happy about, is being able to be part of the group of Artists and the Sorcery: Contested Realm project.

Working on these illustrations is a privilege for me, and I put all my soul and effort into it.

Speaking of Sorcery, I would like to point out here the beautiful presentation of the Beta Edition, made by Mike Servati.

It's absolutely not to be missed and with very special moments and Artists with their Artworks : as always thanks to Mike!

And I seem to have glimpsed something familiar in the background ;-)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P8nm2Hf23wE

Welcome autumn!

A centenary oak in an autumn forest. The small fauna that lives around the old tree ... For Campus Natur - Landverlag

Have a good journey, my friend. Save me the seat next to you once again, as you always have. CIAO DANILO.

"I never had any friends later on like the ones I had when I was twelve. Jesus, does anyone?"

("Stand by Me" by Rob Reiner, based on the novel "The Body" by Stephen King)

A book entirely dedicated to the discovery of the nature of the Alps, the woods, their inhabitants and environments. An always valid gift: "BILDUNG BEGINNT IN DER NATUR" - Ein kleiner Tipp für ein schönes Geschenk? Das Buch "Bildung beginnt in der Natur" von Verena Zürcher!

"Bildung beginnt in der Natur" (auf dem Foto das Buch neben einigen meiner Originalillustrationen) kann in den besten physischen und Online-Buchhandlungen in der Schweiz und in Deutschland gefunden oder bestellt werden! Ausführliche Informationen auf der Verlagsseite des Landverlags

https://www.landverlag.ch/

"Bildung beginnt in der Natur - Education begins in nature"(the book in the photo next to some of my original illustrations) can be found or ordered in the best physical and online bookstores in Switzerland and Germany! Detailed information on the publisher's website of the Landverlag

Hier einige der zahlreichen im Buch veröffentlichten Illustrationen: Eine Fuchsfamilie, ein Waldiltis auf einer Bergwiese und ein Detail einer Eule im Mischwald.

Here are some of the numerous illustrations published in the book: A fox family, a polecat in a mountain meadow and a detail of an owl in a mixed forest.

Autumn, red deer bellowing season (Hirschbrunftzeit bei Schloss Trachselwald). Ink sketch

                   It is autumn, a male deer bellows, in front of the beautiful Trachselwald castle.

Summer Fan Art (a little break for fun): Godzilla meets the city of Pavia

 As a child I was completely fascinated (just one step below the primacy of anime) by Japanese monster movies, especially Godzilla: naturally the costumes of the actors who played the kaiju(s) were already noticed as absolutely unlikely, absurd if not ridiculous. 

I think most children love dinosaurs and giant monsters, who knows why (and Godzilla was and is the quintessence of the category: unsurpassed. Thanks Toho). But the thing that actually stuck with me the most was the beauty and care, the verisimilitude of the scale models of Japanese cities that were trampled on by the kaiju on duty. They were of a unique beauty. 

I don't know why I found myself rethinking those scenes set in Pavia, my city.

Now times have changed, cinema has changed, special effects have improved, but I still have a passion for Godzilla, and luckily two films in particular, 

the first "Godzilla" by Gareth Edwards and the second "Godzilla: King of the Monsters” by Michael Dougherty, from Legendary Pictures have updated - wonderfully - the Godzilla myth with two films that are absolutely STUNNING for me. 

Which immediately became my favorite monster movies (“Godzilla King of the Monsters” is REALLY my favorite movie ever!). And so here it is, the drawing I've wanted to do since I was a child, with Legendary Pictures' revisited Godzilla (the DougheGoji, or Michael Dougherty's Godzilla, in Godzilla fan parlance )

https://wikizilla.org/wiki/DougheGoji

 with a touch of "Godzilla: Minus One" , another gem of a film, with its scene of the attack on Tokyo absolutely among the most beautiful ever seen.

This is just fan art, a tribute to the iconic character and his (for me) best representations.

It is summer, the moment to escape into space and time, into the historical / mythological fantasy: here is the -republished- Lindwurm!

The Lindwurm, or lindworm, was a serpentine dragon (and man-eater) of Norse and Central European mythology (Fafnir was also a lindworm). It is at the origin of the legendary foundation of the city of Klagenfurt (among others), of which it is the symbol. 

The preparatory sketch and the pencil drawing 

"Anastasias Geheimnis" (Anastasia's secret), illustrations for the story about Anastasia von Signau (by Verena Zuercher, Landverlag)

The cover of the book project "Anastasias Geheimnis. Eine mittelalterliche Raetselgeschichte", by the author Verena Zuercher, published by Landverlag. A short tale about the young Lady from Signau which leads schoolchildren hikers to the historical places of her story. Lots of black and white ink illustrations. 

On the "variant" cover, Anastasia in front of Burgdorf Castle

One of the color covers among the many black and white ink line drawings...

 One of the line drawings: a medieval gold digger along the river Emme (did you know that already for the Celts and then throughout the Middle Ages the river Emme was very coveted by gold diggers?)

Landverlag.ch