Mordenkainen the Wizard

Mordenkainen the Wizard
Planeswalker
34” x 25” Oil on Panel, framed
2020
Art Director: Zack Stella

I am honored to present the portrait of Planeswalker Mordenkainen from the Adventures in the Forgotten Realms D&D expansion from Magic:The Gathering.

This painting is my most detailed and masterfully executed Magic: The Gathering cards as well as one of the finest portraits to grace my portfolio.

This portrait of Mordenkainen envelopes so much of what I love about my career as an artist - from portraiture, to narrative storytelling, rendering of reflective surfaces, dramatic lighting effects, and most importantly conveying a sense of wonder and mystery. We may never know what the wizard was working upon as we interrupted his contemplative thoughts in his study, but we can be certain we will feel the wrath of his ire!

Ever since discovering Dungeons and Dragons in my youth, I have enjoyed the complexities, challenges, and excitement of role-playing the character class of wizards. This portrait represents the deep passion I have for gaming and the art creation infused within my youth around roleplaying. It was this wellspring I returned to again and again as this work evolved.

Reaching back deep into those wizardry gaming roots are a set of bookends I created during my hard-core D&D days, with one side a diorama composed with the elements from Grenadier’s ‘Wizard’s Room’ lead figurine miniature set. I loved to paint these miniatures, owning handfuls of the diverse sets produced, and enjoyed endless hours of enjoyment in use in our campaigns.

Due to the lack of access to proper art supplies as a young artist, all small details on these figurines were rendered and applied with sharpened toothpicks. I am happy to state those logistical hurdles are no longer a hinderance in my art creation now! I have long ago learned that proper tools are part of the pathway to creating masterful, professional works of art.

To those ends, as this painting came closer to finish, a proper frame was needed to house this image and complement its craftsmanship. Masterworks Frames in Utah was commissioned to create a customized silver frame with a slight accent of dark blue in the broad field of the frame.

Auction for the original oil painting of Mordenkainen the Wizard ending tonight, 11:30 PM EST Sunday June 11, 2021
Details regarding the painting and auction linked to below and on my website:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/mtgartmarket/posts/3081494005414131
https://donatoarts.com/news