Polidorus Rex: 2011

If there are any Diablo fans out there that haven't realized it yet, the Book of Cain has finally released, to massively great reviews and a hugely positive fan reaction. It's an incredible book, worth buying not just for fans of Diablo, but fantasy and art fans in general. I don't think Blizzard has ever made a cooler book, especially one that feels so much like the "artifact" it's meant to be, and for like $22 on amazon, it might be the best deal ever for what you get.

Being involved in the project from its early stages, I can say honestly that there are a few people that I work with that deserve so much credit for its coolness, it's jus' reediculuuss!!!! Call outs to Jeremy Cranford, Glenn Rane, and Doug Alexander Gregory, as well as the writing and lore teams, hell all of Cdev and the Diablo team for some serious badassedness in the execution of the greatest companion book ever. Jeremy in particular, in case many people didn't know, is directly responsible for recruiting the incredible talent that filled the book's pages with amazingly beautiful artwork.

For my part, which consisted of creating most of the conceptual work needed for the characters portrayed in the book, as well as the map trim on the printed map included with the book, I count myself so unbelievably lucky to have been a part of it. The project brought out the best in me and my art, and I mourn the fact that the concepts I created over the period of like 2 months this year will probably never be viewable to anyone outside of Blizzard for the foreseeable future. And to be totally honest, I believe it's my best work ever.

Oh well. ;) Enjoy the book, everyone!!! You won't be disappointed.

-JP-

So, this past weekend I went to the CTN Expo in Burbank. One thing that happened is that I came to the reinforced and recurring realization once again that I should be working on art outside of Blizzard on my own time. Seeing as how I do that already, the only thing stopping me from posting any of it is that anything I create for myself can't be safely revealed on the web...so, to remedy this situation, I have decided to focus for the time being on creating badass fanart of the characters that I love.

I've decided to start with a character that I think is the perfect showpiece for displaying what I can do artistically without it looking too much like Blizzard art. There's nothing wrong with Blizzard art, but it's not mine. ;)

Meaning, it's not my preferred style. Like most artists that work for large successful companies, over time I have adapted to absorb the house style. But while I find my work at Blizzard both challenging AND fun, my portfolio that I've built while working there doesn't accurately portray how I naturally like to draw and paint.

So, my next original piece, that I'm working on now, will be up and available very soon and hopefully will allow me to visually determine the "look" of MY own art from this point on.

You see another thing I learned this weekend is that if you want to be top tier, you need to be bigger than the job. And while I have no intention of leaving Blizzard, I am going to enjoy the hell out of "playing" with other characters outside the Blizzard Pantheon.

Stay tuned!!!

-JP-