The title says it all – let’s all hop on the art train and enjoy some awesome, visual representations of the world of Warhammer Fantasy!
First of all let me drop a hard, universal truth – there are waaaay too many cool Warhammer art pieces. Choosing only three… it’s not enough and I do realise that. In the future I will add more compilations like this one, but for now a top 3 list it is. Enjoy!
3. Valten, Chosen of Sigmar, clashes with Archaon, Everchosen of Chaos, during the Siege of Middenheim (by Alex Boyd)
The first one was a no-brainer for me. I love the classic Storm of Chaos campaign and everything that is connected with it. This artwork defines the SoC era for me. It’s suitably epic, grandoise in scale and also retains that old, now almost gone, realism of Warhammer Fantasy. This is no Age of Sigmar, no absurdly muscular golden demigods duking it out against equally muscular warriors of the Dark Gods. We have normal, honest folk of the Empire clashing against a literal tide of darkness and madness. In the background there are also High Elves and Dwarfs, taking their part in the battle to decide the fate of the entire Warhammer World.
I love it. This artwork is one that I’d do anything to have on my wall, framed in wood and glass.
2. Cover art for “Ashes of Middenheim” for Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay 2nd edition (by Christer Sveen)
Ah the memories… “Ashes of Middenheim”, part one of the “Paths of the Damned” campaign, was the first, big adventure that I GMed, all the way back in 2009. I always had a soft spot for this module, despite its many flaws, and the cover art for “Ashes…” remains one of my favorite WFRP drawings of all time.
Again note the realistic, grim style that was so prevalent during the times of WFRP 2e and WFB 6e. The heroes are portrayed in a suitably heroic, albeit down-to-earth, manner. This style fits Warhammer Fantasy exceptionally well and I am very sad to see it completely gone in the newest (4th) iteration of the role-playing game set in this fascianting and grim world. Oh well, at least there are always older editions to return to…
1. Empire Militia Box cover art (by Karl Kopinski)
Here it is. The best (in my humble opinion) Warhammer Fantasy art piece of all time. Karl Kopinski is one of those artists whose work is synonymous with a certain genre or brand. In his case he will always be one of my beloved WFB/WFRP authors of all time. His art style, very realistic, gritty and grim, fits the setting perfectly. Just look at those men. They’re your ordinary Old Worlders – civil militia, cutthroats, scum and adventurers (who are usually also scum themselves!). They are irregular troops, have almost no armour at all, their weapons are mismatched and in a generally poor shape…
…and yet they are charging into the fray to defend their homes, their land, their families. The looks on their faces says it all – most of them don’t expect to survive this battle. To return to their loved ones. And yet they are doing their duty to the Empire and the Emperor. Only Kopinski can truly capture that. Only he has the talent to convey this sense of doomed, reckless heroism. For that he will always be my favorite Warhammer Fantasy artist of all time, and this piece will be my most beloved of all his many works of art.
I wanted to write a post like that for quite some time now. Warhammer, both Fantasy and 40K, is defined by its many drawings, paintings and pieces of art in general. In this article I only showcased my top 3 favorite ones, but there are many, many more. Just as I mentioned at the beginning – I will be sharing quite a few others in the future. You can count on that.
Until next time!
Xathrodox86
It always rains in Nuln 