MAGIC: The Gathering
Artist Proof (A.P.) Card Page
of
Randy Asplund
Update 11/14/2023
1) PAINTING PROGRESS!
I have a Wait List for commissions, and while I have been making gradual progress in completing as much of that as fast as I can, Iam not adding to the list at this time. So if you are already on it, hold on, because I still plan get to you. However, I need to take another temporary break from working on commissions. I will still let you know when your turn comes up.
Here's what's happening:
I'm still involved in fighting the terrible corrupt guardianship and conservatorship plight through our court system, and still trying to get my mom out of the clutches of the crooks who destroyed her life, and I'm working as an activist to change the laws which are used to get away with what amounts to slavery under Color of Law. THAT IS MY PRIORITY. And because that interferes dramatically with my ability to create artwork on timely commission, I do not feel it is fair or reasonable to clients to randomly put them on hold while I work on that. Likewise, by having such a big wait list I am cutting my own ability to do more lucrative jobs when they appear. So what I have decided is to do some odd pieces here and there on my own when I can fit them in, and offer them up for sale, possibly by auction,
As most of you know-
I am working on a major book about how books were made by hand in the middle ages; Secrets Of Forgotten Masters.
And as mentioned above, I am deep in a few side projects which are demanding a LOT of time at random points. The USA has a very deep and wide-ranging problem with Probate Court abuses of civil rights and State statutes which technically create a human Trafficking and Racketeering system which preys upon our most vulnerable, destoying their lives and their families. I am working with others on an effort to save my mother and other vulnerable persons, especially the elderly, from wrongful and exploitative guardianships and conservatorships. This means court and it means working with legislators on law reform. As I take on commissions again, it must be understood that there are likely to be some delays because of this. Believe me, it is worthy to do. (If you are interested, see: http://www.randyasplund.com/probate/probate.html)
SO...
Please forgive me, and be aware up front that any commissions may be delayed TEMPORARILY at any time due to these reasons. Because of this, I am forced to keep deadlines flexible. Your understanding and support in this is greatly appreciated!
2) PRICE REVISIONS:
Over the years I have enjoyed being able to provide collectible signed Artist Proof cards for the true fans of the game at a very low price. I wish I could still offer them so low, but circumstances require a change. Some cards are gone from my stock, some are very few, and some vendors have been taking advantage by buying from me at the low rate and then marking them up substantially. There's a market for it, and that's fine, but if I offer them at a lower price than I'm seeing, it helps curb that second market. So in response I have decided 2 things:
I) The price of cards will go up to closer to market value,
II) The price of the card is no longer included in the price of the art.
I have a limited number of Autographed Artist Proof Cards available!
Wizards of the Coast
has done a cool thing for we artists. They produce a set of white
-backed versions of the cards we have painted for them. That is
to say, each card is white on one side, and the other side has
exactly the same art as you see on a regular card of the same
game. Only the artists are given these cards and the number is
very low. Of some I got only around 50 or so, many are in the
110-120 count range. They have given
me samples of these in English versions and some of the different
language versions of the game produced by WOTC. What a collector's
item! They are way more rare than the rarest of regular cards.
A.P. CARD PRICES:
I have both MAGIC: THE GATHERING and BATTLETECH Artist Proof Cards.
The CARD PRICES are indicated in the chart below. The CARD PRICE is IN ADDITION to any artwork to go on the card. YES, you are welcome to supply a card of your own for me to paint on.
When numbers of a type in stock drop below a certain number, and then they move to a category where they will only be sold with an art commission on the backs (or an alter) worth $100 minimum, or when rare enough, only with a full painting on them (see examples below). The art commission can be pencil, ink over pencil, or painted. Ask for details. See below for examples and prices.
NEW:
* Urza's Miter is a special case. The last of mine have been commissioned. Also, I have decided that any of the Urza's Miters I paint from now on will use either modern acrylic and imitation gold gouache, OR if you choose to have it made with the medieval techniques and materials it will be done on a genuine parchment laminated to the card before painting. (see the photo & description below).
If you are ordering A.P. cards or sending cards to be signed with S.A.S.E., and you live outside the US, remember that those postal coupons cover less than the amount you pay for them, so please confirm their value. Please see the www.usps.comwebsite for rate information. FedEx and UPS are also available. Client pays all mailing and insurance costs. Michigan customers must ad 6% Sales Tax.
PAYMENTS: I accept PayPal to Randy@RandyAsplund.com as long as you cover all fees, including foreign transaction fees, on your end so I receive the full amount. For smaller orders (meaning I have to approve it) I can also take a personal check if you can wait for it to clear. I usually take 50% as a downpayment (Large orders are broken down more). Balance plus mailing due on completion.
* Means this card is ONLY available with an art commission. See ART ON CARDS PRICE LIST chart below:
BATTLETECH A.P. cards are $4 each.
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ANTIQUITIES: --Urza's Miter (out) |
LEGENDS: -- Thunder
Spirit (out) |
THE
DARK: --Sorrow's Path (out) |
FALLEN
EMPIRES: -- Ebon
Praetor (out) |
|
ALLIANCES: |
CHRONICLES: |
TIME
SPIRAL: |
JAPANESE
Black Border: |
|
CHINESE
Black Border: |
4th
EDITION REVISED: |
||
|
5th EDITION (1997): |
VI
EDITION: |
BEATDOWN: |
ITALIAN: |
(Price based on complexity. Price can vary up or down if changes to design are requested)
See Art Examples Below-
|
*Urza's Miter has special notes. See below with the example-
SAMPLES OF A.P. ART & OPTIONS
These are examples of what you can expect for a given price.
Except on request for Urza's Miter, all paints are Acrylic.
Oil paint on request, but it takes longer to get the art to you.
All pencils are sealed with clear matte Acrylic.
ALTERS:
ALTERS: Are priced based on similar complexity and how much of the card is altered, so if it is just the image box on the card with a full repaint, that would be 2/3 of what a whole card would be. I do not use markers. Alters will be done in acrylic paint.
SAMPLES
OF FULL PAINTINGS ON WHITE-BACKS of A.P. Cards:
(ALL samples are previously sold commission work)
Antiquities
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 |
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Clockwork Avian
|
Detonate |
A.P. Card must be supplied by customer (because mine are sold out)
This version is made with all Medieval Manuscript paint:
Genuine gold, Lapis Lazuli blue, Vermilion, Folium, Verdigris + Weld Lake, Iris green,
White Lead, Red Lead, Azurite, ink made from oak galls.
Medieval paint version on genuine parchment laminated to the card. Add genuine 23k gold leaf on gesso ground as a 4th color in the background:
DETAILS: Laminated to the card??????
Yes, the proper ground for the medieval gold and paints in the Italian White Vine book style is genuine animal skin parchment. The art represnts a medieval book page, and that's what they used. Therefore, if you want the real thing, that's how it will be done. Curious? Take a look at my Articles & Exhibits web page (menu at the left) to see how I do this kind of art.
The A.P. card is 0.30mm thick card stock. The parchment varies slightly (even when measured on the same piece) to be about 0.27mm to 0.33mm, and typically about 0.30mm thick. That means yes, the A.P. card will be doubling in thickness. It's not much. And some artists are making thicker paint than that. Think of the parchment as being like a primer ground under any other painting. It's not gesso, it's skin. This parchment panel will be 2-1/8" X 3-1/8", so that produces a 3/16" white card border al around.
The Dark
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| Riptide |
Sorrow's Path |
 |
 |
| Inferno (Left of Diptych) |
Inferno (Right of Diptych) |
Legends
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| Fortified Area |
Kobold Taskmaster |
 |
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| Tor Wauki |
Undertow |
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| Thunder Spirit |
Raging Bull |
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| Sylvan Paradise |
Lost Soul |
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| Sea King's Blessing |
Sentinel |
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| Sentinel Becomes Aware and ready to Defend |
Thunder Spirit vs. Master Yoda |
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| Sea King's Curse Inspired by Sea King's Blessing |
Sea King's Curse Inspired by Sea King's Blessing |
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| Reprisal: The Leonopteris |
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| Urza's Workshop- With Ornithopters and Clockwork Avians |
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| Sylvan Paradise |
Collection of Clockork Avians, Thunder Spirits, and Dwarven Soldier. 2020.
Other Versions
You can choose to have a different level of work, or different media such as pencil,
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| Kobold Taskmaster Alter |
Sea King's Blessing Pencil Loose pencil, but covering most of the area |
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| Lost Soul Single figure painted, minimal background |
Mermaid (Alternate subject) Single figure pencil, minimal background |
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| Battletech also has AP cards! Loose rendered full card |
Stylised Gorse (Alternate subject) Simple single figure |
Raging Bull in Amsterdam
Full drawing in pencil
Thunderspirit Print & A.P. Card in scale
Sea King's Blessing Print & A.P. Card in scale