Randy Asplund CCG Art MTG MAGIC: The Gathering Antiquities

All artworks are copyright Randy Asplund or Wizards of the Coast unless otherwise noted. Please contact the artist for permissions.

MAGIC: The Gathering
Artist Proof (A.P.) Card Page
of
Randy Asplund

Update 3/30/2025

Card lists are in tables below- Scroll down.

The big news is that I figured out I had cancer!

If you have been following, you know that after Thanksgiving 2023 I stopped taking more art commissions or adding to my wait list. You would know I do plan to get back to it as soon as I can but there have been a few things causing delays. A great deal of that was having to deal with probate court over my mom's corrupt professional guardianship. And that led me to working to try to get Reform legislation for guardianship and conservatorship. All of that had been getting in the way of finishing my book on How Medieval Books were made in Western Europe before 1500 (Secrets of Forgotten Masters).
Then, a simple blood test led to an MRI, which led to a biopsy, which led to a radical surgical removal. To make a long story short, the upshot is that the surgery went great, I'm now recovering from that, we appear to have gotten all of the cancer (based on pathology report), so hopefully and expectedly, I am cancer free and able to get back to full swing soon.

What does that mean for getting art from me?

Prints and existing originals are always available.
My web page shows which Artist Proof cards are available on demand, without art commission on them.
I have a major project I have to finish before I am back working on my art commission wait list. When that is done, maybe even sooner, I'll try to paint a few A.P. art cards the way I want them (not commissions) and put them up for auction. That will continue while I finish my book Secrets of Forgotten Masters.

*When "SoFM" is done, that's when I will be back on commission work. I'll start by contacting folks on the wait list, and after those I will open up to new commissions.

Timing? I have no idea. There are just too many variables. The best you can do is keep paying attention to the applicable ONLINE groups on FB, my pages on FB, and check this page on my web site for updates.

*********

From the 1/5/2025 Update
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, I am 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 had to take another temporary break from working on commissions. I will still let you know when your turn comes up. I am unsure when I will be returning to the commission work, since I also have a book to get done. The plan is to work on the book and hopefully squeeze in a few card art paintings that will be offered on auction until I get far enough along to come back to the commissions. I'm sorry for the delay, but it is unavoidable.

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 at auction,

And 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)

In the meantime, I AM STILL SIGNING CARDS! Please check the main CCG page of my site for details.

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:

All of my Artist Proof cards come hand-signed in metallic ink and marked "A.P."
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).

ORDERING:

* Contact me before ordering. Randy@RandyAsplund.com.

PAYMENT: I can take personal checks for smaller orders (inquire first), but otherwise, for your convenience I take credit through PayPal. My PayPal address is Randy@RandyAsplund.com.
IMPORTANT! If you use PayPal you must make sure that I receive the entire amount. Unless Send Money to Friends & Family is used, PayPal takes out a fee. Please add enough to cover their deduction. If you have difficulty making sure of the amount they will deduct, I am happy to promptly refund any overage that you send. NOTE: If your payment is short -at all- (sorry, but I don't want to be arbitrary by letting lower amounts slide), I understand. It happens. And I'll email you and ask for the balance, or you can have me not sign a card from the batch.

If you live outside the US, remember that those postal coupons cover less than the amount you pay for them, so please confirm their value when used in the USA. Please see the www.usps.com website for rate information. You are welcome to request USPS Regular or Priority Mail, or FedEx, or UPS as the carrier. Client pays all mailing and insurance costs. Michigan customers must ad 6% Sales Tax.

FOR ART COMMISSIONS: I usually take 50% as a downpayment (Large orders are broken down more). If there are costly materials involved in the artwork commission, such as real gold, genuine animal skin parchment, precious pigments, etc., then the full materials portion of the commission is ADDED to the downpayment. Final balance plus mailing are due on completion and final approval. When the payments are complete, I ship the art promptly.

Last Update: 1/5/2025

CARD PRICES AND AVAILABILITY of cards without art:
* 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.

ANTIQUITIES: $70 Detonate *$80 Clockwork Avian --Urza's Miter (out)	LEGENDS: $70 Lost Soul $90 Sentinel $70 Sea King's Blessing $50 Fortified Area $70 Kobold Taskmaster $90 Tor Wauki $80 Raging Bull *$90 Undertow -- Thunder Spirit (out) -- Sylvan Paradise (out)	THE DARK: *$70 Riptide --Sorrow's Path (out) --Inferno (out)	FALLEN EMPIRES: $50 Dwarven Soldier $50 Homarid Warrior -- Ebon Praetor (out) -- Elven Fortress (out) -- Order of Leitbur (out)
ALLIANCES: $40 Rogue Sky Captain $40 Guerrilla Tactics- Every Dirty Trick *$40 Guerrilla Tactics- Dirty Trick $40 Reprisal- The Leonopteris $40 Reprisal- The Hammerhead	CHRONICLES: $90 Sentinel $120 Tor Wauki	TIME SPIRAL: *$50 Kobold Taskmaster	JAPANESE Black Border: $40 Fortified Area $40 Lost Soul $40 Clockwork Avian $45 Detonate *$50 Inferno
CHINESE Black Border: $40 Clockwork Avian $45 Inferno *$40 Fortified Area $45 Detonate	4th EDITION REVISED: $60 Lost Soul $60 Detonate $50 Fortified Area $70 Clockwork Avian $60 Inferno
5th EDITION (1997): $40 Lost Soul $40 Dwarven Soldier	VI EDITION: $40 Lost Soul $40 Reprisal - The Leonopteris	BEATDOWN: $40 Clockwork Avian	ITALIAN: $40 Detonate $40 Lost Soul $40 Fortified Area $40 Clockwork Avian $40 Inferno

Last Update: 11/14/2023

ART ON CARDS PRICE LIST
(Price based on complexity. Price can vary up or down if changes to design are requested)
See Art Examples Below-

BLACK BORDER (No art order required, and art under $100 is available)	BLACK BORDER $100 art minimum: Commissioned Art: Full Drawing or Painting	BLACK BORDER with Commissioned Art: Full Painting- similar amount of detail to samples below or re-imagined	SOLD OUT A.P. Card must be supplied by customer (because mine are sold out)
ANTIQUITIES: Detonate LEGENDS: Lost Soul ALLIANCES: Rogue Sky Captain Guerrilla Tactics- Every Dirty Trick Reprisal- The Leonopteris Reprisal- The Hammerhead CHINESE: Clockwork Avian Detonate Inferno	JAPANESE: Fortified Area Lost Soul Clockwork Avian Detonate Inferno CHINESE: Fortified Area	ANTIQUITIES: Clockwork Avian LEGENDS: Sentinel Sylvan Paradise Sea King's Blessing Fortified Area Kobold Taskmaster Tor Wauki Undertow Raging Bull THE DARK: Riptide FALLEN EMPIRES: Dwarven Soldier Homarid Warrior ALLIANCES: Guerrilla Tactics-Dirty Trick TIME SPIRAL: Kobold Taskmaster CHRONICLES: Sentinel Tor Wauki	Antiquities: Urza's Miter* Legends: Thunder Spirit Sylvan Paradise The Dark: Sorrow's Path Inferno Fallen Empires: Ebon Praetor Elven Fortress Order of Leitbur
WHITE BORDER (No art order requird, and art under $100 is available) 5th EDITION: Lost Soul Dwarven Soldier ITALIAN: Detonate Lost Soul Fortified Area Clockwork Avian Inferno	WHITE BORDER (No art order requird, and art under $100 is available) 4th EDITION REVISED: Lost Soul Detonate Fortified Area Clockwork Avian Inferno VI EDITION: Lost Soul Reprisal - The Leonopteris BEATDOWN: Clockwork Avian	ALTERS! You supply the card, I supply the art. I will do Alters painted with acrylic paint. PRICE: Variable. The price is determined by the amount of effort I expect the job will take, so it will be negotiated. But you can ask for whatever you want.

*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


Clockwork Avian	Detonate

Urza'a Miter AP art Randy Asplund

Urza's Miter
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:

(Right click to download larger version)

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


Riptide	Sorrow's Path

Inferno (Left of Diptych)	Inferno (Right of Diptych)

Legends


Fortified Area	Kobold Taskmaster

Tor Wauki	Undertow

Thunder Spirit	Raging Bull


Sylvan Paradise	Lost Soul

Sea King's Blessing	Sentinel

Sentinel Becomes Aware and ready to Defend	Thunder Spirit vs. Master Yoda

Sea King's Curse Inspired by Sea King's Blessing	Sea King's Curse Inspired by Sea King's Blessing

Reprisal: The Leonopteris

Urza's Workshop, Ornithopters and Clockwork Avians

Urza's Workshop- With Ornithopters and Clockwork Avians

Sylvan Paradise

Art on Magic Artist Proofs by Randy Asplund

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,

or even change the theme to some other subject.


Kobold Taskmaster Alter	Sea King's Blessing Pencil Loose pencil, but covering most of the area

Lost Soul Single figure painted, minimal background	Mermaid (Alternate subject) Single figure pencil, minimal background

Battletech also has AP cards! Loose rendered full card	Stylised Gorse (Alternate subject) Simple single figure

Raging Bull in Amsterdam
Full drawing in pencil

Thunder Spirit Print and A.P. card

Thunderspirit Print & A.P. Card in scale

Sea King's Blessing Print & A.P. Card in scale