<p style="text-align: right;"><em>Image credit: Ron Spears</em></p>
<p>Ron Spears, an iconic <em>Magic: The Gathering</em> artist responsible for many of the game's most memorable pieces of artwork, has passed away at the age of 66. According to his agent, Mark Aronowitz, Spears had been contending with a brain tumor for the past few months. He passed away on Monday, according to Aronowitz, on Wednesday, June 24th, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/545759985597960/">via Facebook post</a>.</p>
<h2>Ron Spears' Life and Legacy</h2>
<p>Many people in the fantasy art world celebrated Ron Spears as a force of "generosity and mentorship", according to <a href="https://www.illustrationhistory.org/artists/ron-spears" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Illustration History</a>. "Born in Tacoma, Washington, in 1960, Ron Spears graduated with a B.A. from the University of Puget Sound in 1988, and earned his M.F.A. in illustration from the University of Hartford in Connecticut in 2009," that article goes on to say. In addition to illustrating for Wizards, Spears also worked as an artist for Upper Deck and Blizzard, among others. Spears and his family resided in Reno, NV, where he taught art and design at Southern Utah University.</p>
<h2>Ron Spears' Impact on <em>Magic</em></h2>
<p>Some of Ron Spears' greatest pieces of fantasy artwork were his <em>Magic: The Gathering</em> pieces. The cards you might find Spears' artistic touch include the following:</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Dark Confidant|RAV|81"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Phage the Untouchable|LGN|78"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Akroma, Angel of Wrath|LGN|1"></div></div>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Krosan Cloudscraper|LGN|130"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Goblin King|10E|207"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Atogatog|ODY|286"></div></div>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Lavaleaper|ECL|150"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Phyrexian Altar|INV|306"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Foresee|FUT|36"></div></div>
<p>As you can see, the body of Spears' work was not one to undersell. His portfolio showcases some of the most iconic, most impactful cards in the game through the art he provided to Wizards of the Coast.</p>
<p><a href="https://cloudflare.edhrec.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/33629_4708482xl.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-187002" src="https://cloudflare.edhrec.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/33629_4708482xl.jpg" alt="Image credit: Wizards of the Coast" width="821" height="559" srcset="https://cloudflare.edhrec.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/33629_4708482xl.jpg 900w, https://cloudflare.edhrec.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/33629_4708482xl-300x204.jpg 300w, https://cloudflare.edhrec.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/33629_4708482xl-768x523.jpg 768w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 821px) 100vw, 821px" /></a></p>
<p><a href="https://cloudflare.edhrec.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/33629_4709314xl.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-187003" src="https://cloudflare.edhrec.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/33629_4709314xl.jpg" alt="Image credit: Wizards of the Coast" width="778" height="559" srcset="https://cloudflare.edhrec.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/33629_4709314xl.jpg 900w, https://cloudflare.edhrec.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/33629_4709314xl-300x216.jpg 300w, https://cloudflare.edhrec.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/33629_4709314xl-768x552.jpg 768w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 778px) 100vw, 778px" /></a></p>
<p><a href="https://cloudflare.edhrec.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/33629_4708474xl.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-187004" src="https://cloudflare.edhrec.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/33629_4708474xl.jpg" alt="Image credit: Wizards of the Coast" width="741" height="559" srcset="https://cloudflare.edhrec.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/33629_4708474xl.jpg 900w, https://cloudflare.edhrec.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/33629_4708474xl-300x226.jpg 300w, https://cloudflare.edhrec.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/33629_4708474xl-768x579.jpg 768w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 741px) 100vw, 741px" /></a></p>
<h2>Conclusion</h2>
<p>Ron will be greatly missed. We send our heartfelt condolences to his family and friends at this time.</p>
<p>We'd like to offer you the floor, dear readers. What are some of your favorite pieces of art by this wonderful artist? Let us know in the comments below.</p>
<p><a href="https://cloudflare.edhrec.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/731199713_37286370890961416_6642694808699702381_n.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-187001" src="https://cloudflare.edhrec.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/731199713_37286370890961416_6642694808699702381_n.jpg" alt="Image credit: Ron Spears" width="419" height="559" srcset="https://cloudflare.edhrec.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/731199713_37286370890961416_6642694808699702381_n.jpg 526w, https://cloudflare.edhrec.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/731199713_37286370890961416_6642694808699702381_n-225x300.jpg 225w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 419px) 100vw, 419px" /></a></p>


Remembering the Iconic Magic Artist Ron Spears, 66

<p style="text-align: right;"><em><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Brainstorm|MMQ|61" href="#" target="_blank">Brainstorm</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> | Art by DiTerlizzi</span></em></p>
<p>Attendees heading to MagicCon Vegas in a few months will have to budget a considerable amount of time to cover this year's Artist Alley.</p>
<p><a href="https://mcvegas.mtgfestivals.com/en-us.html">MagicCon Vegas 2026</a> will feature a whopping 62 artists, ranging from long-time veterans of the game to exciting newcomers. All the artists will be signing cards and selling all manner of art-related collectibles, like playmats, prints, tokens, and more. Be sure to check back frequently to see any last-minute additions or drops.</p>
<p>Here's the list, with Scryfall links to each artist's work:</p>
<ul>
<li><a href="https://scryfall.com/search?q=a%3A%22Dan+Frazier%22">Dan Frazier</a></li>
<li><a href="https://scryfall.com/search?q=a%3A%22Doug+Shuler%22">Doug Shuler</a></li>
<li><a href="https://scryfall.com/search?q=a%3A%22Tom+Wanerstrand%22">Tom Wanerstrand</a></li>
<li><a href="https://scryfall.com/search?q=a%3A%22Martina+Fackova%22">Martina Fackova</a></li>
<li><a href="https://scryfall.com/search?q=a%3A%22Mila+Pesic%22">Mila Pesic</a></li>
<li><a href="https://scryfall.com/search?q=a%3A%22Steve+Ellis%22">Steve Ellis</a></li>
</ul>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Capsize|TMP|55"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Elesh Norn, Mother of Machines|ONE|10"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Marionette Apprentice|MH3|100"></div></div>
<ul>
<li><a href="https://scryfall.com/search?q=a%3A%22Jason+Engle%22">Jason Engle</a></li>
<li><a href="https://scryfall.com/search?q=a%3A%22Mark+Poole%22">Mark Poole</a></li>
<li><a href="https://scryfall.com/search?q=a%3A%22Andrew+Mar%22">Andrew Mar</a></li>
<li><a href="https://scryfall.com/search?q=a%3A%22Lena+Richards%22">Lena Richards</a></li>
<li><a href="https://scryfall.com/search?q=a%3A%22Aaron+Miller%22">Aaron Miller</a></li>
</ul>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Sol Ring|CMM|703"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Three Tree City|BLB|337"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Reflections of Littjara|KHM|347"></div></div>
<ul>
<li><a href="https://scryfall.com/search?q=a%3A%22Alayna+Danner%22">Alayna Danner</a></li>
<li><a href="https://scryfall.com/search?q=a%3A%22Alessandra+Pisano%22">Alessandra Pisano</a></li>
<li><a href="https://scryfall.com/search?q=a%3A%22Alex+Stone%22">Alex Stone</a></li>
<li><a href="https://scryfall.com/search?q=a%3A%22Alex+Branwyn%22">Alex Branwyn</a></li>
<li><a href="https://scryfall.com/search?q=a%3A%22Ben+Hill%22">Ben Hill</a></li>
<li><a href="https://scryfall.com/search?q=a%3A%22Brigette+Roka%22">Brigette Roka</a></li>
<li><a href="https://scryfall.com/search?q=a%3A%22Carly+Mazur%22">Carly Janine Mazur</a></li>
</ul>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Neheb, the Eternal|CMM|678"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Aang, at the Crossroads|TLA|346"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Faithless Looting|STA|38"></div></div>
<ul>
<li><a href="https://scryfall.com/search?q=a%3A%22Chris+Rahn%22">Chris Rahn</a></li>
<li><a href="https://scryfall.com/search?q=a%3A%22Chris+Seaman%22">Chris Seaman</a></li>
<li><a href="https://scryfall.com/search?q=a%3A%22Clifton+Stommel%22">Clifton Stommel</a></li>
<li><a href="https://scryfall.com/search?q=a%3A%22Crystal+Sully%22">Crystal Sully</a></li>
<li><a href="https://scryfall.com/search?q=a%3A%22Cynthia+Sheppard%22">Cynthia Sheppard</a></li>
<li><a href="https://scryfall.com/search?q=a%3A%22D.+Alexander+Gregory%22">D. Alexander Gregory</a></li>
</ul>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Cyclonic Rift|RTR|35"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Exquisite Blood|AVR|102"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Liliana of the Dark Realms|M13|97"></div></div>
<ul>
<li><a href="https://scryfall.com/search?q=a%3A%22Danny+Schwartz%22">Danny Schwartz</a></li>
<li><a href="https://scryfall.com/search?q=a%3A%22Drew+Tucker%22">Drew Tucker</a></li>
<li><a href="https://scryfall.com/search?q=a%3A%22Eelis+Kyttanen%22">Eelis Kyttanen</a></li>
<li><a href="https://scryfall.com/search?q=a%3A%22Eli+Minaya%22">Eli Minaya</a></li>
<li><a href="https://scryfall.com/search?q=a%3A%22Eric+Deschamps%22">Eric Deschamps</a></li>
<li><a href="https://scryfall.com/search?q=a%3A%22Evyn+Fong%22">Evyn Fong</a></li>
<li><a href="https://scryfall.com/search?q=a%3A%22Pindurski%22">Hugh Pindurski</a></li>
<li><a href="https://scryfall.com/search?q=a%3A%22Jeff+Laubenstein%22">Jeff Laubenstein</a></li>
<li><a href="https://scryfall.com/search?q=a%3A%22Jeff+Miracola%22">Jeff Miracola</a></li>
</ul>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Arcane Signet|CMM|653"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Black Market Connections|CLB|620"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Propaganda|TMP|80"></div></div>
<ul>
<li><a href="https://scryfall.com/search?q=a%3A%22Joe+Slucher%22">Joe Slucher</a></li>
<li><a href="https://scryfall.com/search?q=a%3A%22Josiah+Jo+Cameron%22">Josiah Jo Cameron</a></li>
<li><a href="https://scryfall.com/search?q=a%3A%22Justine+Jones%22">Justine Jones</a></li>
<li><a href="https://scryfall.com/search?q=a%3A%22Kieran+Yanner%22">Kieran Yanner</a></li>
<li><a href="https://scryfall.com/search?q=a%3A%22Kai+Carpenter%22">Kai Carpenter</a></li>
<li><a href="https://scryfall.com/search?q=a%3A%22Lindsey+Look%22">Lindsey Look</a></li>
<li><a href="https://scryfall.com/search?q=a%3A%22Lucas+Graciano%22">Lucas Graciano</a></li>
</ul>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Ramunap Excavator|PHOU|129"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Gilded Goose|ELD|160"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Infernal Grasp|INR|310"></div></div>
<ul>
<li><a href="https://scryfall.com/search?q=a%3A%22Natalie+Andrewson%22">Natalie Andrewson</a></li>
<li><a href="https://scryfall.com/search?q=a%3A%22Nana+Qi%22">Nana Qi</a></li>
<li><a href="https://scryfall.com/search?q=a%3A%22Ralph+Horsley%22">Ralph Horsley</a></li>
<li><a href="https://scryfall.com/search?q=a%3A%22Rebecca+Guay%22">Rebecca Guay</a></li>
<li><a href="https://scryfall.com/search?q=a%3A%22Randy+Gallegos%22">Randy Gallegos</a></li>
<li><a href="https://scryfall.com/search?q=a%3A%22Richard+Kane+Ferguson%22">Richard Kane Ferguson</a></li>
<li><a href="https://scryfall.com/search?q=a%3A%22RK+Post%22">RK Post</a></li>
<li><a href="https://scryfall.com/search?q=a%3A%22Ryan+Pancoast%22">Ryan Pancoast</a></li>
</ul>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Archangel Avacyn|SLD|1156"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Dark Ritual|MMQ|129"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Etali, Primal Conqueror|MOM|137"></div></div>
<ul>
<li><a href="https://scryfall.com/search?q=a%3A%22Sam+Burley%22">Sam Burley</a></li>
<li><a href="https://scryfall.com/search?q=a%3A%22Schmandrew+art%22">Schmandrew art</a></li>
<li><a href="https://scryfall.com/search?q=a%3A%22Scott+Fischer%22">Scott M Fischer</a></li>
<li><a href="https://scryfall.com/search?q=a%3A%22Scott+Murphy%22">Scott Murphy</a></li>
<li><a href="https://scryfall.com/search?q=a%3A%22Sergey+Glushakov%22">Sergey Glushakov</a></li>
<li><a href="https://scryfall.com/search?q=a%3A%22Steve+Argyle%22">Steve Argyle</a></li>
<li><a href="https://scryfall.com/search?q=a%3A%22Steve+Prescott%22">Steve Prescott</a></li>
</ul>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Mana Confluence|EOS|25"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Mother of Runes|ULG|14"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Parallel Lives|ISD|199"></div></div>
<ul>
<li><a href="https://scryfall.com/search?q=a%3A%22Steve+Belledin%22">Steve Belledin</a></li>
<li><a href="https://scryfall.com/search?q=a%3A%22Svetlin+Velinov%22">Svetlin Velinov</a></li>
<li><a href="https://scryfall.com/search?q=a%3A%22Thomas+Baxa%22">Thomas Baxa</a></li>
<li><a href="https://scryfall.com/search?q=a%3A%22Tony+DiTerlizzi%22">Tony DiTerlizzi</a></li>
</ul>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Rampant Growth|M10|201"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Maelstrom Wanderer|PC2|101"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Brainstorm|MMQ|61"></div></div>
<ul>
<li><a href="https://scryfall.com/search?q=a%3A%22Tyler+Jacobson%22">Tyler Jacobson</a></li>
<li><a href="https://scryfall.com/search?q=a%3A%22Victor+Adame+Minguez%22">Victor Adame Minguez</a></li>
<li><a href="https://scryfall.com/search?q=a%3A%22Vincent+Proce%22">Vincent Proce</a></li>
<li><a href="https://scryfall.com/search?q=a%3A%22Wizard+of+Barge%22">Wizard of Barge</a></li>
</ul>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Orcish Bowmasters|LTR|433"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Blood Crypt|RTR|238"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Acidic Slime|SLD|134"></div></div>
<hr />
<p><a href="https://cloudflare.edhrec.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/897a988e-ab19-44eb-80b9-1b6d06b50b2b.png"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-178597" src="https://cloudflare.edhrec.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/897a988e-ab19-44eb-80b9-1b6d06b50b2b.png" alt="" width="968" height="491" srcset="https://cloudflare.edhrec.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/897a988e-ab19-44eb-80b9-1b6d06b50b2b.png 968w, https://cloudflare.edhrec.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/897a988e-ab19-44eb-80b9-1b6d06b50b2b-300x152.png 300w, https://cloudflare.edhrec.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/897a988e-ab19-44eb-80b9-1b6d06b50b2b-768x390.png 768w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 968px) 100vw, 968px" /></a></p>
<p>Are you planning to make the trek to the desert in May? If so, will you be making time for Artist Alley?</p>
<p>MagicCon Vegas 2026 is slated for May 1-3, at the Las Vegas Convention Center in Las Vegas, Nevada. Badges are <a href="https://mcvegas.mtgfestivals.com/en-us/badges/buy-badges.html">still available here</a>.</p>
<p>Let us know below for which artists you're willing to brave the queue.</p>


https://cloudflare.edhrec.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/brainstorm-e1773171303556.png

MagicCon Vegas 2026's Artist Alley Revealed

<p style="text-align: right;"><em>Image of Eric Klug's work desk and his painting of Counterspell, courtesy of the artist</em></p>
<p>Altering cards with custom art is an expression of devotion in the purest form, both in devotion to the new art and to the game. This is especially true of <em>Magic: The Gathering</em>, a card game that has taken the concept of personalizing one's deck to new extremes these past few years.</p>
<p>For many, altering cards is a pastime meant to show their love of something. For others, it's a means to earn some money. But whatever that reason is, there are people in the <em>Magic</em> community who truly know what they're doing here.</p>
<p>Enter Eric Klug (also known as Klug Alters), who is, perhaps, the most well-known <em>Magic</em> card alterist in the field. His custom-altered cards often go on auction and sell for amounts in the thousands. This is partly due to his handiwork and perhaps the subject matter. But a lot of it seems to be based around the brand he's created for himself with past work.</p>
<div id="attachment_166807" style="width: 429px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="https://cloudflare.edhrec.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/emrakul-monster-photo.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-166807" class="wp-image-166807" src="https://cloudflare.edhrec.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/emrakul-monster-photo.jpg" alt="An alter of Emrakul, the Aeons Torn. Image credit: Eric Klug" width="419" height="559" srcset="https://cloudflare.edhrec.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/emrakul-monster-photo.jpg 525w, https://cloudflare.edhrec.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/emrakul-monster-photo-225x300.jpg 225w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 419px) 100vw, 419px" /></a><p id="caption-attachment-166807" class="wp-caption-text">An alter of Emrakul, the Aeons Torn. Image credit: Eric Klug</p></div>
<p>We got a chance to conduct an exclusive interview with Eric and get his perspective on his career and the game as it evolves.</p>
<h2>Interview With Eric Klug</h2>
<p><em>This question is one that's probably on most people's minds right now, reading this (and it's certainly that for me): How do you get such fine brush strokes on your alters? What types of brushes do you use to achieve this level of detail?</em></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">This is the sort of question I don’t have an easy or canned answer for. I’ve been making art my entire life (I’m 39), and have been painting alters for 17 years. I’ve certainly put my 10,000 hours in. So a lot of the technique is just muscle memory at this point. Producing smooth, extremely clean work is about slowly and meticulously “building up the painting.” </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">I think where a lot of painters run into trouble is trying to rush or render out things too quickly, and you end up with a painting that looks rushed.</span></p>
<p><em>What drew you specifically to </em>Magic<em> as a medium for your art? How has altering </em>Magic<em> cards bolstered your connection with the game?</em></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">I discovered painted alters on an online forum in 2008, and being a long-time <em>Magic</em> player and artist, I instantly wanted to give it a go. I actually preferred to work in dry mediums back then, and wasn’t much of a painter at all. I had an art degree, but still had to teach myself how to alter. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Granted, I had already done a lot of painting for fun and in art school.</span><span style="font-weight: 400;"><br />
</span><span style="font-weight: 400;"><br />
</span><span style="font-weight: 400;">I’ve played <em>Magic</em> for more than 25 years and have altered full-time since 2011. To have <em>Magic</em> intertwined in both my professional and personal life means I’m deeply and forever connected to the game.</span></p>
<div id="attachment_166811" style="width: 459px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="https://cloudflare.edhrec.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/grave-ophelia-after-john-everett-millais.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-166811" class="wp-image-166811" src="https://cloudflare.edhrec.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/grave-ophelia-after-john-everett-millais.jpg" alt="An alter of Watery Grave. Image credit: Eric Klug" width="449" height="559" srcset="https://cloudflare.edhrec.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/grave-ophelia-after-john-everett-millais.jpg 780w, https://cloudflare.edhrec.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/grave-ophelia-after-john-everett-millais-241x300.jpg 241w, https://cloudflare.edhrec.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/grave-ophelia-after-john-everett-millais-768x956.jpg 768w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 449px) 100vw, 449px" /></a><p id="caption-attachment-166811" class="wp-caption-text">An alter of Watery Grave. Image credit: Eric Klug</p></div>
<p><em>How do you determine what art you use for each of your alters? Is it a commissioner's decision, or do you have full liberty? Also, was there anyone particularly surprising who commissioned a piece from you?</em></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">I stopped taking commissions three years ago, after the birth of my daughter. Since resuming work, I’ve switched to producing work on my own and auctioning those pieces. When I took commissions, the client would come to me with a concept, and we would work out what that would look like. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Brandon Sanderson is someone who contacted me back then to have work done for his incredible cube.</span><span style="font-weight: 400;"><br />
</span><span style="font-weight: 400;"><br />
</span><span style="font-weight: 400;">For my own pieces, I spend a ton of time brainstorming concepts. Sometimes there’s a reference I want to use, and I need to figure out a card it would work on. Sometimes there’s a card I want to paint on, and I try to think of how I could transform it. I’ve spent full work days just framing ideas and not painting at all. </span></p>
<h2>Eric Klug, on His Process and Background</h2>
<p><em>Do you have a formal background in the arts, or are you self-trained?</em></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">I graduated from the Corcoran College of Art &amp; Design in 2008, so I have a Fine Arts degree. That said, I’ve been drawing since I can remember. In 1st grade, my friend would write comic books and I would illustrate them, then we would try and sell them on the playground. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">So it’s safe to say I’ve spent much of my life honing my craft. </span></p>
<p><em>What would you say is the biggest breakthrough you've had in the process of altering a card?</em></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">When painted alters were fairly new to <em>Magic</em>, they were mostly border extensions of the original art or small character paintings over the original art. Nothing too ambitious. About midway through 2011, the year I started altering full-time, I slowly came to realize alters could be so much grander, and something really sparked. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">I felt, and continue to feel, really inspired to innovate how I approach alter work.</span></p>
<div id="attachment_166814" style="width: 423px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="https://cloudflare.edhrec.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/farewell-rackham-progress.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-166814" class="wp-image-166814" src="https://cloudflare.edhrec.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/farewell-rackham-progress.jpg" alt="The work-in-progress shot of an alter of Farewell. Image credit: Eric Klug" width="413" height="559" srcset="https://cloudflare.edhrec.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/farewell-rackham-progress.jpg 600w, https://cloudflare.edhrec.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/farewell-rackham-progress-221x300.jpg 221w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 413px) 100vw, 413px" /></a><p id="caption-attachment-166814" class="wp-caption-text">The work-in-progress shot of an alter of Farewell. Image credit: Eric Klug</p></div>
<p><em>What was the biggest lesson you've learned while altering a card?</em></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">I remember painting the Gandalf <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Snapcaster Mage" href="#" target="_blank">Snapcaster Mage</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (<em>pictured below</em>). I wanted to do an extremely detailed, realistic portrait of Ian McKellen’s portrayal from the <em>Lord of the Rings</em> movies. I decided I was just going to take my time with it and give the painting as long as it needed. Up to that point, it was one of my more ambitious pieces, and the results showed.</span></p>
<div id="attachment_166809" style="width: 413px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="https://cloudflare.edhrec.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/snapcaster-gandalf.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-166809" class="wp-image-166809" src="https://cloudflare.edhrec.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/snapcaster-gandalf.jpg" alt="An alter of Snapcaster Mage. Image credit: Eric Klug" width="403" height="559" srcset="https://cloudflare.edhrec.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/snapcaster-gandalf.jpg 525w, https://cloudflare.edhrec.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/snapcaster-gandalf-216x300.jpg 216w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 403px) 100vw, 403px" /></a><p id="caption-attachment-166809" class="wp-caption-text">An alter of Snapcaster Mage. Image credit: Eric Klug</p></div>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">It taught me to give the painting as long as it needs. Acclaimed artist James Gurney (of the <em>Dinotopia</em> books) made this great tweet in 2021: </span></p>
<blockquote><p><i><span style="font-weight: 400;">We often hear the advice: 'Stop before you overwork it.' But in my experience, more paintings fail from quitting too soon than from beating them to death.</span></i></p></blockquote>
<p><i></i><span style="font-weight: 400;">That is just amazing advice for any budding artist, and I try to remember it when I’m eager for a piece to be complete that still has a ways to go.</span></p>
<h2>On His Favorite Artwork</h2>
<p><em>Of all the non-alter artwork you've done, what's your favorite? And, do you have a favorite alter?</em><b><br />
</b><b><br />
</b><span style="font-weight: 400;">I’ve painted many plein air landscapes over the years, and they mean a lot to me. These are works that are painted outside on location, working rather quickly. They’re not the most acclaimed, and I wasn’t paid to make any of them, but there’s a purity in that I painted them just as a meditation and for my own enjoyment. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">I also appreciate that their creation was the complete opposite of my alter work; I’d typically work for two hours versus the 40-60 that I might put into a card.</span></p>
<div id="attachment_166810" style="width: 760px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="https://cloudflare.edhrec.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/plein-air-1.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-166810" class="wp-image-166810 size-full" src="https://cloudflare.edhrec.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/plein-air-1.jpg" alt="A plein air painting of a mountainside road. Image credit: Eric Klug" width="750" height="428" srcset="https://cloudflare.edhrec.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/plein-air-1.jpg 750w, https://cloudflare.edhrec.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/plein-air-1-300x171.jpg 300w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 750px) 100vw, 750px" /></a><p id="caption-attachment-166810" class="wp-caption-text">A plein air painting of a mountainside road. Image credit: Eric Klug</p></div>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">I don’t pick favorites! I’ll include some images of a few that come to mind, though.</span></p>
<p><em>Have you ever rejected a commission? Why?</em><br />
<b><br />
</b><span style="font-weight: 400;">Lots of times! When I first started, I painted just about anything that wasn’t offensive because I wanted to build a brand and make a living. But as business got better, I was quickly inundated with requests. I couldn’t serve everyone and didn’t want the pressure of having a massive backlog, so I continually booked out just a month of work at a time. That meant being fairly picky in terms of what I took on.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Ultimately, I don’t take on commissions anymore because I was spending an incredible amount of time answering requests and planning projects with clients. Producing work solely for auction isn’t completely ideal. I enjoyed getting to bring other people's ideas to life, but it has allowed me </span><i><span style="font-weight: 400;">far</span></i><span style="font-weight: 400;"> more time to just paint.</span></p>
<h2>On Prospects and the Future of Altering Cards</h2>
<p><em>Has Wizards of the Coast ever proactively reached out to you about doing art for them? Alternatively, have you ever reached out to them with a similar proposition?</em><br />
<b><br />
</b><span style="font-weight: 400;">They haven’t. I think I may have submitted a portfolio to a faceless Dropbox many years ago, but never heard anything. If it happened, that would be cool, but I also like the niche I’ve made in the community.</span></p>
<div id="attachment_166813" style="width: 436px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="https://cloudflare.edhrec.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/scarab-god-photo.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-166813" class="wp-image-166813" src="https://cloudflare.edhrec.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/scarab-god-photo.jpg" alt="An alter of The Scarab God. Image credit: Eric Klug" width="426" height="559" srcset="https://cloudflare.edhrec.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/scarab-god-photo.jpg 600w, https://cloudflare.edhrec.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/scarab-god-photo-228x300.jpg 228w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 426px) 100vw, 426px" /></a><p id="caption-attachment-166813" class="wp-caption-text">An alter of The Scarab God. Image credit: Eric Klug</p></div>
<p><em>In a post-Secret Lair, post-Universes Beyond age, what is your view on alters as a niche within </em>Magic<em>? Is the demand shifting at all?</em></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">I think <em>Secret Lair</em> and UB content is, at least in part, a fairly overt response to alters. And that’s because <em>Magic</em> players love to express themselves via their card choices. Think about how much time players have put into selecting their basic lands - even at the competitive level.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">I think alters have a leg up because they’re one-of-a-kind, made by hand. There’s something just </span><span style="font-weight: 400;">magic</span><span style="font-weight: 400;"> about that, if you’ll excuse the pun.</span></p>
<div id="attachment_166808" style="width: 423px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="https://cloudflare.edhrec.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/llanowar-elves-warhol-photo.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-166808" class="wp-image-166808" src="https://cloudflare.edhrec.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/llanowar-elves-warhol-photo.jpg" alt="An alter of Llanowar Elves. Image credit: Eric Klug" width="413" height="559" srcset="https://cloudflare.edhrec.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/llanowar-elves-warhol-photo.jpg 600w, https://cloudflare.edhrec.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/llanowar-elves-warhol-photo-222x300.jpg 222w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 413px) 100vw, 413px" /></a><p id="caption-attachment-166808" class="wp-caption-text">An alter of Llanowar Elves. Image credit: Eric Klug</p></div>
<p>A huge thank-you to Eric Klug for allowing us to interview him!</p>
<p>And now, we'd like to open the floor to you, dear readers. Have you ever tried to alter <em>Magic</em> cards with new art? How did you go about doing it - was it physical or digital?</p>
<p>Alternatively, have you ever commissioned an artist to do it for you? Sound off in the comments below! And, if you'd like to see more of Eric Klug's art and altered cards, you can check out the following links to his social media accounts or visit <a href="http://ericklug.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener">www.ericklug.com</a>.</p>
<p><a href="https://www.facebook.com/klugalters" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Facebook</a></p>
<p><a href="https://bsky.app/profile/klugalters.bsky.social" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Bluesky</a></p>
<p><a href="https://www.instagram.com/klug_alters/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Instagram</a></p>
<div id="attachment_166812" style="width: 760px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="https://cloudflare.edhrec.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/plein-air-2.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-166812" class="wp-image-166812 size-full" src="https://cloudflare.edhrec.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/plein-air-2.jpg" alt="A plein air painting of a rocky shoreline. Image credit: Eric Klug" width="750" height="532" srcset="https://cloudflare.edhrec.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/plein-air-2.jpg 750w, https://cloudflare.edhrec.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/plein-air-2-300x213.jpg 300w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 750px) 100vw, 750px" /></a><p id="caption-attachment-166812" class="wp-caption-text">A plein air painting of a rocky shoreline. Image credit: Eric Klug</p></div>
<div id="attachment_166815" style="width: 414px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="https://cloudflare.edhrec.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/farewell-after-arthur-rackham.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-166815" class="wp-image-166815" src="https://cloudflare.edhrec.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/farewell-after-arthur-rackham.jpg" alt="A shot of the aforementioned Farewell alter, now finished. Image credit: Eric Klug" width="404" height="559" srcset="https://cloudflare.edhrec.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/farewell-after-arthur-rackham.jpg 525w, https://cloudflare.edhrec.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/farewell-after-arthur-rackham-217x300.jpg 217w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 404px) 100vw, 404px" /></a><p id="caption-attachment-166815" class="wp-caption-text">A shot of the aforementioned Farewell alter, now finished. Image credit: Eric Klug</p></div>


From the Altar of the Alterist: An Exclusive Interview With Eric Klug

<h6 style="text-align: right;"><strong>Reaper of the Wilds | Art by: <a href="https://karlkopinski.com/">Karl Kopinski</a></strong></h6>
<p>Earlier this year, long-time artist for <em>Magic: The Gathering, </em>Karl Kopinski, suffered a stroke.</p>
<p>While his recovery is ongoing, Kopinski has incurred medical costs as a result. To help defray those costs, fans of Kopinski's work have organized a charity auction with the proceeds directly benefitting Kopinski.</p>
<p>The auction is now live, and will close on Sunday, June 15.</p>
<p><a href="https://scryfall.com/search?q=a%3Akopinski+game%3Apaper+not%3Areprint&amp;order=edhrec&amp;as=grid&amp;unique=cards">Karl Kopinski</a> to date has illustrated nearly 200 <em>Magic: The Gathering </em>cards and tokens beginning in 2008's <em>Shards of Alara. </em>Most recently, he illustrated the card <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Endrider Catalyzer" href="#" target="_blank">Endrider Catalyzer</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, which appeared in <em>Aetherdrift. </em>Among Commander players, his work on <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Hinterland Harbor|ISD|241" href="#" target="_blank">Hinterland Harbor</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Cathars&#039; Crusade|AVR|10" href="#" target="_blank">Cathars&#039; Crusade</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> or <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Elvish Archdruid|M10|176" href="#" target="_blank">Elvish Archdruid</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is likely best-known, but his catalog is well-represented in Commander decklists worldwide.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Krenko, Mob Boss|M13|138"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Consuming Aberration|GTC|152"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Stormtide Leviathan|M11|74"></div></div>
<p>A native of Nottingham, England, Kopinski has worked in the illustration industry since 1997 and in addition to his work with Wizards of the Coast, has also illustrated for clients such as Ubisoft, Games Workshop, and Peter Jackson. A few months ago, Kopinski took to <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DHRpP8eoKRd/">Instagram</a> to provide an update of his recovery process:</p>
<p><em>"The day after my stroke while my wife was visiting I managed to move my arm and hand, which apparently was a good sign. I decided at that point the only option was to try take the same obsessive and dedicated attitude I have taken with my art over the last 30 years and put into retraining my brain and body to do what used to be simple movements. So I picked up my pencil, it was incredibly difficult, upsetting and frustrating but repetition and hard work seems to be the only way!"</em></p>
<p>That hard work is paying off, as Instagram posts as recently as today <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DKr9TkiIXPb/">offer a look</a> at his artistic process and improvement in his extremities.</p>
<p>Currently at auction and featured among the available artwork is the original oil painting by Karl Kopinski himself for the card <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Reaper of the Wilds" href="#" target="_blank">Reaper of the Wilds</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, which debuted in <em>Theros</em>. The piece, probably most recognizable to <em>Magic </em>fans among the art listed and is estimated to be worth $2,000-$2,300.</p>
<p>In total, there are 23 original works of fantasy art available, including several more by Kopinski as well as pieces by fellow <em>Magic </em>artists <a href="https://scryfall.com/search?q=a%3Aejsing&amp;unique=cards&amp;as=grid&amp;order=name">Jesper Ejsing</a>, <a href="https://scryfall.com/search?q=a%3Aciruelo&amp;unique=cards&amp;as=grid&amp;order=name">Ciruelo Cabral</a> and <a href="https://scryfall.com/search?q=a%3Aorizio&amp;unique=cards&amp;as=grid&amp;order=name">Daniele Orizio</a>.</p>
<p>Head over to <a href="https://www.catawiki.com/en/a/1124611">auction-hosting site Catawiki</a> to place a bid.</p>


artist

Remembering the Iconic Magic Artist Ron Spears, 66

MagicCon Vegas 2026's Artist Alley Revealed

From the Altar of the Alterist: An Exclusive Interview With Eric Klug

Art Auction to Benefit Magic Artist Goes Live