aaronmiller

Alternate Token - Human Rogue

I know I'm kinda going backwards here. But it will all work out in the end. I'll be working on some references and drawings for the Rock Token next week.

But Anne Bonny here is one badass rogue. I'll have the original in my store next week for anyone interested.

I've also worked on the new tiers that I'll edit after this wave. If you're in an unpublished tier you'll be part of a new tier highlighted in bold. I'm pretty excited about these changes and hope you guys are too. If you have questions just let me know. 

Dragons, Rocks, Rogues, Fates, and Pirates

I've been sketching and making notes for myself about what to make you guys next. I've sketched out some fun ideas for a 2/2 Dragon and a Rock. 

Right now I can share one new "booster". A Fate Counter. And some art for a 2/1 Human Rogue. I also have an artwork I'm making some painting updates to for a 1/1 Pirate.

The two waves coming up will be a Rock Wave (ends Nov. 30) and a Dragon Wave (ends Dec. 31). Within these waves will be these new tokens for Human Rogue, Pirate, and Fate that will either be used for Alternate Art Tokens or Boosters. Giving everyone a lot of variety and some new art. And who knows what else.

One more idea for a new Tier will likely be a $10 version of the Soldier Tier in which all the cards are signed. Maybe we'll call it the Scripted Soldier. I'll make these changes in December unless you guys want some of these new tiers sooner.

Shake it up for 2021

Hey everyone!

I wanted to share some ideas for 2021. I've made a fancy chart above to outline some ideas. Nothing is really set in stone giving us a chance to discuss either thru messages or comments below. So many of you have been with me for so many waves and I truly appreciate it and your input is important to me. 

My main goals overall are still very much the same; have fun and experiment with art. What I'm hoping to do next year is try and make some of these tiers feel a little more special and less bulky. I'm hoping that adding signed artist proofs, random foil tokens, and adding a painted artist proof will be some things that make the higher tiers have a bit more premium feel without having to drown you in tokens.

I thought I might also experiment with adding a couple of small tiers that focus on a few of the special cards types; sketches and full art. Those tiers will focus on the their respective titles but also include 1 of the main token of the wave. 

The Collector Tier will be a painted version of the current wave artwork on the back of the random MTG Artist Proof. And there will be just 1 of those available. My arm certainly can be twisted if more than one are desired.

A note about unpublished tiers; if you're still in an unpublished tier I'll be moving you to a nearest neighbor that closest resembles what you already were getting. It will just be a weight off of my shoulders during the fulfillment process. 

Share your ideas!

If you have ideas please share them with me. I make these for you guys! The one thing I keep in mind for tier creation is weight for shipping. Keeping envelopes to no more than 2 ounces is ideal for my shipping budget.

Next Wave?

I'm hoping to be able to work on something for this month. I'd love to hear from you guys. Leave a comment below.

What else is going on

I'm getting work started on 2 more Magic paintings and a tarot card for a set being worked on with a ton of amazing artists called the The Woven Path Tarot. More about this should be coming next year. I'm working on IX of swords. I'm also sitting on nearly two dozen unreleased paintings and artworks I am anxiously awaiting to share. Many Magic paintings, a few covers, a special playmat. Let's all look forward to a bright 2021.

Ooze Wave Token Lineup

Thanks again everyone for taking part in the Ooze Wave. The lineup above has been ordered and I have to once again thank one of our great members, James, for his valued expertise when chatting about tokens. 

We have the main Ooze as an X/X that should cover a ton of cards. The sketch seemed perfect for a 1/1. I know they come from a 2/2 but that reason enough to maybe work up another skull ooze painting. Which brings us to the 0/0 Ooze. The card that makes it is new so it is anyone's guess how much utility it gets but at least you'll have a token for it ready to roll while you experiment with it. We chatted about an alternate color token and we thought a fun Copy token might come in handy. These will only be available to you guys and I'll only have a few extra that will only be in the Member Store (password to come in a patrons only post).

Lastly we have another double sided art card. I would really love to know if you guys like these and find them useful or at the very least awesome binder candy. I'll be chatting with James and we'll come up with some fun ideas for next year to shake up the tiers. 

Ooze Wave Bonus!

I finished up the cat themed ooze painting. And I just wanted to try something else. So I set up a quick still life box and got to work. 

Happy November! 

Ooze Drawing

I decided I wanted to try something a little new. Usually I've been doing drawing on toned paper. I still love this but I wanted the opportunity here to possible transfer this drawing via my printer to some super heavy stock paper for painting with acrylics.

The drawing here is 8x10" And for now that's the minimum size I want to paint. 

For the skull i used a great app called Handy on my iPad. It has quick references for hands, heads, and some animal skulls.

I feel like the drawing version of the token fits a 1/1. If everyone is cool with color options to add variety for the opportunity to have a range of tokens from 1/1 to X/X I'll do that for you guys. If you're curious what i mean check out the Construct options.

Ooze concepts

It looks like Ooze was the winner. Here's a few ideas I'm working on with the cat theme. Looks like a familiar got caught in a witch's Goop jar. Now it's loose and playing with a fire bug.

I'll chooze one tonight. Or maybe I'll do both so we can have a 2/2 or 3/3 as well. We've got a few options to work with. 

This Saturday I'll plan on live streaming the painting for a little bit. Do some AMA, have some espresso, and enjoy a spooky afternoon.

Demon Wave it is

With the end of the month fast approaching I thought I'd mock up some of the tokens for you guys. With this one painting and drawing you'll get 3 new token types! Based on the feedback I got I think these options will make the best tokens. I feel like the Minion would see more cube play than the Minor Demon so I thought the sketch version was a good solution so you all would at least have one handy. And the little demon monkeys make good X/X flyers.

The full art card will have a vertical and horizontal design. The first time I've done this. You'll have to let me know what you guys do with these full art cards. I'd really love to know. 

These are all mock ups from the work in progress photo. So, a few details are sure to change.

Next Wave for September!

Hey all!

I've been hunkered down in my studio all year and I'm finally getting back to this painting for a client. The project this painting is for is on hold (and I wish them all the best that it can get back on track) but I felt it was too awesome not to work into a few tokens for everyone with their blessing. And we have it!

I'm not entirely sure what tokens to make just yet. I've given the client the opportunity to help decide but please feel free to make some suggestions in the comments. If you're not sure about all of the many options please check out my go to token list.

I'm kinda thinking we'll have at least one new demon token. But, I'm very interested to know what you guys think. For the full art card I'll do a vertical crop on one side and a horizontal layout on the reverse.

And to get you guys more excited here's an in progress shot. 

I'm loving working on all these monkey demons. Lot's of work to do still. 

Also this weekend I'll be working on the sketches for the previous wave Angel Tier and should get those out by next week.

Metal Tokens are in!

Finally got the metal tokens in. I'm racing to get a painting done. As soon as it's done, the packs will start going out. I still gotta sign a bunch of them so that always takes some time anyway. Just know they are in and your stuff will be in the mail soon!!!!!

I don't think we'll have a wave for the end of this month. But, if this other little project works out I'm hoping to make it a wave of its own. Gotta clear with the client. But I have an awesome piece I need to finish for one of the patrons here. We'll see if we can make that into a wave as well. Which would be great for ending October 31. Regardless I'll pop back in soon with some kind of art update. There's so much going on here but so much I just can't share yet.

I did have to make an emergency Tron faerie. But that's all I can share.

Much love as always.

AA

Happy Friday and a Human Soldier for ya

Alright, this will be our "free sketch" token so everyone will get one that gets tokens. I hope it makes your human decks happy to have this dude working for you.

This is an alternate artwork of a paladin painting I did a while back. The background was from a trip to DC when I did the GP there. After the show my wife and I stayed a few days to take in the museums and good food there.

I'll be ordering the bulk of the tokens soon so for a very rare wave they should ship soon after the first of September. With all that's going on I have no idea how long they will take to arrive. But they should. One or two of you guys have locations that they are just not delivering to yet and I'll hold onto your packs to mail at a later date.

One more token for this Random Wave

Maybe that's what this wave will be called. The Random Wave. Having a Cat Soldier and an Egg just don't easily pair up for a catch all description.

But let's just jump to the cool portion here, the Cat Soldier! A black leopard leonin. I've been wanting to work on one of these for a long time. I was able to make one of my references work out great for this.

I hope you all dig this guy. If you've got some friends who you know would love this for their cube let them know to join up before the end of the month.

First token for the August Wave

Still not 100% sure what I'll call this wave but August Wave works for now.

I spent the day working on this Golden Egg for you guys. Among all the idea I had spinning around this worked best for the mood I wanted to go for. The dramatic contrast from the golden egg to the nest of bones. Gotta be a dragon egg right? 

I created this in Procreate using some new oil brushes that aren't available just yet. The brush designer reached out to see if I'd test them out. I really dig them, quite a few felt just right for the marks I wanted to make. 

Of all the egg ideas I never thought I'd end up here but really glad I did.

For the next one I've been poking around my references that I've taken over the years at my workshops. I think I'm going to use something from one of those for sure. there's so many good ones.

I'm still waiting on a piece I did for a playmat to be shown. But they may be held up by UltraPro's slow production time. I can't wait to share the painting.

One of the illustrations did come out in the latest Den of Geek magazine. It is not my usual style but just happened to land in my lap while working on the shark token artwork in the comic style. Just a wild coincidence. 

I made up the cards but I have a feeling there's a real card each one could match up to in-game. I wonder which ones fit best.

Custom Token Sketch

I realized I don't think I've shared very many of the sketches that go out. I got one done for the dog wave. I know it's a cat but for that wave Angel Tier patrons could have any pet for their custom sketch. 

I have a few more to do for the Angel Waves. I'll share those once I get them completed. All the other tiers have been shipped. 

I'm sure there might be some complications to the international envelopes. Things are taking much longer to ship almost anything anywhere. Even locally 2 day mail can take 2 weeks or more. I do know one of our patrons in Chile will be patient and wait for the mail delivery to continue hopefully soon.

I haven't announced anything about the next wave yet. I'm waiting on a few things. I gotta read over a contract to make sure I can do it and also wait for the art to be released. It might be next week or first week of August. Bear with me on this one. I love the painting and hope we can all have tokens of it soon.

Dog Wave is a go!

Thanks everyone for being an awesome patron! This wave is going to support our pup Tiberius. He snuck a corn cob out of the trash bin. A bit of leaf we sticking out and he pulled it from the lidded bin. And off to the ER we went. He's since recovered. Most expensive corn ever....

The lineup with work as follows from the image above:

Token 1: sketch card version

Token 2: Main

Token 3: Alternate

Full Art: going to experiment with Main and Alternate flip. (except for the metal version.)

Angel Tier

If you want, you have the option to send me a photo of your pet to make into your original sketch token. It can be any kind, not just a dog.

Member Store

I'll update the member store tomorrow and provide a new password.

Shark Tokens!

Finally! I know, I know. The art for the Shark Wave is finally done. 

If you're new and seem a little confused let me explain. I was a little behind and launched the Shark Wave button before I had the artwork done. I had the alternate art ready but not the main art. So, I'll be doing a little catch up with the upcoming Dog Wave.

If you're new and still want in now is your chance. Just send me a message and we'll go from there. The tokens are also in the Patreon Member only store. Info at the bottom of this post.

If you didn't see it I have a new card for Core 2021 called Frantic Inventory. It was a super fun painting to work on. The original has been sold but the drawing is still available.

Shark! Sketch version

I am excited to share the sketch version for the Shark Wave. I went a little crazy with the color. Inspired by one of my comic favorites - Moebius.

If you think a friend will love it too make sure they sign up before the end of the month.

Thanks for checking in.

Stay safe and have a great weekend!

Shark progress

Hi everyone! 

I know it's been a minute. I've been working on new Magic assignments and getting a Kickstarter fulfilled. There's a scary pandemic out there but you wouldn't know it in the studio. Well, I feel it personally. Stress levels are much higher and the wanting to get away from it all urges all the time. 

I've been helping my wife prepare for safe reopening of her shops and it's going to be scary. Her profession is necessary but also has a high risk rate. Getting your eyes checked means you need to get in people's faces all day. I've been helping create shields for instruments and even worked on their Covid employee manual. Putting those design skills to some good use. It's been a long time since I've worked on a design project like that. 

Anyway, let's get back to this subject we're all actually excited about. Sharks!

This shark needed to have some fun. I still play WoW so this totally felt like an opportunity to style this after a shark mount that I can't believe doesn't exist. And if it did I can see it paired with goblins of course. 

I have my drawing done. It looks like we'll have a free sketch version still so I think I'll try a version a little similar to the bear final but for the sketch. So it will be in color. and then dig in with a fully rendered version.

Shark Wave is on and will end on May 31st. We'll see them shipping some time in June for sure.

I hope you're all doing well and staying safe and healthy. 

New art for Ikoria!

While I'm waiting for metal tokens to arrive for the Nightmare Wave I wanted to share some new art.

Ikoria and Commander 2020 previews have all taken place. I'm happy to share a few of the cards I'll have in each set.

Sawtusk Demolisher is currently up for auction. You can straight up contact me for Martial Impetus. Trumpeting Gnarr is under negotiations. The token will probably be up for auction soon.

You can check them out with drawings and sketches on my Artstation. Plus loads of other artwork.

If you're into MTG stories and lore why not check out The Card Bazaar and his audiobooks. I'll give you his Patreon link and you can find the Youtube links from there. I'm listening to the Brothers' War.

Nightmare and Horror

Hi folks,

I just wanted to pop in and post a quick update on your next wave. Here's the Nightmare and Horror. The Nightmare will be the main token and the Horror will be the "alternate art". And the "sketch" version will be the Elk Token that didn't happen last wave. Everyone will then get an Elk this wave. 

If you're wondering why there is no normal sketch version it is because I started the Nightmare "alla prima" which means "first attempt" or "in one sitting" when applied to artwork. This is normally the same process in which any of the tokens I've made from my workshop paintings are created. It's a very intense yet relaxing way to work. I sat down with some references and just attacked the canvas and let the image appear. I did go back into it later but the majority of it was complete. 

If anyone is interested in the original oil let me know and I will open up the Collector Tier. The Collector Tier is $400 and also comes with everything in the Angel Tier. It is also exempt from the Kickstarter coupon.  

The wave will close with a final post on the last day of the month around midday. 

Nightmare preview

This still creeps me out to look at. 

I'm sure Ashiok would be more than happy with this manifestation. 

I started working on this while out west in Joshua Tree. I was painting with a couple of artists on a bit of an art retreat that included some great hikes. 

This is Tony Moy (comic artist) and me doing some plein air painting.

San Diego local Tom Babbey. He's working on some amazing miniature projects and Griffin Road, his personal project.

High desert sun.

We saw a sign for Skull Rock. A car full of artists, a must stop for us.

An oasis hike. Pictures can't do it justice.

Gorgeous landscapes.

Nightmare!

Hey everyone. 

I wanted to pop in during the Kickstarter campaign to share the progress of the next wave, Nightmare Wave.

It will be another fun sphinx cat creature to add to the collection. 

I also wanted to let you guys know that if you are a backer to the foil token campaign I'll be adding in a really fun little token for you. And I mean little. It's a mini foil token to help you remember your triggers.

If you're already getting one then you'll get one more for a friend.

As a reminder the next wave heats up in March. The wave gets locked in on March 31.

Also in March I'll be heading out my first MF of the year in Louisville. I don't think I've even been to Louisville. So, if you're going or have been be sure to suggest a great place to eat. And be sure to stop by and see me.

There's a new tier that I just posted called Tapped Out. It's limited to 25 people. If you missed some of the other early tiers now's your chance. 

If any of you have any questions just ask.

Kickstarter is live!

The campaign is off to an amazing start. Over 50% funded. If you haven't checked it out now is the time so you don't miss out on any of the early bird specials.

Waves are paused during the campaign so no one has to choose between supporting Patreon or the Kickstarter. I'm hoping you'd find something amazing that would get you to be a backer. Patrons that back the Kickstarter and are part of the next wave will get enough credit added to their Backerkit survey to get a free foil token single of their choice. How's that for a little extra incentive.

While the Kickstarter is live there will not be a wave. The earliest there would be another wave would be in March. 

By Patron Request

We've created a new reward tier thanks to you guys. We made it way more interesting than you'd have imagined. If it sells out I'll work on a Whale Token!

So, get some of your friends on board for this.

Can't wait to see how this all works out next week.

Here's a link to follow the campaign. 

Here's a link to take a peak. 

It's getting real

I can't tell you guys how much work goes into something that seems so simple. But after a ton of work, and some amazing help from fellow patron James we are finally ready for this Foil Token Kickstarter. Well, almost ready. I still need to make a video.

The foil token campaign will be launching on the 28th. There's a 48 hour early bird too!

If you'd like to get notified you can follow here. I'd appreciate all the do. Heck, help me out by getting others to sign up as well.

If you didn't catch it I did a live proofing of the tokens on my Facebook page.

All of the Elemental Wave tokens have been ordered. I should be shipping them around the time of the launch. 

At the end of the month I'll be heading to Joshua Tree for an artist retreat. I can't wait to go and I'll share some photos for sure of the excursion. There should be hiking and painting and a ton of laughs. I can really use it. Plus getting to hang out with friends I don't normally get to see. 

If for some reason the shipments I expect come while I'm gone I expect to get everything shipped right when I get back. I'll just be gone a few days.

As a reminder I won't have a wave on Patreon while the Kickstarter is going. I can totally use your support on that and don't want anyone to feel like they have to choose one or the other. The Kickstarter will end at the end of February and we'll probably start a new wave in March which will not bill until April. 

If I happen to make something worth making into a token I will at least add it to the member store for you guys to take advantage of the member store discount. This would be the case if I'm able to get a workshop going and make something I think is perfect for a token. 

I do have in the works a Landesknechte and a Witcher workshop starting in March. We'll see how those turn out. the Landesknechte will possibly end up making a nice Soldier, Warrior or Knight. 

Elemental Wave Art Update

I mentioned I had already been working on the 5/3. I'm really happy to share it with you guys.

Again working within the idea of transformation I wanted to make something different from something that existed within my work. A new sentinel emerges. The Sentinel of the Eternal Flame.

And before you ask, no, that is not the arm of the Statue of Liberty. 

Thanks again for the opportunity to bring you these images. I can't wait to make more.

Next up is the Elk. I also have my new assignments for Magic. I plan on working on the Elk over the weekend. And on Monday I will start working on my assignments. If I don't finish the Elk before then it will be done by the end of next week for sure.

Elemental Wave!

We're certainly making some elementals. We have three so far. And a few more to come.

I still have on my list to make a 5/3 and a 3/3 Elk. 

And let's not forget about Crossbow Steve (1/1 Steve). 

Steve will stand in for the sketch. And like the last wave I'll make sure everyone gets as many different options as I can.

Let's catch everyone up from a previous post about the timeline:

Artwork

I plan to work on the last two pieces this week and a wee bit into January. 

Printing

Once the art is completed I'll work up the files to send to the printer. I should be sending the files to print around the end of the first week.

Mailing

Once the wave goes to print it takes about 2 weeks for me to get all the items. As usual I get very excited that all these cool things are here and mail them within a few days of getting them. I'll let you know when that happens.

For the newer folks that means this wave will take a little longer to get to you than the last one. 

Member Store

Once all the art is complete I will update the store and the password.

To all my amazing Patrons! Thank you so very much

Hi all,

I just wanted to take a minute to thank you all for a great year. I've got a lot in store for me next year as well. A few known ideas and many we will discover together.

I thought I'd also share some progress with this next wave. I have a lot of work on yet. I know this was supposed to be easier and faster for me. But, I just tend to dig a little deeper to see what happens. 

Here's a red/green themed 5/5 Elemental from one of my Red Elementals. I dropped it into a frame to see what it will look like when finished. It's almost there but not quite. 

Goin on Facebook Live around noon CST.

Hey folks,

I got my proof packs of the foil tokens for the Kickstarter next month. I thought I'd share the proofing process via livestream. I'll use Facebook for the event. If you're around and want join me!

Be Merry!

Happy Holidays everyone. 

I'm hoping you all have a great week. Even with all the stress I'm going to make the best of it. A few computer issues and a water heater that quit working is not going to keep me down. 

We're going to spend time with family and make too much food. Watch some movies and laugh as much as possible. I'm doing more cooking otherwise I'd sneak out and try and paint outdoors. 

I'm wrapping up a painting for an RPG cover currently. I should be finished later this week so I can move onto some elementals!

Here's what to expect for the next wave.

Artwork

I plan to work on the pieces next week and possibly a wee bit into January. As usual I plan something simple and get carried away. Those that have been patrons for a while should be grinning knowing how that's worked out for them in the past.

Wave Close

We'll close this wave December 31 around 11AM CST. You'll get billed on the first of January if that's helpful to know.

Printing

Once the art is completed I'll work up the files to send to the printer. If I'm working a little into January then I should be sending the files to print around the end of the first week.

Mailing

Once the wave goes to print it takes about 2 weeks for me to get all the items. As usual I get very excited that all these cool things are here and mail them within a few days of getting them. I'll let you know when that happens.

For the newer folks that means this wave will take a little longer to get to you than the last one. 

There will not be a wave for at least a month after this one. 

"oh no! why?"

I plan on launching the foil token Kickstarter on January 15! I do not like to have a campaign cross over into a Patreon wave. I want everyone to have an opportunity to possibly get some cool stuff and not feel they have to choose.

We're launching with 5 boosters and 2 more that open up from stretch goals. I'll be giving you guys early access to the Kickstarter page to see everything once it's ready.