aaronmiller

Crossbow Steve!

We all need a hand from Crossbow Steve. 

Steve will be coming to you in the next wave. He'll lend a hand or a crossbow when needed. He even has a famous line I think "You have my crossbow." I swear we've all heard it in a movie or something.

The Fae Wave has been shipped. I have only the Angel Tier left to complete, those always take a while because of the originals I need to make. But those should go out by Monday.

I hope you guys love the foils as much as I do. I'm super impressed and can't wait for more. James and I are working hard behind the scenes to create 7 amazing packs that will be foil. And I mean packs, just like all the other card packs you are used to opening.  

Elk Wave

The name is shorter so I'm going with it. I'm wrapping up some work but this wave has been buzzing around in the back of my head. I'm working out some fun ideas to bring you some some elemental alternates and an elk. i've been asked a lot for some red/green elementals so we'll get that covered. I'll see what other fun stuff I can work into the wave. I don't think I'll have as many as the Fae Wave but i'll shoot for 3-4 options. 

Possible list:

• 5/5 reg/green elemental
• 4/4 green or white elemental
• 5/3 green elemental
• X/X green elemental (this would be a maybe)

I'm open to suggestions.

Steve will come to you as one of the boosters if you get a booster. If you want him and don't get a booster now is the time to move up a tier.

Fae Wave Art and Special Treat

I wanted to share the line up with you all. They are all pretty fun on their own. I wanted them to be focused but also feel small. Let me know which one is your favorite.

Also, as a very special treat I'm giving everyone getting a token one free foil token! I've added this as a $1500 goal and what better way to highlight it but by giving you all one to see what they are like. 

I'll have a very limited number of extras which will be available in the Member Store in December. 

I've placed orders early. With luck everyone should get their Fae Wave packs before the Christmas holidays.

Three more Fae Wave tokens

Here's three more for you guys. If you're keeping count that's 9 total. Since we're still past my first goal; the free sketch version, which will be the Faerie Token. I wanted to make sure you all got one more; an Energy Token. 

For this wave there won't be any Full Art Tokens, they will all be replaced with one of these 9 so you can get at least one of everything. And my goal for each tier will be to maximize that number for each of you to the best of my ability. This will affect the "random boosters" which will be replaced as much as I can with multiples of each Fae Wave token. Very similar to how we did the Mana Wave to great success. 

I'm planning on most of these being exclusive to my patrons. I may add one or two my permanent inventory. The majority will only be available in the Member Shop until they are all gone. If there's specific extras you want, especially in metal you should message me.

Basic break down compared to a normal wave

• Faerie (free sketch)
• Faerie Rogue (main token)
• Energy (alternate)
• Servo (full art)
• Elemental (main token 2)
• Insect (alternate 2)
• Sapling (Full art 2)
• Merfolk (booster)
• Warrior (booster)

Three more Fae Wave samples

Here are three more samples of what would be in the Fae Wave. Votes are still favoring this wave so I felt pretty confident making these for you guys. I love the Faerie and will probably use this one moving forward and phase out the other one I have. With this being such an odd wave and we're still in the goal of a free sketch version, my plan is to make the Faerie Token the "sketch" version. It feels apt given the focus of the wave. I have a few more fun ideas left with some of the fae folk I've painted for the Florence Griswold Museum. I'm also super grateful they let me use them for tokens.

#happypatronsday

I wanted to make sure I reached out today of all days to thank all my amazing patrons. Whether you are or were a patron you made a difference in my creativity. The projects you've all allowed me to pursue have already impacted the work I create for myself and for my clients. I'm sure you're all aware of one major client I'm talking about. Wizards of the Coast of course. Some of the things I've been able to experience making art for you guys has translated into better work for the cards you all collect. 

I know there are a few days left to vote in the poll. But I wanted to show you guys three of the potential Fae Wave tokens. Below are the Insect, Warrior, and Servo. It's a fun mixed bag of tokens. I know many wanted to Elk/Elementals. I mean it can still happen with voting open and all. If the poll stays about the same let's do that one for the next wave shall we? It's all good fun.

I'm not sure how many of these Fae Wave tokens will stick around after the mailing. There's no telling if they will be available after or flit out of sight.

Food Token Art update

I'm excited to share the art for the Food Token. I worked on a ton of sketches based on the original idea. I finally found a direction that I felt added more of the food direction I wanted to go and keep the fun nature of wanting to add a bear. 

The drawing was super fun and will be on the free sketch token. I used a toned background to make it feel a bit like a page from an old book.

I'll update the images on the Member Store soon. The password is in this post. It's at the bottom. This post is public so I apologize for the link.

I'll be getting all the files ready for print and mailings will be be on your way by the end of the month or sooner.

Our pup Tiberius is back home and recovering but ready to walk with me to the mailbox.

Food Token sketch progress

I’m on the road to Illuxcon and had a fun idea for the food token. As much as I like food I’d rather paint animals. So, I want to paint one of the three bears, or a neighbor, eating porridge. This is just my first pass for an idea but I wanted to share the fun idea. Plus maybe a Bear Token alternate??? You tell me.

Heading to Illuxcon next week

This has been a very busy month. I was just in the Netherlands for Magic Fest Utrecht (my dad came with me). And I'm packing like crazy for Illuxcon next week. I hope to see some of you there!

I'm hoping to get some painting done once I get back from IX, but I also am helping my wife merge two of her stores into one and I have been volunteered to help clean out the one we're closing. So much fun! My wife is an optometrist if you didn't know already. And she's busier than me running her shops. I always help when I can. And maybe that answers where I get such cool eye glasses. ha! 

I'm really looking forward to making some art. It gets really strange not making art for a while. And I'm specifically excited about painting some food tokens!!

I've added a ton of original art to my shop. If you wanted to own an original most are on sale.

While at Illuxcon I'll be auctioning two of my paintings from Eldraine; Ardenvale Tactician and Mace of the Valiant. The auctions will take place on the MTG Art Market Facebook group. They begin Monday the 21st and end at 7pm EST Friday the 25th.

I've got a pile of custom tokens I made and inked for #inktober. I'll share those soon too. I'm really enjoying the brush pen I've been using.

Inktober 02

I have a number of Spirit Tokens to do. Each one will play on a theme I've found on some Inktober prompts. Sword was a fitting prompt. A haunted sword. A cure to the next champion to wield it.

Inktober 01

I've always had a little bit of fear of Inktober. I just never felt like I can wield ink like I can paint. And seeing some many amazing inks made me a little shy as well. But today I decided I'd dive in for as long as I could for the month. I had one patron at the Angel tier and it felt like the perfect project to start off with.

Using the brush pen I got from Jeff Miracola at a previous Grand Prix I worked on this little token while watching one of Jeff's new inking videos.

I have a bunch of custom token orders to work on so I think they might all be inked. If you're all cool with it I'll post them here.

Now that all the payments are actually going through I'm sending out packages! You'll be getting your ZOmbie Knight Wave tokens in the mail soon. Thanks again for sticking with me.

Zombie Knight!

Alright folks, artwork is done for the Zombie Knight. Working on the iPad Pro has been awesome. I still love painting in oils so I'm not switching over. Just adding a fun tool for projects. It's great for sketching out my work and getting away from my desk. Sometimes we need to be in different spaces to get some creative juices flowing.

Procreate makes videos!!! So look for a new post soon with the process.

Before I send everything off to print I wanted to make sure everyone was excited about the alternate version. I added a helmet and it felt like it should be Knight Token. The Black Knight before he became a zombie knight. I can always make it an another Zombie Knight. But I'd need you guys to let me know. I just have a feeling a "black" knight token should be cool for everyone.

On an Adventure

How about an adventure token? I'll order a bunch up for boosters. The painting here is from A Princess of Mars I did a while back. And they certainly are on an adventure.

Signatures on Magic Cards

If you've been to a Magic event lately you'll have noticed that most of us artists have all sorts of new signature options. My favorite so far is the foiled signature. I call mine a Dragon Fire. I learned how to do it from Howard Lyon. I think Steve Argyle is the only other MtG artist offering this signature option.

We have our classic black, metallic, and shadow options. 

I just bought a pack of metallics that include red, blue, and green. They are pretty cool and I'll definitely have them at events.

But, I wanted to just see if any of you had some crazy idea that we have't thought of. If you do let me know in the comments.

Anything I try will reward that patron with a signed proof in their pack.

My goal is anything I can do with markers, of course, plus I have my foils and laminator. We can't use open flames at events (lol I know someone would mention it.)

Coming to the Patreon Member Shop

September 1 I'll add the commander playmat to the shop. It will be $15.99. I'll update you all with the new password for the member shop on the 1st.

About half of my stock sold at MF Vegas. And the folks that got them were pretty excited to begin using them.

I'll also be adding a Hellion to my inventory on my main token page. If you really want one, let me know and I can try and make it one of your booster tokens.

Post Magic Fest Vegas

Hi everyone,

I just wanted to pop in to say that I've been thinking of you guys. And welcome to the new folks! It was awesome meeting some of you in person at the event. I got home late Sunday so I could get right back to work on Monday. I'm sorta catching up with where I'd like to be with my work flow. 

This week is working on sketches for the next two Magic cards I'm working on. As well as a character concept for Draco games. If you're into miniatures they will be a name that should start becoming more and more familiar with.

Zombie Knight Wave

I just wanted to go into the schedule for some of the new folks. And give a little bit of detail how the wave will proceed. It always seems a little tricky when the art isn't ready before the Wave hits.

So, on August 31 the Wave will post around 11AM. Within the month of September I'll move forward from the concept I posted to drawings and a final painting. I'm excited to create this piece with Procreate. It's been such a fantastic application so far. I'm not moving away from paint at all. Just adding a new tool. 

Once the final is complete I'll share it with all of you. Right away I'll work on the card designs and get those sent to the printers. Printing takes about two weeks with shipping. Once I have my hands on everything I try to get things shipped to you within a few days of receiving them. All very exciting days of packing in the studio.

Next week I'll be traveling to Utah to take a photography class with Howard Lyon. I'm really looking forward to this. I'm hoping to learn some new methods of taking reference photos that will level up my image making. You guys will certainly benefit. And you guys have certainly helped make this a possibility! Thanks you all very much for being patrons.

Zombie Knight soon!

I was recently able to get an iPad Pro and Procreate. It's what's turned out to be an amazing pairing for mobile digital painting. I'm so impressed and felt extremely confident right out of the box. There's still a lot to learn about the app but I've been able to work on 3 projects already. One will be under NDA for a bit. Here are the other 2 I worked on.

These faeries are for the Florence Griswold Museum. The create a fun Wee Faerie Village every year. And every year is a different theme. This year was super hero faeries. Similar to last year but last year was super vowels.

Which leads me to the Zombie Knight. I'm excited to work on this with the new tools I have. I will still likely finish the final a little after the wave closes. Everyone should expect tokens to ship by the end of September. 

If you're going to GP Vegas maybe I'll see you next week!

GP VEGAS

Vegas is next week. I'm already not ready. I can't tell you how much juggling goes on as a freelancer. I can say I have one more Magic card in the stack though. This week is completing 2 more projects. I'll wrap up my faerie project with the Florence Griswold Museum and a character concept for a Dragon Lords game that had a killer Kickstarter. 

If you're going to Vegas and want me to bring some specific merch, let me know. Flying reduces the amount of stock I can bring so I'll have as much as allowed. I might even wrap my body in play mats or something. 

I've added an iPad Pro to my studio tool set. I needed something mobile and my 11 year old laptop stopped cutting it 5 years ago. If all goes as planned I wanted to create the next token in Procreate. I'm super excited to start using this app. I'll be using it today for the faeries project, then the character concept. Those should get my feet wet enough to wade into much deeper waters.

Monkey Wave Update

I'm kind of in shock. The metal tokens arrived before the regular tokens. So, for the first time in a very long time I'll be shipping all the tiers out at the same time. I should have the regular tokens tonight and start packing everything up in the next day or so.

For new patrons, the metal tokens usually take a long time to get printed and shipped to me. I've tried a few companies and I feel I've found a permanent solution. Those that have been with me for a long time I know will be happy with this news.

GenCon was a great success. I've never been so busy. I'm still trying to recover and I can't slow down with a Magic assignment due soon. I'm already at work at the drawing board and soon should be painting. And quite a few jobs after that. And then preparing for GP (Magic Fest) Las Vegas. 

Zombie Knight may still happen for this month and if I feel confident that it will be completed before or similar to the monkey then we'll have a Zombie Knight Wave end on the 31st of this month. 

I notice some of you are still in old tiers. When you have a chance be sure to check out the new and probably better tiers available.

Monkey Wave Alternate

Hi everyone,

if you're part of the Monkey Wave, here's the alternate art version. Suitable for that 2/2 monkey cage situation. I'm working on all the files and going to place my orders once I get my patron count. Again, if you are a new patron and want in, you can preorder some tokens from the shop. 

If I need to make something available for someone just let me know. 

Monkey Wave Update

Monkey Wave patrons! heads up!

The monkey artwork is finished. I'm working on all the print files. I still need to create the alternate version. I'll  post that tomorrow as an update. Once that's done everything goes to the printer. I expect to have things to ship to monkey wave patrons early August. I'll update all the store images as they are available as well. 

Here's the full artwork. I hope you like it.

Zombie Knight Wave

Once I've completed the Monkey Wave we'll all get excited for the Zombie Knight Wave. Here's one of my favorite sketch passes so far. Not sure how much or what will change but the idea is solid.

I just wanted to get you all excited! And also let the new folks know what their first wave will be.

I'll need some help for what the alternate should be. Maybe a feline zombie head??? Throw me some ideas and we'll make a poll.

Just a Sliver Token

These are not for sale. They will be free. I don't have a set amount I'll order or a set way someone will get one. More than likely They will get added to mailings until I run out. I add free things to mailings all the time. I might have them at events. Especially if you ask nicely. 

What I can't do is sell them, ship one at my expense, nor print unlimited quantities at my expense. Someone else can pay to print them and give away as well. There's a lot of things that can be done. What I do want to avoid is someone else selling them. I know I can't help that too much. Someone can print this image right here. That's fine too, it won't be great quality, but falls within the rights of fan art. It's mine, it's yours, have fun, don't sell it. 

I'll keep them on hand as long as it makes financial sense to keep ordering them. 

Treasure Skull Collection

The campaign is live and already funded. I know some of you are backers already. Thanks so much!!!

Please check it out if you have a moment. 

I'll think of something to pad the boxes of my Patreon backers. 

Mask Wave Metal Saga

Check this out ------------>

There is finally a package in the mail!!!! 

It's not the only package in the mail, the sample copper and white metal tokens are also in the mail from the new vendor. 

I want to thank you again for all your patience. 

Quick Reminder

I just wanted to remind some of you that there are new tiers. You are more than welcome to stay where you are but I think I made some of the new ones amazing enough to pick a new one.

I'm furiously working on my last of a group of 4 Magic assignments. Then I'll move onto painting up the monkey along with a bunch of single character jobs. 7 in total. July is already going to be a busy month.

Will I see any of you at GP/MF Detroit? It will be my first visit to the Motor City.

Mask Wave Metal

the saga continues...

Right now two packages from two different vendors should be en route. I expected one already but, to be honest that's why there's a second package coming from another vendor. I decided a while back that I would place the entire order with someone else to ensure delivery. They are providing me with a giant order of 5x7s as well. The Monkey Wave will be handled by the new, third, vendor I was able to find. I do not expect a delay of this magnitude ever again.

Monkey - Progress

Hi Everyone!

We have a few new folks that have joined up. Welcome!

This past week I've been teaching at the Fantasy Art Workshop Illustration intensive in Milwaukee, WI. And was it ever intense. Let me just give you a small example based on the hours. Wake up at 7 everyday and it's go, go, go until crashing into bed around midnight. Rinse and repeat. Needless to say I'm as amped up to work as I am exhausted. 

We spent a week getting people used to how some of us illustrators work. And I'm jumping into Monday to do everything we had our students do. One more Magic painting to go for this round. Normally I like the painting to be complete before the end of the month, but as many of you know occasionally we go into a wave with a work in progress. I know I'll wrap up the painting in July. We'll have the Monkey Wave signups cap on June 30th. 

I have a new vendor we'll be working with for the metal tokens. I go my samples in and I'm very happy with the quality and the turnaround. They had some other metal color options. I was only able to get the gold version sample. It seems to add a slight tint. Not sure I'll use it much but it's neat to know it's an option if the application for it arrises. I'll be adding the gold version to the Member Store in July. 

Depending on when I finish the painting I'm tentatively planning on shipping Monkey Wave at the end of July into August.

Mask Wave Metal

OMG I'm as tired about posting updates with "it's coming" as you guys are probably tired of waiting. I got an email they were being shipped on Thursday. I had also placed a duplicate order with another vendor hoping it would arrive soon. But no word on that one. Hence the notice above about a new vendor. I LOVE supporting small businesses. But I am at the mercy of those small businesses in return. I will post a celebratory post once they arrive. 

I still can't believe an order I placed in April is taking this long. So, trust me when I share in any frustration if not more. I have to be embarrassed about not getting things to you as promised. 

Tressure Skull Collection Kickstarter

I'm officially launching July 1! And I'll be making a really cool post on my socials soon about the new addition later today. I have in hand the first cast of the precious metal pendant. Which will be cast in gold plated silver. 

I don't ever plan to make you guys feel like you have to make options in the same month. Even though the Monkey Wave ends right when the Kickstarter begins remember the billing portions will be over a month apart. I think about all these things. 

Questions?

just ask.

Monkey -Drawing

Art update!

Monkey drawing is wrapped up. There's a lot going on with this piece. The working title so far is "Key Keeper and the Vault of Secrets." Working with opposites the Key Keeper is blind, as is justice. You've likely seen the blind figure with scales. It then made sense that the tortoise would hold secrets there's the locks and keys. The blind monkey and seeing orb. I want to paint the shell like antique or rusted door hardware opposite the seeing orb which will be a chrome sphere. 

I struggled with the floating object. Starting out as a gem, and changing into a floating portion of statue. The  shape and size just wasn't working for me. Then I changed it into a simple floating eye. That didn't feel right either. Then maybe a magic orb to look like an eye. And my research landed on sphere shapes and a chrome ball. When I think of chrome I think of Sorayama. I grew up loving his work so that had to be it. And now it is the Sorayama Orb. 

The bird is a motmot, a messenger for the Key Keeper. And the bottom of the Giant's Key is a gada. I'm really looking forward to painting this soon. I plan to work on it next week at the Illustration Intensive workshop.

Metal Mask Tokens

They are supposedly in the mail to me. It's been a real trial to get these. I've met another vendor and have ordered some samples. If every goes smoothly, then I expect future orders of my metal tokens to go smoothly. Thanks for your amazing patience. I certainly know I've had to work every level of my patience trying to get this order complete. 

Monkey - concept sketch

This is generally how I work. Now getting here is still a juggling act of sketching, writing, thinking, looking, thinking, googling, thinking, and more thinking.

Starting with just the word monkey endless ideas can be conjured up. I thought I'd go with some pirate thief on an airship. Nothing wrong with that. Then I wanted to do something based off of a fantastic painting I've loved. A Gabriel von Max painting. I think he painted the monkeys to mock the art critics of the time. So, this is timeless? 

I then sat down to push further. I grabbed my Reckless Decks of cards for the first time. This really was the first time I felt a little stuck and needed something to ignite some new directions. 

I pulled out all the cards that spoke to me and was able to split them up into three unique character ideas. I started with the one above and it just evolved into exactly the path I wanted to take.

Here's all I know about this guy. He's all mysterious and stuff.

• He's blind
• He uses a chunk of stone with a red inlaid stone/gem in it to see.
• I don't know what the gem actually shows him.
• Something is making this rock artifact float. cool!
• He's the keeper of the keys, including the Key of Giants.
• His escort is a tortoise, I don't imagine he's in a hurry. She needs a name.

I'm really looking froward to working on this. I don't have a timeline set up just yet but I'm pretty sure some portion of it will be worked on at the Illustration Intensive up in Milwaukee next month.

This is going to be a pretty cool journey I'm taking as we move forward with these paintings. They will connect to each other somehow. 

April Metal Tokens

I have not forgotten. I'm still being super patient about waiting. I'm trying my best not to send daily emails to know more. But I should have some news of some sort later this week as I will reach out to find out when I can expect something. I apologize for the wait and I beg for your continued patience. It's not a matter of "if" but "when". 

New and Adjusted Tiers!

I'm a while away from being able to tackle a new painting. I have 4 Magic commissions and a few others going on. I know I'll be working on sketches though. Keep an eye out for those updates. 

In the meantime I've updated the tiers. And I think you'll all love them. And if you don't, guess what, you can stay with what you have.

Where'd my tier go?

The way this works is I've "unpublished" most of the tiers you all are on now. That just means no one else can sign up for them. But as long as you are a current patron you can stay at that tier. But.... I think you'll dig some of the new ones so feel free to switch anytime. Once an old tier hits zero patrons I'll go ahead and delete it.

Why the $2 minimum tier?

I've decided that a new patron that wants to support me at the no reward tier might actually want to support me rather than bank fees. So, that's been a "best practices" change many folks are adopting. At $2 most of the money actually goes to me rather than fees which carry a minimum of about 30¢. And also having access to the Patreon Member Shop is a pretty good deal.

I want to thank Patreon member James Wood for all the hard work he's done helping me bring you all these new tiers. And not only that check out the awesome flavor text he wrote for those tiers!

Thanks James!

Mask Wave Metal

I'm still waiting for my shipment. I'll ship them as soon as I get them. And they will be the previous tier level counts. 

Questions?

Always feel free to do so here or a PM.

Monkeying Around

That's what's happening in the studio. I'm monkeying around with ideas. I have the help of fellow patron James to help with the future of your tiers. That's been amazing and no one will be unhappy. I'm working on the them for the next token, which might be obvious. I need to monkey around with something to vote on.

There's no need to panic, there no wave that end this month. Maybe next month. I know I've mentioned a Kickstarter but since the items are so different I don't see if causing any issues even if there's a wave that month or not. Only if I had a token campaign would I pause the waves for a month or two. And that's not until the fall. I'm just going to make it better than I had planned to.

Mask Wave Metal

Where are they?!?! They are being worked on, I promise. I'll be shipping those out to all you super patient folks as soon as I get them. They were very sorry they made the mistake. The least I could do for you all was to ship them later and cover the extra shipping it will cost me.

What I'm excited about.

I have been so excited about that Treasure Skull ever since I made it. And then it became a crown of treasures, five stones of power. I'll be figuring out a way to tie future paintings to some sort of narrative around it. It also circles back to the elements project I have. It's all weirdly and slowly taking shape. Thanks for being a part of it and joining me on this journey.

At a glance

• Mask wave metal tokens are in production
• All new tiers coming soon
• Monkey Wave is next
• Treasure Skull Collection is coming soon

Metal Tokens are in! Sort of...

I wish this wasn't the case but the vendor forgot about the April order for the Mask Wave. I have the Devil/Crossover Wave in hand and will get those out. I apologize for all those waiting. I'll combine some of the packs to get the most to you without making the process disorderly. So expect paper tokens and I'll just need to catch everyone up with the metal tokens later. If I knew this was going to happen I'd have shipped the paper out already. Again, I apologize.

On the plus side they look better than ever. And I'm excited to get them out to you guys. I got a huge chunk of metal tokens for the general collection in as well. 

In lighter news we've rescued a 9 month old golden, Ms. Penelope "Penny" Wigglesworth. Tiberius and Penny have been playing non-stop since they've met.

I've shipped out the first batch of the Devil/Crossovers this morning. And I'll be working on the rest today and tomorrow until every patron is getting something in the mail no matter what.

Illusion Alternate

This was fun to work up. There's always some detail that just makes it feel just right and the blue dust was just the last thing it needed.

I'm getting all my orders placed now. Since I am doing this before the Backerkit store is opened I will have limited quantities on extra items.

 Mask Wave patrons

All tiers that didn't have a metal token have been shipped. I should be getting my metal token order today or tomorrow and will ship the rest out as soon as I can.