Magic’s first multiplayer-designed set Magic: The Gathering—Conspiracy is coming out right around the corner, and this art popped up that caught my eye. Let’s look at one of its best artworks by German artist Volkan Baga.

Muzzio, Visionary Architect by Volkan Baga

It’s a studio! No, a workshop! Or is it a laboratory? Kinda!

This week on Painter’s Servant, we’ll be examining a trope in fantasy illustration, one that has been with Magic since day one and that will continue to be created far into the future. What’s a trope? From TVTropes.org, one of the best websites for all Vorthoses to read, it’s roughly defined thusly:

Today, in a long list of future art tropes, is the Wizard’s Study. Muzzio here is in a study, and let’s dive into the historical reference of showing a wizard in his or her study area.

The Wizard Study was first used in Magic’s first set, Limited Edition Alpha:

Normally, we only see Wizard Studies—and only in blue.

But there are also witch work areas.

Green Wizard Studies are really mobile shaman products on hand. The color doesn’t like structures, full of manufactured walls. They carry their stuff.

When there is a dedicated space, every study should have appropriate drawings and models on the wall for decoration.

Volkan Baga, the artist of Muzzio, Visionary Architect, studied under living master artist Donato Giancola:

Donato teaches high detail and to include all the necessary information to build a scene with context:

Sometimes the Wizard Study is actually a place for reading and writing:

The Wizard Study could be a laboratory—depending on setting.

Experiments can happen at any time.

Rituals can also happen any time—just getting work done in the office.

Sometimes, the Wizard Study is neither a study nor a place for wizards.

But at least you know serious-business things are happening there.

Let’s talk art again soon.

-Mike

P.S. The Alpha Art Project needs your help finding Alpha artworks!