This week I'm doing something a little different. I'll be answering some questions from you the readers, and some common questions that I get when I'm working at Jupiter Games or other various Magic the Gathering events.

Q: What paint do you use to paint on cards?

I use Citadel acrylic paints, made for painting Warhammer models. Unlike acrylics you can buy in art stores, these paints are formulated to dry extremely flat, eliminating the need for a thinning medium (like water). Citadel paints can be purchased online at http://www.gamesworkshop.com or at your local game or hobby shop.

Q: What brushes do you use?

For coloring larger areas, and under painting (like when I under paint with a neutral beige over borders, or the outline of a character) I use a medium-sized round brush. When painting larger areas really any small or medium brush will do. For detail work I use a script/liner brush, size 00 or 000. Very small. I like hybrid synthetic/sable brushes. They're a little more expensive than nylon or taklon brushes, but more affordable than 100% sable brushes. Basically, the cheaper the brush, the more bristle will fall out into you painting. With sable brushes, this never happens, with hybrid brushes it happens very rarely. Any art supply store such as Utrecht, A.C. Moore, or Michael's will carry these brushes.

Q: Is there any particular reason you don't erase first? Do you have issues with card marking because of the thickness of the paint? -Benjamin Jones

I've talked with some people who either erase or use acetone to erase either borders or certain portions of print on cards. This process is particularly necessary for those who use inkjet printers to print images they've made in Photoshop onto cards. I don't erase cards, or use acetone. The paint I use dries flat enough that card thickness isn't an issue, and I don't mind spending a couple extra minutes under painting rather than working with a chemical or rubbing forever with an eraser.

Q: How long does it typically take you to alter a play set of cards? Is it a one-day project or do you take weeks to make it happen? - Eldraziking187

A typical borderless alter on a play set (4 identical cards) takes around 2 hours. A full alter (either extending the art over the text box, or changing the art altogether) can take anywhere from 3-5 hours, depending on the complexity.

Q: How much planning or thinking does it take to get the idea of what you want the finished project to look like? Is it just play in by ear? Or do you visualize for hours? - Eldraziking187

Since I often work at events, I rarely have the luxury to plan out alters in advance. If I'm doing a job for someone who is playing in a tournament I usually talk it over with the client for a few minutes to get a feel for what they're looking for, think of some suggestions of my own, and proceed with my best judgment. Extending art over the borders of a card always looks great and grabs attention, so that's usually a safe bet when there isn't another obvious idea. In my free time, however, since I spend LOTS of time around Magic cards (I work at Jupiter Games, and play Magic, myself), I'm always looking at cards and thinking of how I would alter them. For example, this was the case with the Emrakul, the Aeons Torn I did a couple articles ago. It was something I had thought of previously and finally got a chance to do.

This leads me to another question I get a lot-

Q: Do you actually play Magic?

I DO play Magic. It's hard to escape. I got into CCG's through VS. System (RIP), which I played for a few years until DC saw the writing on the wall and decided not to grant licensing for any more expansions in the VS. System. I refuse to imagine a world not protected by DC characters. The VS. System died shortly after, thanks to Upper Deck Entertainment shenanigans that some of you may be familiar with. The game was hard enough to find opponents for while it was being made, but after that it was impossible. Eventually a friend of mine who played Magic introduced me to the game, and I played my first sanctioned matches in a local Shards of Alara pre-release event in Binghamton, NY. I play mostly Standard and EDH, but recently started building and playing some Legacy decks casually.

Q: Have you ever altered a card in the "Power 9"?

No, I haven't. I've never been commissioned to alter Power, but I wouldn't do it, because of the associated liability. From a business perspective, I charge the same to alter a common as I do to alter a mythic rare or dual land. If I were to work on Power, I would be taking on a huge level of liability for the same payoff as a job with almost no liability. If someone was unhappy with an altered Giant Growth, for example, I'd be happy to replace their Giant Growth. If someone was unhappy with an alteration of a Mox Sapphire, on the other hand, I'd be in some hot water.

Q: What's the most expensive card you've altered?

Jace, the Mind Sculptor. I've probably painted 10 or more Jaces, along with plenty of Gideons and Elpeths. Before Jace 2.0 skyrocketed in value it was Underground Sea. I try not to think about the cost of cards when I'm altering them, it helps to stay loose and allow yourself to take risks.

Q: What's your favorite card to alter? Or the favorite alter that you've done?

My favorite card art to alter is either Academy Ruins, or Misty Rainforest. I like the colors and the details are nice on both. The favorite alters I've done are Enlightened Tutor as a grandmother, and Dark Confidant.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/jupitergames/4886274362/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/jupitergames/4886273966/

Q: Seems like anime chicks on islands is the only way to go. Why do you bother with full arting other cards? - Jaime Conway

There are a few reasons. First, there are millions of sources to which one can turn to find drawings and photos of girls. And there are a few websites who specialize in paintings of anime girls. I have enough customers who are interested in actual art that I don't need to paint girls to make a living. Second, painting characters takes extra time, and to do it exclusively would not be cost effective.

I'll be back with more painting next week. Feel free to keep asking questions, and giving me suggestions for cards you'd like to see altered!