Locations
It is that time of year again, and the art annual Spectrum is coming out in a few short weeks.
If you have never seen a copy, it is the main book that focuses on Imaginative Realism art made new each year. If science fiction, fantasy, and that type of art had a "best of the year" book, this is one of the few awards you can win. There are categories from editorial to institutional (where Magic card art illustrations are located), to book covers and unpublished personal work.
Generally, Magic tends to get a few card artworks in, and as of late, they have seen an uptick in inclusions. Since Spectrum submissions charge per piece entered, Magic chooses on behalf of the artists and pays the fee for entrance. It both is good to recognize artists, and also serves as a recruiting device for other artists. Most art directors thumb through it every year to find hidden talent, or a known artist who leveled up.
Within each of the categories, you can win the gold or silver award, with a trophy to be given at Spectrum Live, a convention. The unpublished category tends to be the most difficult to win. Magic has won before, and as of late, has been in the finalized category with multiple works.
For the newest version, Spectrum 26, we already know who won each category because Spectrum Live was months ago. As a reminder, this is who was up for the award:
INSTITUTIONAL CATEGORY
- Ed Binkley - Mantis
- Bastien Lecouffe Deharme - Etrata, the Silencer
- Jesper Ejsing - Slippery Bogle
- Tyler Jacobson - Opt
- John Jude Palencar - The Nights Watch
Slippery Bogle by Jesper Ejsing won the best commissioned, institutional artwork of the year. Congrats again!
Slippery Bogle by Jesper Ejsing
Etrata, the Silencer by Bastien Lecouffe Deharme
Opt by Tyler Jacobson
As for the other inclusions, I have a list of previous years in case you are curious.
Congrats to all the included artists and it is an astonishing, unprecedented number of works. The quality on the whole never has been higher, and it's honoring work here is very much deserved and earned.
-Vorthos Mike
Kumena, Tyrant Of Orazca by Tyler Jacobson
Dominaria box art, Tyler Jacobson
Frilled Sea Serpent by Steven Belledin
Spoils of the Vault by Steven Belledin
Herald of Faith, Tommy Arnold
Syncopate by Tommy Arnold
Eternal Witness by Chris Rahn
Windgrace Acolyte by Bayard Wu
Yennet, Cryptic Sovereign by Chris Rahn
Marwyn, the Nurturer by Chris Rahn
Wrenn and Six by Chase Stone
Trostani Discordant by Chase Stone
Zhalfirin Void by Chase Stone
Karn, Scion of Urza by Chase Stone
Judith, the Scourge Diva by Chase Stone
Jhoira, Weatherlight Captain by Brad Rigney
Growth Spiral by Seb Mckinnon
Gift of Strength, Lius Lasahido
Ledev Guardian by Kimonas Theodossiou
Reviving Vapors by Bastien Lecouffe Deharme
Ministrant of Obligation by Bastien Lecouffe Deharme
Liliana, Untouched by Death by Bastien Lecouffe Deharme
Slimefoot, the Stowaway by Alex Konstad
Lathliss, Dragon Queen by Alex Konstad
Shalai, Voice of Plenty by Victor Adame Minguez
Aether Tunnel by Lucas Graciano
Bitterblossom by Jesper Ejsing
Safehold Elite by Jesper Ejsing
Golgari Guildgate by Eytan Zana
Precognitive Perception by Chris Rallis
Nissa, Vital Force by Terese Nielsen
Chandra, Torch of Defiance by Terese Nielsen
Benalish Honor Guard by Ryan Pancoast
Knight of Autumn by Ryan Pancoast
Ranger-Captain of Eos by Ryan Pancoast
Serra's Guardian by Magali Villeneuve
Blade Instructor, Zoltan Boros
League Guildmage by Svetlin Velinov
Frantic Search by Mitchell Malloy
Imperious Oligarch by Johannes Voss
Whisper, Blood Liturgist by Kieran Yanner
Rakdos, the Showstopper by Viktor Titov
Dovin, Architect of Law by Kieran Yanner
Krav, the Unredeemed by Randy Vargas
Skeleton Archer by Randy Vargas
Pashalik Mons by Even Amundsen
Naru Meha, Master Wizard by Matthew Stewart
Kaya, Orzhov Usurper by Yongjae Choi
Huatli, Warrior Poet by Tyler Jacobson
Teferi, Hero of Dominaria by Yongjae Choi
Pitiless Pontiff by Yongjae Choi
Deputy of Detention by G-host Lee
Sharktocrab by Jehan Choo
