Nothing Beats a Box Set

Lesser Gnome entered the OSR RPG market with a product originally conceived as a module and quickly grew to the scale of a double ENnie nominated Old School Box Set. The Whisper & Venom box set blasted through all hopes, dreams and goals. It was a project only made possible by backers and OSR supporters.
Death & Taxes is starting out intended to be a box set not a module adventure. That goal and dream can only be exceeded by backers who support the feel of good solid metal minis, professional writing, and of course… Lloyd Metcalf Art.
>>>>>Read the full article HERE...>>>>>

Midnight Oliviah Oil Painting

Midnight Oliviah Oil Painting



16" x 20" Oils on Canvas The only oil painting of the MM-03 Adventure Module "Midnight Oliviah" to be made.


The original painting has more rich
color and subtlety than can be shown here. Oliviah is the Tavern Owner
who needs some security help to pull off her midnight auction. You will
see the adventure at Gary Con and North Texas RPG Con this year. Not to
mention all the Kickstarter backers and online purchases of the mods.


Sold unframed and ready for your gaming room. She will need a week to completely dry the finish prior to shipping.



Click here to buy now.

Luck of the Fey Gold Coin

Luck of the Fey

This magical coin effects venture slightly into the Meta-gaming realm.
The small coin is made of pure gold and usually has the likeness of a Half-Elven king on the face. No one who has ever held or used the coin can seem to recall if they recognize the king, or even too many details about the coin design. The reverse is almost always imprinted with an apple tree of some sort....
Click here to go to article

RPG hoard

I am going to try to be consistent in adding to an online RPG Hoard of items that come across my table and Mini Mods. As the list grows, I hope to hear how some of the items, NPC's and maps get used.

Entry #1...
The Ugly Stickhttp://www.lmetcalf.com/rpghoard/ugly-stick/

The Dungeons and Dragons Art Life

How I became an RPG Artist

(The extremely short version)

It was January 2013 when I got the Facebook message. Or at least, that's when I think it was.
Luke Gygax, son of Gary Gygax creator of Dungeons and Dragons, sent me a message asking if I could contribute any images to his first adventure module he was trying to get done for GaryCon V (iirc).
There was something about a bear pooping in the woods. I was pretty fresh to digital art and had how-to videos rolling most of the time I was working from home.
The artwork in that module was just terrible. I had never shot anything directly to print before. Much of it was too dark, anatomically terrible, or just not what I would consider print-worthy today. It was enough to get the wheels rolling though. I was working on art 8 hours a day after coming home from my new office job, that also required 8 hours a day (Plus an hour and a half of driving).

I went all in and attended GaryCon. It was at great expense, maxing out a credit card, eating baloney and cheese in the hotel room that I was sharing, all to get there with a portfolio of images.

I was rewarded with Frank Mentzer, one of the early founders of D&D, thumbing the portfolio within the first few minutes. Since that moment Frank has been a vocal supporter of what I do.
It was at that Con I met many of my connections that have kept me going. Zach Glazar from Lesser Gnome had an idea, a basic module plot, and a commissioned piece from Jeff Dee. He was in dire need of an artist. He missed breakfast that morning and got stuck looking at what I had. Many other friends were made, games played, and art shared.

A month or so later Zach needed a small map, then in trickled the needs. I wasn't the best, but I decided from the beginning that what was needed was to be on time. Every time a deadline came, I made sure to beat it.
I started to get a bit better with each piece. I also began to take the idea of my teen age dream of illustrating fantasy RPGs seriously.

Lesser Gnome ended up entering the market after a super kickstarter with a full on old school box set. Many lessons were learned by everyone. I picked up some new tools and we showed up at GaryCon VI with our new products. Almost a year later I went to telecommuting my office job to keep up, then shortly after to no office job to keep up.

The client list has grown, I was a guest at North Texas RPG Con This year, shared a room with my childhood art Hero Jeff Easley, and have made MANY fast friends doing exactly what I love.

I have been extremely grateful all along this journey, but I have made many sacrifices and have worked at improving myself and my art like a tireless animal. My immediate family has been supportive, and every month brings a nervous moment of making sure the rent is paid.

My own Webstore is always growing with products and these seem like the days of unveiling the dreams. Just waiting for the veil to come all the way off to see what is under there!

Every year I am invited back to illustrate for Luke. We go to Lake Geneva and pay homage to Gary and meet with all our friends. Texas is also on my list every year. The friends and support I have found there cannot be beat.

This short article leaves out the working in the cold basement in Maine, our move to Florida, the many struggles and challenges we faced, and new clients I met. I have lost count of how many times my work has been published in less than 2 years. I am not sure there even is a recipe to follow or share about my journey. It seems like a long string of hard work and accidental friendships.

Now in my down time, when I find some, I produce and print my own Role Playing Game Adventures compatible with the old school AD&D model. Oil paintings don't linger around long before they sell and ship out the door. I am truly humbled by all the support, and I wake up eager every day to improve my work in some way.

Game - on.
Lloyd Metcalf
http://LMetcalf.com

Get some Respite while you can!

Got Respite?

Soon there will be no Respite at all!

Roadside Respite is selling out fast. The first 50 copies will be bagged, signed and numbered.
The collectible type of Mod you want. Many folks are scooping up two at a time. One to play, and one to collect!

Direct from the artist Frank Mentzer advises "Buy his work now while you can afford it, I have an eye for artists to watch."

Don't miss the chance to get your bony fingers on one of the first 50 copies off the press!

http://lmetcalf.com/shop/?post_type=product&p=153

Some of you may have seen 'The Bogey of Swindle' My Mini Mod adventure I created with Ian Graham. Well, those were pretty popular.

The trial run was worth a shot, and we have decided to launch 'Mini Mods' A series of 3 short adventures.
We already have 2 of the 3 written. I have used some of the Kickstarter funds from the greeting card project to help get them moving. I have brought on a professional writer to help us out.... and yes, there is a kickstarter to get them made.

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/lmetcalf/rpg-mini-mods-role-playing-games-mini-modules
Help us fund Mini Mod adventures. Short one off adventure quests written for unprepared GMs, or side quests, red herrings, or just to add depth to your campaign world.
If you can't back or support I hope you will help spread the word. We are very excited to be part of the new generation of RPG game creators.

The Bogey of Swindle

Faster than expected, 'The Bogey of Swindle' Sold out. 3 things.
1) I Will re-order a print run 2) There is a Kick starter coming up in July / August to support more Mini-Mods 3) You can still grab a .pdf to play through for a couple of bucks.
http://lmetcalf.com/shop/?products_categories=adventures

Bird of a Feather

New Module From Lesser Gnome!

As many folks know Lesser Gnome is one of my main outlets of illustration. Zach and John have written another addition to the world and I have had the honor of illustrating it from front to back.
Alyssa Faden was again recruited to do the overland map, and it comes with a mini!
The Mini included is the Rhacos, similar to an Axe Beak, but generally much more 'Fabulous'.
for more work check the website http://www.lmetcalf.com

To get your module:

http://lessergnome.com/product/bird-of-a-feather-a-thopas-short-1st-print-pre-order/

Warm ups can be good too

What I do before I start

Sometimes before I sit down to the Cintiq (which is still a new thing to me) or a canvas, I will do some loose doodles to loosen up and warm up.
So the other day was no exception. I came home from a full day of work and sat down with my dinner salad to get into another few hours of illustration. I popped open a small image, roughly 1,000px x 800px and started scribbling around with various brushes in a set I had discovered.
At first black on white, then not liking that, I went with a Chiaroscuro technique of making everything Sienna and burnt umber.
I set the scribble aside and started working, but kept coming back to it. Right before my eyes there were things appearing that demanded splashes of light.
Well into the painting I realized that it was 1K x 800 at 72 dpi. tiny in size. So up blew the image and in went the detail, and here is the result.
Still a little impressionistic in nature, but I like the feel and energy. Wasn't sure what to do with it, but the Gnome will take it for future projects.
This note I leave to myself and others.... even on warm up start as if it will go to print. or "Res up" early in the process. Doing it later increased the work load on the drawing.
Lesson learned, now back to work!!

Some art from Whisper & Venom

The work is coming along nicely, expect great things. Until then, enjoy the pen & ink work.

Whisper and Venom a WINNER!

Whisper and Venom is completely funded, and then some. Over 400%.
Now the REAL work begins and it's all going to get put together into an EPIC box set. It's mostly there, but there is still a lot of art and work to do!! What a run, thanks to all who backed it!

Whisper and Venom

I have illustrated this project extensively, pick it up, share it, check it out... but support it as best you can :)

Lesser Gnome Kicking Off

In 7 little days the Lesser Gnome Kickstarter  project goes live. Supporting this, even at a dollar or two level is supporting my illustration ambitions. (I have A LOT of artwork in there) and The head gnome has been forking over cash to keep me working and get stuff done! Pay him back!
You can go to the Facebook page, like it, enter the Gno Contest at:
https://www.facebook.com/LesserGnome/app_143103275748075
to win FREE minis, gaming geek stuff before the launch even happens!

Success in producing this box set means more in the future. So support the page, like the stuff, and dust off your wallet, even just a little at launch time!

Zombies!

 

No good classic feeling RPG would be complete without at least a few zombies. Often over-looked as are kobolds and goblins, zombies may not be getting a fair shake in your campaign.

Take a look at all the zombies on TV and in the movies. They are an infection, an inescapable plague that can ruin entire civilizations, but in RPG's they are often a simple level one or two monsterthat gets hacked and everyone moves on, unphased.
Re-think the next zombie a little more, give them a bite that makes more zombies.... seen here, what if the water gets infected?
Keep players on their toes by using the basic creatures to their full potential.

A return to Old School

 

At the  Request of Lesser Gnome (more on this story later)  and a few others,  I went back to paper, pencils, and pens. People like that old school D&D feel, and why not?
It has been fun and I have really enjoyed the trip. I think I will keep turning these over for a while now.
I will post more later, and more Lesser Gnome news as it comes up!

After these last posts, I will be waiting for the purchaser to post or publish the images first.

Gnomish delights

I have been doing a few maps and illustrations, and This gnome kept reappearing.

The start of the landscapes

Rulers Aerie

Starting to consider landscape possibilities. Not much commentary, but stay tuned as I get this stuff together.

Gary Con V "A Life Well Played"

The Last Day

Saturday was very busy. I started early and ended late. I played "Tower of Gygax" with a few young fellas at the table. They may have been somewhere between 10 and 12, but their over excitement at the table was good to see. I didn't care that the Druid tried to pick some pockets or the bumbling around. We were all smiling, and their enthusiasm is something I hope will last as long as mine has.
I had a Chance to steal Diesel "DSL", Dave LaForce for an hour or so and talk about digital art, the Wacom, Photoshop and how I work. soo... no pressure.

Sunday

I grabbed a game of Gigantic with Chris Clark. An outrageously fun game that I NEED to get a copy of, where you play classic character types on a sinking legendary cruise ship.
We got to talk a little "business" afterward about Eldritch enterprises and how they work with artists. Next week I will have the contract signed, and you can say hello to the newest member of the art team of Eldritch. I am not sure if everyone is aware of who is involved with Eldritch, but it is a core group of Dungeons and Dragons old guard members. There isn't a ton of money involved, but I can do whatever I like with the images I give them and this has nothing to do with money for me. They have found a contract that is smart and gives everyone maximum creativity.
What does that all mean?
That means, cross a life long dream off my list.

The over -all

I met a bunch of the Gygax family, a bunch of the originators of RPG's, a bunch of artists, game designers, players, young and old. I didn't come across a single person I didn't like. I TRULY wish I had come with a few hundred bucks to blow. When I realized Elise Cousino (Gygax) (Every D&D old school player's dream girl ;)) was auctioning off her chainmail top that really is a piece of D&D history, I realized a fella should come to the auction with a full bank account. There were some other UBER collectible pieces in the auction that all the family and friends had donated to help Ernie recover from a fire. I hope they made a mint for him.
No one charges for signatures, and everyone came in honor of Gary Gygax Sr. "A Life Well Played"
I would especially like to thank Luke Gygax for letting me illustrate the module for the convention he wrote with Jim Ward and REALLY opening the door for me to get my feet wet and get everyone's attention right off the bat. I look forward to many more projects with him and TSR whenever they pop up for me.
I would also like to thank everyone who looked at my portfolio, talked with me, and gave their thoughts. Lastly, everyone who rolled dice with me and sat at the gaming tables.
This was truly a trip to remember and one I will never forget. It may have strained the purse strings this year, but was worth every cent, every moment.

Gary Con V day II

Another Exciting Day

I started out Day two thinking I had a 10 AM game with Frank Mentzer. It was changed at some point, after I noticed my ticket it said 2:00PM. I had Wings at the bar for lunch and saw that the time on my computer was about 2:00pm.
I packed up and headed to the table. Frank was there, and I said, " I'm the first one?"
My computer was still on Eastern time and I was an hour early.
A lucky hour it was. Frank took the time to tell me, "You have been all over the place at this con, talking to all the artists, showing everyone your work, networking with all the right people and being seen everywhere. You are doing everything exactly as you should be if you want to get noticed in this business."
Forgive me Frank, I may be paraphrasing your words to me in that quote. He followed it up by offering encouraging words to keep it up and telling me,"I think you have what it takes!"
I guess that last part will be the part I remember the most.
So the rest of the group showed up eventually and we went into gaming. Frank's module was one that mimicked almost exactly the Salem witch trials, complete with New England style "directions" to get to someones house. It was a heavy in roleplay game. We were attacked early on by some wild barbaric dwarves and after capturing a few, my LN priest had some struggles with just killing them off, and made extra efforts to treat with them.

Frank had the above card created by troll lords from Lake Geneva Gaming Con IV from 2008 (Gary's last one). He awarded it to me for my clerical role play!!
He was kind enough to sign it, and my old beat-up over used book of Marvelous Magic. I had him personalize it to me. While this makes it not so valuable to a collector, it makes it invaluable to me!

More Good stuff!

Earlier in the day I met Diesel and Jeff Easley again in the vendor area. I started looking through original art that Diesel had on display, as I flipped through I recognized such artwork as that in the Monster Manual, the Bugbear, swanmay, and a bunch of other pieces. It was really nice to be able to touch the art that went into the work.
I was looking through Jeff Easley's artwork, and was telling him what an admirer I have always been. I told him my budget was very tight this year, but I wanted some of his pen and ink work, but I would have to wait for next year. I asked him what sort of price range he needed for some of the work, and he thought he could let go of some for $20!! I couldn't believe my ears, ran to the ATM and told him I had $40, and wanted him to choose what he would let me have for that. He flipped through and was unsure about the $40 mark, but he said anything here or here, pointing to some of his work... I said,"What about that beholder, I really like it."
"Oh, that's a comp I did for a possible poster layout, I would take $20 for that, so he was very kind and I left with two original Easley works that I REALLY like!!

A Chris Clark moment

 Earlier in the Con I had met Chris Clark, and got to show him my portfolio. If you don't recognize these names, don't feel too bad, but google around a little and you will find these "Old Guard" names related to Dungeons and Dragons.
Well, I apparently got more of his attention when I got to sit at his gaming table and was drawing a picture of my half orc cleric, "I need your card!" he said and I knew we would be talking soon enough about artwork going into the Eldritch Modules.
I left him a picture I doodled of his carnivorous chipmunk so he wouldn't forget.

Ode to Gary

In the downstairs gaming room, I came across an empty seat. "Reserved for the Original DM Gary Gygax" I felt a little downcast for a moment that I would never get to cross "Have Gary Gygax be my DM" off my bucket list. His old friends have filled his shoes well though, and I have been honored to put my feet under their dice laden tables this week.

Whew!!! and this is only day 2! the busy day will be tomorrow!!

I have no idea how I will pay my mortgage this month, but this trip has been worth while every step of the way!