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.

RPG and Fantasy greeting cards from original art

Fantasy and RPG Greeting Cards

By Lesser Gnome’s Art Goblin
Lloyd Metcalf

This Kickstarter which has nearly hit its base funding level right out of the gate has plenty of room to grow.

The goal of the project is to create, and make available two greeting card designs from original works of art by illustrator Lloyd Metcalf. Once funded the cards will be available at conventions wherever he goes, and hopefully will be available online.

Lloyd is working with the experienced Kickstarters of Lesser Gnome to plan logistics and resources to deliver on time.

 Work has already begun on an original 18x24 oil painting on canvas entitled, “The Druid Casts Entangle” specifically for this project. At $1200 funding level both card designs will be created from oil paintings. Stretch goals include a number of FREE 5x7 prints of digital work from the past. Don’t miss your opportunity to get in now while original art is still affordable and on its way to becoming rapidly collectible.  There are a number of game designers and publishers working with this artist now and over the past year printing his work everywhere.
Clients include: Lesser Gnome, Frog God Games, Luke Gygax and Jim Ward, Center Stage Miniatures, North Texas RPG con, and a number of private collectors.
Through this Kickstarter you can acquire an original oil painting, pen and ink art, and even commission a piece for yourself where the artist works directly with you to illustrate your personal RPG character or scene.

Get in NOW!! Kickstarter ends on March 5^th, 2014
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/lmetcalf/fantasy-rpg-greeting-cards

A bit of Dwarven ...cheer?

 

A Good Dwarven Mug from the under-town of Cleft.

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.

An Adventure!!

It's Adventure time at Lloyd Metcalf Inc.

The Gaming group known locally as "The Failsquad" has decided it's time to produce some adventure modules. These adventures will be based in the open source D20 system of Pathfinder and taken to GaryCon 2013 this year.
As things move along and printing becomes finalized these wonderous products (Illustrated by yours truly) will be available online at Http://www.failsquad.com .

See ladies, I told you all I would make those fantasies come true! *snicker*

At anyrate, FS-001 will be the module we use to break into the market and it features, of all things, Kobolds. In this module we present the Kobold with the way they were intended to help GMs and Players alike begin to fear and learn to hate the word "Kobold".

That's right, sneaky trap-setters that create ruthless traps, prehensile tails (that so many GM's forget). Kobolds who don't charge right in on an armored party bristling with swords, Kobolds who wait for the worst possible moment to stab and run.

A new surprise awaits purchasers of the module, as implied by the cover, there will be some mounted warriors and a new class for players who are so inspired.

I am very excited and happy to be a part of this project, after all, it really is my lifes dream to get paid to paint and draw "Dungeons and Dragons" stuff.
There will be a lot of this sort of illustration coming up, so stay tuned!

Vampiric illustration

When a friend included me in a Facebook message regarding his work on some writing regarding a vampire in the 40's I thought, "Sure, you need some illustration, why not? I only have 4 other jobs to do right now..Maybe I will do this someday when I have time."
Then I couldn't get the descriptions out of my brain.
Daily I try to paint or draw SOMETHING... ANYTHING... just to keep the wheels turning and the steam flowing. without even looking at the last project I had going I started the illustration.
I really was enjoying keeping things painterly through various methods. I ended up with the above image.
Perhaps there is a little room for "tightening", but over-all I felt good about the result for the evening.

New painting style test.

Recently, I have begun to take a drawing, multply on the mid range color, dodge out highlights (multiple layers), multiply in the darks.

Then of course, dump the whole thing and use it as an underpainting.

Medusa,
Giving you the "eye"
Commentary?

I was actually pretty pleased with the result.

From Pixels to Paint

Digital painting and illustration is a "thing" almost all unto itself. It is no less involved and requires no less artistic ability than traditional art.
I have been very fascinated in ways digital artists are bringing digital art to the gallery wall.
This is one of the pieces I lacquered onto a board, and have been experimenting with new techniques as often as I can.
The future of digital art looks bright.

Larry Elmore original work

Normally I would refuse to do this sort of thing, but those who know me, know I am a fan of fantasy RPG games. Even more, I am a fan of the art and artists that inspire so many people and make a great game epic.
One of my artistic inspirations from day one has been Larry Elmore, who started with TSR on the basic game system.
Here is everyone's opportunity to have and hold not only a full color copy of some of his best works, but signed original works by the master himself.
Elmore has a style that is very particular to detail, planning and careful thought. His work reflect the hours, days, and years of experience he has gained.
A worth-while investment to be sure, I have pledged my funds to this project, take a look for yourself!