Art Direction for The Black Ballad
A compilation of illustrations I art directed for The Black Ballad, created by Storytellers Forge. I worked with the following amazing artists: Carolyn Arcabascio, Steve Ellis, Graey Erb, Jonathan Fernandes, Paulo Graner, David Granjo, Roch Hercka, Olivia Hintz, Michael Katchan, Jarret Katz, Gareth Keenan, Ximing Luo, Drake Mefestta, Elizabeth Mefestta, Veronica O'Niel, Reyna Rochin, Lin Romanov, and Randolph Williams.
In book credits...
Lead Designers: Rick Heinz, Courteney Penney,
Patrick Edwards
4 Horsemen Publications: Erika Lance, Valerie Willis
Project Developers: Bill Fawcett, Jef Mueller, Rick Heinz
Art Director: James Mosingo
Editing Director: Courteney Penney
Producer: James Dobbs
Story Writing: Patrick Edwards, Rick Heinz
Developmental Editing: Courteney Penney, Ray Jenkins,
Jef Mueller, Oliver Kipp
Contributing Writers: Andrew E.C. Gaska, Bill Fawcett,
Crystal Wood, Crystal Mazur, E.L. Tomas, Grady Wang, Jaron
Johnson, Jef Mueller, John Maxwell, Michael Angelo Yacone,
Michael Oldziej, Ray Jenkins, Teo Tourson, Valkyria Rose
Copy Editing: 2CGaming LLC, Jenifer Paquette
Artists: Andrea Beddow, Ash Blankenfeld, Carolyn Arcabascio,
David Granjo, Drake Mefestta, Elizabeth Mefestta, Gareth
Keenan, Graey Erb, Jarret Katz, Jonathan Fernandes, Kellie
K O’Sullivan, Lin Romanov, Michael Katchan, Niki Tantillo,
Olivia Hintz, Paulo Graner, Randolph Williams, Reyna Rochin,
Roch Hercka, Steve Ellis, Veronica O’Neill, Ximing Luo
Layout Artist: Niki Tantillo
Music: DiAmorte, Michael J. Romeo, Mike Pitman
Voice Actors: Carlos Ferro, James Dorton, Lara Mordian,
Robert Engler, Sarah Langes
Community Managers: Alias Prime, John Maxwell
Social Media Team: Adam Ray, Alice Liddell, Alias Prime,
Benjamin Martin Mooney, Kate DeMatteis, John Maxwell,
Oliver Kipp, Rick Heinz, Rob Southgate
Black Ballad Stream Storytellers: Patrick Edwards,
Kate DeMatteis, Benjamin Martin Mooney, John Maxwell,
Rick Heinz
Playtest Lead: Alias Prime
Playtesters: Bruce Ford, Alexandra Phillips, Brianna Peters,
David Buick, Trevor Guest
Competition Winners: Samantha Hughes, Kip Austill
Book Cover by Graey Erb
The Sunless Crossing by Elizabeth Mefestta
The Onyx Requiem by Jonathan Fernandes
Atonement Grove by Carolyn Arcabascio
The Godless Monarchy - Ashlynn by Lin Romanov
Valen the Jade by Olivia Hintz
Majin The Betrayer by Steve Ellis
The Goddess of Resurrection by Lin Romanov
Species Art - Gargoyle by Veronica O'Niel. With every species art, we aimed to show a feminine character, and masculine character, and an asexual character - all of them doing something versus standing in a row.
Species Art - Unhallowed by Olivia Hintz. With every species art, we aimed to show a feminine character, and masculine character, and an asexual character - all of them doing something versus standing in a row.
Species Art - Soul Stitched by Gareth Keenan. With every species art, we aimed to show a feminine character, and masculine character, and an asexual character - all of them doing something versus standing in a row.
Chapter 1 - For the Glory Of by Michael Katchan
Chapter 2 - On Blackened Soil by Paulo Graner
Chapter 3 - Crown Cursed by Lin Romanov
Chapter 4 - Death of Oaths by Veronica O'Neill
Chapter 5 - Unmorned Martyr by Paulo Graner
Chapter 6 - Forsake Me Not by Carolyn Arcabascio
Chapter 7 - Hope and Thorns by Reyna Rochin
Chapter 8 - Dusk and Roses by Carolyn Arcabscio
Chapter 9 - DiAmorte - The Goddess of Resurrection by Veronica O'Neill
Chapter 10 - Beyond the Midnight Sky by Lin Romanov
Nox Valor by Randolph Williams
Death Among The Dead by Jonathan Fernandes
New Domains by Randolph Williams
The Junction by Randolph Williams
God Backer - Xavier Hood by Olivia Hintz
God Backer - Jodyn by Olivia Hintz
God Backer - Invars Levvorm by Olivia Hintz
Ending Image by David Granjo
Item - Nyxian Blade axe by Jonathan Fernandes
Item - Nyxian Blade sword by Jonathan Fernandes
Item - Nyxian Guard Armor by Jonathan Fernandes
Kel'Zier Sombermorn by Jarret Katz
Jhanos Alduin by Jarret Katz
Item - Vessel of Anamesis by Jarret Katz
Item - 100 Gold Piece Diamond by Jarret Kats
Item - Saving Grace by Jarret Katz
Item - Locket of Kinship by Jarret Katz
Item - Ring of Dawn by Jarret Katz
Taylor - Ximing Luo. Ximing is an art student who won a contest to be in our book.
Logos - Accursed Sigil, The Godless Monarchy House, and Legionnaires Crest by Drake Mefestta and James Mosingo
The original artist was unable to provide the fidelity we were looking for. The image on the right is my paint over and final we went with. Sometime an art director needs to jump in and take an image home.