Your Favorite Artists' Favorite Art of 2024
Wake Up Little Ones. There's a New Day Ahead
What a year it's been. There have been ample heaps of both good and bad when it comes to Magic: The Gathering, from controversial bannings to divisive product releases, community drama to massive in-person events. But one thing is certain in 2024, as it is for every year since 1993: you can't beat the art of Magic.
This game is the world's greatest collection of fantasy art. This year, Magic added to that collection at a rate hardly seen in its three-decade lifespan. If I asked you to guess how many cards were released in 2024 with new art, what number would you come up with? A thousand? Two thousand?
According to Scryfall, the number's actually 3,147, spanning from Abandoned Campground to Zul Ashur, Lich Lord. Of that total, 979 were reprints, meaning nearly 1,000 existing cards got a fresh coat of paint in 2024.
The sum of new art isn't the highest it's ever been for a singular year; no, that honor goes to 2022, with its 3,606 cards with never-before-seen art. But this year's total ranks second-most all-time.
We as players have been gobbling up all this new art like greedy little piglets, and, frankly, most of us likely take for granted just how monumental a game like Magic is for the world of fantasy art. It's not the be-all, end-all - far from it - but for millions, it's their introduction to the world of fantasy realism, and it just might kickstart a lifetime of genre appreciation. At least it has for me. And say what you will about Secret Lairs, but like Mark Tedin's Mind Bomb was the boot that kicked me down the infinite staircase of Magic art fandom, modern-day Secret Lairs expose a playerbase to artists and styles they might never have come across independently. They justify their existence based on that fact alone.
But what do actual artists think about the aesthetics of the game they're contributing to? Every year, we at Commander's Herald seek to catch a glimpse of the answer to that question. We kicked off this yearly round-up in 2022, then ran it back in 2023. Now in its third year, we've got more artists than ever sharing their answers to three questions:
What's your favorite art that debuted in 2024? What's a fun fact or less-known detail about that art? And the third question, which I am repeatedly told by artists is an extremely difficult one to answer, is what's your favorite art created by a peer for Magic in 2024?
So read on!
Liiga Smilshkalne
Hailing from Latvia, Liiga Smilshkalne has been illustrating for Magic proper since 2021 beginning with Strixhaven, and is also credited with a Heroes of the Realm card called Myntasha, Honored One released in 2019. Smilshkalne adding 17 illustrations to Magic in 2024, to bring her total work for the game to 48.
More information about Smilshkalne's work can be found on Instagram and Bluesky.
Of your art that debuted in 2024, which was your favorite?
This one's actually easy: I Am Duskmourn. It's eerie, it's shiny, and it's surreal; couldn't be more my thing if it tried. Big thanks to my art director Ovidio Cartagena for this assignment!
What's a fun fact or less-known detail about the art from the above question?
Fun fact: the golden threads are shaped loosely like a moth, which is also why there's a circle motif there.
Bonus fun fact: the moth-circle-moth loop came from looking up silkworm moth cocoons: when seen from the right angle (like here), they fit right in with moth wing pattern aesthetics.
Double bonus fun fact: the shapes on the planet in the middle of all this form the pattern of a screaming face and a part of a hand pressed against a round glass orb from the inside. It's intentionally distorted so as not to be too on the nose, but the mouth is in the middle and the eye is an intentionally brighter spot to the right.
What's your favorite MTG art from 2024 created by a peer, and why?
All of them, because they're brilliant! But if I have to pick one, it's going to be Wishing Well by Steven Belledin.
I'm absolutely in love with the water in this painting. The whole scene has that warm whimsical fairytale feel to it, too, but the water just stands out so much with the way it runs across the very interesting shape and then becomes even more magical in the middle! It's one of those illustrations I've gone back to look at time and time again just to admire the water.
Serena Malyon
Serena Malyon is a Canadian artist and illustrator who is credited with 26 Magic cards since her debut with Streets of New Capenna. She added 12 cards (and one token) to that list in 2024.
You can check out more of Malyon's work on her website as well as on social media, like Instagram, Twitter and Bluesky.
Of your art that debuted in 2024, which was your favorite?
My favourite art of 2024 was Salvation Swan.
What's a fun fact or less-known detail about the art from the above question?
When I was in art school, my style was modeled after Golden Age of Illustration giants, like Edmund Dulac and Arthur Rackham. The rich, sweeping linework and subtle colour is still something that emotionally resonates with me, despite having a very different style nowadays, and I took great joy in getting to dabble in that style once more. My art director didn't know it at the time, but it's a style that's a guilty pleasure of mine.
What's your favorite MTG art from 2024 created by a peer, and why?
Swords to Plowshares by Liiga Smilshkalne.
Not only is it one of the cutest cards, it's also an incredibly emotional piece. It just struck something in me.
Evyn Fong
With 42 cards and tokens under her belt, Evyn Fong's been creating art for Magic since 2020. She can be found on Twitter and Instagram, and a gallery of her work can be seen at ArtStation.
Of your art that debuted in 2024, which was your favorite?
My flip Tamiyo from Modern Horizons! Maybe my favorite painting I've done for Magic.
What's a fun fact or less-known detail about the art from the above question?
I wanted to make a planeswalker that didn't just "stand there and look cool." They asked me to do a version of teenage Tamiyo before she found her powers, and one of her finding her spark and ascending, so I thought it was the perfect opportunity. In the creature side, I wanted to give her a cozy comfy studying vibe, and the planeswalker side was inspired by magical girl transformations.
What's your favorite MTG art from 2024 created by a peer, and why?
Jason Rainville's Storm the Seedcore (is still favorite). The old masters are quaking. I want a giant print across my wall to study!
Josu Solano
Josu Solano is a Spanish artist who debuted in 2022 with contributions to Warhammer 40,000 Commander. Since then, Solano has painted a total of 22 cards for both paper Magic and Arena. You can find more of Solano's work online and via ArtStation, as well as connect on Instagram and Twitter.
Of your art that debuted in 2024, which was your favorite?
Sanctuary Wall. The easy answer would be Chthonian Nightmare since it might be my most "iconic," as it does an homage to Recurring Nightmare from the great Jeff Laubenstein, but I will go with Sanctuary Wall. It was about finding the joy of painting simply a door protecting a garden, but not the garden itself which would sound more exciting on paper.
What's a fun fact or less-known detail about the art from the above question?
Fun fact about this one is that its design is riffing off various door designs around Barcelona, where I live, which I might have passed by plenty of times, but it isn't until you get a commission about a door that you pay true attention to these types of details. It has Selesnya-specific details on top to fit into the Ravnica setting and hopefully the background details are enough to suggest the door guards something precious.
What's your favorite MTG art from 2024 created by a peer, and why?
Very hard to choose one as there is plenty of good work done every year, but I will go with the full art Grief by Campbell White. He did an amazing work with all the Elementals, but this one in particular is such a good representation of its concept. A physical form of tearing oneself apart. That, plus the beautiful palette and the simplicity of the centered composition, makes it wonderful.
Nino Vecia
Credited with 36 cards so far, Nino Vecia started with Magic in 2022 with several stained-glass treatments for characters from Dominaria United. In addition to Magic work, Vecia is also the creator of the PROPHECY Illustrated Playing Cards deck, which can be backed at Kickstarter here.
More information about Nino Vecia can be found online and via social media like Instagram and Twitter.
Of your art that debuted in 2024, which was your favorite?
Disturbing Mirth would have to be my favorite card that debuted in 2024.
What's a fun fact or less-known detail about the art from the above question?
As someone who was terrified of Pennywise in the 90s, quite a few of his images ended up on my reference board... they still haunt my dreams.
What's your favorite MTG art from 2024 created by a peer, and why?
Plenty of incredible art this year, but I love Rakdos, Patron of Chaos by Joshua Raphael. The composition and lighting are incredible.
Billy Christian
The Indonesia-based Christian has been contributing to Magic since 2020 and in that time has created art for 80 cards. For more information on Christian, head over to Twitter and ArtStation.
Of your art that debuted in 2024, which was your favorite?
My favorite one this year goes to Massacre Girl, Known Killer from Murders at Karlov Manor. I love her vibe and the fact that she's unhinged. This type of character is popular nowadays, and I'm so glad for the chance to paint her. In this image, I applied color moods I rarely used to match her attitude. Personally, it's a success for me. Love the effects of the card, too.
What's a fun fact or less-known detail about the art from the above question?
I was tasked with updating her face paint design for this set. You can see that it went through several changes during the process before ultimately going with the current one. The original is more like an abstract skull face. So this time, I went with a more graphic and literal grin to enhance her lunacy.
What's your favorite MTG art from 2024 created by a peer, and why?
This year also, my favorite goes to my wife's work, and that is Kaalia of the Vast by Livia Prima. It was amazing seeing her making this from start to finish. This is also her first fully painted traditional artwork. A not-so-fun fact, I bought her oil paints, so I contributed a little in this one!
Bruce Brenneise
Hailing from the Pacific Northwest, Bruce Brenneise is known for his work in Magic as well as Slay the Spire. Brenneise and his trademark hat can also be found Bluesky and on Instagram, and prints, playmats and original works can be found on his website.
To date, Brenneise has contributed 27 cards to Magic, between the tabletop game and Arena.
Of your art that debuted in 2024, which was your favorite?
I have to go with Bloodstained Mire. Getting to do a Phyrexian take on the card was a lot of fun because their factional style tends to have a lot of Wayne Barlowe and Beksinski in it.
What's a fun fact or less-known detail about the art from the above question?
If you look closely on the right-hand column, there's a chevron shape in it. That seemed like appropriate shape language for what's essentially an oil pump. One of the alternate sketches that wasn't chosen used a much larger version of that shape for the whole structure.
What's your favorite MTG art from 2024 created by a peer, and why?
I loved Rob Rey's basic Islands for Bloomburrow. He has the most buttery handling of paint; it's just so visually delectable! And that set of lands showing the turning of the seasons with the same character and different animal tracks in the mud or snow, but if I had to pick a favorite it would probably be the winter version of the card.
Julia Metzger
Julia Metzger, based in Germany, has provided the art for 34 Magic cards so far, starting in 2022. To learn more about Metzger and her work, head to her website or connect via Bluesky.
Of your art that debuted in 2024, which was your favorite?
That would be "Cathartic Operation." It was my first time painting planeswalkers in some capacity, and I loved how much of a quiet, deeply emotional and personal scene it is.
What's a fun fact or less-known detail about the art from the above question?
I knew the scene would be set in between the events of March of the Machine and Outlaws of Thunder Junction, but it wasn't quite clear alongside the brief how things like the characters' clothing would look like. Thus the sketches might have become a bit more spicy than intended, since I simply left all clothing out to add later once I had more information.
What's your favorite MTG art from 2024 created by a peer, and why?
Jakob Eirich's "Farseek" from Bloomburrow conquered my heart. The characters are adorable, and I can feel the longing for adventure from the little guy, and I want to join right in!
Jarel Threat
Working in Magic since 2021, Jarel Threat has provided the art for 45 cards, including 17 in 2024. Threat can be found on Instagram as well as via his website here.
Of your art that debuted in 2024, which was your favorite?
My favorite card released this year is "Long Goodbye."
What's a fun fact or less-known detail about the art from the above question?
It is one of the only pieces I've done with no photo reference. Everything was purely from my imagination.
What's your favorite MTG art from 2024 created by a peer, and why?
Chris Rahn's Emberheart Challenger from the Bloomburrow set was awesome. I think it's the duality between the cuteness of the mouse and the epicness and cool factor of the scene itself. They play perfectly off of each other.
Helge C. Balzer
Helge C. Balzer lives in Germany, working as a freelance illustrator, concept artist, and art director in the entertainment industry for clients such as Wizards of the Coast, Games Workshop, Black Library, Fantasy Flight Games, Cubicle 7, and Paizo.
To date, Balzer has contributed the art for 48 cards and tokens since 2021. His website can be found here, and he's also active on Instagram and Facebook.
Of your art that debuted in 2024, which was your favorite?
That's a tough choice...but I would go with "Angelic Aberration" which I painted back in early 2023.
What's a fun fact or less-known detail about the art from the above question?
The artwork is a quote from Edvard Munch's Skrik (The Scream) as her scream was a prominent demand of the art briefing. My first draft was much more bizarre and monstrous, but my highly valued art director Dawn Murin was able to stop me - haha.
What's your favorite MTG art from 2024 created by a peer, and why?
All those are great! But I love "Frantic Scapegoat" by Jesper Ejsing the most. For me this piece carries everything that makes a perfect illustration: composition, dynamics, design and storytelling. DANG! What a wonderful piece. Jesper, if you read this: Do you still have the original? =)
Victor Adame Minguez
The artist behind 171 cards in Magic since 2015, Victor Adame Minguez can be found on "most socials" like Instagram at @victoradameart. He also operates a website that can be found here.
Of your art that debuted in 2024, which was your favorite?
Dark Confidant for sure! It's one of my favorite Magic pieces that I've done.
What's a fun fact or less-known detail about the art from the above question?
I've shared this before on social media so I don't think it's a secret anymore, but the art description called for something completely different, basically yet another version of the Dark Confidant concept we've seen before, but thanks to the Art Director's trust I was able to go with my own vision, which is what you can see in the final art.
What's your favorite MTG art from 2024 created by a peer, and why?
This one is very recent, was just posted by the artist himself a few days ago, but it just blew me away! I honestly think this art will be a big selling point for the set. I'm talking about Chris Rallis's Edge of Eternities Key Art.
Carly Mazur
Carly Mazur's unique style can be seen on seven Magic cards so far, starting with Faithless Looting from Strixhaven Mystical Archive.
The Connecticut-based illustrator's work outside of Magic is prolific, and galleries of her work can be found on her website here, as well as on social media like Bluesky and Instagram.
Of your art that debuted in 2024, which was your favorite?
Akroma's Memorial, my one and only for 2024!
What's a fun fact or less-known detail about the art from the above question?
This painting sparked an artistic shift into a way more colorful direction. My style has completely transformed since this painting and I can't wait to see how it develops, especially in any future Magic art!
What's your favorite MTG art from 2024 created by a peer, and why?
There are so many favorites for so many different reasons, but if I had to choose one it would be Scrabbling Skullcrab by John Tedrick. I love how intricate the art is, and the color is absolutely delicious. We all become crab.
Alex Dos Diaz
Alex Dos Diaz debuted in Magic last year and since then has contributed the art for nine cards. Based in Pennsylvania, Dos Diaz provides artwork for dozens of clients in addition to Wizards of the Coast, such as Marvel, Ubisoft and newsmedia like The Atlantic.
For more information on Dos Diaz, head to their website here, or visit social media like Instagram and Bluesky.
Of your art that debuted in 2024, which was your favorite?
I would have to say "Phlage, Titan of Fire's Fury," it was literally a beast.
What's a fun fact or less-known detail about the art from the above question?
The challenge was to create a titan's profile portrait that was readable amongst all of its flames and twisting knots, while looking massive. I really wanted that effect and I think it worked out in the end.
What's your favorite MTG art from 2024 created by a peer, and why?
It's gotta be "Psychic Frog" by Chuck Lukacs. I just think it's super fun, unique, and a crazy looking card. I think Magic has incredible art through and through, but I always love to be surprised by new styles and fun art like this one.
Crystal Sully
Crystal Sully added two more cards to her Magic catalog in 2024, bringing the total to five.
The Colorado-based artist has contributed her "monstrous" style to much more than Magic, with clients ranging from Dungeons & Dragons, Penguin Random House, Hit Point Press and Petersen Games.
Of your art that debuted in 2024, which was your favorite?
The Sunspine Lynx field guide card from Bloomburrow.
What's a fun fact or less-known detail about the art from the above question?
After studying real Eurasian Lynx in Norway on a research expedition in 2019, I used my notes, studies, and photos I took of them for reference for this painting. I also created my own stained, textured paper to paint this piece on in gouache to be a true, tangible field guide page. This was my first traditionally painted piece created for Magic: The Gathering.
What's your favorite MTG art from 2024 created by a peer, and why?
Okay, I think I've decided. This was agonizing for me, lol.
A friend of mine had his debut Magic: The Gathering card come out with Duskmourn this year, and he deserves all the love sent his way for it: Archon of Cruelty, by James Bousema.
Kev Fang
2024 was Kev Fang's first year as a Magic artist, contributing seven cards throughout the year for both the tabletop game as well as Arena. More on Fang's work can be found at his website online here, as well as on Instagram and Cara.
Of your art that debuted in 2024, which was your favorite?
In 2024, some of my first cards debuted, and Flare of Fortitude is my favorite.
Flare of Fortitude was the second card I was ever commissioned. I got such a rush when I read the assignment, especially since the working title was "Force of..." I almost couldn't believe it! I was given a lot of creative freedom with this piece. The only requirement was that the artwork had to depict a white-aligned mage sacrificing themselves to cast "the most epic protection spell." The exact nature of the spell wasn't specified, but it had to feel grand and powerful. I decided that a golden spiral, with the mage being torn apart by it, would convey that epic feeling quite well. There's something visually striking about spirals, and I've even incorporated one in my signature.
What's a fun fact or less-known detail about the art from the above question?
A fun detail about the piece that most people might not notice is how the mana cost is subtly echoed in the mage's belt. There are four rings on her belt, and the buckle is four-sided. It was a bit of a gamble, as I knew the card was going to be four mana at the time of the commission, but that could have changed after playtesting, etc. Want to blow your mind even further? My last name, "Fang," doesn't refer to pointy teeth, but rather to a character which means "four-sided."
In East Asian cultures, the number four is considered unlucky because it sounds similar to the word for "death." So, a 4-mana cost feels especially fitting for this card, at least on an artistic level.
What's your favorite MTG art from 2024 created by a peer, and why?
I deeply admire art and creative processes that differ drastically from my own. As someone who often gravitates toward realism and fantasy art, it's incredibly refreshing when something unique catches my eye and sticks in my memory. This is one of the reasons I love the art direction of Secret Lairs.
When I look at Unfathomable Truths from Modern Horizons 3, it engages both my imagination as a viewer and my technical mind as a painter. As a player, the card's name, flavor text, and artwork raise big questions while offering no clear answers. It's rare for a card at common rarity to evoke something so sublime.
As a painter, I also admire the loose and expressive brushstrokes of Drew Tucker's work. Often, as illustrators, we feel the pressure to follow a predetermined, clean process. From a practical standpoint, a more polished approach can seem more efficient, and it's less likely to shock art directors with a final product that deviates too far from the initial sketch. But sometimes, it can be difficult to let go and make bold decisions on the fly.
If I had to guess, Drew Tucker didn't plan out every single brush stroke. On the other hand, I also admire the work of artists like Yu Maeda, whose paintings are equally sublime but incredibly clean and precise. For me, there's a sweet spot in terms of abstraction and Unfathomable Truths strikes that balance perfectly.
Andrew Mar
The artist behind 120 cards for both the tabletop and Arena versions of Magic, Andrew Mar has also contributed to Games Workshop, Bathesda and Capcom. More information can be found on Mar's website.
Of your art that debuted in 2024, which was your favorite?
Blasphemous Edict.
I'm usually asked for very literal magic spells or creatures and warriors, but this assignment was a very abstract concept in comparison to the norm. It was a fun challenge to try to bring to life and convey what my Art Director wanted.
What's a fun fact or less-known detail about the art from the above question?
When I was drafting this, the candles are supposed to echo the teeth of the open-mouthed skull in the background, and the candelabra structure overall evokes the look of having dental braces. I always thought that braces had such a constricting and caged look that felt fitting for the creepy feeling of the prompt. Little screaming souls are all steaming and screaming off of the 'teeth'. All of these ideas come from my teeth-related nightmares, hope it all comes through!
What's your favorite MTG art from 2024 created by a peer, and why?
Expedited Inheritance by Micah Epstein.
Wow, there is so much storytelling in this piece and it conveys perfectly in the small standard Magic frame. The young upstart staring contemplatively at the dead patriarch, his fingers interlaced. It's such a relaxed pose that it can't be interpreted as anything but calm, while the table cloth is all askew and bloodied from a presumed struggle and poisoning. An empty chair sits in the foreground; did the young upstart move in closer for a better look, a closer view? There's a rich red cityscape in the background, his potential empire of a prize. It paints such a clear picture of what happened before this moment. I love it.
Sam Wolfe Connelly
2024 brings Sam Wolfe Connelly's work with Magic up to 21 cards, with eight arriving via Duskmourn. For a more detailed look at Connelly's art and method, he was interviewed earlier this year and that chat can be found here.
For more information about Connelly, visit his website here, or connect via social media like Instagram and Bluesky.
Of your art that debuted in 2024, which was your favorite?
I'd have to say 'Fear of the Dark' was my favorite card to work on. I always enjoy the opportunity to work in monochrome with traditional media and being able to create a gloomy atmosphere with intense darks and lighting. Also being able to really lean into the horror aspect of Duskmourn was such a blast. Horror will always be my guilty pleasure and interweaving it into the world of Magic made it even more fun.
What's a fun fact or less-known detail about the art from the above question?
I think another reason this card meant a lot to me was the amount of creative freedom I was allowed to have with it. With most cards, much of the concept and design of the creatures are already established and its the job of the artist to take those tools and use them to create a tight, punchy package wrapped up into one final image. In this case, although I did have guides on what types of themes to include, it was up to me to create the monster itself and have it be a true physical manifestation of a conceptual fear. I think it made the work much more personal to myself, which is always a strong connection for an artist when working for a project with such a grand amount of worldbuilding already behind it. Being able to contribute my own concepts to how this world exists within itself felt meaningful and it was incredibly fun to experiment like a mad scientist.
What's your favorite MTG art from 2024 created by a peer, and why?
I really loved a LOT of the art from Bloomburrow. One of my favorites was 'Season of Weaving' by Wylie Beckert. I love her soft traditional approach to the art and the Romanesque frieze-like layout of the image. It tells a story all in one image of a band of three adventurers that almost screams that it should be made into a D&D campaign. I want to know where this band of three is headed, how they interact with each other, and what their backstories are. It's great.
Cacho Rubione
Cacho Rubione's contribution to Magic began this year, with art in Duskmourn as well as in a Secret Lair related to the horror-themed plane.
The Argentinian Rubione is currently based in Spain and maintains a gallery online, and can be found on Instagram, Bluesky and Twitter.
Of your art that debuted in 2024, which was your favorite?
Phyrexian Metamorph.
What's a fun fact or less-known detail about the art from the above question?
This one was super special for me since it was my first reprint. After getting to know it was Phyrexian Metamorph I started putting together an Emry, Lurker of the Loch deck while sketching the piece.
For the design of the character I tried and mixed different parts from all sorts of Phyrexian creatures from Magic history. And the possible reference to John Carpenter's The Thing that many people asked about was merely a happy accident that ended up fitting perfectly in the set.
What's your favorite MTG art from 2024 created by a peer, and why?
Soooo many to say, but I have a super soft spot for all of Thomas M. Baxa's work. And I fell instantly in love with his work with Chthonian Nightmare for Modern Horizons 3.
That would be my personal choice, but also consider Antonio José Manzanedo's Valgavoth to be the artwork of the year. Beautiful and powerful piece that tells a whole story and feels like the backbone of the set.
Double the Slobber, Double the Love
Commander's Herald wants to extend its heartfelt appreciation for all the artists who contributed to this year's "Fav Art" round-up. It's a pleasure every year to compile this article for artists and art fans alike, and I for one am always surprised by the answers I receive.
There's no telling what kind of art we're going to get from 2025; well, at least from our perspective. The artists already know what they've worked on or will shortly be working on for the year to come, but try as I might, I can't trick them into telling me what that might be. Regardless, I'll be spending much of the coming year trying anyway.
Besides, at the time of this writing, we already know 30 of them.
Here's to a happy, healthy and art-filled 2025. See you then!
