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ROGUE PLAY SPECIAL EDITION   Interview With

by Nafiz Erman

 

Hello everybody and welcome to Rogue Play Special Edition. I start this week's article by reminding you this famous question that you, as a Magic player, had to answer a hundred times:

Why do you play Magic?

I don't know how many times people asked me that. I have my own answers but I do know that everybody would answer this question differently. There must be dozens of different answers to that question. But how about this question:

Why did you start playing Magic?

It's not how; it's why. And I don't think that there are that many different answers to that question. Apart from a few exceptional answers, I believe that most of us started playing Magic just because of the cards themselves.

Consider for a second that you don't know anything about Magic. What would be your reaction when you see this card above for the first time in your life? There's a gorgeous angel in the art waiting to be played by you! I clearly remember my reaction when I first saw some Magic cards. It was back during Mirage days, and I was simply amazed by the art on cards like Hakim, Loreweaver, Torrent of Lava, the basic lands, Unerring Sling, Teferi's Isle, Uktabi Faerie, Volcanic Geyser, Worldly Tutor and some dark art such as Drain Life, Dark Ritual and Zombie Mob. I just had to learn to play those nice cards and so my Magical story began.

I'm sure most of us started playing Magic because of the same reason. Art is one of the most important parts of a card. Of course in time things change and we start looking at a card first by the gametext, then the mana cost and only then we look at the art.

This is how we are at the beginning.	This is what we turn into in time.

 

But nonetheless I believe that Magic cards wouldn't be the same without the incredible art on them. An example: I already own a play set of Deathmark from 10th Edition but have you seen the new version of it in M10 with a new splendid art? Just because of it, I bought myself another playset of Deathmark. Just because of that new magnificent art.

And that is the reason why I always follow important artist's websites. I'm an art lover. I admire art. And I admire people who can paint. Painting is not something you can learn. Painting requires talent and that talent is a gift. I admire those gifted people and their incredible creations.

And just like many of you, I also have my favorite Magic artists. That list is actually a long one and since the release of Coldsnap, that list became one name longer. Of course I'm talking about the talented artist Mr. Volkan Baga.

 

I had the idea of making an interview with one of my favorite Magic artists for a long time but you know... they are those famous people with tons of important things to do and I wasn't so sure whether or not they would be willing to answer my questions. But then one day I was reading an event coverage somewhere and the writer of that article was mentioning Volkan Baga and telling how nice as a person he was. And that was all the encouragement I needed.

As I said above, Volkan Baga is one of my favorite artists since Coldsnap and my admiration to his work has been tripled after Shards of Alara and especially after seeing this card:

 

Simply breathtaking.

So I decided to contact him. But actually his art wasn't the only reason why I wanted to contact him. In this world of Magic, there are only a few people with whom I can talk in my native language and that was another very important reason why I especially wanted to contact him. And just like the writer of that event coverage wrote, he was a very kind person and answered all my questions with honesty.

But before I start with the interview, I would like to give you the full list of cards which has Volkan Baga's signature on them.

Coldsnap	Planar Chaos	10th Ed.	Shards of Alara	Conflux	Alara Reborn	M10	Promotions
Feast of Flesh	Sunlance	Angel of Mercy	Ranger of Eos	Frontline Sage	Dauntless Escort	Palace Guard	Mox Jet
Stromgald Crusader	Timecrafting	Doomed Necromancer	Elspeth, Knight-Errant		Gloryscale Viashino		Mox Ruby
		Holy Day	Seaside Citadel				Mox Pearl
		Sunken Hope	Stoic Angel				Tendrils of Agony

And now it's time for the interview.

Ranger of Eos by Volkan Baga

 

Nafiz Erman: First of all thank you for accepting my request for an interview. Let us start with your biographical background. Who is Volkan Baga?

Volkan Baga: A magician? No... not really, but to be honest as a child I used to go to our local comic store to flip through different kinds of books. I loved to look at good illustrations on book covers or comics. The magic I felt was something I couldn't describe at that time. But now I do. Good artwork has the power to reach every human sense. It makes you feel fear or joy, it makes you hear a calm flowing river or a burst of a thunderstorm, it makes you even feel the wet taste of a fog. That magical experience took me under its spell and kept my aim being able to one day fascinate other viewers by my paintings the same magical way.

I was born in Würzburg, Germany. Actually a small Bavarian town, where I studied Communications - Design for four years with focus on illustration. I graduated in 2002 and decided to be a freelance artist which has been working pretty well so far. I live and work in a calm neighborhood where birds still sing and cats hang around in the garden.

"Good artwork has the power to reach every human sense." -Volkan Baga

Nafiz Erman: Why fantasy? How and why did you decide to become a fantasy artist?

Volkan Baga: I love to be creative. And what could be more creative than visualizing fantasy worlds! You have the chance to paint your own creatures, armors and settings. You lose the earthly limits. Nothing that you have to care about. You just follow your own aesthetic sense. And that freedom makes the fantasy so attractive.

I couldn't really tell you how I decided to become a fantasy artist. I've been interested in fantasy since I was a child. My mother always supported me with good art supplies and I can remember that my brother gave me a self-made sketchbook that I filled with cool looking robots.

Nafiz Erman: Can you tell us a little bit about your experience with Donato Giancola? How did you became his studio assistant? What were the things that you learned from him? Did he help you improving your technique as an artist?

Donato Giancola's art can be found on Magic cards since Mirage.

Volkan Baga: Donato effected my artwork dramatically. He was a great teacher when I was his studio assistant in Brooklyn. He was kind enough to share his professional knowledge and technique with me. Donato is one of the current important painting masters and I'm endlessly thankful that he gave me the opportunity to learn from him. My first day in his house and studio was floated by impressed emotions. I thought I've gone through a museum. On the way to his studio to the top floor of his house, you have to pass many original Donato-artwork hanging on the walls. One more beautiful than the other. After many stops I finally reached his drafting-board with a huge painting in progress and smelled the "sweet" taste of oils and turpentine. The beginning of a great period of time. He showed me how to paint a portrait with natural skin tones to make it look alive or with pale tones to make the character look almost dead, how to use cold and warm tones to push elements to the fore and background, how to use the glazing-method to give whole areas a different color and in general how to handle oils most effectively. Knowing when to use opaque or transparent colors. During that he showed me that it is important to build up a good composition and create a narration between characters to make a storytelling image. He taught me to make use by looking at old master pieces as a technical and inspirational source. "Look at the shadows", I can remember he advised me.

 

Donato himself is a wonderful individual. Really kind and sympathetic. I enjoyed the stay in Brooklyn.

A few Magic cards with Giancola's art on them

Nafiz Erman: How would you describe your style?

Volkan Baga: I am a contemporary painter with a preference for the traditional techniques of oil painting. My style is lent to academic realism, which in turn is orientated on the art of the antique. This influence is reflected in the historical character of my paintings. Although the content of my works borders on the fantastic, I want to be seen as a classical painter.

Holy Day by Volkan Baga

Nafiz Erman: How did you first break into commercial illustration?

Volkan Baga: The Art Director at Ravensburger Spieleverlag, a German games publisher, read an article in a magazine about my diploma piece and me, right after I graduated. He gave me a call and promptly commissioned me for a trading card game named "Behind". Warewolfs, vampires, knights templar, ghosts and a league of sisters were the main characters in the game. We had a meeting where the authors explained me the way the game worked and told me the story of "Behind", the background to the five societies and described the individual characters.

 

The first edition of the cards contained three hundred cards with different illustrations. The due was in hundred days. For someone who as a student was used to work at least a week on just one painting, the idea of doing three in a day was absurd. Welcome to the world of professional illustration!

It was important for me to make sure the quality was high. So I asked the Art Director for support. Six more illustrators were brought in and my number of illustrations were reduced to hundred pieces. That was still a tough challenge in my very young career. My job was to give the right atmospheric mood to the illustrations. The players want to be able to get completely absorbed in a game like this and identify fully with the individual characters. First they play their favorite character, then they become that character. Transmitting that mood, creating a whole new world for players was the principal motivation.

Other editions followed and it was lots of work, lots of experience and lots of fun. A really big project! The best professional start for a young illustrator who has just graduated.

Alternate art for Tendrils of Agony by Volkan Baga

"For someone who as a student was used to work at least a week on just one painting, the idea of doing three in a day was absurd. Welcome to the world of professional illustration!" - Volkan Baga

 

Nafiz Erman: How and when did you get in touch with Wizards of the Coast?

Volkan Baga: I got in touch with Wizards of the Coast in 2005. Coldsnap was my first set I worked for and Stromgald Crusader was my first painting. Illustrators use to make portfolios with their best work and send them out to the art department of the publisher. The Art Director views it and decides if your style fits to the concept. I had the great chance to get a part of Magic. Guess what? I grabbed the chance and haven't let go since then! Nafiz Erman: Most of our readers don't know the process of submitting art for a Magic card. It's not like that one day you get an e-mail from Wizards of the Coast telling you "hey we have a great idea which we called Elspeth, Knight-Errant! Would you please draw something for this card?". Surely there are rules and deadlines etc... Can you please describe us that process?

 

Volkan Baga: I get a short briefing which tells you in three or four sentences what should be seen on the illustration. E.g. "show a white human knight on a horse. He has a sword in one hand and shield in the other. His armor is pristine and...". And it's pretty important to fulfill the design needs of each individual set. Every set has its background story and its special designs which makes it to a unifying world. Wizards are doing a pretty good job in that. They support us with all the information.

I create a sketch, send it by e-mail and wait for Wizards' feedback. I revise the sketch if necessary and send it again. Once my idea is approved I do the paint job, let it dry and FedEx it to Wizards. They do the reproduction work.

This is how it starts.	And this is how it ends.

 

Nafiz Erman: What are the things you like about making art for Magic the Gathering?

Volkan Baga: Wizards allow you to use your maximum creativity to paint a nice Magic card. You don't have any serious limits as long as you follow their Style Guide. It's just pure fun to paint a card.

Additionally it's seldom to get any feedback from consumers if you work on commercial projects. That's why I love to do artwork for trading card games, especially Magic. Those players are the most thankful people. It's a pleasure to know that millions of players enjoy the art, trade with those cards and collect them like original artwork.

Nafiz Erman: We've seen you in some big Magic events. How did the players react to you? How did you feel yourself among the players?

Volkan Baga: They have stacks of cards to sign! But that's an easy and fun one. The Magic community is so impressive and cool. Hundreds of players from young to old, male or female, human or not, meet and battle each other and have so much fun! I enjoyed watching them and joining such convention.

Mox Pearl by Volkan Baga

Nafiz Erman: What has working for Wizards of the Coast changed in your life?

Volkan Baga: Well, I get a lot of e-mails. Much more response and inquiries from Magic fans. My artwork reaches thousands of players all over the world.

Elspeth, Knight-Errant by Volkan Baga

Nafiz Erman: Which one is your favorite Magic art of yours? Volkan Baga: I love Elspeth, Knight-Errant and Stoic Angel. Both are hot! Nafiz Erman: You are surely not only working for Wizards of the Coast. Which other clients do you have? Where else can we see your art? Volkan Baga: That's right. I work for game and book publishers like Ravensburger, Spieleverlag, Mayfair Games, The Game Master, Amigo Spiele & Freizeit, Heyne / Random House etc...   But my favorite kinds of commissions come from collectors. Private individuals comission me to make them a painting for a specific theme. "Sauron's Fall" for example was a private commission. I was asked to create a scene with Gandalf, Aragorn and Legolas. I love to know that such paintings are made just because of its art value without commercial background. It's a pity that I can't do more than one or two in a year, if any at all. Nafiz Erman: What materials do you need to create your artwork? Volkan Baga: I need good oil paints like Schmincke's Mussini, painting mediums, good reference materials, a well prepared board on which I paint and finally creativity and muse.

Nafiz Erman: Can you please describe your artistic process? How do you paint?

Volkan Baga: I start with little sketches which are about 2x3cm. I call them thumbnails, because their only purpose is to help me to develop an idea. In many cases nobody really recognizes what it shows except me. I make many of those until I come to one which seems to be perfect. The next step is to form this thumbnail to a few rough 15x20cm sketches. Here you can see forms and shapes, no details but enough to define the composition and arrangement. Again, I pick the best one. Now it's time to collect reference materials like photos of animals, humans, architectural objects etc... which might be useful for my purpose. I complete my preliminary phase with a large drawing that contains all the details and exact arrangements needed for the artwork. I scan that one and send it to Wizards to get their feedback. I revise if necessary. I prepare my board on which I'm going to paint, mix my oil colors and finally start with the paint job. Depending on the complexity and size of the artwork, it takes between one to three weeks to finish it. There were a few which took three days and some that took four weeks, but those are exceptions.

Nafiz Erman: Which artists do yo admire? Do the work of others inspire you? 

Volkan Baga: I admire Donato Giancola and Syd Mead to name contemporary artists. But I also admire Grand Masters like Rubens, Carravagio, Velazquez and Bouguereau. There are a lot to name. And yes, other work could inspire me too.

Mox Jet by Volkan Baga

Nafiz Erman: Which painter would you go back in time to watch painting? And what is so special about him or her?

Volkan Baga: It's difficult to answer. There are a few painters from whom I would have loved to learn. Carravagio's light and shadow is incredible. Rubens' vivid skin tones are great. But if I should pick only one, then my choice would be Bouguereau. I love the feeling of his paintings. His aesthetic sense for forms, compositions and the human body is extremely appealing to me.

And why are you asking? Are you able to send me back to the 19th century to Bouguereau's studio? I would welcome it!

Nafiz Erman: What do you think of digital painting? It seems that there is a neverending debate between "real painters" and "digital painters". I personally know that some of the well known artists such as John Avon, who is also one of my all time favorite Magic artists, is doing his job digitally. What do you think about all of this?

Volkan Baga: I choose the traditional oil painting. I have never tried digital painting. There are great digital artists around who produce impressive pieces. Both techniques are equal and have their own advantages. Each isn't superlative compared to the other; it's just another alternative. I would never say that one is better than the other but personally I prefer to have an original painting in front of me and something that could be nicely framed afterwards. I can't do without having the sweet smell of turpentine in my nose!

Digital illustration is not there to edge out or replace traditional illustration. Personally I rather see it as a new supplementary medium. It is seen as new and innovative and so many people are keen on trying it out. Certainly in the industrialized world of digital data, it is faster and easier to be post-processed. But the essence of creative and artistic work is not how efficient they are to the bookkeeping department, but how authentic the artwork is.

 

You shouldn't choose the digital art because it has certain advantages; it is much more important to find out which medium is inspiring and complementary to your own creativity. If you choose digital, then go for it! It's an amazing working tool. I am convinced that both traditional and digital artwork has its own justification, not only on the art market but also in the professional field. So I'm definitely not worried about the future of traditional hand painted art. It's not replaceable.

"The essence of creative and artistic work is not how efficient they are to the bookkeeping department, but how authentic the artwork is." - Volkan Baga

 Nafiz Erman: What are the things you like best about being a freelance artist? And of course that question will be followed by this: What are the things you like the least about being a freelance artist?

Volkan Baga: I love to be my own boss and build up something that I could name "my own". The big advantage is that I could work, have a break and sleep whenever I want. I am able to make my own schedule.

The main thing that I like the least is that I get addicted! I work double as much as I would as an employee. My free time shrank to minimum. But that's tolerable as long as this is my passion.

Mox Ruby by Volkan Baga

 

Nafiz Erman: What do you do when you're not painting? Do you have any other hobbies? Volkan Baga: Well, not really. Painting was my hobby which now turned into my profession. I love to listed to audio books, but that actually happens during I paint.

Nafiz Erman: Now it's time for the vital question. Do you play Magic?

Volkan Baga: I have played it many times but since my paint job absorbs almost any free time, I gave it up. Wistfully I see Magic players having a lot of fun!

Nafiz Erman: My next question will be about the future. As a big admirer of your art, I would very much like to know whether or not you will continue working for Wizards of the Coast. Are there any information you can share with us? We has some of your art in M10 and that was good news for your fans but I would like to know that first hand.

Volkan Baga: As Wizards of the Coast and their Magic the Gathering is one of my favorite commissions I'm working on, you will keep seeing my artwork in the future. I really appreciate that players do collect the cards because of the artwork too. And as long as I have admirers out there, I will keep painting for Magic!

Angel of Mercy by Volkan Baga

Nafiz Erman: How one can reach you? Do you have a website?

Volkan Baga: Yes, my web address is www.volkanbaga.de. There you will find my full contact information.

Nafiz Erman: Are there anything you would like to add for the readers of www.puremtgo.com?

Volkan Baga: Keep enjoying Magic and its fantastic art!

 

And that wraps up the interview.

 

THE VOLKAN BAGA DECK

What good is a Rogue Play article (or an interview rather) without a decklist? It's useless of course!!! And here's the deck I built with cards that have only Volkan Baga's art on them.

 

You know what? This deck actually works! Early game you stop/slow down the opponent with Holy Day, Sunlance and even with Palace Guard who acts as another copy of Holy Day. In the meantime you arrange your hand with Frontline Sage, stay alive with Angel of Mercy and then finish with Stoic Angel and/or even with Elspeth, Knight-Errant.

And Sunken Hope together with Elspeth, Knight-Errant's tokens has great synergy. While your opponent has to re-cast his monsters each turn, you take back a token only (which actually means that you don't take back anything)! I wish I realized this combo when Sunken Hope was still in Standard.

I built a very budget friendly mana base and tried to stay away from expensive lands because this is a casual deck.

A second deck could be a one with cards like Feast of Flesh, Doomed Necromancer, Stromgald Crusader and then some white cards mentioned above. That could also be a nice deck.

 

WRAP UP

And with that deck I finish this week's truly special edition of Rogue Play. It was really an honour for me to had the chance to do this interview with an artist whose art is one of the most inspiring ones that one can find on Magic cards. I would like to take this opportunity to thank him again for his honest and detailed answers. I hope you enjoyed this interview as much as I enjoyed doing it.

 

 

NEXT WEEK ON ROGUE PLAY

Since weeks all I'm talking about is tournament reports, tournament winning decks, my own tournament experiences, other Tier-1 decks from many formats. And in between I do some special editions such as this one. But I'm tired. Next week I will be spending my whole time in the Casual Room with decks that are incredibly fun to play.

So next week there won't be any serious stuff but instead I guarantee you 110% fun! We will be doing some absurd things like hardcasting TWO Sphinx of the Steel Winds in the same turn and then will play Permission without counterspells. We will also talk about how to play a two mana(!) Wrath of God in Standard and then we will mix formats and go Tribal in Kaleidoscope. And sometime in between, we will even turn the mighty Progenitus sidewards!

You see... It'll be fun!

As always, thanks for reading.

See you online
Nafiz Erman, aka Lord Erman