Osirion; Land of Pharoahs

Pathfinder Companion cover artwork.
© Paizo; Pathfinder.

Acrylic, Approx 13" x 16.5".

Original artwork for sale; UK£1600.

Weapons and spells readied, our heroes spin around to confront the leader of the undead and his minions who are erupting from the desert around them...

This is a cover for Paizo's Pathfinder Companion. Although it appears as a portrait layout once you add the trade dress it actually appears more like a landscape composition - as seen here:

[link]

This layout, with it's overlaid areas, offered its own unique challenges.

I wanted a strongly dramatic image, and the Pharoah Mummy bursting out seemed ideal. I placed him to the right, as we (in the Western world) naturally read left to right. This automatically gives a narrative flow, and sense of movement, reinforced by the first hero turning to face the threat.

The focus of the Mummy was then emphasised by placing the main light source behind him, which both draws the eye, and allowed his silhouette to pop the most clearly.