Background

Artwork has always been a hobby and passion of mine, but it had always been done in traditional medium for most of my life. I first began seriously working with digital art in the late 2000's by creating textures and assets for various computer games. Through this, I became familiar with the techniques, tools, and software involved in the digital artwork. Around 2016 I found the artwork of artists like Andrew Stewart Jamieson, Quentin Peacock, and others and found it very captivating. Like many others, heraldry created a natural bridge between the interests of medieval history and art. I began to try and create and recreate coats of arms based on various images that inspired me. Not long after that, I discovered some very helpful folks sharing a passion in heraldry on the web in places like reddit, forums, and Discord chat rooms. Their expertise in the field of heraldry helped me to better understand the proper design, display, and study of armorial bearings. I owe a lot to these folks who generously shared their knowledge and feedback with me in my early heraldry days. It was also these same people who motivated and supported my jump into the commission based art scene. By mid 2018, I began to take on commission based artwork for heraldry and other medieval styled artwork.

Since 2018, I have been fortunate enough to have my artwork included in a number of books and publications. In addition to this, I have completed over 150 individual commissions for artwork related to heraldry or medieval artwork. Over time, I have continued to hone my craft, test new techniques and methods, develop a more unique style, and improve myself and my artwork.

FAQ

✠ How much does it cost? On average, most images range between $30-$80 USD. However, the price is difficult to provide up front without a full understanding of what the artwork will entail - so please provide as much information about what you're requesting so that an accurate quote can be provided. The major determining factors for cost are the complexity, size, and scale of the project. I will always provide a quote up front for any work taken on, and that quoted price will not shift unless the client requires additions or changes. I am always willing to make minor adjustments to the artwork as the process is carried out, but major changes once the process has begun or finished may incur additional costs. This is because the graphics format I am working with is raster based graphics. While this gives a greater illusion of physical traditional artwork than vector graphics, it also makes it more difficult to perform alterations. Please be aware that the only accepted form of payment is via PayPal.

✠ What format are the images in, and what is their resolution? Images are provided in .PNG format, with transparent backgrounds where necessary. They are set to be 300 Pixels Per Inch, which allows for great print quality. The resolution will depend on the overall size of the piece of artwork. Additionally, because these are not vector graphics, the scaling, editing, and altering of images already finished requires more manual work, and so repeated adjustments to the image can result in additional costs.

✠ How do you take payment and when do I pay? I prefer PayPal be used, as it is easiest for me to keep track of invoicing and history of payments made. In certain circumstances where PayPal cannot be used, I have accepted other methods. Timing of the payment is flexible. You may pay it up front after the invoice is sent or you may pay it in parts. Payment is expected to be sent once I send the first work-in-progress image which usually consists only of the line art. This is done to avoid me completing the artwork and presenting the watermarked copy only to have the client never responding or submitting payment.

✠ How long does it take for my request to be completed? The turnaround time on a commission is entirely dependent on outstanding artworks submitted prior to your own, the complexity of the artwork, and my own availability. Because I am not a full-time artist the time I can devote solely to working on the artwork is limited, so your patience is appreciated!

✠ What program(s) do you use to create the artwork? I use the software known as GIMP, which is free and can be found here.

✠ I don't have a coat of arms, can you create one for me? I prefer the arms be created already, as depending on whether you plan to register the arms there may be rules and guidelines for the heraldry. I am happy to give my personal opinion on what I believe to be well designed heraldry though.

✠ Will you copy another piece of existing artwork, or replicate another artists style? No, I will not copy existing artwork made by other artists. If the artwork is your own, and you'd like it done up in my own style that is acceptable. It is the assumption that you are requesting me to create artwork for you because you wish to see your coat of arms, or an image, in my artistic style.

✠ Do you only create heraldic art? No, and as much as I enjoy heraldry I enjoy the recreation of medieval artwork, or original artwork in the medieval aesthetic, even more. See the Home page, or Pricing section, for examples of this.

✠ Is there any sort of art you won't do? Yes, I will not create an artwork which is explicitly sexual, racist, etc. I always reserve the right to turn down or terminate any commission should I consider it in poor taste, or if it simply does not interest me.

✠ If I did not answer your question here, feel free to reach out to me with your query. ✠

Other Recommended Artists

I realize that my personal style of artwork and heraldric art is not for everyone, and in some cases a potential customer will be looking to emulate specific styles they have seen from modern artwork, renaissance art, baroque, etc. Also, they may be looking for a vector based design, or possibly a physical original piece that can be mailed to them, for this reason I am supplying a few other artists who are very talented in their craft and may be alternatives should my own style/medium not meet your needs. There are many more artists out there that I have not listed, and I encourage you to find the artist that can best create a rendition of your arms, or desired artwork, in the style and format that best suits your needs and taste.

Quentin Peacock - Quentin Peacock is a digital heraldic artist and Craft Member of the Society of Heraldic Arts who works exclusively in vector graphics to create professional heraldry for individuals and corporations.

Mauro Pieroni - Mauro Pieroni is a Florence based sculptor who has been carving beautiful heraldic wooden sculptures since 1970. He has created sculptures for popes, presidents, and many other notable clients. All of his work is done by hand in the same techniques handed down by Florentine artists of the Renaissance.

Carlos Navarro - Carlos Navarro has been working with heraldic art for over 30 years. He is a member of the Royal Academy of Heraldry, and is a contributor to many Spanish Government publications. He works in the traditional mediums of ink, watercolor, and gouache to create rich and fantastic heraldry.

Fritz Jahn - Fritz Jahn is a German heraldic artist who uses the traditional medium and creates brilliant work inspired by various German, Austrian and Swiss heraldic artists of the late 19th to early 20th century like Lorenz Rheude, Otto Hupp, Hugo Gerard Ströhl, Carl Roschet.

Björn Fridén - One of Sweden's leading heraldic artists, Björn Fridén has been creating heraldic artwork for over a decade. He uses the traditional mediums to create his artwork.