In Magic’s newest set Ikoria: Lair of Behemoths, popular fantasy, comic book, and Dungeons & Dragons artist Steve Ellis has returned to Magic: the Gathering for the first time in twelve years. Ellis illustrated a total of five cards in his graphic style, a staple of the new set’s art direction, and offered a ink and acrylic painting for each for a total of ten pieces. Nine works would eventually sell publicly for a total of $14,775, entirely on the MTG Art Market on Facebook, while the tenth was sold privately for an unknown sum.
Steve Ellis created eleven illustrations for Magic that were released in 2007–08, with his last piece appearing in the Morningtide expansion. The showcase cards for Ikoria were a perfect reentry point for his comic book-esque inking style, and his bright colors and bold ink lines are a bullseye match for these alternate artworks.
Each card artwork is comprised of two traditional elements, including a full ink illustration as well as an accompanying acrylic final painting. The acrylics underwent some digital alteration to embolden the underlying ink before publication. Each ink work measures 10 inches by 12.825 inches, and each acrylic painting 12 inches by 15.5 inches.
The Ikoria suite by Steve Ellis
The auctions were run on the MTG Art Market by Mark Aronowitz acting as agent for the artist, beginning with the first two cards revealed and staggering the rest through preview season and the following weeks. Here is how the results came in:
Huntmaster Liger (Ink) by Steve Ellis, ink on 400lb Heavy Bristol Paper, 10” x 12.825”
Finishing first on Wednesday April 8 was the ink for Huntmaster Liger, selling for $800 to a public bidder coming in at the very last minute.
Cloudpiercer (Ink) by Steve Ellis, ink on 400lb Heavy Bristol Paper, 10” x 12.825”
Following the next day was the ink for Cloudpiercer, selling for $875 to another (different) public bidder.
Cloudpiercer (Final) by Steve Ellis, acrylic on watercolor paper, 12” x 15.5”
Later that same night, the final painting for Cloudpiercer was also sold, achieving a final price of $3,000 to a person bidding privately. The winner of the Cloudpiercer ink was the underbidder.
Huntmaster Liger (Final) by Steve Ellis, acrylic on watercolor paper, 12” x 15.5”
On Wednesday April 15, the final acrylic for Huntmaster Liger began after Cloudpiercer ended, with an immediate $2,000 opening bid. It sold for $4,350 to a private collector bidding anonymously and would be the top lot of this group.
Cavern Whisperer (Final) by Steve Ellis, acrylic on watercolor paper, 12” x 15.5”
Beginning the same night the Liger ended was the final acrylic work for Cavern Whisperer. It received its $2,000 ask immediately and ultimately sold for $2,050 after one more bid was placed on April 23.
Cavern Whisperer (Ink) by Steve Ellis, ink on 400lb Heavy Bristol Paper, 10” x 12.825”
The ink for the Cavern Harvester began a few days after the final, and sold for the opening bid of $500 on the same night to the same bidder, collecting both pieces for this card.
On April 26, the penultimate offerings were listed, consisting of both the ink sketch and acrylic painting for Majestic Auricorn:
Majestic Auricorn (Final) by Steve Ellis, acrylic on watercolor paper, 12” x 15.5”
The final acrylic painting did not receive the $2,500 opening bid but was eventually purchased privately for an undisclosed sum. The ink sketch sold for just over its opener of $600 to a public bidder at a final amount of $650.
Majestic Auricorn (Ink) by Steve Ellis, ink on 400lb Heavy Bristol Paper, 10” x 12.825”
Right on the hooves of Majestic Auricorn was the final piece from Ellis, the Insatiable Hemophage. The auctions began on the same day and both ended May 20. The final acrylic was an open and close auction at the $2,000 start, sold to a private bidder.
Insatiable Hemphage (Final) by Steve Ellis, acrylic on watercolor paper, 12” x 15.5”
And the associated ink went likewise, at an open and close bid of $600, also to a private bidder.
Insatiable Hemophage (Ink) by Steve Ellis, ink on 400lb Heavy Bristol Paper, 10” x 12.825”
And so concluded Steve Ellis’s return to Magic. It’s fantastic to see artists return to the game to do what they do best, and hopefully we’ll see more of his art in this style again in the future.