#zackstella

Every single Magic card is illustrated by skillful dedicated experts, but the cards are such complex entities that perception of the art is often skewed.

Igor Kieryluk, a longtime illustrator for Wizards of the Coast, posted this little tidbit on the DeviantArt page for his illustration for Linvala, Keeper of Silence:

People seem to like this one a lot and I have no goddamn idea why. I mean, it's not the worst I've done but it's certainly not the best. Mostly naked, hot chicks sell, eh?

That could be it, but Linvala's card is very powerful, and I think that has an even bigger impact on player's perception. But whether due to power or sex appeal, the art on some cards is overvalued or undervalued because of things the artist has no control over. (I guess the artist has some control over sex appeal, but it'd be hard to make an illustration for Master of the Feast, for example, look sexy.)

In the opposite direction from Linvala, many stellar works of art are ignored because of the cards they are featured on.

I'd like to focus on the art (and other flavor aspects) of some low-powered cards that might otherwise be overlooked.

Commune with the Gods, art by Aleksi Briclot

This was the card that inspired this article. The crimson banners shimmering in the sunlight are emphasized with foil in the premium version.

The illustration is not the only beautiful part of the card: this is a very emotional and significant part of the story. If you only treat cards as a collection of numbers and card mechanics, you'll miss a lot. (Not to say that card mechanics can't be beautiful or artistic!) 

Commune with the Gods also has a clear depiction of Karametra before that God was described in the Born of the Gods set. (Just like Tree of Redemption in Innistrad. Remember the Helvault in the background of the art for Tree of Redemption, long before it was introduced in the story?)

Chosen by Heliod, art by Zack Stella

This is the Theros poster child for awesome art on a mechanically bland card. It uses both darkness and vivid color on an otherwise very White-themed card. It fits White's aesthetic of zealous obedience and honor, but in a very quiet and private way.