I just finished this commissioned piece for an upcoming heavy metal release. It was based on an existing typhon-inspired monster that was used on their last several album covers. The goal was to push the scale in closer, focusing on the creature’s face while showing it actively inflicting complete chaos on the surrounding scene.
Early on, we knew we wanted to experiment with a color palette inspired by Metallica's Master of Puppets album (leaning into deep reds, browns, and high-contrast light tones). As the piece developed, the idea of a bright, almost normal daytime sky emerged. That contrast ended up becoming central to the story (the calm above versus the violent inferno breaking through below).
I aimed to use the flames intentionally to build movement across the painting, with spiraling, twisting shapes guiding the viewer’s eye throughout the scene. I also pushed the depth by lowering contrast in the background figures while keeping the sharpest detail concentrated in the demon’s face to make it the focal point.
I am an admittedly slow painter, and this piece took me about 40 to 45 hours (not including the 10 hours spent on thumbnails, preliminary drawings, etc).
Title: Chaos Has Risen
Medium: Oil on Illustration Board
Size: 14"x14"
Completed April 2026
