Joe Posted May 31, 2023 Share Posted May 31, 2023 Courtesy of good ol' Tuomas Pirinen of Mordheim (and soon Trench Crusade) fame; John's artstyles have permeated the setting for decades, and his work in recent years as a concept artist has helped to shape recent armies in both 40k and AoS. Master Commander Ajax, RolandTHTG, Kastor Krieg and 30 others 4 7 22 Back to top Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grailkeeper Posted May 31, 2023 Share Posted May 31, 2023 His art was unique. You could always tell a John Blanche piece from someone elses instantly. His decision not to use green or blue was a really distinctive move. I hope he has a long and happy retirement. Firedrake Cordova, Antarius, templargdt and 3 others 3 3 Back to top Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mechanicus Tech-Support Posted May 31, 2023 Share Posted May 31, 2023 This right here is why we need a crying/sad reaction Master Commander Ajax, HolyPestilience, BadgersinHills and 16 others 18 1 Back to top Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andes Posted May 31, 2023 Share Posted May 31, 2023 Life doesn't end at retirement, he's still with us and creating. Best wishes to him on a long, happy and productive(!) retirement. MithrilForge, Felix Antipodes, BadgersinHills and 11 others 2 11 1 Back to top Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ZeroWolf Posted May 31, 2023 Share Posted May 31, 2023 I remember seeing his art work in my brothers old white dwarf collection and it blew my little mind. I hope he has a good retirement, he's damn well earned it. Antarius and Firedrake Cordova 2 Back to top Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scribe Posted May 31, 2023 Share Posted May 31, 2023 Pour one out for a great. Can't be many left now. Jes can't be close to retirement...right? Master Commander Ajax 1 Back to top Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Etruscan Posted May 31, 2023 Share Posted May 31, 2023 End of an era. As someone who was fortunate to discover the world of Warhammer in the late 80s as a child in England, his artwork permeated the very fabric of it all. I do enjoy some other Warhammer art but I couldn't tell you the artists' names; most people however would probably recognise a John Blanche piece in a heartbeat. I wish there was more contemporary Warhammer artwork of an equally idiosyncratic style. Blanche's work always felt so evocative and less literal than a lot of other Warhammer art. There is a wonderfully chaotic nature (no, not *that* Chaos) to his work that just seems to encapsulate the utter madness of Warhammer 40k and Fantasy so perfectly. I sincerely hope that his body of work will continue to be an inspiration in Warhammer because truth be told, I sort of feel it less and less in some of the contemporary design, be it models or art. Antarius, andes, Lexington and 1 other 2 1 1 Back to top Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
de Selby Posted May 31, 2023 Share Posted May 31, 2023 I hope he has a brilliant time in retirement. Well earned. BadgersinHills and Firedrake Cordova 1 1 Back to top Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Large and Moving Torb Posted May 31, 2023 Share Posted May 31, 2023 What an amazing career. I believe his work was the box art for both 2nd and 3rd edition boxes - both iconic in my mind before I even started playing. Blanche's stuff was unique in sci-fi/fantasy. It's hard to really explain it but I'd say it was similar to how H.R. Giger's work was unique in the same genres. Not in aesthetics or themes, but in perspective and approach to the subject, if that makes any sense. Even his non-GW work is very cool. I hope he keeps turning out new stuff. Lexington and Firedrake Cordova 1 1 Back to top Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MithrilForge Posted May 31, 2023 Share Posted May 31, 2023 Very happy to be reading a Retirement post and not a passed away post !!! . Happy retirement Mr Blanche!! M. Brother Carpenter, Firedrake Cordova and Ammonius 1 2 Back to top Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Captain Idaho Posted May 31, 2023 Share Posted May 31, 2023 Sad to see him go, but happy for him to enjoy his time off. His art set the 40K universe alongside the background of Codex Imperialis etc, so with him gone it just won't be the same. BadgersinHills, Firedrake Cordova and Antarius 2 1 Back to top Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marshal Rohr Posted May 31, 2023 Share Posted May 31, 2023 I thought this was going to be an announcement he started a YouTube channel! In all seriousness JB is one of those creatives that kind of permeates two entire generation’s early years and it’s sad to see him leave GW but hopefully his retirement projects are something we can all see and enjoy. Antarius 1 Back to top Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
m0nolith Posted May 31, 2023 Share Posted May 31, 2023 (edited) Blanch is/was 40k. Here’s to a fantastic career! Edited May 31, 2023 by m0nolith Firedrake Cordova, Captain Idaho and BadgersinHills 3 Back to top Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lay Posted May 31, 2023 Share Posted May 31, 2023 I wish Mr. Blanche the best. No doubt GW wouldn't be where it is today without his influence. I think I'll spend some time browsing https://gothicpunk.tumblr.com/ Firedrake Cordova 1 Back to top Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Evil Eye Posted June 1, 2023 Share Posted June 1, 2023 I'm looking forward to seeing what he does in the future; I positively adore his work and hope he continues putting out cool art, be it set in GW's worlds or not. Firedrake Cordova and ZeroWolf 2 Back to top Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alby the Slayer Posted June 1, 2023 Share Posted June 1, 2023 Inevitable, I will miss his art in wh40k. I was hooked in in 2nd edition but my very first edition (for gaming too) was the third with his amazing cover. I don't like every single art piece he made, of course but he was/is so iconic and instrumental to the vibe and feel of wh40k, the true father of grimdark for me. Many artists who came after him were inspired by his work and shaped what is the most beautiful aspect of this hobby for me. So many miniature concepts... I can only say: Thank you and all the best in your deserve retirement. Firedrake Cordova 1 Back to top Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Magos Takatus Posted June 1, 2023 Share Posted June 1, 2023 As somebody that collects the Adeptus Mechanicus range I owe him more than most, though a lot of the Codex artwork was from other artists it was his groundwork from decades before that inform the development of the faction. His work forms the bedrock of the 40k setting and while Jes Goodwin is often responsible for the final appearance of models it often felt like it was John Blanche that laid the foundations for the initial direction. I think that while I owned the 2nd edition box set with all that crazy art I think it was purchasing the Inquisitor Sketchbook while I was at uni that really got me to appreciated his work and that of concept art in general. I spent hours poring over Inquisitors, solar cultists, mutants and tech priests through the lens that sat on the edge of genius and madness and deliberately so. I'm going to miss his input into GW's development but I hope he enjoys his retirement. He will be missed by a lot of people. Firedrake Cordova, Cactus and ZeroWolf 3 Back to top Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Firedrake Cordova Posted June 1, 2023 Share Posted June 1, 2023 As everyone else has said, it's sad to see someone so iconic and influential in the hobby retire. Having said that, I do hope he has the long and happy retirement he deserves. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arkhanist Posted June 1, 2023 Share Posted June 1, 2023 (edited) Amazonia Gothique (the best WD cover mentioned above) is definitely a classic. I think his most iconic work, for me, is the Emperor sits upon on his Golden Throne, with Sister of Battle a close second. He's been such a huge influence on so many of us, I hope he gets to enjoy a fun and peaceful retirement! Edited June 1, 2023 by Arkhanist firestorm40k, DemonGSides, Harleqvin and 9 others 12 Back to top Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Captain Idaho Posted June 1, 2023 Share Posted June 1, 2023 That Emperor one is also a favourite of mine. I also really enjoyed these: This one really encapsulated the cosmic horror that was the Tyranid menace. A wash of creatures running at you and almost unstoppable. Real horror there; how do you face that? And this one similary shows the scale of 40K warfare but also the gothic darkness of even the Ultramarines. Special mention to the Terminator which really showed the scale of those bad boys. Zebulon, DemonGSides, Arkhanist and 5 others 8 Back to top Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kastor Krieg Posted June 1, 2023 Share Posted June 1, 2023 Forever in our Templar souls and since recently on our tables, realized in glorious HIPS. Enjoy the retirement, Sir! Zebulon, ZeroWolf, RolandTHTG and 7 others 9 1 Back to top Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Firedrake Cordova Posted June 1, 2023 Share Posted June 1, 2023 I spent a little time looking for his illustrations online, and came across this Warhammer Community article on conversions inspired by John Blanche artwork, and the artwork that inspired them - thought it was worth sharing https://www.warhammer-community.com/2021/05/11/classic-warhammer-art-comes-to-life-in-these-john-blanche-inspired-conversions/ gideon stargreave, Zebulon, The Yak and 1 other 2 2 Back to top Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WARMASTER_ Posted June 2, 2023 Share Posted June 2, 2023 I wish John a long and happy retirement, his vision defined the Warhammer universe we know and love! I believe It also shouldn’t be underestimated how influential he was on the amazing artists that have also become Hallowed names in the Warhammer hobby! K koplinski, A Smith, A Boyd etc giving the artists a truly deep and emersive visual IP too create within while it’s not everyone’s favourite Johns art IS 40k… Marshal Mittens and Firedrake Cordova 2 Back to top Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Felix Antipodes Posted June 3, 2023 Share Posted June 3, 2023 (edited) On 6/1/2023 at 10:16 PM, Firedrake Cordova said: I spent a little time looking for his illustrations online, and came across this Warhammer Community article on conversions inspired by John Blanche artwork, and the artwork that inspired them - thought it was worth sharing https://www.warhammer-community.com/2021/05/11/classic-warhammer-art-comes-to-life-in-these-john-blanche-inspired-conversions/ If only GW honoured their great servant with a series of models based on John’s iconic images. No need for in game usage, just pure joy from seeing his unique vision realised. A proper Blandishu range. Edited June 3, 2023 by Felix Antipodes Fat fingers Firedrake Cordova and WARMASTER_ 2 Back to top Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Antarius Posted June 3, 2023 Share Posted June 3, 2023 Along with Ian Miller (and, to a lessser degree, Jes Goodwin), he pretty much created the Games Workshop aesthetic. I remember being awestruck by his art all the way back to the Fighting Fantasy days. I even have a medley of some of his landscapey pieces tattooed on my arm, just to give an idea of how much I love his unique style. Truly one of the greats. I hope his retirement is long and happy! Firedrake Cordova, lost_angel and The Yak 3 Back to top Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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