Fantasy illustrations often draw inspiration from the European medieval period, but Jason Engle steps outside that mold and creates characters with all kinds of global influences. Sure, he still paints the standard heavily armored European knights that fantasy fans all adore, but he’s also one of the few artists willing to render warriors inspired by samurais and Persian assassins.
Witches and warlocks also make an appearance in Engle’s work, and again, he changes things up by giving his versions of spell casters cultural aesthetics from different regions of the world. It’s refreshing to see varied ethnicity within the fantasy illustration genre.
Jason Engle currently resides in Florida and produces many of the images seen on fantasy game cards like Magic: the Gathering and Legend of the Five Rings.
Cross-Cultural Fantasy Depictions
Jason Engle Renders Mythic Imagery with Different Ethnic Groups
Trend Themes
1. Global-inspired Fantasy Characters - Opportunities for creating fantasy characters that draw inspiration from diverse cultures and ethnicities.
2. Cultural Aesthetics in Fantasy Illustration - Disruptive innovation opportunities lie in incorporating cultural aesthetics from different regions into fantasy artwork.
3. Diversity in Fantasy Illustration Genre - The demand for fantasy illustrations that depict varied ethnicity provides an opportunity for artists to stand out in the genre.
Industry Implications
1. Fantasy Illustration - Disruptive innovation opportunities arise by embracing global influences and creating fantasy illustrations that break away from the traditional European medieval style.
2. Gaming - Incorporating diverse fantasy characters in card games like Magic: the Gathering and Legend of the Five Rings can attract a broader player base and enhance the gaming experience.
3. Art Licensing - Artists who incorporate cross-cultural influences in their fantasy artwork can find lucrative opportunities in licensing their designs for merchandise and collectibles.