The Magic Art of Steven Belledin

This video looks at the balance between the imaginative and the real in the artwork of Steven Belledin.
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[@RhysticStudies]

you can watch all of my Artist Study videos here: kzbin.info/aero/PLg9H9LJ2OoGDk-rv1Tz2KuNkgUoRDSHbb

[@FoodtimeFoodtime]

I'd love to see one on rk post! Love she stuff!

[@benjaminwicks-tucker4596]

Sam, what do you think of Amonkhet block artwork? To me it seems like the quality overall has dropped off.

[@austinsanders1675]

Love this series! A video for Alex Horley-Orlandelli?

[@thetruth4654]

Make an The Magic Art of Igor Kieryluk

[@hichamlaaberi9169]

Thanks, man. What a great service you're doing everybody! I'll recommend my language students to watch some of these. Certainly, they'll love learning English more in the process.

[@KnowArt]

I always find it sad when I see a beautiful artwork on a card that is unplayable.

[@michellewong4954]

Aldo yes I agree! So sad.

[@bazookalucca4358]

The Spike in me wants to get along with the Vorthos in me too

[@modernminded5466]

I think it gives the card a sort of value it wouldn't have otherwise.

[@benstapleton5319]

I want to make a draft cube made entirely of cards like this

[@lorhus8439]

I'll always remember the card Tar Snare for this. But there are a LOT of those.

[@bookmedia67]

I like basic lands that look like...lands. I don't need Bolas horns or extravagance. I want to see lush trees, expansive plains, beautiful islands in a sea of blue, imposing mountains and murky swamps. Minimalist realism is needed in Magic now more than ever.

[@gordonlekfors2708]

yees, exactly!

[@thomasmcdermott2962]

Why I'm a huge fan of Lorwyn and Original Theros Basics.

[@elizabethhicks4181]

@@thomasmcdermott2962 John Avon’s Theros plains are among my favorite pieces in the game. Khans block has some wonderful basics as well. The lands of Zendikar are the face of basics for many, the Zendikari basics really encapsulate Magic. But I’ve always preferred the deep forests and sunlit plains, tended by hands of Karametra’s cherished.

[@ellentheeducator]

I have always been someone enraptured by the lore of magic - more specifically, the fantasy of being a planeswalker who is casting these spells, using these memories. There's a moment in one of the books that will always haunt me - a blue mage needs to cast what is basically a search spell, and if it was in game, it would require sacrificing an island. She pulls to mind a night she spent on one of the beautiful volcanic islands of her youth - a family member teaches her preteen self how to drink for the first time, and she felt like an adult for the first time. The memory starts to slip away from her and she finishes the spell - knowing her target's location, and crying, but she can't remember why. Ever since then, I have loved basic lands that look not just like lands, but like those most powerful and iconic memories you have of those lands. Not the kinda dark sands and greenish-blue of the seafoam, but the pure black of the volcanic beach and the endless rich blue and the brilliant sky of a clear night on an island. Mountains shouldn't be a story about the setting but the way you remember them years later, living in the lowlands. When you close your eyes, how do you see the places of your youth? Those powerful, intense memories, those are the lands.

[@kaaaaos]

Oh my god, I've never realized there was a black mana symbol in the pupil of the Deathmark, that blew my mind so hard! The depth of all these illustrations never ceases to amaze me...truly an inspiration!

[@PharaohofAtlantis]

I will never get tired of this series.

[@joshuastrong2398]

Literally never

[@constance6198]

I’m not sure why, but your videos always make me cry. Even upon rewatches. Not a ball or a sniffle, just a few tears pooling in the corners and a clench in my chest. Keep it up the great work.

[@FunPheonix]

These are so good! Please continue to make more

[@obeycelestia]

Deathmark left a large impact on me and is one of my favorites from Belledin! Up there is also Slithermuse and Seedcradle Witch!

[@unattended_baby]

Deathmark was one of those cards that struck a chord in my heart when I saw it. I was sifting through a box of core set cards and it made me want to play black

[@mentosmuncher]

I loved silumgar 's look so much that I couldn't help but play black/blue during it's whole cycle. I had 3 copies of both silumgars plus I ran a copy of his command

[@monital77]

Dragonlord Silumgar is definitely my favorite, and now that I know a bit of the back story on the Tasigur necklace, I love it even more!

[@Raaanch]

"Art is subjective and picky and particular like that. you like what you like and sometimes no amount of analysis or argument can convince you otherwise." WORD! This is exactly about how I feel about a lot of Drew Tucker's earlier works, more specifically Ashes to Ashes from one of my top favorite sets: The Dark. I think it's absolutely wonderful and beautiful but many many will argue against it. So, I for one can see why you adore that toothy red lizard so much :)

[@TastySnackies]

I think my favorite piece of his is Chief Engineer. I love how the factory assembly floor in the background, even when out of focus, appears life-like. It's very convincing, and great at delivering the narrative of Kaladesh's Vedalken as citizens of labor.

[@RhysticStudies]

I wanted to write about that piece, too, but I already had 2,000 words. it's really neat (for the reasons you stated).

[@PIGMAN360]

Your videos are so inspiring. I played magic for a large portion of my childhood. I can still remember all the great memories I made going to Friday Night Magic. Even though I was very young, magic always intrigued me. The art captivated me. Your words make me want to get back into playing. Thank you. :D

[@beckettcary-green9463]

one of us... one of us....

[@SheheenFans]

Anyone want to bet this guy understands Magic artists more than the Wizards staff that commissions them?

[@michellewong4954]

Agreed!

[@wiartalexandre9349]

Hands down.

[@P33b4Ugo5omwh3r3]

It's not a surprise because it had been proven millions of times so far that while some idiot with a diploma of arts can't make a proper game for five years working on it and still release a halfassed shit while some kid from Russia in his basement without any funds in couple of months makes a masterpiece, true work of art, a proper game, movie what ever be it even a mod or fix for an existing game, random people do it in couple of days still far better then what companies pump out on a millions of dollars budget with educated staff. Pathetic that actual artist and geniouses of their crafts most of the time are ignored then some idiot with a diploma gets a job and does nothing with it.

[@budderbrinejr]

@@P33b4Ugo5omwh3r3 Why do you assume Rhystic Studios doesn't have an art degree or two?

[@--CHARLIE--]

Steven belledens rendition of black lotus is one of my favorite pieces. Your video on the lotus used that for its thumbnail, and the image has stuck with me since then

[@Nate-tq8wu]

Overgrown Tomb is my favourite "Special land" art. I found his blog a few years ago, it's a goldmine ! Keep on this great serie, Sam. I took distance from Magic (I think you understand these kind of "pauses"), but I will love the art and the atmosphere forever, and I can come to this magical land sometimes, thanks to your videos.

[@lynaleemadison6545]

Deathmark was the card that shaped how I view all art. How the smallest detail carries the greatest impact. Thank you for these Magic: the gathering video essays. I really enjoy listening to well thought out arguments and ideas. This series brings me a lot of inspiration and helps me focus on my work. Thank you.

[@peterbillings3276]

Rhystic Studies, I've been consistently "wow-ed" by your videos. (So I'm trying not to consume them too quickly!) At first, I was confused about the lizard painting-"why would he pick that??" But you presented such a good argument for why this type of art is valuable in building a believable fantasy world. In the short time of the video, you convinced me! I came to realize I too love the art and style you were highlighting. Since your direction seemed to be toward the "unnoticed stuff," I was excited to see which image would appear next... I practically fell out of my chair when you pulled up the last Steve Belledin piece: Black Lotus-the most well-known, legendary card in the game! I thought *I* was pretty good at knowing the artists, but you got me! Great work all around!

[@tonysmettan3175]

These are SO awesome! please, please continue to make this series!

[@TheySaidWeSaid]

Great stuff as always Sam. Just finally got a chance to watch.

[@KevinG9012]

Sam, I continue to love your videos. I can honestly say this is one of the only channels I follow that I always look forward to new content and watch as soon as it's posted. Keep up the amazing work!

[@Filthy_Taffer]

Every time I watch this art series of yours I can't help but tear up. It's so beautiful, I can't even explain it. Keep it up Sam!

[@Newtmaster]

Your suddenly mentioning Boulder, CO made me jump in my chair in Boulder, CO.

[@Brando88Kern]

Grimoire of the Dead captured my eye the first time I saw it. To me, the book did so much more than the card ability entailed. Thanks for all the hard work, to both Steve and Sam! Keep up the good work.

[@levinfriedemann7476]

Great art and great video. I like your calm way to talk about the pictures and explain part of the composition and what makes is special to you.

[@motorwheeler]

With the Circa Survive poster in the end!!! I love your videos! Please do more studies on Magic artists and their influences. Great work!

[@christophermccutcheon2143]

I think these art spotlights are best watched and listened to using headphones. Fantastic presentation and that song in the background is so sweet. Nice one again, Sam.

[@EricMurray]

Incredible video. Randomly recommended I watched every second never taking my eyes off the screen. I'm glad someone who appreciates the finer details in this type of art is making videos like theses. Keep ti up man, subbed.

[@cedricgoart]

Your art analysis are always so interestig and inspiring. They always give me new ideas and approaches for my own art. Great job as always!

[@Totosliderz]

Fantastic presentation as always. Your voice really helps set the mood on a travel through time and art

[@StrawberryAndreC]

This is such an excellent video, absolutely great work my man

[@marcccreates]

Wow another great artist, perspective and video. Really appreciate all your work and highlighting so so much that isn't seen on first glance.

[@thenightangel05]

You make me appreciate and take extra special care to look at all the art, not just the rares or the mythics, but the commons, the lands. Amazing, I love this series and ty!

[@zakkufication]

fantastic video, always watch it immediately when it pops up in my feed!

[@cedricbagein9328]

These vidéos are great ! I'm not even playing Magic but the way you analyse those illustrations is helping me greatly for my own art. Thank you for your work, keep them coming please!

[@willsola3412]

Sam... This quality is phenomenal, absolutely amazing video. Your analysis is deep and you show me cool artworks I haven't seen before. Thank you

[@__Kane__]

These videos are well produced and enjoyably timeless. Keep up the great work!

[@BrunoCasagrandaNeves]

Just passing to say thanks, man! Always a delightful journey!

[@PleasantKenobi]

Another fantastic essay helping to ignite and invigorate the passions of the community and fans beyond combos and kill-spells. Magic is such a rich stage on which is to interact, tell stories and discuss - you are a massive credit to this community. Please keep it up. *clicks to support on Patreon*

[@Shadow298]

That was an utterly brilliant video. True academic quality & rigor of research. Thanks for all the hard work on it.

[@ILoveCiniminis]

You should do more of these man, there's very little of these on your channel. I love it

[@spidermonkey7280]

I love both your art and magic history videos with a deep passion, but I NEED more deck techs from you. Your style is amazing and I wait impatiently for each and every video. Please keep making this great content, but I'd love to see more of your commander decks. :)

[@calebj5852]

Amazing video as always! I love that you talked about his Theros land cycle; they're definitely some of my all-time favorite lands.

[@Scotium]

your content is honeslty so good

[@enjoisk8a911]

Great job on this one! Surgical Extraction's art has always really stuck out to me, the mood is so eerie

[@aleksanderk6765]

super high quality as always!

[@DEATHMETALRUST]

Another great video!! I never noticed Tasigir hanging from Silumgar's neck. That is hilarious. Once again, I watch your video and immediately run to my EDH decks to find physical card of various things mentioned, so that I can see if first hand. His Rampant Growth has always been one of my favorites.

[@Eyari3]

Hi Sam!, I just found your videos about magic artists and their work and I just loved it. You talk with real enthusiasm and passion and professionalism about this fantastic game and its valuable art, keep the great work man!! BTW, I hope that you can make some day some videos about rk post, scott m fischer, anthony s waters , justin sweet and vance kovacs, chris rahn, christopher moeller, jaime jones, greg staples, gerard brom, adam rex, daren bader and jason chan, just to name some of them ... haha sorry for the long list, but there are too many great artists through the whole magic history and I think that you can bring them back from memory with the true recognition that they deserve ;) Thank you so much for your work!

[@Frankyavalone]

Hey @TheMagicManSam, I love these videos so much. They are as much art themselves as the pieces they showcase. They evoke a sense of understanding, appreciation and awe for these artworks impossible to even think of by just looking at the tiny card pictures. Keep it up!

[@deschamos7599]

I stumbled onto this channel tonight because, despite having not played Magic in earnest in many years, it somehow landed on my feed with the One with Nothing video. Five or so videos later and I have just watched one of the best breakdowns of an artist I have seen in a long time. Neither pompously nor inaccessibly deep, but not surface level either. Your channel and style are excellent, and they have this sort of Radiolab feel to it with your tone, cadence, and music selection. Please keep doing what you're doing.

[@DuncanEllis]

thank you for this. Your appreciations of artists and particular cards are glorious.

[@IFGchannel931]

Whatever success this great channel gets, it will always deserve much more. Thanks for these incredible videos!

[@bwheelermtg]

One of my favourite artists. Keep up the good work, Sam.

[@GregariousBant]

Crimson Muckwader is the only card I remember from my very first pack of Magic, from the 2013 core set. Something about it stood out even then, and I think you nailed the reason in this video: the realism contrasted so beautifully with some of the other cards' very fantastical style. Turns out Steven's been one of my favourites since literally the beginning, and I hadn't even realized!

[@blueknight5754]

I stumbled upon your videos..I was always into the art of magic..it was a way of breaking from the norm..but I never truly appreciated the details that the art carried..until now..your channel is very well crafted and both your voice and the choice of music is perfect for the tone that you are trying to set..count me as one of your new subscribers!

[@magnusmungo7163]

Ah your videos are so relaxing and interesting. I love feeling like I know about art.

[@MTGOTradersInc]

Yet again you outdo yourself. Wonderful work as always. -Terran

[@hksaunes]

Awesome content! I really love your analyzis.

[@xericxhallx]

I can't get over these videos, waiting on the podcast forever.

[@wiartalexandre9349]

Very interesting video, good job. I usually don't pay much attention about the artist's name unless I'm really into a card's art and I never even noticed Steven Belledin's name...you just made me realize that some of the cards you're showing here are favourites of mine, this Theros forest with the giant olive tree is gorgeous and I've always been impressed with floodtide serpent and how the size of the beast is shown... Thank you for this content, keep up the good work!

[@davidserracchiani7810]

Dude your videos make me want to do 2 of my favorite things, play magic and draw. Love your videos keep the awesome job!.

[@Chrisxantixemox]

What a great idea for a series!

[@oblahuwtf5786]

I love the Cenn's Heir + Cenn's Tactician (WPN Promo) matching art. It really makes the Promo Card Special from so many others

[@jackyjack121]

Lighthouse Chronologist by far is one of my favorite pieces. It depicts the scene so well. It's mellow, realistic, and depressing, just as I'd assume is it's intentions. Great work, Sam, love the quality content!

[@LurkerLoo]

This series is amazing, thank you so much for creating videos about the artists of MTG and explaining everything from their style to inspirations. I seriously look forward to more of these videos. I rarely comment and this is my first time submitting a request. It would mean so much if you were able to do a video on Carl Critchlow. It appears you feature artists coming out in new blocks, but Critchlow is by far my all time favorite with illustrations for cards like No Rest for the Wicked and Exhume. It would be so excellent to see a video discussing his journey and artwork. thanks again for creating one of my favorite series on the entirety of KZbin. I'm frothing at the mouth for more.

[@ZerekanNephilim]

This series is one of the best art commentaries on the INTERNET! Keep it up! So much respect!

[@ZerekanNephilim]

And I don't mean just MTG art.

[@michellecerioni4903]

i was looking through the lands of my local gg and saw this stunning theros land, depicting pristine water and beautiful marblesque rocks, I read the artists name and it was strikingly familiar and then when i was on the train home today i was if rhystic studies did a video on the guy. So glad i can see study of the guys art, thanks!

[@danielleifert2736]

I was lucky enough to interview Steven for an art project in junior year. He's a really nice and interesting guy and I love his artwork. Duress (his art obviously) and Surgical Extraction have been two of my personal favorites for a long time.

[@nantu07]

Damn, mate! Exelent video in an awesome series. Keep it up!

[@zealcrux]

Definitely my preferred Deathmark art and I totally never noticed the mana symbol until we talked about it on Discord recently. I'm totally diggin' the music on this one, Sam. Looking forward to the next one! ... Next week, yeah?

[@brighamschellinger147]

These videos are some of the coolest things out there. I really dig it. I think my favourite artist currently is Aleksi Briclot

[@RockyOwl]

Steven's Rampant Growth that you touched upon in the piece has always given me a strange calm when looking at it, and now seeing that it is a natural version of the Great wave of kanagawa (also a favorite art of mine) I love it even more as an art piece.

[@ramirogomezgonzalez]

as always a beautyfull video! i need to share it everywhere.... also thanks for reminding me Dinotopia, i LOVED that book when i was yonger, i need to find a copy.

[@patrickgavinodonnell]

you are awesome! keep making magic content!!

[@davidrojas6457]

Holy crap, this was amazing, my friend! Finally, someone who appreciates Steven's work as much as I do. I have a print of his Black Lotus adorning my home.

[@Squireissocoolie]

Lighthouse Chronologist is my favorite from him. The lighthouse in the background, him perched, and the night with the fading sun is so good. If you could do Todd Lockwood next, that would be great. He has a lot of work done including my favorite card of all time, Phyrexian Obliterator. Keep up the great work. Cheers!

[@justjoe8397]

My absolute favourite piece of magic art is Steven's version of Ankle Shanker, sadly only used for the intro pack version of the card. It was the first card I saw and it's stayed with me ever since. I also love how much detail shows up on Silumgar, the Drifting Death when you shine a light on it. There's so my detail! He also did Gravecrawler, another great one.

[@Jason_Kang]

Your editing is amazing

[@RhysticStudies]

thank you.

[@bellefeu4933]

I love this channel. Keep it up

[@michellewong4954]

What an amazing video, thank you.

[@robertcotrell9810]

I loved the Silumgar art! Silumgar has become one of my favorite dragons, and I think the distinctive style is part of that. He looks like no other dragon out there. Also, yet another fantastic video! I have come to truly enjoy these.

[@br_a1n161]

This series is so good!

[@neindanke1427]

wow, super cool video really enjoyed it...many many thanks

[@imnourologist]

Please keep it up. Love the content. Wanna put up a list of favourite basic lands?

[@doomtomb3]

That was an amazing portfolio of artwork.

[@scottmwyman]

very enlightening, the only youtube channel that doesn't make me feel like I am wasting my time.

[@RhysticStudies]

glad you're digging.

[@teth4199]

Sam!!! Masterpiece again! Thank you for this amazing work! Bernardo Malamut

[@thomasstandridge]

oh, wow! Watching this, I realized that most of these cards are some of my favorites!

[@raisedbysirens6376]

man these videos are soo cool!

[@guillermomann7269]

I just found your channel it awesome. everything is perfect. Thank you so mucho for sharing all this valueble information. Saludos.

[@andrewboyko8304]

Great video! I love Carl Critchlow's Horseshoe crab for many of the same reasons you love muckwader.

[@Aligariusful]

A suggestion: Zoltan Boros.

[@PalPlays]

David Berg How about Daarken?

[@repeatingwordsechoingthrou1821]

Boros legion it's a reference?

[@TastySnackies]

David Berg with Gabor Sziksai, of course.

[@MUFFINHEAD1985]

I found out about Imaginative Realism due to this vid. I instantly downloaded it, stunning.

[@cogspace]

I just adore imaginative realism. Fantasy is all the more impactful when it feels like it could be real, like it's somewhere out there, just waiting to be found. Paradoxically, the imagery that contains the least magic feels the most genuinely magical.

[@PlayingWithPowerMTG]

Amazing video as always. If I may add a request: Glen Angus. One of the better MTG artists in my opinion. His unique style was always immediately recognizable. He would draw them by hand then color/shade them digitally. He passed away in 2007 at 36, which was tragic for someone so talented and so young. He's known for some famous cards like: Tangle Wire Mindslaver Followed Footsteps All Sun's Dawn Great work again MMS. Keep up the fantastic work!

[@luliby2309]

Wow, such an interesting juxtaposition that someone who values objectivity and realism so much would create such great art for this fantasy game called Magic. I love the thoughtful and chill vibe that your work employs. The music is very relaxing.

[@Immortalf0x]

You are an excellent writer. I don't play or collect Magic but I am an artist and this series is fascinating to watch even without an understanding of how MTG works.

[@lucaslopes3256]

I've dreamt of a youtube channel that would assist me into looking more into the lives of the people who inspire us with their magical work every time we're with the gang. Man, I can't tell you how amazing this channel is, I wish you all the best!

[@whatwayzup]

Another quality video!