Top 10 Board Game Artists

[@SanderPastoor]

What a fantastic idea to bring artists into the spotlight like this! I've heard of quite a few artists here but never really knew what their style was. What a treat. It makes me happy that designers and artists both seem to be held in equally high regard within boardgaming.

[@TotallyTabled]

Honestly I don't think gamers and content creators (including myself) do enough to celebrate these artists or focus enough on how important art is to our hobby. I think we treat it as a "nice to have" but not critical aspect of games, which is wrong in my opinion. It is similar to the way the general public doesn't realize how important cinematographers are to movies. The collective shrug from most board gamers about generative AI imaging -- and the willingness of established publishers to fully embrace it -- has been a wake up call for me personally. I know I'm paying more attention to supporting companies that support artists. Thanks so much for watching the video!

[@Noobwater]

Ian O'Toole has quickly become my favorite artist after playing Unmatched and Inventions. That playmat of his on the AllPlay kickstarter is so beautiful!

[@TotallyTabled]

I'm not familiar with the playmat. I'll have to look into that. Thanks!

[@jerryf196]

What about voidfall?

[@kirkbeiser]

One of the best videos I have watched this month. These are 10 great artists and you could easily make a second list. Art is very important to me in games.

[@TotallyTabled]

That is very kind of you to say. I'm glad you enjoyed the video. Next time I plan to make a top 25 list, because I had to leave off too many great artists. Thank you for watching!

[@morgaknightgames]

Vincent Dutrait is absolutely one of my favorites. I'm almost immediately tempted to buy a game if I see his art. I'm also incredibly excited for Unconscious Minds to deliver later this year. Both the art and theme are right up my alley.

[@TotallyTabled]

I was so hoping Unconscious Mind would deliver before I made this video. It looks so incredible. I'm with you 100%. Thanks!

[@KarelTiteca]

Great list! So happy Elise Plessis is on your list!

[@TotallyTabled]

She is great and underappreciated. Thanks for watching!

[@HerVoiceRemains]

Fantastic video and thanks for championing art. Andrew Bosley is a big miss here in my opinion, but grateful you made this.

[@TotallyTabled]

Yeah, he is great. I snuck him in at #11. Easily could have made the list, but I have more personal connection to the others. Thanks for watching!

[@starshocker]

So many different artists that have their unique styles and most of the time it truly fits the ambiance and atmosphere of the games they illustrated. I've got my own favorite with whom I've worked on my projects, she never did boardgames but I feel like I ought to share her work.

[@TotallyTabled]

Absolutely. Art is so important in board gaming and we are so lucky as a hobby to have attracted such talented artists. As a content creator, I want to do more to highlight these individuals and their work. Thanks for watching!

[@joerihessels8230]

Great video! My number 1 would be Kyle Ferrin, but the rest of my list would have a lot of overlap ;)

[@TotallyTabled]

Yeah, I love his work as well. I'm not as personally connected to his games, but I would love for him to work on more games! His style is special. Thanks for checking out the list!

[@andrerumjanek]

It’s very refreshing to look at games and appreciate not just the mechanics and theme, but the art as well. I completely agree that board games are works of art and can be added to a collection for their aesthetics as well. Thanks for your videos, lists and playthroughs.

[@danieljeffery1500]

Thanks!

[@TotallyTabled]

Wow, thank you very much! This is very appreciated. Have a wonderful day!

[@danieljeffery1500]

Thanks Shaggi. This video made my day!

[@MyParedrus]

As much as art is subjective, this was an amazing video! Well done!

[@tracieperez2629]

LOVE this video. I so appreciate the artwork in board games. As someone with two design degrees, I can tell you right now I love art! Thanks for making me aware of these designers by name. So many times I wonder who is doing the art in these games. You have two of my favorites on the list--Elise Plessis and Webster Santiago who I just so happen to unknowingly pick up a game at Gen Con with his work in "Dracula vs. Van Helsing" I will certainly check out his website.

[@beakerkell]

Completely agree with Takako Takarai! Such charming art

[@TotallyTabled]

I know, right. It is great. Thanks for watching!

[@boeta9778]

Great topic you opened there! Here is my favorite game artwork which has not been mentioned in the video: -Firm with brownies -Hanamikoji -Critter at wars -Rebel princess -Last Dungeon pocket -Decaslayer

[@TotallyTabled]

Maisherly was on my short list and would definitely be in my top 20. The others I'm not as familiar with -- I'll check them out. Thanks!

[@dnmessias]

Wow so many fantastic artists! I'm happy to see Santiago s work here. Thanks by The video.

[@TotallyTabled]

He's amazing. I'm looking into getting some of his stuff outside of board gaming as well. Thanks for watching!

[@rudbeckia144]

Great list! You mentioned several of my personal favorite board game artists. First time I encountered the Oniverse games I wasn't too sure wether I liked the artwork or not as it was just so different to everything else out there. But in the end, Elise Plessis artwork is what really got me hooked. I just adore the quirky world she's created for the game series.

[@ensign_Ro]

great video, thank you! im new to board games but def the art is the first thing that draws me to checking a game out. would like to submit Gary Chalk's art on Talisman 2nd ed and Sean Aaberg's art on Dungeon Degenerates as two of best ive seen yet

[@kmontzka]

What a wonderful idea! Thanks for bringing attention to the artists in gaming. The visual esthetic of a game is important to me, especially if I'm going to commit to staring it on a table for hours on end.

[@TotallyTabled]

I'm glad you enjoyed the video. Art in board games have really taken off in the last decade. Really nice to see. I also think board games are a great medium for artists to express themselves. Hopefully the trend will continue. Thanks for watching!

[@Lynxie1980]

What a great topic! I find art hard to rate, I love many kinds of art design. For me meadows artwork is which I enjoy the most for the exact reason you talk about and I just love nature pictures and games, flowers, animals and insect, aquarel really fits this theme so well. But I can appreciate art like the onirim universe, for the same reasons like you. I enjoy that kind of art in a different way, it tickles my creative mind. Many artists you talk about I feel the same, while I only seen the art through this ( and other video's) I love the many different styles, they can give games personality. It's good to have so many great different artists! Thank you for making this video, I hope to see another video about different kinds of arts and how they make you feel. Can be a ranking, but just a video about the many different art styles and why you like them is really fun too watch. When I saw the pictures of the bloody inn, at first glance I disliked it, but after your talk and seeing many pictures I started to see the beauty of this style. Some art styles takes some time for me to discover the beauty. Ah great video, as always!

[@TotallyTabled]

We are lucky to have so much variety of excellent art in board gaming these days. When you play a game often, you can really develop a personal connection to the art. Spending so much time with an artist's work is rare -- just one of the many special aspects of the hobby. I really like your idea of talking about different styles of art in board games. I've been thinking about how to make "list" videos outside the traditional ranking structure and this is a great topic idea. Thanks so much for checking out the video!

[@jamesmorgan1967]

I don't own any games illustrated by Weberson Santiago, but wow, I really like his style! Surprised to see that he is a prolific board game artist (for example, he's the illustrator on Flatiron, the soon to be released? game by the designers of The Red Cathderal and The White Castle). I also find Piero's art on Ghost Stories very dark and compelling. Didn't know he also illustrated Mr. Jack as well. One artist not on your list whom I like is Manny Trembley. I own both Wonderland's War and Radlands and am drawn to his use of vibrant colors. Great list, btw. I always enjoy your videos!

[@TotallyTabled]

Ohh, I didn't know about Flatiron. Looks interesting. Manny Trembley is my #13. I've played a little bit of Radlands and I absolutely love the visual style. I really hope I can play more games with his art so he can rise on my list. I love what I've seen so far. Thanks for watching!

[@jamesmorgan1967]

@TotallyTabled Quick question! This video led me to your PT of The Bloody Inn. Do you feel the game holds up to repeated solo plays and do you recommend the Carnies expansion? (Two questions, I guess...)

[@TotallyTabled]

@@jamesmorgan1967 For solo, Carnies is not necessary. Most of the modules don't work very well for solo. Carnies is great for multiplayer, but also not necessarily. As for repeated plays, I'd compare it to something like For Northwood or some of the Button Shy collection. It is a smallish card game with a lot of variability in how the cards come out, but the gameplay is the same. And it you aren't willing to pursue different strategies, you could fall into a repetitive rhythm. I enjoy trying different things, so I've enjoyed many repeated plays over the years. But it isn't Marvel Champions or something. Think small, unique, beautiful, funny, compelling package. I tend to like that sort of thing (like Saashi and Saashi and Button Shy). Anyway, I hope that rambling reply helps!

[@Zilong09]

Yeah I saw Ian from a mile away as #1. The guy is considered like a legend now. Hats off to Beth Sobel. She's been around for so long and has done some iconic games.

[@GregHu77]

I would say Maria Costa(Cafe) is an artist worth to mention but I know she doesnt have the scope like other artists on your list. Great idea for this video. I think art never gets the credit it deserves.

[@TotallyTabled]

I'm familiar with Cafe but not with Maria Costa's work. I'll check her out. Thanks!

[@zak1090]

Ian O'Toole is a wizard. His art is amazing, but its his iconography and his ability to convey an entire games language that just baffles me. RA dispite being one of his lighter games is a great example of this, i can teach the game and be reminded of 90% of the rules just by looking at the player board, amazing.

[@TotallyTabled]

You are so right and Ra is a great example. He really transforms these games and makes them a pleasure to play. Truly next level. Thanks for watching!

[@taykey17]

Unmatched has some of the best art in games. Each set has different artists. I also quite enjoy the artist for Undaunted and Western legends.

[@TotallyTabled]

Great picks! I believe Ian O'Toole and Kwanchai Moriya have worked on Unmatched as well. Thanks for watching!

[@warpo007]

"you've got good taste" - The Cramps.

[@IlPiTube]

This is great list! All fantastic artists. I would like to mention a favourite of mine, Albert Monteys. He created the art for games such as Resist!, Witchcraft and Luna Capital. He is not only an excellent board game artist, but also an accomplished comic book artist. He is particularly good in infusing great personality in all his character drawings. Just a single portrait is able to convey personality and back story and by doing that it enormously enrich the game play.

[@Vuig]

Thanks for such a fun and different list within the world of boardgames! For me O’Toole would definitely by high in the list too. Missing Kyle Ferrin (ROOT, OATH, ARCS, FORT) in this list.

[@snake_plant]

The coffee roaster art style almost of reminds me of the classic British children's cartoon Mr Benn in the minimalism. Vincent Dutrait's style keeps tempting me towards The A.R.T Project (the maps and postcards remind me of a children's book I absolutely loved) even though the game itself doesn't look my style. Not on your list (and I think it's a team of artists) but I'm looking forward to the 2nd Edition of Trekking The World which I did buy for the art!

[@TotallyTabled]

Yeah, that Trekking artwork does look incredible. I also really love the art in Parks, which is a collection of artists. Games just keep getting more and more beautiful. Thanks for watching the video!

[@lisahasegawa2674]

I love this list - the idea and your choices. I frequently buy games based on the artwork alone and Weberson Santiago has inspired many purchases. The box art for Sea Dragons? SO GOOD. Love Takako Takarai and totally agree her artwork is perfect for the Saashi game feel. Also love Elise Plessis - that is why I bought my first Onirim game! Favorite game artwork is for Hyakke-Yagyo - do you know this one?

[@renanmachado7495]

Hi, big fan from Brazil here. Love the video. About the Weberson Santiago art, I think he drew a lot of inspiration from a very famous Brazilian painter Candido Portinari

[@TotallyTabled]

Hello! I'll check out Candido Portinari work. Thanks so much for the information. I don't know much about art and I love to learn about new artists. Have great day and thanks for checking out the video!

[@nobuthatsme9201]

Moriya and Takarai are my top two but after that your list is pretty spot on.

[@TableTopTroubadour]

Great video, Shaggy! Given your tastes, I am surprised to not see Kyle Ferrin from Leder Games' portfolio!

[@TotallyTabled]

I like his stuff for sure. I'm more of a Pax Pamir guy and less of a Root/Oath guy, so I don't have the same connection to his art. But it is amazing. Thanks for watching.

[@Webhead123]

Ghost Stories is just a drop-dead gorgeous game. Piero's artwork is masterful. To this day, I think it might be one of the best-looking games I've ever seen.

[@TotallyTabled]

Ghost Stories is definitely the best-looking game I've ever seen. Every card is dazzling. Thanks for watching!

[@baschdiro8565]

Among my favourite boardgame artists are the Mico, Klemens Franz, Dennis Lohausen, Franz Vohwinkel and Michael Menzel.

[@TotallyTabled]

I definitely have a soft spot for Klemens Franz. Thanks for checking out the list!

[@TheSludgeMan]

I cant wait for the new Calimala that Ian O'Toole works on. It's his take on a beige euro!

[@TotallyTabled]

He is the right artist for the job, no doubt about that. I'm also looking forward to that one. Thanks for checking out the list!

[@MegaSNES64]

I also like Kwanchai’s work on Rolling Heights and Xavier Collette’s work on Abyss is stunning.

[@TotallyTabled]

Abyss is amazing! Definitely high on my list of most beautiful games. Thanks for watching!

[@PrimusMagicus]

nice list. My favorites include mr. cuddington kwanchai manny trembley beth sobel andrew bosley vincent dutrait magali villeneuve

[@truce11]

You should try to do zoom interviews to spotlight them more

[@sapien01010]

The main reason I didn’t consider backing Conquest Princess was because I hated the artwork, and now that I see your take on Kwanchai Moriya, I think he would have been PERFECT for that game

[@TotallyTabled]

Oh yes, I have a long list of games that I hope get a new edition with Kwanchai Moriya art. Thanks for checking out the video!

[@FBracht]

All great picks! And art and tastes are peak subjective, so it doesn’t matter what I think, but… not even a passing mention of the inimitable Kyle Ferrin is hard to stomach, for me.

[@Biodelic]

Yeah, for me Ian O'Tool is the overall GOAT and I agree with you on his art reaching into "then I will probably also like the gameplay" realm (with the exception of Weather Machine). Right after, I would put the combined art team of Orange Nebula. Especially for Vindication but also Unsettled. In third place I would put Mirko Treccani. His work in S.H.E.O.L is probably the single most memorable art performance in a board game for me personally. I would love to see more by him.

[@TotallyTabled]

I'm not familiar with Mirko Treccani. I'll do some research. Thanks for the recommendation!

[@sapien01010]

My favorite artist is also Ian O’Toole, but the last game I considered backing just for the artwork alone was Old King’s Crown (sadly, I didn’t end up backing it because I backed another big game around the same time).

[@TotallyTabled]

Oh my, yes! That looked so amazing I had to back it. I could do an entire list of "one hit wonders" who I hope will illustrate more games. Medusa Dollmaker and Garen Ewing come to mind. (Of course, I mean one hit wonders in board games -- they are obviously extremely accomplished outside of the hobby).

[@VoidVerification]

You know there's gonna be great artists coming up when Andrew Bosley is only on No. 11. A relatively new artists to look out for is Clémentine Campardou. I am so smitten with all her water color dragon illustrations for Wyrmspan, but she also did the art for Floriferous and Delicious by Pencil First Games.

[@TotallyTabled]

Yeah, Andrew Bosley deserves to be top 10, but so do 30 others. It was so hard to choose. Thanks for the recommendation. I'm not familiar with her work but I'll definitely check it out. Thanks for watching!

[@laurencesingh3948]

Art is completely subjective but this list would have been objectively wrong if Ian O'Toole wasn't number 1. 😂 Great list idea and awesome editing to feature these wonderful talents. Here would be my top ten: 10. Beth Sobel: Tussie Mussie, Wingspan, Viticulture 9. The Mico 8. Kwanchai Moria 7. Mr. Cuddington 6. Andrew Bosley: Everdell, Tapestry, Tang Garden 5. Vincent Dutrait 4. Edu Valls: 3 Ring Circus, Redwood, Terminus 3. Sam Macdonald: Ezra and Nehemiah, Legacy of Yu, Raiders of Scythia 2. Jakub Rozalski: Scythe, Expeditions 1. Ian O'Toole: Sankoré is another great one

[@TotallyTabled]

That's a great list! I'm not very familiar with Edu Valls. I'll definitely do some research. Thanks!

[@popgas3821]

Huh, your number 1...I was a bit surprised when the name came out because I was fascinated by those preceding artists, some whom I haven't heard but then I got the most titles of games done by this person on your #1 so we got a cross up match! 😂 I'm not sure if yoy have played some Cole Wehrle games but his go to artist, Kyle Ferrin, has the same air and character to Takako Takarai albeit, TT's render is visually simpler but warm and colorful. This makes them honestly distinguishable and that's the beauty of uniqueness. Shout out to the distate of AI art 😂. I feel the same.

[@TotallyTabled]

Kyle Ferrin was on my shortlist but I haven't played very much Root or Oath, so I haven't had a chance to really enjoy it properly or connect with it. But it is very cool. Thanks for watching!

[@warpo007]

without even watching. no1 has to be Mr Ian O'toole. i am drawn to his art automatically. and he is a local.

[@TotallyTabled]

Ha, am I that transparent? Yeah, he's awesome at what he does and I hope he never stops! Thanks!

[@jbo2471]

No Manny Tremblay. Damn. Radlands, 20 strong tangled wood, and wroth look so good. But well taste are biased anyway. Don’t know the name, but I like the one from skytear also

[@TotallyTabled]

He was #13. I haven't been exposed to too much of his work yet. Thanks for watching!

[@Spyryt193]

Ya, was floored to see him not even make the list. He also has done Dice Throne, Wonderland’s War and Wroth.

[@CharacterFormationCoaching]

Ian O'Toole + a heavy Euro dominates my top 5 games!

[@TotallyTabled]

I know, right. His portfolio is insane. He's done so many of my favorite games. Thanks for watching!

[@broavonyl5997]

I bet someone somewhere is taking a shot for every different thumbnail this video's getting xD

[@TotallyTabled]

😃 I thought it would fun to mix them up, show off more art. Then I got busy. It will keep changing for a while, just more slowly. Thanks for watching.

[@TheRASDEL83]

What an interesting list... personally my top 3 are Santiago, The Mico and Dutrait... the irony... I got NO game with their art 🙃 The ones I want I cannot get, and the ones I can get, I do not want 😅

[@TotallyTabled]

Ah, that's a shame. Great trio of artists with very different and distinct styles. Love it. Thanks for checking out the video!

[@russstem]

Very interesting rating. I don't remember who else did this.

[@TotallyTabled]

I'm sorry?

[@russstem]

@@TotallyTabled Sorry for my English. I meant that I have never seen such a rating of artists)

[@TotallyTabled]

Ah, I understand. Don't apologize - I only speak English and it is usually not very good. I'm glad you found the video interesting. Thanks for watching!

[@LudoTechWorld]

That's indeed very subjective bu who cares? Artists does so much for the feel, the immersion and of course the look of board games and yet they are often just barely mentioned so, it just refreshing and pleasing to see such a list!

[@TotallyTabled]

I'm glad you feel that way and I agree totally. One of the ways I want to improve the channel is to focus a bit more on art in the board games I cover. This was a first step. Thanks for watching!

[@SamsGameCave]

First View was mine! Love your videos! 🤩

[@TotallyTabled]

That was quick! Thanks!

[@pascalcharland1403]

Love your top 10. Great idea and great list. I would only change Ian O'Toole for Michael Menzel. Ian O'Toole is a great illustrator or graphic designer but I almost never like the overall look of his games as the boards have too much plain colors all over it which detrack from the theme. I prefer boards with integrated theme I guess! Different strokes for different folks!

[@TotallyTabled]

Thanks! Michael Menzel is not one of my favorites, but I understand why he is so popular. Thanks for watching!

[@landladyification]

While I really like the art of TheMico I absolutely adore the art of Sean Äaberg who created the art of Dungeon Degenerates. If I had unlimited space and money I would buy anything with his art!

[@TotallyTabled]

That is very interesting and distinctive artwork for sure. I've not played the game yet, but I have the cover facing out on my shelf to show it off. Thanks for checking out the video!

[@Jelonq]

What's up with the miniature pic changes, I think I saw 5+ already

[@TotallyTabled]

Just having fun showing off different art. It is a video about art after all.

[@Jelonq]

​@@TotallyTabled woah, that's what I call commintment to the craft! good job :D

[@stormburns]

You like the aquarel style!

[@TotallyTabled]

Ah, just looked it up and I suppose I do. Like I said, I know nothing about art. :) Thanks for checking out the list!

[@stormburns]

@@TotallyTabled by the way O'Toole as your 1. was so obvious! Thanks for the great videos as always!

[@TotallyTabled]

@@stormburns Ha, yeah. Like half my videos are about games with his artwork. :)

[@LenoxSpartanFitness]

Kyle Ferrin blows these artists outta the water imo

[@TotallyTabled]

I don't have the personal connection to his art since I haven't played Root or Oath very often. His stuff is awesome, no doubt.

[@MaruMaruMaruMaruMaruMaru]

Good video

[@youhavegottobekidding]

Incredibly surprised Kyle Ferrin isn't on here

[@TotallyTabled]

He almost made it. I just don't have as much of a personal connection to his art since I rarely play Root or Oath and haven't tried Arcs yet. I definitely love his stuff. Thanks for checking out the video!

[@youhavegottobekidding]

@@TotallyTabled yeah you made good choices!

[@eliezernachman]

👍🎲