Fantasy Card Illustration: Designing Art for RPG & CCG Games

Learn how to create professional card art for fantasy, tabletop, RPG, and CCG games. 
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Course overview
Learn to visualize characters, build dynamic compositions, and use light and mood to tell powerful stories within a small frame.

  • Lifetime Access
    One Time Payment

  • Level
    Beginner/intermediate

  • Length
    11+ Hours

  • Mediums
    Digital & Traditional

  • Finally Bring Your Passion Project To Life

    Magic: The Gather artist, Raymond Bonilla guides you through the full process of designing and painting for RPG and CCG cards. From interpreting a creative brief to completing a polished final illustration, this workshop covers it all. 

    By the end, you’ll create a finished piece of card art and access to the professional skills needed to work in fantasy illustration, game art, and narrative painting.

Topics Covered

  • Designing Characters, Creatures & Worlds
  • Art Direction for Fantasy Card Illustration
  • Visual Development & Ideation
  • Lighting, Color & Atmosphere
  • Composition & Storytelling for Card Format
  • [BONUS] Blender Basics for Illustrators

On-demand Lessons

Every installment of this course is packed with lectures, hands-on demonstrations, and more.

Practical Industry Insight

Tools used by the world's top professionals. E-books, note-taking, surveys and more.

Learn-by-doing Assignments

Students will complete a finished card design during this on-demand workshop (feedback is not included).

Certificate Award

Finish this course and receive a certificate of completion from Visual Arts Passage.
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Created by

Raymond Bonilla

Gallery Painter & Illustrator
Award-Winning Illustrator for Magic: The Gathering and Wizards of the Coast
Raymond Bonilla is an award-winning illustrator and fine artist based in Buffalo, New York, best known for his work with Magic: The Gathering and Wizards of the Coast. His paintings for Magic capture rich atmosphere, realism, and narrative depth, bringing the game’s worlds and characters to life with cinematic clarity.

Beyond his contributions to Magic: The Gathering, Bonilla’s illustration and fine art have earned Gold Medals from the Society of Illustrators in New York and Los Angeles, features in Communication Arts, and exhibitions at Abend Gallery, Principle Gallery, and Meibohm Fine Arts. His work is collected nationwide and celebrated for its mastery of light, tone, and storytelling.

Write your awesome label here.

Write your awesome label here.

Write your awesome label here.

Write your awesome label here.

Course Overview

Start Designing Your Own Card Art Now

Frequently asked questions

Who is this course for?

This course is for illustrators interested in creating fantasy artwork for RPG and CCG games, whether they are exploring the field or refining their approach to the format. Ambitious beginners and skilled artists are welcome.

Do I need experience with RPG or card art to take this course?

No prior experience with RPG or card illustration is required; the course focuses on foundational illustration and design principles as they apply to card-based artwork.

Is this course digital-only, or can I work traditionally?

While most demonstrations and workflows are digital, students are welcome to work traditionally if they prefer. Lessons will apply to most mediums.

Is Blender required for this course?

No. Blender is included as an optional, bonus tool for reference and support, but it is not required to complete the course.

Does this course include feedback or critiques?

This course does not include live feedback or critiques; it is designed as a self-paced learning experience.

How long will I have access to the course?

Enrollment includes lifetime access to the course materials.

I bought the class and what is the Google Drive?

This was originally a live workshop. Students attending on-demand do not need access to the Drive and do not submit assignments for critique.
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