Ben Maier
@benmaier.bsky.social
🦄 Fantasy Illustrator: Book Covers, Magic the Gathering
🦉Concept artist : Characters, Props
✨Teacher: 2D Game Art, Illustration
https://www.artstation.com/benmaier
🎨 Human Art
🏳️⚧️ He/Him
😍 RPGs and traveling
🦉Concept artist : Characters, Props
✨Teacher: 2D Game Art, Illustration
https://www.artstation.com/benmaier
🎨 Human Art
🏳️⚧️ He/Him
😍 RPGs and traveling
#stilllife on Desk
Yesterday I showed my students how to plan and paint a #digital still life. #Painting from life is probably the best way to understand light and materials.
Yesterday I showed my students how to plan and paint a #digital still life. #Painting from life is probably the best way to understand light and materials.
November 12, 2025 at 10:51 AM
#stilllife on Desk
Yesterday I showed my students how to plan and paint a #digital still life. #Painting from life is probably the best way to understand light and materials.
Yesterday I showed my students how to plan and paint a #digital still life. #Painting from life is probably the best way to understand light and materials.
🍂 It's that time of year again... autumn, spooky themes and dressing up!
This started as a class demo - me as a #LastofUs character.
Main inspiration: www.artstation.com/richard_lyons
Do you have spooky self-portraits too? Feel free to share them 🦇
#DigitalArt #SpookySeason #ArtDemo #SelfPortrait
This started as a class demo - me as a #LastofUs character.
Main inspiration: www.artstation.com/richard_lyons
Do you have spooky self-portraits too? Feel free to share them 🦇
#DigitalArt #SpookySeason #ArtDemo #SelfPortrait
October 17, 2025 at 10:57 AM
🍂 It's that time of year again... autumn, spooky themes and dressing up!
This started as a class demo - me as a #LastofUs character.
Main inspiration: www.artstation.com/richard_lyons
Do you have spooky self-portraits too? Feel free to share them 🦇
#DigitalArt #SpookySeason #ArtDemo #SelfPortrait
This started as a class demo - me as a #LastofUs character.
Main inspiration: www.artstation.com/richard_lyons
Do you have spooky self-portraits too? Feel free to share them 🦇
#DigitalArt #SpookySeason #ArtDemo #SelfPortrait
Fan Concept: #Borderlands #Voodoo #Siren 'Ayo' 💀
The idea of combining a Siren’s power with a summonable pet felt natural when I began sketching her (2023) — and seeing similar ideas pop up later with the character of Vex makes it feel even more exciting.
🏳️⚧️ Ayo is a transfeminine.
The idea of combining a Siren’s power with a summonable pet felt natural when I began sketching her (2023) — and seeing similar ideas pop up later with the character of Vex makes it feel even more exciting.
🏳️⚧️ Ayo is a transfeminine.
September 29, 2025 at 7:22 AM
Fan Concept: #Borderlands #Voodoo #Siren 'Ayo' 💀
The idea of combining a Siren’s power with a summonable pet felt natural when I began sketching her (2023) — and seeing similar ideas pop up later with the character of Vex makes it feel even more exciting.
🏳️⚧️ Ayo is a transfeminine.
The idea of combining a Siren’s power with a summonable pet felt natural when I began sketching her (2023) — and seeing similar ideas pop up later with the character of Vex makes it feel even more exciting.
🏳️⚧️ Ayo is a transfeminine.
Alternative design sketch of my Voodoo Siren Fan Concept.
Inspired by Himba/Hamar culture, but clearly fantasy. Set in the world of Borderlands.
#borderlands #borderlandsfanart #fanart #sirendesign #voodoosiren #conceptart #characterdesign #digitalart #gearbox #queerart #originalcharacter
Inspired by Himba/Hamar culture, but clearly fantasy. Set in the world of Borderlands.
#borderlands #borderlandsfanart #fanart #sirendesign #voodoosiren #conceptart #characterdesign #digitalart #gearbox #queerart #originalcharacter
September 28, 2025 at 12:20 PM
Alternative design sketch of my Voodoo Siren Fan Concept.
Inspired by Himba/Hamar culture, but clearly fantasy. Set in the world of Borderlands.
#borderlands #borderlandsfanart #fanart #sirendesign #voodoosiren #conceptart #characterdesign #digitalart #gearbox #queerart #originalcharacter
Inspired by Himba/Hamar culture, but clearly fantasy. Set in the world of Borderlands.
#borderlands #borderlandsfanart #fanart #sirendesign #voodoosiren #conceptart #characterdesign #digitalart #gearbox #queerart #originalcharacter
Costume Closet
MtG: Through the Omenpaths (2025)
AD: Sam Padilla
#omenpaths #mtg #mtgart #mtgarena #magic #magicthegathering #fantasyart #duskmourn #magicthegatheringartwork #spirits #ghost
MtG: Through the Omenpaths (2025)
AD: Sam Padilla
#omenpaths #mtg #mtgart #mtgarena #magic #magicthegathering #fantasyart #duskmourn #magicthegatheringartwork #spirits #ghost
September 25, 2025 at 12:11 PM
Costume Closet
MtG: Through the Omenpaths (2025)
AD: Sam Padilla
#omenpaths #mtg #mtgart #mtgarena #magic #magicthegathering #fantasyart #duskmourn #magicthegatheringartwork #spirits #ghost
MtG: Through the Omenpaths (2025)
AD: Sam Padilla
#omenpaths #mtg #mtgart #mtgarena #magic #magicthegathering #fantasyart #duskmourn #magicthegatheringartwork #spirits #ghost
I started warming up with 5-6 min figure studies a while ago (January). I have a huge pure ref with gestures. I open it at the beginning of my day, copy my ~6-ish gesture and put timers. It helps me getting my head into drawing-mode, like a meditation.
I wonder how other artists start their day?
I wonder how other artists start their day?
September 24, 2025 at 8:21 PM
I started warming up with 5-6 min figure studies a while ago (January). I have a huge pure ref with gestures. I open it at the beginning of my day, copy my ~6-ish gesture and put timers. It helps me getting my head into drawing-mode, like a meditation.
I wonder how other artists start their day?
I wonder how other artists start their day?
🍂 It's officially Autumn! 🍂
Quote repost with your Autumn themed #art #autumnart #illustration
*NO A/I
Magic the Gathering Card I did back in 2018. Autumn is coming. I love wind 🍃🍂
Quote repost with your Autumn themed #art #autumnart #illustration
*NO A/I
Magic the Gathering Card I did back in 2018. Autumn is coming. I love wind 🍃🍂
September 23, 2025 at 9:21 AM
🍂 It's officially Autumn! 🍂
Quote repost with your Autumn themed #art #autumnart #illustration
*NO A/I
Magic the Gathering Card I did back in 2018. Autumn is coming. I love wind 🍃🍂
Quote repost with your Autumn themed #art #autumnart #illustration
*NO A/I
Magic the Gathering Card I did back in 2018. Autumn is coming. I love wind 🍃🍂
Since there are many spiders in Through the Omenpaths, I thought it would make sense to post my Twin-Silk Spider for good company.
It's an old card (2019) and not a very strong one. But painting it was fun.
Title: Twin-Silk Spider
Magic the Gathering: Modern Horizon
Art Director: Cynthia Sheppard
It's an old card (2019) and not a very strong one. But painting it was fun.
Title: Twin-Silk Spider
Magic the Gathering: Modern Horizon
Art Director: Cynthia Sheppard
September 20, 2025 at 4:01 PM
Since there are many spiders in Through the Omenpaths, I thought it would make sense to post my Twin-Silk Spider for good company.
It's an old card (2019) and not a very strong one. But painting it was fun.
Title: Twin-Silk Spider
Magic the Gathering: Modern Horizon
Art Director: Cynthia Sheppard
It's an old card (2019) and not a very strong one. But painting it was fun.
Title: Twin-Silk Spider
Magic the Gathering: Modern Horizon
Art Director: Cynthia Sheppard
Congrats on 5.4k! 🦕✨
September 20, 2025 at 10:44 AM
Congrats on 5.4k! 🦕✨
Eccentric Arachnologist
MtG: Through the Omenpaths
AD: Emily Mazza
#omenpaths #mtg #mtgart #mtgarena #magic #magicthegathering #fantasyart #strixhaven #witherbloom #magicthegatheringartwork #spiders
MtG: Through the Omenpaths
AD: Emily Mazza
#omenpaths #mtg #mtgart #mtgarena #magic #magicthegathering #fantasyart #strixhaven #witherbloom #magicthegatheringartwork #spiders
September 16, 2025 at 11:29 AM
Eccentric Arachnologist
MtG: Through the Omenpaths
AD: Emily Mazza
#omenpaths #mtg #mtgart #mtgarena #magic #magicthegathering #fantasyart #strixhaven #witherbloom #magicthegatheringartwork #spiders
MtG: Through the Omenpaths
AD: Emily Mazza
#omenpaths #mtg #mtgart #mtgarena #magic #magicthegathering #fantasyart #strixhaven #witherbloom #magicthegatheringartwork #spiders
Worked a bit more on my Minoan Hero Character Concept.
September 13, 2025 at 4:22 PM
Worked a bit more on my Minoan Hero Character Concept.
The Chosen of Demeter
Concept art for a fictional game character.
Set in an ancient Minoan setting in which she is trying to flee and fight her way out of the Labyrinth of Knossos - invaded by humanoid Egyptian bug-invaders.
The character was designed for a 3D game art student project.
Concept art for a fictional game character.
Set in an ancient Minoan setting in which she is trying to flee and fight her way out of the Labyrinth of Knossos - invaded by humanoid Egyptian bug-invaders.
The character was designed for a 3D game art student project.
June 12, 2025 at 4:24 PM
The Chosen of Demeter
Concept art for a fictional game character.
Set in an ancient Minoan setting in which she is trying to flee and fight her way out of the Labyrinth of Knossos - invaded by humanoid Egyptian bug-invaders.
The character was designed for a 3D game art student project.
Concept art for a fictional game character.
Set in an ancient Minoan setting in which she is trying to flee and fight her way out of the Labyrinth of Knossos - invaded by humanoid Egyptian bug-invaders.
The character was designed for a 3D game art student project.
A little process #documentation / #breakdown of my #digital #stilllife.
#steps:
A) Drawing
B) Value Grouping
C) Color Block In (incl. Use of Gradient Maps)
D) Painting Half Tones
E) Rendering (incl. Textures)
F) Painting Speculars/Highlights/Reflections/Bounce Light
#art #digitalart
#steps:
A) Drawing
B) Value Grouping
C) Color Block In (incl. Use of Gradient Maps)
D) Painting Half Tones
E) Rendering (incl. Textures)
F) Painting Speculars/Highlights/Reflections/Bounce Light
#art #digitalart
June 10, 2025 at 3:33 PM
A little process #documentation / #breakdown of my #digital #stilllife.
#steps:
A) Drawing
B) Value Grouping
C) Color Block In (incl. Use of Gradient Maps)
D) Painting Half Tones
E) Rendering (incl. Textures)
F) Painting Speculars/Highlights/Reflections/Bounce Light
#art #digitalart
#steps:
A) Drawing
B) Value Grouping
C) Color Block In (incl. Use of Gradient Maps)
D) Painting Half Tones
E) Rendering (incl. Textures)
F) Painting Speculars/Highlights/Reflections/Bounce Light
#art #digitalart
Some studies from this week end.
With the still lives I focussed on work flow: they were done rather quickly.
The drawings are from my visit of the MARKK museum in Hamburg. My youngest wanted me to draw all sorts of weapons when he found out that I sketched.
With the still lives I focussed on work flow: they were done rather quickly.
The drawings are from my visit of the MARKK museum in Hamburg. My youngest wanted me to draw all sorts of weapons when he found out that I sketched.
June 8, 2025 at 6:07 PM
Some studies from this week end.
With the still lives I focussed on work flow: they were done rather quickly.
The drawings are from my visit of the MARKK museum in Hamburg. My youngest wanted me to draw all sorts of weapons when he found out that I sketched.
With the still lives I focussed on work flow: they were done rather quickly.
The drawings are from my visit of the MARKK museum in Hamburg. My youngest wanted me to draw all sorts of weapons when he found out that I sketched.
Congrats!
OMG - your Orin artwork is soo perfect! If I had no toddlers I would ask if you I can buy a print, but I guess she is not safe for their age 😅
I am Ben and I do love inventing and painting characters (and architecture, and items, and landscapes,... ehh.. probably everything?)
OMG - your Orin artwork is soo perfect! If I had no toddlers I would ask if you I can buy a print, but I guess she is not safe for their age 😅
I am Ben and I do love inventing and painting characters (and architecture, and items, and landscapes,... ehh.. probably everything?)
June 6, 2025 at 10:59 PM
Congrats!
OMG - your Orin artwork is soo perfect! If I had no toddlers I would ask if you I can buy a print, but I guess she is not safe for their age 😅
I am Ben and I do love inventing and painting characters (and architecture, and items, and landscapes,... ehh.. probably everything?)
OMG - your Orin artwork is soo perfect! If I had no toddlers I would ask if you I can buy a print, but I guess she is not safe for their age 😅
I am Ben and I do love inventing and painting characters (and architecture, and items, and landscapes,... ehh.. probably everything?)
The Chosen of Demeter
Concept art for a fictional game character.
Set in an ancient Minoan setting in which she is trying to flee and fight her way out of the Labyrinth of Knossos - invaded by humanoid Egyptian bug-invaders.
The character was designed for a 3D game art student project.
Concept art for a fictional game character.
Set in an ancient Minoan setting in which she is trying to flee and fight her way out of the Labyrinth of Knossos - invaded by humanoid Egyptian bug-invaders.
The character was designed for a 3D game art student project.
June 3, 2025 at 4:36 PM
The Chosen of Demeter
Concept art for a fictional game character.
Set in an ancient Minoan setting in which she is trying to flee and fight her way out of the Labyrinth of Knossos - invaded by humanoid Egyptian bug-invaders.
The character was designed for a 3D game art student project.
Concept art for a fictional game character.
Set in an ancient Minoan setting in which she is trying to flee and fight her way out of the Labyrinth of Knossos - invaded by humanoid Egyptian bug-invaders.
The character was designed for a 3D game art student project.
Quick-ish sketch and rendering of one of my pen&paper RPG characters (Gnome, Ioria, Splittermond). Ahh.. I miss playing him.
Today, I'll be studying historical armors at 9 AM CET on twitch. If you feel rusty (pun intended): join, maybe?
www.twitch.tv/benmaier [ENG]
Today, I'll be studying historical armors at 9 AM CET on twitch. If you feel rusty (pun intended): join, maybe?
www.twitch.tv/benmaier [ENG]
May 11, 2025 at 5:37 AM
Quick-ish sketch and rendering of one of my pen&paper RPG characters (Gnome, Ioria, Splittermond). Ahh.. I miss playing him.
Today, I'll be studying historical armors at 9 AM CET on twitch. If you feel rusty (pun intended): join, maybe?
www.twitch.tv/benmaier [ENG]
Today, I'll be studying historical armors at 9 AM CET on twitch. If you feel rusty (pun intended): join, maybe?
www.twitch.tv/benmaier [ENG]
For my current projects I want to work more painterly and achieve a more traditional look.
So I did a John Singer Sargent study, the other day, on my twitch. Here is my study of 'Dr. Pozzi at Home'.
Post your own Sargent studies in the comments. Let's celebrate studying master paintings 🖌️
So I did a John Singer Sargent study, the other day, on my twitch. Here is my study of 'Dr. Pozzi at Home'.
Post your own Sargent studies in the comments. Let's celebrate studying master paintings 🖌️
May 8, 2025 at 11:41 AM
For my current projects I want to work more painterly and achieve a more traditional look.
So I did a John Singer Sargent study, the other day, on my twitch. Here is my study of 'Dr. Pozzi at Home'.
Post your own Sargent studies in the comments. Let's celebrate studying master paintings 🖌️
So I did a John Singer Sargent study, the other day, on my twitch. Here is my study of 'Dr. Pozzi at Home'.
Post your own Sargent studies in the comments. Let's celebrate studying master paintings 🖌️
More Magic Spellslinger's Art that I've painted: a baby griffin.
🌈🖌️
🌈🖌️
April 28, 2025 at 10:55 AM
More Magic Spellslinger's Art that I've painted: a baby griffin.
🌈🖌️
🌈🖌️
The Aegis Angel was also part of my work for Magic Spellingler's.
April 27, 2025 at 7:42 PM
The Aegis Angel was also part of my work for Magic Spellingler's.
Yesterday I uploaded a few examples of my work that I had done for Magic Spellslinger's quite a while ago, on art station.
It was a super fun project and I was working with one of my early art heros: Gabor Szikszai (AD).
The greedy assassin is my favorite <3.
www.artstation.com/artwork/Jr8vQA
It was a super fun project and I was working with one of my early art heros: Gabor Szikszai (AD).
The greedy assassin is my favorite <3.
www.artstation.com/artwork/Jr8vQA
April 26, 2025 at 2:24 PM
Yesterday I uploaded a few examples of my work that I had done for Magic Spellslinger's quite a while ago, on art station.
It was a super fun project and I was working with one of my early art heros: Gabor Szikszai (AD).
The greedy assassin is my favorite <3.
www.artstation.com/artwork/Jr8vQA
It was a super fun project and I was working with one of my early art heros: Gabor Szikszai (AD).
The greedy assassin is my favorite <3.
www.artstation.com/artwork/Jr8vQA
My Magic the Gathering artwork for Tarkir: Dragonstorm got revealed! ✨
It was fun to create the lush and water thick dense atmosphere of the Jeskai monastery. I love the setting ❤
Title: Adaptive Training Post
AD: Forrest Schehl
It was fun to create the lush and water thick dense atmosphere of the Jeskai monastery. I love the setting ❤
Title: Adaptive Training Post
AD: Forrest Schehl
March 24, 2025 at 9:45 AM
My Magic the Gathering artwork for Tarkir: Dragonstorm got revealed! ✨
It was fun to create the lush and water thick dense atmosphere of the Jeskai monastery. I love the setting ❤
Title: Adaptive Training Post
AD: Forrest Schehl
It was fun to create the lush and water thick dense atmosphere of the Jeskai monastery. I love the setting ❤
Title: Adaptive Training Post
AD: Forrest Schehl
✨1K followers!!! ✨
I'd love to see your art! Let's do an ART SHARE 🌙
🦇Share your art (SFW & human made only)
🦇Tag some art buddies - close ones only (optional)
🦇Repost this for visibility & be supportive of others (optional)
🦇Theme: darkest days of the year subtle horror (optional)
#artshare #art
I'd love to see your art! Let's do an ART SHARE 🌙
🦇Share your art (SFW & human made only)
🦇Tag some art buddies - close ones only (optional)
🦇Repost this for visibility & be supportive of others (optional)
🦇Theme: darkest days of the year subtle horror (optional)
#artshare #art
December 18, 2024 at 1:29 PM