Brom: I love the freedom D&D gave me to develop my art, both technically as well as finding my style. The writers gave the artists a lot of room to bring their own voice, ideas and vision to the covers.
Glass: After being hired to work on the D&D campaign, Dark Sun, you began making illustrations and paintings even before the designers began writing the setting for the story. You are quoted saying “ I'd do a painting or a sketch, and the designers wrote those characters and ideas into the story. I was very involved in the development process.”
Is storytelling what drew you to a career of fantasy and sci-fi art?
Brom: It is a big part of it. Since I was a child I told stories with pictures and words, back then it was pencils and crayons on typing paper, stapled together to make a book. Now, its oil paintings and the computer, but at the heart of it, it is the same.
Glass: Are you working on anything right now that you’re particularly passionate or excited about? such a project, a concept, or an art piece?
Brom: Working away at a new novel titled Slewfoot, a tale of bewitchery. It is a twisted tale of witchcraft set in puritan colonial america. Writing historical fiction has both been a challenge and a joy, I love digging through all the history, it is amazing how reality can be so much more disturbing than fiction. The challenge is trying to get things as accurate as possible.
Glass: Diablo 4 is highly anticipated! We would love to hear about your experience working on that project- and maybe could you give us a sneak peek or insight into what you’ve been creating for the game?
Brom: I was fortunate to get a sneak peek at Blizzcon and was blown away by the visuals. The team has managed to update the gameplay and visuals while capturing the grimness of the original that I love so much. So far I have been enlisted to contribute a few key character paintings, including: Lilith and Inarius. These are large traditional oil paintings. I hope to complete several more before the game lanches.
Glass: Could you tell us about the inspiration behind some of your illustrations for Diablo 4? Such as these two, for example, pulled from your instagram:
[Inarius 42x52, 2019, oil on wood.] [Lilith, 42x52, oil.]
Glass: Do you have any advice to artists looking to work in the realm of dark fantasy, role-playing games, and comics?
Brom:Just be yourself, paint what you love, not what you think someone might be looking for. It might be harder to get started, but you will be happier in the long run.
Glass: You are quoted in the past saying that Norman Rockwell is a favorite painter of yours, because of his technique. How important do you think it is for an artist to branch outside of their chosen genres and educate themselves on new artists?
Brom: Very important. If you just monkey the other artist in your genre, your work will end up looking homogenized, but looking outside the genre, not just at art, but all culture, will really help you bring a fresh voice to whatever type of art you enjoy.
Glass: And last but not least… how does it feel going viral as the “goth anime legs uncle”? You’re famous!
Brom: HA! I love it!
