Ron Spencer
Encyclopedia
Ron Spencer is an illustrator
whose most famous work has been for the collectible card game
Magic: The Gathering
.
. As a child, his reading material included such Marvel Comics
as Conan the Barbarian
.
, including colored pencil
s, ballpoint pen
s, watercolor
s, and acrylic paint
. His trademark on a vast majority of his earlier trading cards is a hidden name somewhere in the artwork. For example the name DALE can be clearly seen in the Alliance expansion card Misfortune. He lists his inspirations as Richard Corben
and Swamp Thing
illustrator Bernie Wrightson
.
He has also created artwork for several books of the World of Darkness
series from White Wolf, Inc, as well as the Talislanta
line of role-playing games.
Ron Spencer lives in Aurora, Nebraska
, with his wife Stacey and their six children. He is also brother to fellow artist Terese Nielsen
.
, and several other "Here Be Monster" plush toys. Some up coming plush include the Necromonican Plush Pillow and Red Dragon Plush Slippers. Troll And Toad is the sister company for Toy vault and carry a full line of his work.
and Mark Poole
also provide this service for their fans.
Illustrator
An Illustrator is a narrative artist who specializes in enhancing writing by providing a visual representation that corresponds to the content of the associated text...
whose most famous work has been for the collectible card game
Collectible card game
thumb|Players and their decksA collectible card game , also called a trading card game or customizable card game, is a game played using specially designed sets of playing cards...
Magic: The Gathering
Magic: The Gathering
Magic: The Gathering , also known as Magic, is the first collectible trading card game created by mathematics professor Richard Garfield and introduced in 1993 by Wizards of the Coast. Magic continues to thrive, with approximately twelve million players as of 2011...
.
Early life
Ron Spencer grew up on a farm in Aurora, NebraskaAurora, Nebraska
Aurora is a city in Hamilton County, Nebraska in the United States of America. The population was 4,225 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Hamilton County.-Geography:...
. As a child, his reading material included such Marvel Comics
Marvel Comics
Marvel Worldwide, Inc., commonly referred to as Marvel Comics and formerly Marvel Publishing, Inc. and Marvel Comics Group, is an American company that publishes comic books and related media...
as Conan the Barbarian
Conan the Barbarian (comics)
Conan the Barbarian was a Marvel Comics title starring the sword-and-sorcery character created by Robert E. Howard. It debuted in Oct. 1970 and ran for 275 issues until Dec...
.
Artwork
Spencer is primarily self-taught though he did attend a two-year college in Idaho. He uses various elements of mixed mediaMixed media
Mixed media, in visual art, refers to an artwork in the making of which more than one medium has been employed.There is an important distinction between "mixed-media" artworks and "multimedia art". Mixed media tends to refer to a work of visual art that combines various traditionally distinct...
, including colored pencil
Pencil
A pencil is a writing implement or art medium usually constructed of a narrow, solid pigment core inside a protective casing. The case prevents the core from breaking, and also from marking the user’s hand during use....
s, ballpoint pen
Ballpoint pen
A ballpoint pen is a writing instrument with an internal ink reservoir and a sphere for a point. The internal chamber is filled with a viscous ink that is dispensed at its tip during use by the rolling action of a small sphere...
s, watercolor
Watercolor painting
Watercolor or watercolour , also aquarelle from French, is a painting method. A watercolor is the medium or the resulting artwork in which the paints are made of pigments suspended in a water-soluble vehicle...
s, and acrylic paint
Acrylic paint
Acrylic paint is fast drying paint containing pigment suspension in acrylic polymer emulsion. Acrylic paints can be diluted with water, but become water-resistant when dry...
. His trademark on a vast majority of his earlier trading cards is a hidden name somewhere in the artwork. For example the name DALE can be clearly seen in the Alliance expansion card Misfortune. He lists his inspirations as Richard Corben
Richard Corben
Richard Corben is an American illustrator and comic book artist best known for his comics featured in Heavy Metal magazine...
and Swamp Thing
Swamp Thing
Swamp Thing, a fictional character, is a plant elemental in the created by Len Wein and Berni Wrightson. He first appeared in House of Secrets #92 in a stand-alone horror story set in the early 20th century . The Swamp Thing then returned in his own series, set in the contemporary world and in...
illustrator Bernie Wrightson
Bernie Wrightson
Bernie "Berni" Wrightson is an American artist known for his horror illustrations and comic books.-Biography:...
.
He has also created artwork for several books of the World of Darkness
World of Darkness
"World of Darkness" is the name given to three related but distinct fictional universes created as settings for supernatural horror themed role-playing games. It is also the name of roleplaying games in the second and third settings...
series from White Wolf, Inc, as well as the Talislanta
Talislanta
Talislanta is a fantasy role-playing game written by Stephen Michael Sechi, with significant stylistic input by artist P.D. Breeding-Black. Initially released in 1987 by Bard Games, the game quickly gained a reputation as an alternative to Dungeons & Dragons that was both much simpler mechanically...
line of role-playing games.
Ron Spencer lives in Aurora, Nebraska
Aurora, Nebraska
Aurora is a city in Hamilton County, Nebraska in the United States of America. The population was 4,225 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Hamilton County.-Geography:...
, with his wife Stacey and their six children. He is also brother to fellow artist Terese Nielsen
Terese Nielsen
Terese Nielsen is a California-based freelance fantasy artist.-Career:Nielsen has gained a fan following mainly because of her illustrations for the trading card game Magic: The Gathering...
.
Plush Toys
Ron Spencer is also actively working with Toy Vault creating new plush toys, his past toys include Red Dragon, CthulhuCthulhu
Cthulhu is a fictional character that first appeared in the short story "The Call of Cthulhu", published in the pulp magazine Weird Tales in 1928. The character was created by writer H. P...
, and several other "Here Be Monster" plush toys. Some up coming plush include the Necromonican Plush Pillow and Red Dragon Plush Slippers. Troll And Toad is the sister company for Toy vault and carry a full line of his work.
Altered Cards
Ron Spencer releases periodically altered Magic cards also commonly known as Extreme Alteration. The cards are painted over with different artwork incorporating the original picture. Other Magic: The Gathering artists such as Terese NielsenTerese Nielsen
Terese Nielsen is a California-based freelance fantasy artist.-Career:Nielsen has gained a fan following mainly because of her illustrations for the trading card game Magic: The Gathering...
and Mark Poole
Mark Poole
Mark Poole is an illustrator for Magic: The Gathering. He graduated from the University of South Carolina with a Bachelor of Arts...
also provide this service for their fans.
Magic: The Gathering Sets
Some cards listed are reprinted from set to set.- AlphaAlpha (Magic: The Gathering)The name Alpha refers to the first print run of the original Magic: The Gathering Limited Edition, the first Magic: The Gathering card set. It premiered in a limited release at Origins Game Fair in 1993, with a general release that August. Its print run of 2.6 million cards sold out very quickly...
(1993) - 1 card - BetaBeta (Magic: The Gathering)Limited Edition Beta or just Beta for short was the second part, after revisions, of the first print run of the first Magic: The Gathering set. It was released only a few months after Limited Edition Alpha's publication to correct some minor problems in the rules and to make up for the fact that...
(1993) - 1 card - UnlimitedUnlimited (Magic: The Gathering)Unlimited Edition was the second Magic: The Gathering set. It was released on December 1, 1993, after Beta had sold out as quickly as Alpha had; this time the run was 40 million cards, the largest yet...
(1993) - 1 card - RevisedRevised (Magic: The Gathering)The Revised Edition of Magic: The Gathering was the sixth set and third core set released for the game. Like previous core sets, it had no expansion symbol. Revised Edition cards are white-bordered and generally known for their washed-out look. The set was released in April 1994 and contained 306...
(1994) - 1 card - The DarkThe Dark (Magic: The Gathering)The Dark was the eighth Magic: The Gathering set and the fourth expansion to the game, released in August 1994. The set continued the story begun in Antiquities and recounted the aftermath of the events of that set. The 119-card set had a dark, sacrificial theme, though unlike its predecessor...
(1994) - 10 cards - Fallen EmpiresFallen EmpiresFallen Empires was the ninth Magic: The Gathering set and the fifth expansion set, released in November 1994. Out of the set of 187 cards, 102 were functionally unique, with the remainder being variant illustrations of other cards in the set. The mechanics of Fallen Empires include a tribal...
- (1994) - 8 cards - 4th Edition4th Edition (Magic: The Gathering)The Fourth Edition of Magic: The Gathering was the tenth set released for the game, and the fourth base set . The set was released in April 1995 and contained 378 cards. It was the first set to reprint cards from the expansions Legends and The Dark. Fourth Edition cards have white borders...
(1995) - 4 cards - Ice AgeIce Age (Magic: The Gathering)Ice Age is the eleventh Magic: The Gathering set and the sixth expansion set, released in June 1995. Set in the years from 450 to 2934 AR, the set describes a world set in perpetual winter due to the events in Antiquities...
(1995) - 5 cards - AlliancesAlliances (Magic: The Gathering)Alliances is the fourteenth Magic: The Gathering set and eighth expansion set, released on 10 June 1996. It was released 8 months after Homelands, which is the longest gap between expansion sets in the history of the game. It is now the middle set in the Ice Age block since the July 2006 release of...
(1996) - 2 cards - MirageMirage (Magic: The Gathering)Mirage was the fifteenth Magic: The Gathering set and ninth expert level set, released in October 1996. This expansion began the first official block set with one large expansion being followed by two smaller expansions all tied together through card mechanics and setting. This expansion also...
(1996) - 7 cards - VisionsVisions (Magic: The Gathering)Visions was the sixteenth Magic: The Gathering set and tenth expert level set, released in February 1997. This expansion continued the Mirage block by using the same setting and mechanics introduced in Mirage. The expansion symbol for Visions is a V-shaped symbol, which is the "triangle of war"...
(1997) - 3 cards - Fifth Edition5th Edition (Magic: The Gathering)The Fifth Edition was the seventeenth Magic: The Gathering set and fifth core set, a revision of the base set released in March 1997. It contained 449 cards, counting multiple illustrations of basic lands, making it the largest card set in the game's history...
(1997) - 10 cards - WeatherlightWeatherlight (Magic: The Gathering)Weatherlight is the nineteenth Magic: The Gathering set and eleventh expert level set, third and last in the Mirage Block. It was released in June 1997. Its expansion symbol is the Thran Tome...
(1997) - 6 cards - TempestTempest (Magic: The Gathering)Tempest was the 20th Magic: The Gathering set and twelfth expert level set, and the first set in the Rath Block, released in October 1997. The release of Tempest represented a large jump in the power level of the card set, compared to the previous Mirage block. Many cards from Tempest instantly...
(1997) - 10 cards - StrongholdStronghold (Magic: The Gathering)Stronghold was the 21st Magic: The Gathering set and thirteenth expert level set, and the second set in the Rath Block, released in March 1998. The block includes Tempest and Exodus. Stronghold contains 143 cards...
(1998) - 9 cards - ExodusExodus (Magic: The Gathering)Exodus was the 22nd Magic: The Gathering set, fourteenth expert level set, and the third and final set in the Rath Block, released on 15 June 1998. Its expansion symbol is a bridge...
(1998) - 7 cards - Urza's SagaUrza's SagaUrza's Saga is the 15th expert level set, a 350-card Magic: The Gathering expansion set that debuted in October 1998. Some employees of Wizards consider it one of the most powerful sets ever released, with many cards now banned in tournament formats...
(1998) - 12 cards - Urza's LegacyUrza's LegacyUrza's Legacy is a Magic: The Gathering set, second in the Urza Block. Urza's Legacy was released in February 1999.-Set history:This set is the first set to feature premium cards also known as foil cards, inserted randomly into boosters and taking the place of a card in the common slot.- Storyline...
(1999) - 5 cards - Urza's DestinyUrza's DestinyUrza's Destiny is a Magic: The Gathering set, third in the Urza Block. Urza's Destiny was released on June 23, 1999. It was released in digital form on Magic Online on April 13, 2011.- Storyline :...
(1999) - 3 cards - Classic (Sixth Edition)6th Edition (Magic: The Gathering)The Sixth Edition core set of Magic: The Gathering, also known as Classic, was released on April 27, 1999. It contains 350 cards, with reprints of cards from previous core sets, as well as some new reprints from expansion sets through the Weatherlight expansion.-Rule changes:The release of Sixth...
(1999) - 4 cards - Mercadian MasquesMercadian MasquesMercadian Masques is the nineteenth Magic: The Gathering expansion and was released in October 1999 as the first set in the Masques block. It is notable for being the first set not protected by Wizards of the Coast's "Reprint Policy"...
(1999) - 5 cards - NemesisNemesis (Magic: The Gathering)Nemesis is the second set in the Mercadian Masques block of sets in the Magic: The Gathering game, along with the expansions Mercadian Masques and Prophecy. Its expansion symbol is an axe. The set consists of 143 cards and was released on February 14, 2000...
(2000) - 3 cards - ProphecyProphecy (Magic: The Gathering)Prophecy is a Magic: The Gathering expansion set. It was the third set of the Masques block, along with the expansion Mercadian Masques and Nemesis. The Prophecy expansion consists of 143 cards. Its expansion symbol are three crystals...
(2000) - 3 cards - InvasionInvasion (Magic: The Gathering)Invasion is the 21st expert level set, and the first set in the Invasion block of cards of Magic: The Gathering. The rest of the block is Planeshift and Apocalypse. It contains 350 cards.-Set History:...
(2000) - 9 cards - Seventh Edition7th Edition (Magic: The Gathering)7th Edition was a Magic: The Gathering set printed in 2001. It is the only core set since Alpha to have introduced all-new art for every card. A white-bordered set, it was first available on April 2, 2001. The set contained 350 cards...
(2001) - 7 cards - PlaneshiftPlaneshift (Magic: The Gathering)Planeshift is the name of the second set in the Invasion block of cards of Magic: The Gathering, along with the expansions Invasion and Apocalypse. It contained 143 cards.-Set history:Planeshift continued Invasion's theme of multi-colored "gold" cards...
(2001) - 3 cards - ApocalypseApocalypse (Magic: The Gathering)Apocalypse is the name of a Magic: The Gathering expansion set, released in June 2001. It is the third set of the Invasion Block.-Storyline:...
(2001) - 5 cards - OdysseyOdyssey (Magic: The Gathering)Odyssey is the 24th Magic: The Gathering expert-level expansion set. Released in September, 2001, Odyssey is the first set in the Odyssey Block. Its expansion symbol is a small image of the Mirari .-Storyline:...
(2001) - 9 cards - TormentTorment (Magic: The Gathering)Torment is the second set in the Odyssey Block for the collectible card game Magic: The Gathering. This expansion set, which focused on black, is unique in that it is the first set to focus on a single color. It has 40 Black cards, 28 Blue cards, 28 Red cards, 21 Green Cards and 21 White cards...
(2002) - 2 cards - JudgmentJudgment (Magic: The Gathering)Judgment is the third set in the Odyssey Block for the collectible card game Magic: The Gathering.This is the second expansion set made that did not have an equal number cards from each color. The first expansion with such an imbalance was its predecessor, the Torment expansion set, which was...
(2002) - 3 cards - OnslaughtOnslaught (Magic: The Gathering)Onslaught is the 27th Magic: The Gathering expert-level expansion set. It was released in October 2002. The set's main theme is creature types , and much of the game play concerns interactions between these "tribes". The story continues the saga of the Mirari from the previous block of expansion sets...
(2002) - 10 cards - LegionsLegions (Magic: The Gathering)Legions is the second set in the Onslaught block of cards of Magic: The Gathering, along with the expansions Onslaught and Scourge. It contained 145 cards which continued on the themes started in Onslaught. Its expansion symbol is two spears behind a shield.-Set history:Legions is the only...
(2003) - 3 cards - ScourgeScourge (Magic: The Gathering)Scourge is a Magic: The Gathering expansion set. It is the third set of the Onslaught block. There are 143 cards overall. The expansion symbol is a dragon's skull.-Mechanics:...
(2003) - 4 cards - Eighth Edition8th Edition (Magic: The Gathering)Eighth Edition or Core Set was the standard base set for the collectible trading card game, Magic: The Gathering from its release in 2003 until 9th Edition's release in 2005...
(2003) - 8 cards - Ninth Edition9th Edition (Magic: The Gathering)Ninth Edition or Core Set is the fourth latest base set for the collectible trading card game, Magic: The Gathering.-Set attributes:Ninth Edition features many cards from older base sets and expansions...
(2005) - 3 cards - Tenth Edition10th Edition (Magic: The Gathering)Tenth Edition is a "Core Set" for the collectible trading card game Magic: The Gathering. It was released on July 13, 2007, replacing Ninth Edition as the core set of cards for standard tournament play...
(2007) - 5 cards - Magic 2010Magic 2010Magic 2010 is a Magic: The Gathering expansion set, that was released on July 17, 2009. It is the eleventh core set for Magic: the Gathering...
(2009) - 1 card - Magic 2011Magic 2011Magic 2011 is a Magic: The Gathering expansion set that was released on July 16, 2010. It was the twelfth core set for Magic: the Gathering. As its predecessor, Magic 2010, the set has new cards in it, but to a lesser extent.-Set Details:...
(2010) - 1 card
Dungeons & Dragons
- GhostwalkGhostwalkGhostwalk is a book that introduced a campaign setting for the 3rd edition of the Dungeons & Dragons game, similar to Forgotten Realms or Dragonlance...
(2003) - DraconomiconDraconomiconThe Draconomicon is an optional sourcebook for the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game, providing supplementary game material focusing on dragons. Different versions of the Draconomicon have been printed for different editions of Dungeons & Dragons...
(2003) - Complete WarriorComplete WarriorComplete Warrior is a supplemental rulebook for the 3.5 edition of the Dungeons and Dragons role-playing game, published by Wizards of the Coast. It replaces and expands upon an earlier rulebook entitled Sword and Fist.-Contents:...
(2003) - Book of Exalted DeedsBook of Exalted DeedsThe Book of Exalted Deeds is an optional sourcebook for the 3.5 edition of the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game, providing supplementary game material for campaigns involving characters of good alignment...
(2003) - Unearthed ArcanaUnearthed ArcanaUnearthed Arcana is the title shared by two hardback books published for different editions of the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game...
(2004) - Races of StoneRaces of StoneRaces of Stone is an optional sourcebook for the 3.5 edition of the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game.-Contents:...
(2004) - Complete DivineComplete DivineComplete Divine is a supplemental rulebook for the 3.5 edition of the Dungeons and Dragons fantasy role-playing game published by Wizards of the Coast...
(2004) - Complete ArcaneComplete ArcaneComplete Arcane is a supplemental rulebook for the 3.5 edition of the Dungeons and Dragons role-playing game. It expands upon and replaces an earlier soft-cover rulebook entitled Tome and Blood.-Contents:...
(2004) - SandstormSandstorm (Dungeons & Dragons)Sandstorm is an optional supplemental source book for the 3.5 edition of the Dungeons & Dragons roleplaying game.-Contents:Sandstorm describes how DMs can create adventures and even campaigns set in a desert or wasteland environment. The book details many hazards that are associated with real-life...
(2005) - Lords of MadnessLords of MadnessLords of Madness is an official supplement for the 3.5 edition of the Dungeons and Dragons fantasy roleplaying game.-Contents:It includes new content for aberrations including new aberration monsters and monsters related to them, and information on how to hunt aberrations.-What Is an...
(2005) - Complete AdventurerComplete AdventurerComplete Adventurer is a supplemental hard-cover rulebook for the 3.5 edition of the Dungeons & Dragons game system published by Wizards of the Coast.-Contents:...
(2005) - Player's Handbook II (2006)