GameOfKings

As we now have reached the penultimate release of the T Shirt wave of the Game of Kings (GoK) project I would like to reflect on some of its aspects since the idea was first floated some eight months ago.

This is a project of artistic and personal growth.
One man had an idea and was so excited at its possibilities he asked like minded artists to contribute. His own enthusiasm was enough to recruit his first choice wish list. That person of course was Simon Sherry.
The fact that this project has grown and evolved over these past months is testament to the other artists chosen.
This has been a project of testing ones comfort zones and abilities.
If I can draw attention to the artists themselves.
Incredibly popular members such as Scott Robinson, Roger (Ruby Red Design), Glen Smith (No Frills Art) and Jen Hacking (thickblackoutline) have all offered something outside of their usual styles.
It may not be evident at first but a closer look at Scott and Rogers work sees line work, half tone and colour experimentation unlike previous works. Jen has abandoned her usually whimsical style for harder and more aggressive character and experimented with effects like diamonds. Glen who usually works in themes and more topical issues has created a montage of images to reveal stunning characters that deserve their own tales.
Other popular members sjem and Jordan Clarke have shown us hidden skills and strengths and introduced totally new styles never exhibited here in their personal Red Bubble folios.
Sjem with his architecturally inspired CAD drawings of monster steam punk engines and Jordan with her hand drawn and masterfully coloured horse related creatures.
Criminally neglected Jim of Quigonjim Design and LilyM have stunned everyone with their unique takes on their characters, which once again move away from their traditional subjects. In doing so have found a whole new audience.
The collection of artists that comprise the White army have worked together, communicating ideas and suggestions to present the pinnacle of what they can offer.
Something not seen in the (soon to be opened to the fans) GoK Group is a forum called the Works In Progress (WIP) In this forum all artist come together to reveal drafts, line drawings, colour choices and any number of design ideas for their character.
Offering everything for artistic criticism.
It is a hotbed of creativity.
The way art is presented is also a wonderful concept with artists creating GIFs to animate colour options and the creative process. Sjem even created a 3D movie that revolved around his creation. Magic stuff and all will be available to view in the coming months.

Then we have Simon who has designed and drawn the Black army.
This has been a magical experience as the creatures have evolved from dual colour, almost silhouette pieces to physically imposing monster made of metal and lava.
Simon ever the perfectionist has discarded totally finished pieces to start again because a better idea has caught his imagination.
The amount of artwork that Simon has produced to complete this project could be exhibited in it’s own book and hopefully will also be put up for viewing in the later months.
What people must also realize is that these are not simple works dropped off months ago to be released when it’s time arrives.
One of the reasons that the GoK releases have been fortnightly over the last three months is because art is being worked on right up to the release date.
No one is totally happy with what the have to offer and think they can do better.
I believe it’s this dedication and the acceptance of nothing but the best has made GoK so popular and given it good sales as well as great support from the Red bubble community and Administration.
Believe me when I tell you this is only the beginning and there are many other exciting things to add to the project as well as involving the community as contributors and as participants.

As mentioned before, the GoK is more than T Shirts. These are characters in a story that relates to an actual chess game that has been created as part of a bigger story, the tale which has been growing, albeit cryptically over the last three months and as each piece is added we will move further along the the story path to the actual battle and the grand conclusion.

So strap yourself in, it gonna keep coming and growing all the time.

Danny

The setting of the board as stands.

An exciting new collaboration that opens new possibilities of what can be achieved on Red Bubble.

Nine artists and one writer come together to weave a tale of cosmic-level obsession, treachery and warfare around the game of chess.

Featuring the talents of:

With additional behind-the-scenes content from: