RIP John Blanche, Legend - Exploring Some His Key Early Art
In honour of the great visionary artist, I'm exploring some of his early key works as a tribute.
I was going to write about the new 11th edition Warhammer 40,000 trailer, but the sad news broke on 1st June that the visionary artist John Blanche, a giant in the creative development of Games Workshop and Warhammer, had sadly passed away. Here’s what the official Warhammer Community page posted:
John was an artistic powerhouse whose unmistakable style was a unique lens through which many of us came to know and love the worlds of Warhammer. John was also a friend and mentor to many of us here at Games Workshop. Our heartfelt condolences go to his family and friends.
So time to let the art speak for itself. So here instead is an exploration of some of his works from the 1977-1988 period. Starting in 1977 where John drew the cover for the 4th ever issue of White Dwarf. He would go on to do more covers though the 70s and 80s for issues 7, 11, 42, 79 and 108.
(Image - The cover of White Dwarf issue 4 from the end of 1977. Art by John Blanche showing a stylized warrior fighting a smaller flying creature.)
John excelled at covers - some of his most iconic works being that of main game covers. In works of this sort he was not only making an amazing piece of art, but managing to capture the essence of the game within too. Here is arguably one of his most important of his works, and arguably one of the most important pieces of Warhammer art ever:
(Image - The cover of Warhammer Fantasy Battle, 1st Edition from 1983. The iconic cover art featuring a hammer-wielding warrior was by a key piece foundational art by John Blanche.)
The following year John would indulge in some science-fantasy art for the cover of the Second Citadel Compendium depicting Amazon warriors, one armed with a laspistol.
(Image - The fully folded-out front and back cover of the Second Citadel Compendium from 1984. The art was by John Blance showing some Amazonian warriors fighting some enemy fighters who are emerging from a stone doorway. Photo by author.)
I was lucky enough to meet John in 2024 and interview him for my book and he was generous with his time. My book is focused on the creation of Warhammer 40,000 Rogue Trader, where he undertook a different - yet still critical role.
Here, in a draft extract from the book I describe the Rogue Trader art process:
“At that point I made a decision, which I wouldn’t make now, because I commissioned out the art, rather than doing the art myself. So you see Rogue Trader has lots of different artists doing different styles.” John Blanche remarked in an interview for this book. John, having created many iconic pieces of art for WFB including the two ‘Harry the Hammer’ covers for 1st and 2nd edition, the cover of the Skeleton Horde miniatures boxed-set and many more pieces, had, at this point moved into being in the more managerial role as the needs for art to adorn Rogue Trader grew. Indeed John is credited as ‘Art Manager’ in the credits Rogue Trader itself. This altered position seems to have influenced how close he felt to the project in retrospect, “I don’t regard Rogue Trader as being the first edition ... “ John described how he added more of his vision for 2nd and 3rd editions. Both would follow the form of Rogue Trader’s cover - a knot of Space Marines surrounded by enemies. It was the Blood Angels chapter in 2nd edition and the Black Templars for 3rd edition. “One thing people generally get wrong about Space Marines is they’re not futuristic warriors as such, but they are medieval knights, but in space. There’s a subtle difference between the two.” Using the Black Templars cover for 40K 3rd edition showed this, “Well exactly, why I did that, in a way.”
Back to January and to 1988 and here a new column started in White Dwarf issue 97, titled ‘Blanchitsu’ which would feature an irregular infusion of John Blanche’s unique and influential style, the first one being focused on his miniature painting. It would really start to define the thinking behind his works.
(Image - White Dwarf issue 97 and a section from page 68 showing different miniatures painted by John Blanche along with an icon for the new column featuring them.)
John would continue to produce iconic piece after iconic piece. This one is notable as a White Dwarf cover for the new Adeptus Titanicus game.
(Image - The cover of White Dwarf 108 showing two huge Titans under fire, by John Blanche. It shows infantry fighting underneath the giant feet of titans.)
I hope you’ve enjoyed seeing some of his art.
When I met him, I took the liberty of asking him to sign my copy of Blanche: The Rise of Grimdark, which he kindly did. If you are interested in John and his works, is a good read and has his own words, biographical info and writings by collegues of his.
(Image - Front page of my copy of ‘Blanche: The Rise of Grimdark’, signed by John in 2024. The book is from Wombat Wargames and photo by me.)
Others have covered John Blanche’s passing too and I wanted to note some other good reads on his work:
Thanks for reading.
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Also note! This book project is a personal one and not affiliated with any company that, in my day job, I work with or partner with.
Terrific piece, love seeing the history of the game