NIKKI DAWES
Nikki talks her creative thought process and artistic inspirations
You can open up a D&D book and on one page see an epic battle scene and on the next a quiet character moment
Tell us a bit about yourself and your background as an artist. Where did you start, and what got you into it?
I’ve definitely always been into art. My elementary school didn’t offer any art instruction and I had to beg my family to let me take art classes after school. They were dubious about it at first because they didn’t consider it something to pursue, like sports, for example, but I was persistent and they eventually relented.
I planned to pursue an art degree after high school, but life happened, as it so often does, and I stopped all creative endeavours for a while. I ended up eventually getting a degree in graphic design and working in that field for years, but fantasy illustration was always my real interest, so I practised that on my own on the side. Through a series of fortunate events, it all worked out, albeit much later than I had planned as a teenager! Do you play D&D yourself, and if so what’s the appeal to you?
I do play D&D! I play in two different groups right now. One of my favourite things about playing is creative problem solving as a team. Sometimes my groups come up with absolutely bonkers plans that involve good roleplay, interesting spell use and some lucky dice rolls, and it’s so satisfying to hear the cheers around the table when we can pull it off. D&D has a long history for artists, as well as gamers. How has it shaped your creative process and aesthetics?
I’m so inspired by the other artists who have worked on D&D and have been since I was a teenager. I’m constantly amazed at the quality of work my peers create and it pushes me to want to continue to improve. I look through the art every release to admire the work of the other artists on the project, and I always find new things I
AYO JABE
From Call of the Netherdeep, a Critical Role campaign. Character design by Shawn G. Wood. Armour and weapon design by Nikki Dawes. admire in their work that I’d love to see in my own. I try to take those things and improve on them in the next assignments.
Keith Parkinson and Cynthia Sheppard! My earliest exposure to fantasy art that made me realise what I wanted to do with my life was Keith Parkinson’s art. The flying citadel for the cover of Dragons of Desolation blew my mind.
I still absolutely adore how much attitude Cynthia Sheppard’s dwarf lady has in the 5e Player’s Handbook and I think about that piece often when I’m painting my assignments. Do you have any heroes that have worked on D&D projects? Who are they and any key pieces that you particularly love? When creating art for D&D, what inspires you? What’s your relationship to D&D from an artist’s perspective?
I can remember sitting in my room as a teenager and just staring at pieces of fantasy art for hours and being absolutely transported to other worlds. I hope my art helps players feel more involved in their games and maybe helps to transport them into their games a little bit, too. Since I mostly paint characters, I try to make them feel like someone players are excited to meet in game. Maybe it’s to befriend them, or, if the character is a villain, perhaps it’s to punch that smug look off their face. What is it about fantasy art, and D&D in particular, that you enjoy the most? As either an artist or as a consumer?
I love that there’s so much variety in it. You can open up a D&D book and on one page see an epic battle scene and on the next there’s a quiet little character moment.
Also, because a whole group of artists work on each book, I always find it exciting to see the settings, adventures and characters through the lenses of the various artists involved.
What changes have you seen in fantasy art over the years?
I feel like fantasy art hasn’t really changed, it’s expanded. It’s all still there, there are just more voices joining in the chorus.
Is there anything from D&D that you would love to illustrate?
A beholder! I mostly paint humanoids, but I’d love a crack at a beholder with a ton of personality, like Xanathar.