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Made in gb
Longtime Dakkanaut





Nottingham

The first time I met him years ago was when I was asked to help out at the whw store. Warhammer Fest was coming up, and I got told to try and sell a ticket to everyone who came to the till. Some old bloke with a staff badge came to the desk with about 5 pots of typhus corrosion, and the same of Ryza rust. I asked him if he wanted a ticket, and in a very irritable tone he gave me the 'do you know who I am?' speech and wasn't particularly pleasant. I told him that, no, I didn't know who he was, and that given that I was there on my day off to help out when they were in need, I didn't appreciate the attitude for doing what I'd been asked to do. He laughed and told me to call him Laurence in future. Next time I saw him his granddaughter had just been born, and rather than race to get home, he chatted to me for about twenty minutes about me leaving to become a teacher, why the first Necromunda game failed despite being such a great game (in his words 'it was a great game, it just didn't make any money) and other things that I can't recall a decade later. Although his health by all accounts isn't great, I hope that he has a long and enjoyable retirement.

Have a look at my P&M blog - currently working on Sons of Horus

Have a look at my 3d Printed Mierce Miniatures

Previous projects
30k Iron Warriors (11k+)
Full first company Crimson Fists
Zone Mortalis (unfinished)
Classic high elf bloodbowl team 
   
Made in in
[MOD]
Otiose in a Niche






Hyderabad, India

For once 'do you know who I am' was a justified question!

 
   
Made in us
Kabalite Conscript




A very happy retirement to Mr Blanche.

The 2nd Ed Sisters of Battle codex cover, Epic 40,000 box, 40K 3rd edition: these are all archetypal Warhammer, and I pored over them for hours. The more freeform sketches seem to have fewer fans, but everything from Exodites to AdMech bubbled up from these and the beautiful work of Jes Goodwin, Mark Gibbons, Karl Kopinski exists with such depth of interest precisely because of Blanche, Ian Miller and co, Both those men contributed to 'A Tolkien Bestiary', which remains amazing to this day. I read it cover-to-cover 10 times before I even knew what WHFB or 40K were.
   
Made in au
[MOD]
Making Stuff






Under the couch

 ekwatts wrote:
I can't quite grasp how anyone can truly dislike is art but still like Warhammer, so intrinsically tied into each other they are, it seems almost like a case of cognitive dissonance, but whatevs!


Funnily enough, I think Blanche's art fit much better into Rogue Trader... but the game moved away from it for a while, and for anyone coming into 40k with the much cleaner look of 2nd or 3rd ed's setting and models, it could be jarring.

When I first got into 40K, back in early 2nd edition, there was a stark divide between the cleanliness of the model sculpts and the artstyle of the other artists of the era, and Blanche's work, which was sketchy and messy and full of stuff that was never mentioned in the game or shown elsewhere in the background material... and at the time, I took that as a failing of his artwork, seeing it as not fitting in with the rest of the material that was presented, a view that was amplified by my just not particularly liking that style of art.


Over the years, I've come to see just how much his work has influenced the development of the setting, and grown to appreciate his art style and the sheer creativity behind it, but that's been a gradual thing. I spent a long time loving his concept work but still being less keen on his finished art...





This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 2023/06/01 23:13:25


 
   
Made in us
Did Fulgrim Just Behead Ferrus?





Fort Worth, TX

My absolute favorite works of his are the Battlefleet Gothic artworks. The cover art, the two page spread of the Divine Right, and others.

"Through the darkness of future past, the magician longs to see.
One chants out between two worlds: Fire, walk with me."
- Twin Peaks
"You listen to me. While I will admit to a certain cynicism, the fact is that I am a naysayer and hatchetman in the fight against violence. I pride myself in taking a punch and I'll gladly take another because I choose to live my life in the company of Gandhi and King. My concerns are global. I reject absolutely revenge, aggression, and retaliation. The foundation of such a method... is love. I love you Sheriff Truman." - Twin Peaks 
   
Made in us
Regular Dakkanaut




I can't think of anyone whose work embodies the spirit of 40k more than John Blanche. It all starts there.
   
Made in es
Inspiring SDF-1 Bridge Officer






 Chairman Aeon wrote:
John scooped Jes up from art school. Jes is a designer not a rules guy. Those two defined Warhammer to what it is today.


You're right, of course. I had a brainfart there >_>
   
Made in gb
Ridin' on a Snotling Pump Wagon






 Kid_Kyoto wrote:
For once 'do you know who I am' was a justified question!


I had similar on the managers training course, where I didn’t realise I’d been chatting to Jes Goodwin. Top bloke!

   
Made in gb
Joined the Military for Authentic Experience





On an Express Elevator to Hell!!

I must admit I started reading Tuomas' post and thought that John was dead! So glad to see that is not the case.

Don't think I can say anything that hasn't been said very well in posts above, the guy was one of the central components of the design of the 40k universe, and he was responsible for a large portion of its flavour.

One thing I will add is I will always be greatful that he transferred his interest in motorbikes into the setting, from the early marine on Vincent Black Shadow miniature and onwards!

Epic 30K&40K! A new players guide, contributors welcome https://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/list/751316.page
Small but perfectly formed! A Great Crusade Epic 6mm project: https://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/list/694411.page

 
   
Made in gb
[DCM]
Moustache-twirling Princeps





Gone-to-ground in the craters of Coventry

After seeing a lot of John's art from before 40k appears in the '80s, I saw much of what must have inspired 40k into being.
Many of his fantasy pictures would fit in with 40k scenes as they were.

This message was edited 3 times. Last update was at 2023/06/02 12:10:38


6000 pts - 4000 pts - Harlies: 1000 pts - 1000 ptsDS:70+S+G++MB+IPw40k86/f+D++A++/cWD64R+T(T)DM+
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"We don't stop playing because we grow old; we grow old because we stop playing." - George Bernard Shaw (probably)
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Made in gb
Longtime Dakkanaut



London

I think quite a few people who don't like the art don't always see much of it for what it was - an attempt to convey an alternative universe as quickly as possible to as wide an audience as possible. Seeing his work as a form of communication I think is fascinating and gives a different lens through which to think about it.
   
Made in gb
Guardsman with Flashlight




Can't really add much beyond what has already been said. John's work will always define the feel of Rogue Trader / 40K for me, and Games Workshop in general. Always wanted to own an original.

Back in the early 90s, when I was preparing to start my A-Level Art studies, I was asked to pick an artist to research and use for a series of paintings/drawings and I chose John Blanche. This did not go down well with my art teacher for various reasons and I was asked to choose again. In hindsight, it was a bit of a reach as his technical skills were well beyond the ability of 16 year old me so my art teacher was quite right (on that side of the argument, at least).

Have a wonderful retirement John!

40k returnee (originally played 1987-1995). Also loves Space Hulk and Dark Future.
Currently repairing/repainting/restoring 1st Ed. Imperial Guard Regiment + Mentor Legion attachment and original Space Hulk. 
   
Made in nl
[MOD]
Decrepit Dakkanaut






Cozy cockpit of an Imperial Knight

Like him or hate him, he's made a massive impact on the setting. The Inquisitor Sketchbook is one of my favourite artbooks of all time, right up there with the Gothic and the Eldritch featuring the work of Jes.

Enjoy a well-earned retirement sir! 👊🏻



Fatum Iustum Stultorum



Fiat justitia ruat caelum

 
   
Made in au
Owns Whole Set of Skullz Techpriests






Versteckt in den Schatten deines Geistes.

Statement from my fav GW artist, Mark Gibbons:

MG wrote:John Blanche retired from Games Workshop this week.

Not a decision I think he was happy to take, but one forced upon him due to ill health. Nevertheless, 40 years manning the bellows of the mighty Warhammer art forges (whilst simultaneously swinging the hammer himself) should be celebrated.

Although artists beyond number have contributed to the 'Grimdark' over the decades, John's singular vision, with its baroque eccentricities, defined the look and mapped the perilous landscape for the rest of us to follow.

When I joined the GW Design Studio in 1992 it was following the exodus of many of what I call the 'Golden Age' artists - Paul Bonner, Adrian Smith, Tony Ackland, Kev Walker, and Steve Tappin, all left the building, pretty much as I was walking in, leaving something of a skeleton art crew behind. Manning the pencil pumps in addition to John and myself were Dave Gallagher and the late, great, Wayne England. Although we were able to call upon the services of redoubtable freelancers (the legendary Geoff Taylor, most notably) and the unique triple-threat that is Jes Goodwin, it fell largely to the four of us to 'fill in all the blank bits' in every Games Workshop book. This is when I began to understand what it was John Blanche really brought to the table.

During the early '90s the art production on any given project would usually kick off with John creating a full page black & white army shot - a piece so crammed to bursting with character, detail and iconography it would provide most of the art direction required for the remainder of the book. With that foundational piece in place, we'd set about dividing up the rest of the illustration requirements between John, Wayne and myself (Dave painted covers almost exclusively). Not a lot of bodies to throw at a job, but we always seemed to create enough art to pack the books with an impressive amount of visual flavour.

As an Art Director, John was in the trenches with the rest of us grunts, not safely back at HQ, and as a result we tussled over assignments and quibbled over details, but I always regarded him as the grizzled veteran, looking out for my best interests and dispensing hard creative truths when required.

I could've shared any one of a thousand illustrations to accompany these words but settled on this particular Space Wolves piece because it's the perfect example of the army shot described above. When I began working on the 2nd Edition Space Wolves codex, this was the piece I filled my inspiration vat from.

Spoiler:


I won't be wishing John a happy retirement because I hope he never stops working. I hope he continues to make art and share it with the rest of us, and I hope he continues to reimagine Citadel miniatures in his inimitable Blanchitsu style.

I trust that this is not the end of John Blanche's career, just the beginning of a new chapter, and that is something I will heartily celebrate.
(I hope that pic worked!)

This message was edited 2 times. Last update was at 2023/06/03 02:43:08


Industrial Insanity - My Terrain Blog
"GW really needs to understand 'Less is more' when it comes to AoS." - Wha-Mu-077

 
   
Made in it
Growlin' Guntrukk Driver with Killacannon





Italy

A well earned retirement!

 H.B.M.C. wrote:

(I hope that pic worked!)

It's not loading on my end.
   
Made in au
Fixture of Dakka





Melbourne

Damn. Not so much the end of an era, but the end of an epoch in GW art. 40 years doing the same thing is monumental service. And not just in a single industry but at a single company!

Absolutely stonking effort by Mr Blanche for such a tenure and massive portfolio.






 The Red Hobbit wrote:
A well earned retirement!

 H.B.M.C. wrote:

(I hope that pic worked!)

It's not loading on my end.
It's working for me.

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Growlin' Guntrukk Driver with Killacannon





Italy

Tested it out in a generic browser instead of firefox and the image loaded just fine. Interesting.
   
Made in in
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Otiose in a Niche






Hyderabad, India

This is my new favorite Blanche artwork, not sure where it appeared I found it online and the great man himself confirmed it was his.
[Thumb - Liberty - small.jpg]
Liberty


 
   
Made in us
Ancient Venerable Dreadnought




San Jose, CA

John Blanche IS 40K to me. RT & 2nd solidified 40k to me. So all the "Clean" post 2nd gak is "less than desirable" to me!!!
   
Made in ie
Regular Dakkanaut




Loved his work on the Sorcery! books for Fighting Fantasy.
   
Made in de
Longtime Dakkanaut




 The Red Hobbit wrote:
A well earned retirement!

 H.B.M.C. wrote:

(I hope that pic worked!)

It's not loading on my end.
Not loading for me too, but there's a placeholder. Right clicking on that and then "open image in new tab" (or something like this) showed it in the new tab.
   
Made in in
[MOD]
Otiose in a Niche






Hyderabad, India

One nice thing about this retirement is that fans are doing a tribute now while he can enjoy it.

Russ Nicholson (TSR, GW) passed away this year and wasn't really commemorated until he was gone.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/RussNicholsonFanPage/

Which reminds me, has GW said anything official yet? A congratulations and thanks seem in order at the very least.

This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 2023/06/04 05:23:28


 
   
Made in us
Regular Dakkanaut




California

Huh. I hadn't heard anything from him lately (not that I've been looking) so I kind of assumed he was already retired.

Hope he remains busy and productive, even if he's a man of leisure now.

F - is the Fire that rains from the skies.
U - for Uranium Bomb!
N - is for No Survivors... 
   
Made in au
Axis & Allies Player




My favourite comment on John Blanche's art comes from another artist (possibly Wayne England) in a 90s White Dwarf article. I think it was somewhere around issue 200, in late 2nd ed 40K.

He basically praised Blanche by complaining. It went something like, "John drives me mad! He makes me sick! When I'm given a brief to draw or paint a character on a tight deadline, I draw or paint the character and feel proud of myself for getting it done in time. Then I look over at what John did in the same time ... and he's drawn the character, all his mates, the tank they got out of, a thousand weirdos manning a fortress in the background and an invading army dropping from above. It makes me so $@%& mad!"

Not the exact quote but that was the essence of it.
   
Made in us
Veteran Knight Baron in a Crusader




Oakland, CA

John Blanche Inspired a generation of games and gamers with his art and creativity.

While he is well deserving of retirement, the gaming industry is smaller without him in it.
   
Made in us
Thane of Dol Guldur





Bodt

I like his art. It embodied the pulp style of the setting, not to mention being very distinctive.

Still, what has he even been doing lately? The artwork has been that fairly soulless digital stuff for a while now.

Heresy World Eaters/Emperors Children

Instagram: nagrakali_love_songs 
   
Made in au
Fixture of Dakka





Melbourne

That's an interesting thought. I know from his posts on instagram, Dave Ghallagar was quietly critical of the enforced switch to digital GW required of their art dept. I think his position on it gradually changed, but it wasn't his preferred style.
Did Blanche switch mediums too? I've not really kept up with a lot of the art from the past few years.
From what little I know of him, he doesnt seem like the sort who'd be pleased about having to change, nor take such a change quietly.

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Made in us
Longtime Dakkanaut






Richmond, VA

A fantastic artist and one of the foundational pillars of the games we all love. I hope he enjoys a well-earned retirement and many happy years ahead!
   
Made in de
Longtime Dakkanaut




Let's hope he gets honoured in the WD like they did with JJ in 2021 (#466).
   
Made in gb
[DCM]
Lone Wolf Sentinel Pilot





Leicester, UK

Happy retirement mate you've earned it.
There's a great interview in WD300 where he relates his experience of art school, rough paraphrase: 'everyone was into existentialism, but no-one could tell me what it meant; they seemed to want to want to not teach actual rendering, which is crazy'.

My painting and modeling blog:

PaddyMick's Chopshop: Converted 40K Vehicles

 
   
 
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