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Kudos to GW for releasing a statement quickly. Believe me these things have to go through a lot of people, including legal, so this was lighting fast.

It would be great if they reprinted some of his art books or rereleased some limited edition model (the cover girl SoB would make sense) and wonderful if proceeds went to his family or a charity, but now we're well into dream land.

What an amazing artist! How incredibly lucky we are all to have been around to see his creativity in real time. He really helped define Games Workshops worlds. Such a creative mind that will be sadly missed, but without a doubt helped inspired so many more artists out there, and whose artwork will continue to inspire for many years ahead.

God bless him.

 Mad Doc Grotsnik wrote:
The news only broke yesterday. It’s not GW’s place to make such an announcement first. Or indeed without the family’s permission I’d say.

There are still many folks within GW who worked with him for years, if not decades. One imagines they’re lost for words, as many Dakkanauts were, and we only ever knew of him.

His wife Lin specifically asked Trish to break the news precisely for that reason, as they've been good friends for decades.

Given that they do an artwork through the ages I'm sure they'll do one for John either this week or after the Armageddon release.

It was a nice enough tribute, it's difficult as a company to put out something in a way that hits home like his closer friends and colleagues have done. I'd like them to do a bit more and hopefully they will.

 Kid_Kyoto wrote:
Kudos to GW for releasing a statement quickly. Believe me these things have to go through a lot of people, including legal, so this was lighting fast.

Yes, I am disappointed with how people have been behaving on the internet (such as on reddit) in response to the community post.

There's plenty to criticise GW for without acting like they're supervillains for not writing a long enough statement fast enough.

As many have said. The look of 40K is unthinkable without him. RIP.

 Olthannon wrote:

 Mad Doc Grotsnik wrote:
The news only broke yesterday. It’s not GW’s place to make such an announcement first. Or indeed without the family’s permission I’d say.

There are still many folks within GW who worked with him for years, if not decades. One imagines they’re lost for words, as many Dakkanauts were, and we only ever knew of him.

His wife Lin specifically asked Trish to break the news precisely for that reason, as they've been good friends for decades.

Given that they do an artwork through the ages I'm sure they'll do one for John either this week or after the Armageddon release.

It was a nice enough tribute, it's difficult as a company to put out something in a way that hits home like his closer friends and colleagues have done. I'd like them to do a bit more and hopefully they will.

A fair view on the thing.

Grief is a difficult thing. And we all process it in our own way.

Speaking solely for myself? My Dad was incredibly well regarded within the Scout Movement, to the point he received the Silver Wolf. An award that’s given at the Chief Scout’s discretion.

When he died, in front of my brother? It fell to me to let those that needed to know, know. I chose to do it via Facebook myself, after I’d PM’d immediate family (I didn’t and still don’t have their numbers). Then I emailed the Scouts to let them know.

No matter Dad’s standing within that organisation? Not one of them was as close to Dad as my brother and I were. Of course they weren’t. If they were, I almost certainly wouldn’t have held Dad in the regard I did.

My point? When it comes to someone passing? It’s for the family to break the news. Every. Single. Time. And any organisation, be it a company or a charity or however you want to describe The Scouts? They should, ideally, seek the family’s consent, if not approval of how they share the news.

We only ever knew John Blanche as a fantastical artist with an incredible influence on the worlds we like to inhabit. To others? He was a husband, a father, a dear friend and so on.

The words used were brief. Yes. But that last line, to me, shows they’re heartfelt. It’s not for GW to gush about the guy. Not right now. That would be intruding. Arguably trying to co-opt the death of someone held in high regard for corporate attention.

And let’s face it, this is the Internet. Whilst not necessarily the same people? If GW had posted a gushing obituary? There’d be counter accusations of trying to monetise his death.

For me? I think they played it about nice. Short. Direct. Respectful. Genuine.

They actually had a story about him on the frontpage of CBC. Probably copied over from BBC but still pretty cool seeing him talked about in the mainstream: https://www.cbc.ca/news/entertainment/john-blanche-artist-obit-9.7223642

I'm newer to the hobby but am saddened to hear he has passed. His artwork was truly amazing, and he definitely carved the way for others to do more muted pallet / realistic designs in Sci-Fi and other Wargames/genres. I especially love the sisters of Battle art he did, seen here:

Slipspace wrote:
A sad day and a huge loss. Along with Jes Goodwin I think John Blanche was the most responsible for creating the visuals that are quintessentially 40k.

Blanche was indeed the source of much of the weirdness that permeates 40K, but by far his greatest contribution was recruiting and mentoring Jes Goodwin. Two men with very different styles that appreciated what the other brought to the table. And for that we are all winners.

Rest in peace, Mr. Blanche. Your unique visions will be missed.

Am I getting my history mixed up, but was he not only an artist, but the art director at GW for a while? So not just contributing, but shaping the whole flow?

Yes, he was the art director for some years at GW.

 Chairman Aeon wrote:

Slipspace wrote:
A sad day and a huge loss. Along with Jes Goodwin I think John Blanche was the most responsible for creating the visuals that are quintessentially 40k.

Blanche was indeed the source of much of the weirdness that permeates 40K, but by far his greatest contribution was recruiting and mentoring Jes Goodwin. Two men with very different styles that appreciated what the other brought to the table. And for that we are all winners.

Rest in peace, Mr. Blanche. Your unique visions will be missed.

Add to that mentoring Mike Mcvey. His name seems to have faded from significance over the last decade, but his 'painting for photography' approach to miniature painting has arguably had the most profound affect on the hobby overall.

Warhammer World are doing a free display of some of John Blanches’ Dioramas.

WHW Facebook wrote: Whether you're familiar with the work of John Blanche, or are just learning about it with his passing, do pause a moment on your next visit to Warhammer World to take in a display in our main entrance.
Sharing some of the publications and boxes games where John's art was front and center, and showcasing one of his early dioramas, these highlights will be on display to July 5th

Automatically Appended Next Post:
I’m tempted to make a pilgrimage.

I hope they make it a permanent part of the museum

RIP John

His art and style were what made me interested in Warhammer itself, since in general modern illustrations didn’t really appeal to me much. Rest in peace…