Artist Interview: Pedro G. Ferreira
- Mike Servati
- May 23
- 5 min read
It is with great pleasure that I connect with one of Sorcery: Contested Realm's newest artists, Pedro G. Ferreira. Pedro will make his Sorcery debut in Sorcery's second expansion set, Gothic!
Pedro's involvement with Sorcery was announced in February 2025, with the reveal of his first card - Gift of the Frog.
This is Pedro's first breakthrough opportunity for a high-profile commissioned project and TCG. Congrats, Pedro!
Thank you so much for this opportunity...
Mike @ Collector Arthouse: Please tell us a bit about your background. Where are you from? Where are you currently living? How did you find your passion for art?
Pedro G. Ferreira: I’m based in Portugal. I've been drawing since childhood and I remember that my goal has simply been to draw for a living. That’s really it. I've never had illusions of grandeur regarding this profession, but rather, always held it as a "blue collar job". I just try to show up everyday. Everything that is added to that is a blessing.
Mike @ Collector Arthouse: How would you characterize or describe your artistic style?
Pedro G. Ferreira: Ideally some sort of impressionism, although I’m not quite there yet. I think art ought to imply and suggest, rather than describe in a literal manner. I want to add enough, just so the viewer “gets it” but can also fill in the blanks. That is my goal every time, whether I succeed or not.
A selection of Pedro's works that demonstrate a fitting style for Gothic!
Ultimately I don't think I have a style, but I hear it comes with time, if it ever does, so I'm not worrying too much about it. I just try to be honest about my approach and not too cynical about how I interpret the world. I'm sure something will come out of that.
Mike @ Collector Arthouse: Can you share a few pieces you have done that you are particularly pleased with and tell us a bit about them?
Pedro G. Ferreira: This was the cover I did for Primal Being's Album, Savage Realm, which was very much inspired by the old DnD and 80's/90's fantasy video game covers. I enjoyed experimenting with a lot of texture which then creates very interesting light effects.
I've always been into narrative illustration that carries a message, and composition always plays a crucial role in conveying that message. Every artwork is a challenge and a way for me to apply these principles that I've studied and learned.
In this painting, I'm happy that I was able to depict the past, present and future. The gate closed, the woman was wounded, the skeleton with the bow was felled, now the knight is here, sword is beaming and surrounded by more enemies, but will he defeat them?
Will they be able to escape the dungeon?
These are all questions I try to ask myself when constructing a narrative around a painting, and in working with Sorcery, I've been able to do that, which gives me great joy.
Mike @ Collector Arthouse: Who are some of your artistic influences?
Pedro G. Ferreira: Certainly art from a time passed. The humour from Hyronimous Bosch and his genius designs, The precursors to impressionism, such as Rembrandt, Velasquez...
From left to right, Bosch, Rembrandt, and Velasquez art
but also 19th century painters such as Illya Repin. Arthur Rackham has been a huge influence for me.
From left to right, Repin and Rackham art
Japanese illustrators from the 80/90’s such as Jun Suemi, Ayami Kojima and Naoyuki Katoh are probably my most modern influences.
From left to right, Suemi, Kojima, and Naoyuki art
Mike @ Collector Arthouse: Have you done professional commissioned and published work before? Is this your first time being commissioned for a TCG?
Pedro G. Ferreira: No. Not really. I had done a few commissions for private clients mostly, so yes, this is my first time working on a TCG which is really exciting because It's always been my ambition to do so.
Mike @ Collector Arthouse: How did Erik Olofsson discover you for Sorcery: Contested Realm?
Pedro G. Ferreira: I was commissioned to do the cover art for Primal Being’s album: Shattered Realm, and it so happened that the producer of the album (Yvan Yssakoff), was a Sorcery player and advised me to send in my portfolio. So I did, and everything worked out great.
My many thanks to him and to Erik for taking me on when my portfolio wasn't very large.
Mike @ Collector Arthouse: What are your thoughts on working with Erik and the artistic direction you received, and how it compares to other work or projects you have done?
Pedro G. Ferreira: I've never really worked under an Art Director, let alone one who's the creator of the game! Working under Erik's art direction has been truly a great experience throughout. Eriks has a very clear vision for Sorcery and knows what every card needs, and thus, what Sorcery needs, while not being overbearing or controlling, but rather, letting artists showcase their own individual taste and style, which in turn enriches the overall aesthetic of the game. And this is something important for me as an artist, the idea that ultimately I'm working on a game, and I mainly have to focus on how an illustration relates to a specific card, and most importantly, how it eases into the gameplay. Here Erik also has a very good grasp on how certain visual elements and overall mood of the illustration will work out from a gameplay perspective, while being sensitive about the creative process, because after all we've using artworks on a game. There is a very good symbiose that comes to life through that. I'm a big apologist of constraints in art being a great thing that boosts creativity and I've definitely experienced it while working on Sorcery!
Pedro's first reveal for Sorcery: Contested Realm - Gift of the Frog!
Mike @ Collector Arthouse: Is there anything else you would like to share with your new fans that I didn't ask?
Pedro G. Ferreira: Sorcery works exclusively with traditional artists. In this day and age, especially in this industry, that's very rare, and I'd even go as far as to say it is bold. I can only speak for myself as one of those traditional artists, and say that it's not the easiest process (or the cleanest often times!)and it's surely not the quickest, but I do trust in the process and do believe it leads to better results. I would say everyone involved would agree to this, and sure, there would be ways to get things done faster, edits to make it "perfect" and everything else that comes with the comfort that digital media provides, and yet, we choose to do things this way because we do believe "something" was lost upon the digitization of the creative process. Many have tried naming this "something", some call it "aura" or "soul". I don't really know what I should call it myself. Whatever it is, we're chasing it, we're trying to bring it back. Sorcery and of course all the players, play an important part in supporting all artists with this purpose.
Mike @ Collector Arthouse: Where can finds follow your work?
Watch my videos on the Collector Arthouse YouTube Channel.
Join the Collector Arthouse Discord and talk about Sorcery: Contested Realm with passionate fans.
Support me at the Collector Arthouse Patreon and enjoy exclusive perks and access to limited products and special artist collaborations!
Mike Servati @ Collector Arthouse signing off...
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