Vanishment
Sam McKinnon
Sam McKinnon is a prolific artist who debuted in Sorcery: Contested Realm's Arthurian Legends set. He was first introduced to fans during Spoiler Season for the Arthurian Legends release, in this Sherwood Huntress reveal video and extended interview with Mike from Collector Arthouse.
Vanishment is one of four beautiful paintings that Sam contributed for the Arthurian Legends set. It is an intriguing card with a mechanic that stands to see extended utility as more cards are introduced to the game. It provides both a Stealth affect that extends to allied minions, and has the powerful "Draw a spell" mechanic. At Exceptional rarity, three copies are allowed in Air element decks.
Sam recounts how he was provided very simple art direction from Sorcery creator Erik Oloffson that allowed him creative freedom to explore his concept.
The prompt was simply: "a spell that conceals a group of knights".
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Sam considered a way in which he could visually depict the knights being half-concealed by a magical effect. With insight that it would also be a 'protective spell', Sam sought to integrate a feel that was friendly and safe, and not ominous.​
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To capture the correct sentiment of the piece, Sam thought to paint a flowing fog while envisioning a long, undulating strand that weaves through the vertical lines of trees, spears, and banners, and blurred the boundary between nature and magic.
Sam continues:
A dark foreground suggests danger ahead, while the white mist creates a buffer between threat and the knights pressing forward.
In my mind, I pictured the knights marching courageously behind enemy lines. The fog became a way to show protection without removing the tension of the scene.
The leading knight wears a helmet crowned with an ornamental tower, a motif repeated on the shields. It’s a visual nod to defense and fortification, and a subtle layer of storytelling. The tower symbolizes protection, tying into the card’s mechanic.
