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Tithi Luadthong’s Famous Stock Cover & Its Five RPGs
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<blockquote data-quote="Egg Embry" data-source="post: 8672951" data-attributes="member: 6808965"><p>One of the challenges for RPG publishers involves obtaining exciting artwork while sticking to a strict budget. For many, the solution is stock art. Stock art is non-exclusive art, a concept I define in more detail as part of another article (<a href="https://www.d20radio.com/main/stock-up-on-stock-art-for-your-rpg-my-2-99-art-adventure/" target="_blank">here</a>). I’ve talked about stock art, RPG art in general, and how to customize stock art so it isn’t exactly the same as the original (<a href="https://www.d20radio.com/main/stock-up-on-stock-art-for-your-rpg-my-2-99-art-adventure/" target="_blank">here</a>, <a href="https://www.d20radio.com/main/the-rise-of-single-artist-rpgs/" target="_blank">here</a>, and <a href="https://www.d20radio.com/main/stock-art-how-to-make-it-your-own/" target="_blank">here</a>). Looking at costs, contents, and what can be done with art in an RPG is an ongoing conversation. But what happens when a piece of stock artwork is so great, it’s used repeatedly and often?</p><p></p><p style="text-align: center">[ATTACH=full]251844[/ATTACH]</p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p><strong>The Polyhedral Knights</strong> asked that question on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/egg.embry/posts/705011013894510" target="_blank"><strong>Facebook</strong></a> on 2022-06-23 about the cover to their RPG, <strong><em>Wasteland Sagas</em></strong>, currently on <a href="https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/wastelandsaga1/wasteland-sagas" target="_blank"><strong>Kickstarter</strong></a>. The cover mock up utilizes Tithi Luadthong’s stock image <a href="https://www.shutterstock.com/image-illustration/scifi-concept-man-robotic-arm-standing-644603722" target="_blank"><em>sci-fi concept of the man with robotic arm standing on ruined buildings looking at sunset sky with digital art style, illustration painting</em></a>. I’ve covered the amazingly talented Tithi Luadthong in several write ups because his artwork is captivating, inspiring, and competitively priced. For a modest fee, you can add evocative Tithi artwork to your book, instantly elevating its production values. To give an idea of how many times that’s been done, check out the <a href="https://www.drivethrurpg.com/browse.php?artist=Tithi%20Luadthong&affiliate_id=814082" target="_blank">list of credits he has at </a><a href="https://www.drivethrurpg.com/browse.php?artist=Tithi%20Luadthong&affiliate_id=814082" target="_blank"><strong>DriveThruRPG</strong></a>. Here are some of the projects that used this specific image as their cover:</p><ul> <li data-xf-list-type="ul"><a href="https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/jayciles/legacy-life-among-the-ruins-2nd-edition" target="_blank"><strong><em>Legacy: Life Among the Ruins 2nd Edition</em></strong></a> from <a href="https://www.drivethrurpg.com/browse/pub/6097/UFO-Press/subcategory/19570_29868/Legacy-Life-Among-the-Ruins?affiliate_id=814082" target="_blank"><strong>UFO Press</strong></a>. Originally, Tithi’s stock art was planned for the cover, but the image was replaced on the core book before publication. Tithi’s piece did appear as the cover of the <strong><em>Legacy: Life Among the Ruins 2nd Edition: Handout Sheets</em></strong>.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul"><a href="https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/197021008/psionics-guide-for-starfinder-rpg-from-dreamscarre" target="_blank"><strong>Psionics Guide for Starfinder RPG</strong></a> from <a href="https://www.drivethrurpg.com/browse/pub/744/Dreamscarred-Press?affiliate_id=814082" target="_blank"><strong>Dreamscarred Press</strong></a>, a <strong>Kickstarter</strong> that intended to use the image for its cover. As an aside, the campaign funded with a delivery date of 2018, but has not shipped the promised book as of this writing.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul"><a href="https://www.drivethrurpg.com/product/229616/Mutant-Outpost-Massacre?affiliate_id=814082" target="_blank"><strong><em>Mutant Outpost Massacre</em></strong></a> from <a href="https://www.drivethrurpg.com/browse/pub/5981/Crushpop-Productions?affiliate_id=814082" target="_blank"><strong>Crushpop Productions</strong></a></li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul"><a href="https://www.drivethrurpg.com/product/385511/Lore--Legacy--Lecho-etherique-n17?affiliate_id=814082" target="_blank"><strong><em>Lore & Legacy : L'écho éthérique n°17</em></strong></a> from <a href="https://www.drivethrurpg.com/browse/pub/17174/Empyreal-Media-Productions?affiliate_id=814082" target="_blank"><strong>Empyreal Media Productions</strong></a></li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">And, lately, <a href="https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/wastelandsaga1/wasteland-sagas" target="_blank"><strong><em>Wasteland Sagas</em></strong></a> from <a href="https://www.drivethrurpg.com/browse/pub/10291/The-Polyhedral-Knights?affiliate_id=814082" target="_blank"><strong>The Polyhedral Knights</strong></a></li> </ul><p>Beyond those RPGs, this image has been the cover for the sci-fi novel, <a href="https://www.webnovel.com/book/godly-evolution-i-can-fuse-with-the-genes-of-every-living-creature_20310323505081005" target="_blank"><strong><em>Godly Evolution: I Can Fuse with the Genes of Every Living Creature</em></strong></a><a href="https://www.webnovel.com/book/godly-evolution-i-can-fuse-with-the-genes-of-every-living-creature_20310323505081005" target="_blank"> by Lang Li Bai Piao</a>. Beyond even print, Tithi’s work has been lightly animated and tied to a music video for <a href="https://youtu.be/Fe_ZotuO9UQ" target="_blank"><strong>Au5 & Last Heroes</strong></a>. This begs the question, does the repeated use of a single image by Tithe lessen its value as a distinct cover?</p><p></p><p style="text-align: center">[ATTACH=full]251849[/ATTACH]</p><p></p><p>I share these examples to illustrate the point that <strong>The Polyhedral Knights’</strong> challenge isn’t a new one. During the <strong>UFO Press Kickstarter</strong> for <a href="https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/jayciles/legacy-life-among-the-ruins-2nd-edition" target="_blank"><strong><em>Legacy: Life Among the Ruins 2nd Edition</em></strong></a>, the creator, Minerva McJanda, <a href="https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/jayciles/legacy-life-among-the-ruins-2nd-edition/comments" target="_blank">shared</a> this thought on their cover:</p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p style="text-align: center">[ATTACH=full]251846[/ATTACH]</p><p></p><p>With so much reuse, what’s the upside of using stock art? I asked Mickey Barfield of <strong>The Polyhedral Knights</strong> for his thoughts on the subject.</p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p>It’s a valid solution. Reusing artwork isn’t a problem. Renaissance art adorns products the world over. <strong>Marvel</strong> has licensed Todd McFarlane’s covers from <strong><em>Amazing Spider-Man #301</em></strong> and <strong><em>#316</em></strong> to every company with a printer. If I say, “Breakfast at Tiffany’s”, you know the photograph I’m thinking of (and the book, movie, song, and band). Just because a great picture is re-used doesn’t lessen a truth: Spellbinding artwork is spellbinding artwork. For that very reason, reusing this cover makes sense.</p><p></p><p style="text-align: center">[ATTACH=full]251847[/ATTACH]</p><p></p><p>Circling back to <strong>The Polyhedral Knights</strong> question about switching out the cover for <a href="https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/wastelandsaga1/wasteland-sagas" target="_blank"><strong><em>Wasteland Sagas</em></strong></a>? On <strong>Facebook</strong>, the response was a resounding <em>keep the cover </em>from their fans and boosters. Their core of gamers are interested in <a href="https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/wastelandsaga1/wasteland-sagas" target="_blank"><strong><em>Wasteland Sagas</em></strong></a> no matter what cover wraps it. They came to game and <strong>The Polyhedral Knights</strong> plan to deliver.</p><p></p><p>Turning to the broader question about whether stock art should be re-used in RPGs or not, what do you think? Does it lessen your interest in a project? Or is great art great art and you don’t mind the cover so long as the game is fun?</p><p></p><p style="text-align: center">[ATTACH=full]251848[/ATTACH]</p><p></p><p><a href="https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/wastelandsaga1/wasteland-sagas" target="_blank">Wasteland Sagas</a> from <a href="https://www.drivethrurpg.com/browse/pub/10291/The-Polyhedral-Knights?affiliate_id=814082" target="_blank">The Polyhedral Knights</a></p><ul> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">End Date: Thu, July 21 2022 10:02 AM EDT.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">“Post Apocalypse tabletop roleplaying game”</li> </ul><p><em>Thanks to </em><a href="https://shopontheborderlands.co.uk/" target="_blank"><strong><em>The Shop on the Borderlands</em></strong></a><em> for some of these images.</em></p><p></p><p style="text-align: center">[ATTACH=full]251845[/ATTACH]</p><p><em>Egg Embry participates in the OneBookShelf Affiliate Program, Noble Knight Games’ Affiliate Program, and is an Amazon Associate. These programs provide advertising fees by linking to DriveThruRPG, Noble Knight Games, and Amazon.</em></p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Egg Embry, post: 8672951, member: 6808965"] One of the challenges for RPG publishers involves obtaining exciting artwork while sticking to a strict budget. For many, the solution is stock art. Stock art is non-exclusive art, a concept I define in more detail as part of another article ([URL='https://www.d20radio.com/main/stock-up-on-stock-art-for-your-rpg-my-2-99-art-adventure/']here[/URL]). I’ve talked about stock art, RPG art in general, and how to customize stock art so it isn’t exactly the same as the original ([URL='https://www.d20radio.com/main/stock-up-on-stock-art-for-your-rpg-my-2-99-art-adventure/']here[/URL], [URL='https://www.d20radio.com/main/the-rise-of-single-artist-rpgs/']here[/URL], and [URL='https://www.d20radio.com/main/stock-art-how-to-make-it-your-own/']here[/URL]). Looking at costs, contents, and what can be done with art in an RPG is an ongoing conversation. But what happens when a piece of stock artwork is so great, it’s used repeatedly and often? [CENTER][ATTACH type="full"]251844[/ATTACH][/CENTER] [B]The Polyhedral Knights[/B] asked that question on [URL='https://www.facebook.com/egg.embry/posts/705011013894510'][B]Facebook[/B][/URL] on 2022-06-23 about the cover to their RPG, [B][I]Wasteland Sagas[/I][/B], currently on [URL='https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/wastelandsaga1/wasteland-sagas'][B]Kickstarter[/B][/URL]. The cover mock up utilizes Tithi Luadthong’s stock image [URL='https://www.shutterstock.com/image-illustration/scifi-concept-man-robotic-arm-standing-644603722'][I]sci-fi concept of the man with robotic arm standing on ruined buildings looking at sunset sky with digital art style, illustration painting[/I][/URL]. I’ve covered the amazingly talented Tithi Luadthong in several write ups because his artwork is captivating, inspiring, and competitively priced. For a modest fee, you can add evocative Tithi artwork to your book, instantly elevating its production values. To give an idea of how many times that’s been done, check out the [URL='https://www.drivethrurpg.com/browse.php?artist=Tithi%20Luadthong&affiliate_id=814082']list of credits he has at [/URL][URL='https://www.drivethrurpg.com/browse.php?artist=Tithi%20Luadthong&affiliate_id=814082'][B]DriveThruRPG[/B][/URL]. Here are some of the projects that used this specific image as their cover: [LIST] [*][URL='https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/jayciles/legacy-life-among-the-ruins-2nd-edition'][B][I]Legacy: Life Among the Ruins 2nd Edition[/I][/B][/URL] from [URL='https://www.drivethrurpg.com/browse/pub/6097/UFO-Press/subcategory/19570_29868/Legacy-Life-Among-the-Ruins?affiliate_id=814082'][B]UFO Press[/B][/URL]. Originally, Tithi’s stock art was planned for the cover, but the image was replaced on the core book before publication. Tithi’s piece did appear as the cover of the [B][I]Legacy: Life Among the Ruins 2nd Edition: Handout Sheets[/I][/B]. [*][URL='https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/197021008/psionics-guide-for-starfinder-rpg-from-dreamscarre'][B]Psionics Guide for Starfinder RPG[/B][/URL] from [URL='https://www.drivethrurpg.com/browse/pub/744/Dreamscarred-Press?affiliate_id=814082'][B]Dreamscarred Press[/B][/URL], a [B]Kickstarter[/B] that intended to use the image for its cover. As an aside, the campaign funded with a delivery date of 2018, but has not shipped the promised book as of this writing. [*][URL='https://www.drivethrurpg.com/product/229616/Mutant-Outpost-Massacre?affiliate_id=814082'][B][I]Mutant Outpost Massacre[/I][/B][/URL] from [URL='https://www.drivethrurpg.com/browse/pub/5981/Crushpop-Productions?affiliate_id=814082'][B]Crushpop Productions[/B][/URL] [*][URL='https://www.drivethrurpg.com/product/385511/Lore--Legacy--Lecho-etherique-n17?affiliate_id=814082'][B][I]Lore & Legacy : L'écho éthérique n°17[/I][/B][/URL] from [URL='https://www.drivethrurpg.com/browse/pub/17174/Empyreal-Media-Productions?affiliate_id=814082'][B]Empyreal Media Productions[/B][/URL] [*]And, lately, [URL='https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/wastelandsaga1/wasteland-sagas'][B][I]Wasteland Sagas[/I][/B][/URL] from [URL='https://www.drivethrurpg.com/browse/pub/10291/The-Polyhedral-Knights?affiliate_id=814082'][B]The Polyhedral Knights[/B][/URL] [/LIST] Beyond those RPGs, this image has been the cover for the sci-fi novel, [URL='https://www.webnovel.com/book/godly-evolution-i-can-fuse-with-the-genes-of-every-living-creature_20310323505081005'][B][I]Godly Evolution: I Can Fuse with the Genes of Every Living Creature[/I][/B][/URL][URL='https://www.webnovel.com/book/godly-evolution-i-can-fuse-with-the-genes-of-every-living-creature_20310323505081005'] by Lang Li Bai Piao[/URL]. Beyond even print, Tithi’s work has been lightly animated and tied to a music video for [URL='https://youtu.be/Fe_ZotuO9UQ'][B]Au5 & Last Heroes[/B][/URL]. This begs the question, does the repeated use of a single image by Tithe lessen its value as a distinct cover? [CENTER][ATTACH type="full"]251849[/ATTACH][/CENTER] I share these examples to illustrate the point that [B]The Polyhedral Knights’[/B] challenge isn’t a new one. During the [B]UFO Press Kickstarter[/B] for [URL='https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/jayciles/legacy-life-among-the-ruins-2nd-edition'][B][I]Legacy: Life Among the Ruins 2nd Edition[/I][/B][/URL], the creator, Minerva McJanda, [URL='https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/jayciles/legacy-life-among-the-ruins-2nd-edition/comments']shared[/URL] this thought on their cover: [CENTER][ATTACH type="full"]251846[/ATTACH][/CENTER] With so much reuse, what’s the upside of using stock art? I asked Mickey Barfield of [B]The Polyhedral Knights[/B] for his thoughts on the subject. It’s a valid solution. Reusing artwork isn’t a problem. Renaissance art adorns products the world over. [B]Marvel[/B] has licensed Todd McFarlane’s covers from [B][I]Amazing Spider-Man #301[/I][/B] and [B][I]#316[/I][/B] to every company with a printer. If I say, “Breakfast at Tiffany’s”, you know the photograph I’m thinking of (and the book, movie, song, and band). Just because a great picture is re-used doesn’t lessen a truth: Spellbinding artwork is spellbinding artwork. For that very reason, reusing this cover makes sense. [CENTER][ATTACH type="full"]251847[/ATTACH][/CENTER] Circling back to [B]The Polyhedral Knights[/B] question about switching out the cover for [URL='https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/wastelandsaga1/wasteland-sagas'][B][I]Wasteland Sagas[/I][/B][/URL]? On [B]Facebook[/B], the response was a resounding [I]keep the cover [/I]from their fans and boosters. Their core of gamers are interested in [URL='https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/wastelandsaga1/wasteland-sagas'][B][I]Wasteland Sagas[/I][/B][/URL] no matter what cover wraps it. They came to game and [B]The Polyhedral Knights[/B] plan to deliver. Turning to the broader question about whether stock art should be re-used in RPGs or not, what do you think? Does it lessen your interest in a project? Or is great art great art and you don’t mind the cover so long as the game is fun? [CENTER][ATTACH type="full"]251848[/ATTACH][/CENTER] [URL='https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/wastelandsaga1/wasteland-sagas']Wasteland Sagas[/URL] from [URL='https://www.drivethrurpg.com/browse/pub/10291/The-Polyhedral-Knights?affiliate_id=814082']The Polyhedral Knights[/URL] [LIST] [*]End Date: Thu, July 21 2022 10:02 AM EDT. [*]“Post Apocalypse tabletop roleplaying game” [/LIST] [I]Thanks to [/I][URL='https://shopontheborderlands.co.uk/'][B][I]The Shop on the Borderlands[/I][/B][/URL][I] for some of these images.[/I] [CENTER][ATTACH type="full"]251845[/ATTACH][/CENTER] [I]Egg Embry participates in the OneBookShelf Affiliate Program, Noble Knight Games’ Affiliate Program, and is an Amazon Associate. These programs provide advertising fees by linking to DriveThruRPG, Noble Knight Games, and Amazon.[/I] [/QUOTE]
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