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NicolasRGiacondino β€” GHOSTMAKER - Colonel-Commissar Ibram Gaunt

Published: 2013-09-16 14:11:35 +0000 UTC; Views: 20343; Favourites: 383; Downloads: 0
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Description It's been a long while since I've visited the Dark Millenium of Warhammer 40,000. Luckily, my return to it is through some of my favorite characters from the great Dan Abnett: Tanith's First and Only, also known as Gaunt's Ghosts.

This set of illustrations is part of a big batch of images I was asked to do by the ever-patient and kind :devwolfravenwood:; so, for all of you fans of the Sabbat Worlds Crusade's stories, you'll find some very familiar faces popping up here in my Gallery.

First up is the Colonel-Commissar Ibram Gaunt himself, whom I was asked to render in a quiet moment of reflection, as opposed to the usual action-driven imagery of him out there. Granted, there's not many quiet moments when you're an Imperial Guard Commissar, but I believe that's why they're so precious and interesting to illustrate.
I tried to give Gaunt both the battle scarred and hardened looks of someone who's constantly leading a handful of men into the worst situations, yet also bringing up his intellectual and deeply empathic side. One of the advantages of the Tanith when going into the battlefield is being commanded by Gaunt, who's brilliant strategies and bravery are unparalleled amongst Imperium officers.

As usual, I tried to be as thorough as I could with my research when working on these illustrations and I hope I've made Dan's characters justice. I'm sure many of you will point out any flaws and help me continue my improvement on this subject, though there's also a bit of :devwolfravenwood:'s own imaginings I can't overlook.

I hope you enjoy these and let me know what you think!

Nic.-

PS.. Although impossible to make visible, Gaunt's reading material here is 'The Spheres of Longing'. Anyone know the author of that piece of Imperial Literature?

Β© Games Workshop Ltd. 2013
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Comments: 85

SpectorKnight In reply to ??? [2013-09-16 23:46:36 +0000 UTC]

Absolutely phenomenal work on this portrait. Truly one of the most memorable characters in 40k fiction, and I think you've nailed his appearance with the power and precision of a bolt-gun. I really like that the client chose to portray him in a moment of quiet. It makes for a very different, but very human scene.

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NicolasRGiacondino In reply to SpectorKnight [2013-09-16 23:49:31 +0000 UTC]

Thank you as usual, Joseph!


:devwolfravenwood: is certainly a very smart guy and he has the same perspective as me when it comes to these characters so our collaborations are always seamless and I think that shows in the final product.


Nic.-

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chrokve1988 In reply to ??? [2013-09-16 21:08:33 +0000 UTC]

"Men of Tanith, DO YOU WANT TO LIVE FOREVER!"


Love this work, now i know what to imagine when i read Dan's books, now we just need to wait till the next one.


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NicolasRGiacondino In reply to chrokve1988 [2013-09-16 23:31:24 +0000 UTC]

Thank you, mate!


Whenever I read that someone pictures my drawings when they read Dan's novels, I feel very humbled. I'm glad I could make these characters justice!


Nic.-

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IaJohn126 In reply to ??? [2013-09-16 21:04:59 +0000 UTC]

Men of Tanith! Do you want to live forever?!

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NicolasRGiacondino In reply to IaJohn126 [2013-09-16 23:32:18 +0000 UTC]

Β 


Indeed!


Nic.-

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Gaston25 [2013-09-16 19:35:44 +0000 UTC]

Awesome work as always!

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NicolasRGiacondino In reply to Gaston25 [2013-09-16 23:34:55 +0000 UTC]

Thank you very much, my friend!


Nic.-

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soulfreeze [2013-09-16 19:12:12 +0000 UTC]

Gideon Ravenor.

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NicolasRGiacondino In reply to soulfreeze [2013-09-16 23:37:42 +0000 UTC]

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soulfreeze In reply to NicolasRGiacondino [2013-09-17 17:43:03 +0000 UTC]

"The Armour of Contempt" is a favoured concept of mine.

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Sagittus In reply to ??? [2013-09-16 18:32:24 +0000 UTC]

Oh man, you've adapted Gaunt's Ghosts ! You've now my eternal recognition ! Great art, and if you can adapted Dan Abnett's masterpiece... do it !

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NicolasRGiacondino In reply to Sagittus [2013-09-16 23:38:55 +0000 UTC]

Thank you very much, Arthur!


I'm glad my vision of the Ghosts is so well received and I certainly hope you like what's coming up.


Nic.-

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WizardWolf359 [2013-09-16 16:59:31 +0000 UTC]

It is refreshing to see the Colonel-Commissar away from the battlefield and in a peaceful environment. Β The far future may have only war and strife, but there are calms between the storms.

I also fondly remember a few times between the battles, when Gaunt or a member of the Tanith had the misfortune of having to butt heads with the political orΒ bureaucraticΒ sides of the Imperium of Man. Β Like trying to get the proper laspacks for the trusty Tanith lasgun, or the certainly uncomfortable parties they had, on occasion, needed to attend.

Well done on this picture! Β I look forward to more, I am a great fan of your Tanith works.

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NicolasRGiacondino In reply to WizardWolf359 [2013-09-16 23:44:24 +0000 UTC]

Thank you as usual, my friend!


I believe the quiet moments are even more thrilling and bittersweet when you are in a constant struggle. I clearly remember one such scene where Gaunt asks Mkoll for his advice on the battle to come and offers him some coffee; the hopelessness of knowing you will be engulfed in war yet again despite a brief respite makes all the little details all the more poignant.


Nic.-

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lyciphur [2013-09-16 16:55:02 +0000 UTC]

Your illustrations of Abnett books are something great, rly.Β 

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NicolasRGiacondino In reply to lyciphur [2013-09-16 23:44:59 +0000 UTC]

Thank you, mate!


Nic.-

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Ursakar [2013-09-16 16:39:34 +0000 UTC]

The book was written by Inquisitor Gideon Ravenor... A-and I was ninja-ed by several people.

Great picture, will there be more Ghosts? I would love to see Sergent Varl and Tona Criid. And let's not forget about Mad Larkin!

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NicolasRGiacondino In reply to Ursakar [2013-09-16 23:47:03 +0000 UTC]

A for you nonetheless my friend!


There will certainly be more illustrations and we're speaking with the client at this very moment of whom will be next in the list.


Nic.-

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Gonfrask In reply to ??? [2013-09-16 16:35:21 +0000 UTC]

Deberia poner "Las Esferas del Anhelo" en el libro, asi unias con Ravenor

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NicolasRGiacondino In reply to Gonfrask [2013-09-17 01:44:04 +0000 UTC]

Mi querido Gon, ΒΏno has leido lo que puse en mi postdata? El libro que estΓ‘ leyendo Gaunt es el que has sugerido

Nico.-

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Gonfrask In reply to NicolasRGiacondino [2013-09-17 14:24:49 +0000 UTC]

No, claramente no jajajajaja

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ArmouredChaoz In reply to ??? [2013-09-16 16:22:36 +0000 UTC]

The greatest bestseller of the grimdark future, by Gideon Ravenor himself.
And I'm totally in love with that cap's coloring!

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NicolasRGiacondino In reply to ArmouredChaoz [2013-09-17 01:45:26 +0000 UTC]

A for you as well, my friend for spotting Ravenor's masterpiece.

The cap is one of my favorite details as well; and one of the Commissar's defining parts of his uniform.

Nic.-

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KionoWinterfox In reply to ??? [2013-09-16 15:33:06 +0000 UTC]

A calm moment for that commissar, something he rarely can enjoy, at least when you don't take the years in Blood Pact into consideration.Β 

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NicolasRGiacondino In reply to KionoWinterfox [2013-09-17 01:46:58 +0000 UTC]

Spot on comment, mate.

Nic.-

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Morinki In reply to ??? [2013-09-16 15:09:49 +0000 UTC]

The Spheres of Longing by Gideon Ravenor. Excellent choice for an excellent Commissar

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NicolasRGiacondino In reply to Morinki [2013-09-17 01:49:53 +0000 UTC]

A for you, Eric and thank you for the compliments!

Nic.-

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Morinki In reply to NicolasRGiacondino [2013-09-17 02:48:48 +0000 UTC]

haha thanks and I can't wait to see more of the Ghosts from you.

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Impguy101 In reply to ??? [2013-09-16 14:23:12 +0000 UTC]

You sir made my day!!!!!!! As a huge fan of the Ghosts I take my hat of for you!!!

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NicolasRGiacondino In reply to Impguy101 [2013-09-17 01:52:24 +0000 UTC]

Thank YOU for the support, my friend! Glad I could make you happy.

Nic.-

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BrotherCoa In reply to ??? [2013-09-16 14:18:11 +0000 UTC]

And here it is, the man himself.
The most badass Commissar that ever served the Emperor.
Simply Epic.

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NicolasRGiacondino In reply to BrotherCoa [2013-09-16 14:20:54 +0000 UTC]

Thank you again, Aleksandar!

It was certainly daunting to render Gaunt himself, but I'm happy I did a good job of it.

Nic.-

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BrotherCoa In reply to NicolasRGiacondino [2013-09-16 14:42:54 +0000 UTC]

You did an excellent job brother

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