Today, we're highlighting Principal Illustrator, Bayard Wu and their work on new Midnight character portraits and Key Art. Wu previously worked on the Key Art for Undermine(d) and Ghosts of K'aresh as well as character portraits for the War Within .
ArtStation: Bayard WuArtstation Magazine's Midnight Art Blast
Character Portraits & Key Art of Midnight
We highlighted Wu's previous Midnight character portraits, and he returns in the latest feature with some new faces Zul'jarra and Zul'jan of the Amani Trolls as well as Arator. In a behind the scenes look, Wu provided short animations to show the design flow and layering of various elements that brought our heroes to life.
Arator
We've experienced the bulk of Midnight through lens of Arator as he grapples with his legacy as the son of Alleria and Turalyon while the Void descends upon Silvermoon.
Zul'jarra & Zul'Jan
As the grandchildren of Zul'jin, the Amani troll siblings Zul'jarra and Zul'jan come to grips with their own legacy and how they'll approach leading the Amani in the midst of their feud with the Blood Elves and the encroaching Void. We've not seen much from the Amani since leveling up, but perhaps this hints at a focused troll narrative in Patch 12.1 and Season 2.
The Voidspire
Alleria, Turalyon, and Arator battle the Devouring Host in an assault on the Voidspire. Check out both versions of the scene with Alleria firing off a volley of void arrows or the close up shot that really captures the action.
Defense of the Sunwell
The Vanguard of the Light arrives just in time to defend the Sunwell from Xal'atath's assault. The refining and layering off different elements really helps define the stakes and ferocity of the battle in Silvermoon.
Devouring Host
While we've seen this Key Art the most, the video really captures the process of designing the Key Art. From a black and white almost storyboard concept to truly defining what it means for the Devouring Host to invade the Blood Elf capital city.
Be sure to check out more of Bayard Wu's work on ArtStation or the full ArtStation Magazine feature on Midnight.
ArtStation: Bayard Wu
