Welcome to CraigZipse.com. I work as a freelance artist, specializing in cartography. In addition, I design games when time permits. The purpose of this site is to act as my online portfolio and to advertise my abilities as an artist and game designer. Please browse through the images in the gallery. The majority of my commercial work is cartography, but you will also find some standard illustrations as well. I hope you enjoy the images and invite you contact me with any questions.
News for First Quarter 2007
RETURN TO NORMAL
Well, the Art Sale is over. Thanks to everyone who bought some artwork, as the sale was a big success. I parted with almost a hundred images (most to Lloyd Brown - thanks Lloyd). I am still taking commission work, but probably not for long. Thanks again to everyone who participated!News for Fourth Quarter 2006
ART SALE!
For those of you who know me well, you know I rarely part with my artwork. Alas, the time has come and I have decided to offer up a great deal of my artwork to any who are interested. This sale will only last for a few weeks, so please visit the Map Dungeon and take a look about. If you dig around a bit, I'm sure you'll find something that catches your eye. I have listed work from Wizards, Alderac, Kenzer, Monkey God, Sovereign (Dragonlance) and Reaper among others along with a host of unpublished artwork from my own campaigns over the years.Return to Commission Work
For a limited time, I will be accepting private commission work. Do you have a campaign world you'd like see mapped by hand in blistering detail? Some GMs like to have map handouts professionally done as well. Typically this would be something like a sage's record or, more commonly, a very special treasure map.If you have a need for professional cartography, please take a look at my gallery to insure my style fits your needs and then drop me an email. Turnaround time and costs vary widely based on the size and complexity of the map, along with the media type chosen.
News for Third Quarter 2006
Space Race Released
Kenzer & Co has released The Great Space Race. The game made it's official debut at Origins this year and followed up with a good showing at GenCon. The reviews have been pretty good and I feel good about the feedback I have received. Take a look at what folks are saying over at the Geek and add a comment yourself if you have a moment.Your Game Sucks!
Man, I hate reading emails that start off this way. I much prefer to read such comments in forums devoted to the game so everyone can share in the discussion! If you have questions or comments about the Space Race or my maps in Knights of the Dinner Table magazine, head over to the Kenzer forums page and vent/applaud/ask/comment/lurk.Space Race Web Enhancement Released
Kenzer & Co has released a free web enhancement for The Great Space Race. It includes a new ship, an all new Major Event, extra counters and optional rules. Check it out here.GenCon & Origins
Amidst all the excitement involving the Space Race, I haven't updated the page with as much info as I normally do with regards to the summer cons. It was a good summer with good playtest sessions - especially for Turtle Soup. I also ran (well, sort of) a new game I am working on currently titled InterGalactic Privateer. Let's just say it was the first playtest and there is a long way to go yet. Yikes.News for Second Quarter 2006
Space Race Release Date Set
Kenzer & Co has announced a release date for The Great Space Race. Though it is just an estimate and likely to change, the release is tentatively set for 4/16 of this year. I certainly can't wait to see the game! Check the details here.Kenzer Forums
You can participate in a discussion about my maps published in Knights of the Dinner table on the Kenzer forums page. In addition, there is also a section there devoted soley to the Space Race. Drop by and say hello!News for Fourth Quarter 2005
Happy Holidays
Here's to hoping everyone everywhere has a safe and happy holiday season - no matter your beliefs!Updated Game Pages
For those of you who participated in GenCon playtest sessions this year, I have some new pics up on the Game pages. In particular, Turtle Soup finally has some images showing the game in action.Pigma Micron - Wow!
I'll be posting some new artwork over the coming months to show the pens capabilities. I'm pleased to say they have exceeded my expectations thus far.
Recently, the manufacturer of the technical pens I've relied on for over a decade has opted to close shop. This left me in a bind as my supplies were running low quickly. I consulted a few artist friends who also rely heavily on pens for their work and received some excellent advice. I've experimented over the last couple of weeks and found that the Sakura Pigma Micron is a superb replacement to my Rotrings. The pens are available in multiple point sizes, various colors, all their inks are archival quality and - best of all for me - they do not leak like virtually every other pen on the market. On top of that, they are starkly less expensive than all their competitors.New Space Race Release Date
Kenzer and Company has rescheduled the release of The Great Space Race for Spring of 2006. While this news wasn't the best to hear, I believe it is a good decision to have the game released in the first quarter as opposed to the third or fourth as this will almost certainly aid in increasing orders.News for Third Quarter 2005
Necronomicon
Speaking of Halloween, I'll be attending Necronomicon as a guest this year. If you're in the area swing in and check out what looks to be a great show. Heck, those con shirts alone are with the trip! I'll have some stuff in the art show and will also participate in some panels. I'm going to try to run some pick up games of my stuff here and there as well if time permits. Hope to see you there!GenCon and Origins Great as Ever
Again, I was fortunate enough to attend both shows in the same year and again, both were worth the effort. Seeing good friends at these shows alone makes it worth the journey. I managed to get in several playtest sessions for my games and these went a long way to improving each of them. Turtle Soup, in particular, evolved tremendously at GenCon (thankfully as it was sucking pretty bad). A special thanks to all those who took a chance on the games and assisted with playtesting.
Space Race Release Meets BoardGameGeek
The first independent review of The Great Space Race is up at BoardGameGeek. Check it out here. I ran a session of the game at GenCon that the reviewer played in and it seems he enjoyed the game! A huge thanks goes to Iain McFadyen who took the time to post the review.Great Guy, Great Artist and a Great New Con
While participating in the GenCon Art Show (the most well organized art show I've attended to date btw), I had the fortune a meeting Andy Hopp. Andy is a great guy and his artwork has a unique style and appeal all its own. I hope we can meet again on the pages of an RPG product some day. Check out Andy's new convention Con on the Cob. I can't make it this year cause of a conflict (no pun intended) with Necronomicon, but I hope to next year.News for Second Quarter 2005
Space Race Release Date
It has seemed like an endless trek all these past years, but the Great Space Race will be released in September of this year by Kenzer and Co. Hot damn! Check the specifics here. I have learned a lot from all those that playtested and reviewed the game during that time -- a sincere thank you. Now go preorder!GAMA was Awesome
I went to GAMA earlier this year courtesy of Kenzer and Co. It was a fantastic show for all kinds of reasons. First, because I finally got to go. Second, because I learned a great deal about great many things. In addition, I got a little desert dirt on me and made some good friends in the process. What more could a guy ask for?Origins and GenCon are Looming
Wow. I can't believe it's already that time again! I will be at Origins after all, though only for a few days. I'll be running Space Race demos out of the Kenzer booth so drop by and say hello. GenCon will be my big show this year and I am excited as ever to get in town and catch up with old friends. Check my events and stop by for a game of something. Here is an updated schedule of the events I'll be running. See you there!Death of an Icon
On a sad note, David C. Sutherland III passed away recently. The name may not ring a bell with some of you, especially those under 25, but the guy was a major artist in the early days of the RPG industry - before the industry was even an industry. To give you an idea, he painted the original Players Handbook, Monster Manual and Dungeon Masters Guide covers. Along with Diesel (David S. LaForce), he was a major cartographer for everything TSR put out. Back before cartography was even recognized as a critical element of an RPG product, he was plying the trade and creating the stock formula we now recognize as 'the map'. He influenced the direction my artistic interests went and paved the way for guys like me to have a chance to do what we love. Thank you Dave.Somebody should recognize this guy during all the awards hoopla at the summer cons, but my cynical heart tells me they won't. UPDATE: they didn't.
News for First Quarter 2005
GenCon 2005 Schedule
I have posted a schedule of the events I'll be running at GenCon this year here. It looks a little different than last year, but then again, I sold a game and put another one under the microscope.Headed to GAMA
Wow. I'm finally going to make this show. I'll be heading out to run The Great Space Race on behalf on Kenzer and Company. I was given the opportunity to go to GAMA the past 2 years, but was unable to due to prior commitments. Miracle of miracles, I'm actually going to make it this time.New Game Ready for Playtesting
...and my friends call me a lazy bastard! A new game has been posted on the Games page. I've been tinkering around for a while and finally have something presentable. The game will be run at GenCon this year and I'm looking forward to getting some good feedback there.New Job = No Origins
Due to a job change, I now have a shortage of vacation days. Subsequently, I won't be making it to Origins this year. GenCon won out as the con of choice for several reasons, but mainly because I sell out more games there. There is a chance I'll make Origins, but it involves God and a lottery ticket.KoDT Maps
If you haven't been, check out Knights of the Dinner Table magazine. I have a monthly catographic feature there and I've created some of my best stuff in years. I'm given complete freedom to map whatever I'd like and it's made it a joy. I also submit a map for download each month on the KoDT forums. Go register and check them out.News for Fouth Quarter 2004
The Great Space Race Headed for Print
The Great Space Race left GenCon 2004 with Kenzer & Company. The feedback was good from the outset and an agreement has been reached for publication. Kenzer, best known for their Kinghts of the Dinner Table and Kalamar product lines, have also published several boardgames. If all goes well, the game will be in print by Spring 2005. It's a great game with an even better following and is long overdue for publication. Woot!GenCon 2004 - Another Great Show
As always, it's a shame it had to end. For all those who took a chance on my events at the show - a big thanks! A lot of quality playtesting took place and the feedback is always appreciated. I'm looking forward to next year already!
Gallery Updated
The Gallery page has gone through a few changes. Specifically, several of the images have come down and a few new ones have gone up in their place. Just trying to keep things interesting.News for Third Quarter 2004
GenCon Approaches
Origins has come and gone and GenCon is fast approaching. I'll be running several events there and a complete schedule of my games is posted here. Hope to see you at the show.New High Spirits Art Posted
Some of the final art for High Spirits has been coming in and the images look great! Check out the High Spirits page for a preview of some of the art. Thanks goes to the talented Mark Sellmeyer over at Dust Bunny Games for his hard work and most excellent abilities. All the images should be complete in time for GenCon, so if you're there, drop in and take a look at the final product.Gallery Updated
I've swapped out a couple of images in the gallery and put up some recent stuff.News for Second Quarter 2004
Bonus KoDT Maps
For you Knights of the Dinner Table fans, cruise by the KoDT forums. There you will find a monthly b/w map available only to forum members. These maps are in addition to those featured in the magazine, so be sure to drop by and become a member if you haven't already!News for First Quarter 2004
Rabbit Release
My fine friends over at Dust Bunny Games have released their latest game - Seasons. Take a look and trust me when I say that it's good.
Event Schedule Posted
For those of you who are interested in the events I'll be running at Origins and GenCon, I have posted the schedules under the Games section. I will be running several sessions of each game at both cons and hope to see you there!Hoody Hoo!
Look for some of my newest work in the latest issues of Knights of the Dinner Table. I'll be doing 1 and 2 page b/w maps for the forseeable future. Support you local cartographer and go pick up a copy!
