A behind-the-scenes look at my board game illustration process, from sketch to final scan—and why I choose hand-painted watercolour for board games.
If you’d told me a few years ago that I’d be working as a professional board game illustrator, I’m not sure I would have believed you. But here we are—and honestly? It’s been one of the most rewarding creative journeys of my life.
I’ve had the privilege of illustrating board games for publishers like Stonemaier Games, Pencil First Games, and The Op Game, creating hand-painted watercolour art for characters, creatures, food, nature, and fantasy worlds.
This post is for board game publishers and designers, players curious about the art-making process, and artists wondering how to break into the industry.
Here are some of the board games I’ve illustrated so far:
- Origin Story (the one that started it all!)
- Origin Story Promo Pack (releasing 2026)
- Wyrmspan
- Wyrmspan Expansion: Dragon Academy
Pencil First Games:
- Floriferous
- Delicious
- New game releasing in 2026
- New game releasing in 2026
How I Became a Board Game Illustrator: Origin Story
A few years ago, I received an email from Jamey Stegmaier at Stonemaier Games. He wanted to know if I'd be interested in illustrating a board game called Origin Story—entirely in watercolour.
My first reaction? Imposter syndrome, full blast.
The idea of creating so much art for a single project felt overwhelming. What if I couldn’t deliver? What if my style didn’t translate to game components?
But then... the challenge was too tempting to refuse.
Jamey's vision was bold: a board game about superheroes, illustrated entirely in traditional watercolour. Comic book art meets centuries-old painting technique. Contemporary subject, timeless medium. It was exactly the kind of creative surprise I love—taking something old and making it feel fresh, unexpected, alive.
I said yes. And that's how the story began.
Board Game Illustration Projects That Followed
After Origin Story, Eduardo from Pencil First Games reached out about two beautiful projects: Floriferous and Delicious.
These games reached a different audience—more whimsical, poetic, and meditative. I love painting superheroes and dragons, but I also adore painting food and nature. At the time, I was illustrating a monthly food magazine with recipes and seasonal ingredients, so I was ready for Delicious. It felt like the perfect creative fit.
Then came the dragons.
Wyrmspan is a whole other story—one you can read about here. Creating more than 200 of watercolour dragons for a game was a dream project, and seeing them come to life on the table has been unforgettable.
A pile of 200 Dragons painted in watercolour (available here)
Now, with three new games releasing in 2026, I'm busier than ever—and loving every minute of it.
Commissioning a Board Game Illustrator: How It Actually Works
Let me walk you through my process, from first contact to final delivery.
Step 1: Initial Contact with a Board Game Illustrator
Usually, a board game company contacts me via email asking if I'm interested in working with them. They'll send a short brief that includes:
- Subject matter (superheroes, dragons, food, nature, anything that comes to your mind that you think will work well with my style.)
- Art style they're envisioning, some reference images.
- Number of illustrations needed
- Timeframe for delivery
From there, I assess whether the project feels like a good fit for my style. I'm honest about this—if I don't think my watercolour approach suits the subject, I'll say so. (I recently had to decline a board game because my style didn't align with their vision, and that's okay!)
If it feels right, I provide a quote and timeframe.
Step 2: Test Illustrations & Creative Fit
I'm happy to work on one or two illustrations for free as a trial. This helps both of us:
- Confirm it's a great creative fit
- Show the client how I work
- Test the back-and-forth communication and feedback process
This trial phase is crucial. Board game illustration is collaborative, and it’s important that we work well together before committing to dozens—or hundreds—of pieces.
Watercolour sketches: test run for wyrmspan
Step 3: Contract, Timeline, and Project Kickoff
Once we're both confident it's a good match, we sign a contract and I start the work.
Here's where my process gets specific—and where watercolour becomes both a blessing and a challenge.
My Watercolour Board Game Illustration Process: Why Sketching Matters in Traditional Watercolour Illustration
Watercolour is unforgiving. You can’t erase, you can’t overpaint, and if something goes wrong, you start over.
That’s why I spend a significant amount of time sketching before I ever touch paint. The sketch phase is where composition, colour balance, and storytelling are solved. Once the sketch is approved, the painting becomes about execution—not problem-solving.
Digital Sketching for Board Game Illustration (iPad & Procreate)
I do all my initial sketches digitally on my iPad using Procreate. Why?
- Easy to edit – I can move elements, adjust compositions, try different color palettes
- Client-friendly – Sharing and revising digital sketches is fast and efficient
- Saves paper – I'm not wasting expensive watercolour paper on trial and error
The iPad feels very different from real watercolour painting, but that's okay. At this stage, we're just locking in the composition and color palette. Once the client approves the sketch, I move to the real thing.
Digital sketch on Procreate
Painting Board Game Art in Watercolour, Why I Paint Small Game Art at Large Scale
Even though game cards are small, I paint on minimum A4 size paper (often larger). Why? Because I want to add as much detail as I want. For box art, I go even bigger.
Also, let's be honest—I can't see much when things are that small. I'm at the point where I have to wear glasses just to see my meals on the plate. So painting tiny? Not happening. 😄
The technique works in layers:
- Light comes from the lighter washes and the white of the paper itself, which must be preserved
- I love working with negative space—letting the paper breathe
- Each layer builds depth, texture, and details.
I can edit small things in Photoshop later, but my main work is handpainted. I preserve that handmade quality and avoid over-processing the artwork digitally.
Bonus for clients: While I'm painting, I take short and long videos and photos of the process. These behind-the-scenes assets are yours to use for marketing, social media, Kickstarter campaigns, or updates. Players love seeing how a game’s artwork comes to life.
The hero dragon for Wyrmspan.
Painting the caves
The cave cards trail, all hand painted in watercolour
Scanning & File Preparation for Board Game Production
Here's the part most people don't realize:
When the painting is done, I'm only halfway finished.
Digital artists deliver files as soon as the illustration is complete. But for watercolour artists, there's a whole scanning, cleaning, and file prep process that sometimes takes just as long as the painting itself.
Preparing Watercolour Artwork for Print and Manufacturing
Once you love the painting, I scan it in high definition with a professional A3 scanner. Then I move to Photoshop to clean the image. This part of the process takes me between 30 minutes and 2 hours per image, depending on its size and complexity.
The transparency and layering of watercolour make it tricky to reproduce faithfully, and I don't take the easy path that some artists use—such as burning the paper whites or over-saturating colours with brightness or adventurous curves. My goal is always to keep the artwork as close as possible to the original, with all its subtleties intact.
What I do during file prep:
- Clean up any dust, paper texture, or scanning artifacts
- Adjust color accuracy to match the original painting
- Preserve the delicate transparency and layering that makes watercolour special
- Prepare high-resolution files ready for print
- Deliver in the correct format and color profile for production
This step is not to be ignored: many clients don't realize how much work goes into scanning and preparing a watercolour painting for print. It's a quiet but essential part of the process—and it ensures that what you see on the game table matches exactly what I painted in my studio.
My Board Game Illustration Workflow: Fast, Reliable, Flexible
I work fast and reliably in a production environment. I’m used to large illustration counts, tight timelines, and print constraints, and I’ve never missed a deadline.
What I Look for in a Board Game Illustration Project
Not every project is a good fit, and that's okay. Here's what I look for:
- Subject matter that aligns with my style – Strong female characters, superheroes, dragons (duh!), nature, food, whimsical, fantasy, anything fun, magical, funky and bold.
- Clients who value traditional art and craftsmanship – If you want digital stuff, I might not be your artist.
- Clear and kind communication – I love collaborative clients who give thoughtful feedback, who are passionate about their brand, and respectful about other people's work.
- Realistic timelines – Watercolour takes time, especially the scanning and cleaning phase. Rushing it compromises quality.
- Creative freedom – I do my best work when I have room to bring my own vision, like I did for Wyrmspan and Origin Story. Just keep in mind: I like to always have a positive perspective on everything and not show too many constraints. I'm happy to work around challenges and find creative solutions.
Why Choose Watercolour for Board Game Art (Instead of Digital or AI)
Digital art can be incredibly beautiful and complex—I have deep respect for digital artists and their craft. But for me, digital feels a bit cold. It's too perfect, too controlled.
AI, on the other hand? That's the easy way out. AI removes the human decision-making, the craftsmanship, and the tactile unpredictability that make traditional art feel alive.
What Hand-Painted Watercolour Brings to Board Games
It has texture, warmth, unpredictability. It feels handmade because it is handmade. The imperfections are what make it human—a brushstroke that bleeds just slightly, a wash that pools in an unexpected way, the organic grain of the paper showing through.
In a market full of polished digital art and AI-generated images, that handmade quality stands out. Players notice it. They remember it. They feel it.
When someone picks up your game, they're not just seeing art—they're experiencing craftsmanship. Every brushstroke is intentional. Every layer tells a story. Every imperfection adds character. That's something AI can't replicate, and something digital struggles to capture.
It's also a bold creative choice—mixing a centuries-old technique with contemporary subjects like superheroes, dragons, and gourmet food. That contrast is what makes it special. It says: This game is different. This game has heart and I want it to stand out!
What watercolour brings to your game:
- Authenticity – Real paint, real paper, real human touch
- Memorability – Players remember handmade art long after the game ends
- Emotional connection – Watercolour feels warm, inviting, alive
- Imperfect beauty – The "mistakes" are what make it special
- Differentiation – Stand out in a market saturated with digital and AI art
- Timelessness – Traditional techniques age beautifully
If you want your game to feel special, to have a soul that players can sense when they hold it—watercolour is the answer.
How to Commission Me as Your Board Game Illustrator & Lead artist
If you're a board game company (or an indie designer!) interested in working together, here's how to reach out:
Email me at: bonjour@blule.fr
Include in your message:
- Brief description of your game and its theme
- Art style you're envisioning, images helps a lot.
- Show me pictures you spotted in my folio similar to what you are after
- Number of illustrations needed
- Timeframe for delivery
- Budget range (if possible)
I'll get back to you within a few days to discuss whether it's a good fit.
Final Thoughts on Illustrating Board Games in Watercolour
Illustrating board games has been one of the most fulfilling creative paths I've taken. It combines storytelling, craftsmanship, collaboration, and the joy of seeing your art come to life on the table—played, loved, shared.
But what really matters? It's knowing my artwork creates fun and meaningful moments between friends and family. It's imagining a little girl somewhere, looking at one of my dragons and picturing herself flying on its back, creating her own stories.
That's the beautiful purpose behind all of this.
If you're a game company looking for an illustrator who brings warmth, texture, and a handmade soul to your project, I'd love to hear from you.
And if you're a fellow artist or a board game enthusiast curious about the process, I hope this gave you a peek behind the curtain.
Now, if you'll excuse me, I have some painting to do. My brush is calling. 🎨
Ready to work together?
📧 Email me: bonjour@blule.fr
🎨 See my portfolio: https://blule.fr/pages/collaborations
🐉 Explore my art: https://blule.fr/