Joel Chaim Holtzman

Illustrator / Concept Artist

[joelchaimholtzman]

Two years ago I had the honour to be commissioned by MARVEL through Upper Deck to create a series of iconic characters for them.

Here is The Wolverine, with this particular iteration being an homage to the Sideshow Collectibles variant.

I am very happy with the briefs and art direction I received throughout this project, and immensely thankful for this opportunity.

Let me know what you think! Also, if you have seen Deadpool 3, let me know what you think in the comments! Really enjoyed that one.

All the best,

JCH

[joelchaimholtzman]

Here is a piece of a Saxon warrior I painted in 2019 I think! As always, I had quite a bit of fun researching the armor and adding my own design elements to the design.

Hope you like it!

[joelchaimholtzman]

Happy to share a new painting for the Cosmere RPG, based on Brandon Sanderson's Stormlight Archive! This is one of the interior pieces I was commissioned to make, a bit more than a year ago, a Thaylen Syndicate leader.

I found a lot of joy in going back to making more complex scenes with a lot of details and things to see. Thanks to the folks at Brotherwise Games for choosing to work with me and I wish them best of luck with the project.

Hope you like it! Please let me know what you think,

All the best,

JCH

[joelchaimholtzman]

I worked on another DUNE painting in my spare time! Here is a much requested character: Duncan Idaho, the loyal swordmaster of House Atreides.

Duncan is definitely one of the most interesting characters of the series. While he appears briefly in the first book, he takes center stage in later installments and even becomes the main character of the story as the ultimate ''Kwisatz Haderach''. I wanted to depict a bit of that element in my artwork with the hints of religious iconography.

All the best,

JCH

[joelchaimholtzman]

Happy to share this larger piece I made for Monolith Boardgames and their Mythic Battles IP.

This is Pharaoh Thutmose III on his chariot. He was known for conquering the Levant in a resurgence of Egyptian power in the region. A mighty ruler with great impact on the dynasties to come.

Hope you like it! Will share all 13 images I painted for the project soon.

All the best,

JCH

[joelchaimholtzman]

Happy to share this mythological entity I painted for Isfet, a miniature boardgame set in ancient Egypt.

This is Kherty, an underworld deity. He was said to be the one to carry the spirits of the deceased to the afterlife and protect them from evil spirits, similar to the Greek ferryman Charon. It may be plausible to say Kherty was the original underworld deity before Osiris attained divine status.

Please let me know what you think!

All the best,

JCH

[joelchaimholtzman]

Here is my interpretation of prince Daemon Targaryen from House of the Dragon!

A ruthless warrior with a strong temperament and, with great loyalty to his family.

This scene is inspired by the battle of the Stepstones in the first season, where the Targaryens and the Velaryons destroyed the triarchy pirates with the might of their dragons.

Hope you like it,

All the best,

[joelchaimholtzman]

Here is another painting I made for Isfet, a miniature boardgame set in mythological ancient Egypt.

This is Pharaoh Hatshepsut. She is considered among the greatest Pharaohs of the early dynasties of Egypt, with achievements in architecture, arts, mercantilism and overall prosperity for her kingdom.

The sculpture in the background is inspired by the Sphinx of Hatshepshut, which can be seen at the Metropolitan Museum in New York.

Please let me know what you think!

All the best,

JCH

[joelchaimholtzman]

Happy to share this painting from around a year ago I painted for Isfet; A board game in an ancient Egypt Mythology setting.

This Ramses II the Great. He is by many considered to be the most famous pharaoh, having bested mighty empires and bringing Egypt to a golden age. He is also presumed to be the pharaoh of the Exodus in the Old Testament.

Thanks to my art director for pushing me with this piece. It went through many iterations but I am happy with the additional time spent on this one, as I learned a lot and I consider this piece to be one of my favourites from this set.

Next week another one!

Best,

JCH

[joelchaimholtzman]

What song is Gurney Halleck playing?

Happy to share another DUNE painting! The master-at-arms and bard for House Atreides. My previous depiction of Gurney was not good at all, so I decided to redo it from scratch. The background is inspired by the water planet of Caladan, the Atreides homeworld.

This is the final DUNE character for the time being, but I will definitely resume the series in the future!

Hope you like it!

All the best,

JCH

[joelchaimholtzman]

Just wrapped up this DUNE painting! Reverend Mother Jessica Atreides and the Water of Life.

This is my second interpretation of this iconic character. The first version just felt off and less exciting than the rest of the series. For a character with such a significance in the story I decided to go back to the drawing board and redo it from scratch.

Hope you like it! Gurney Halleck next week.

All the best,

JCH

[joelchaimholtzman]

Here is a new DUNE painting I just finished! This is Emperor Shaddam Corrino IV, ruler of the known universe.

Due to copious Spice consumption the character looks like he is in his thirties, even though he is more than twice as old. I wanted to portray him being youthful, arrogant, but wise and conniving at the same time.

The Halo is a throwback to the Incal series by Jodorowsky (who was supposed to direct the first Dune movie) and Moebius.

I hope you like it!

Next week, either a Jessica Atreides or Gurney Halleck. Let me know which one!

All the best,

JCH

[joelchaimholtzman]

Happy to have wrapped up another DUNE painting!

This is Glossu ''Beast'' Rabban, the evil nephew of Baron Harkonnen and steward of Arrakis, the Desert Planet.

It was not an easy decision to cover his face with a helmet, but I really liked the Harkonnen armor design from the movies and wanted to make an homage, and explore more high tech apparel in my work.

Hope you like it!

Best,

JCH

[joelchaimholtzman]

Happy to finally be able to share work for the biggest project I worked for in 2023: Mythic Battles: Isfet by Monolith! When I was approached me to work on a miniature boardgame set in mythological ancient Egypt the answer was a resounding YES.

I made 13 historical + mythological characters that I am very proud of. I am happy with the feedback I received to bring these to the next level, and also, I had plenty opportunities to suggest elements to add to the design based on my knowledge of ancient history.

AKHENATEN, HERETIC PHARAOH

This is Akhenaten, the infamous pharaoh of the 18th dynasty. He was known for abolishing polytheism and enforcing monotheism to the Egyptian sun deity, Aten. I was heavily inspired by Homelander from The Boys while working on this piece.

[joelchaimholtzman]

Happy to share this weeks DUNE painting I just finished!

Based on last weeks most popular voting; Here is Gurney Halleck, the Master of Arms of House Atreides, and mentor to Paul. He likes to play the Baliset, a nine string instrument. Overal he is embodiement of the ''warrior poet'' archetype, one of the earliest in modern entertainment if I am correct.

Two more DUNE characters to go! Which one should I paint next?

1. Emperor Shaddam IV

2. Rabban

Hope you like it!

Best,

JCH

[joelchaimholtzman]

Happy to share this weeks DUNE painting I just finished!

Based on last weeks most popular voting; Here is Stilgar, the religious Fremen leader from the South.

I liked the idea of giving him prayer beads, and surround him with an ethereal atmosphere, avoiding gold tones as much as possible.

I was heavily inspired by Baroque religious iconography & artist Ludwig Deutsch with the creation of this piece. He traveled to MENA countries to depict the various cultures and tribes in his art; One of my biggest inspirations.

Three more DUNE characters to go! Which one should I paint next?

1. Emperor

2. Rabban

3. Gurney

Hope you like it!

Best,

JCH

[iliothermia]

Jewish fairy who spreads joy