Legends of Runeterra just went into Open Beta, and it's an exciting time to be playing the game. One of the most important things about a card game is its artwork, and one thing that's very notable about Riot's new card game is that the quality of the art is top-notch. The game even has an option to view the full-art in game. All of this artwork is available to view on Riot's partner site, Six More Vodka. Links to all of the artist's Artstation or Deviantart profiles will also be provided.

This is a series that will display concept art for the game. The first part of each installment will showcase preliminary sketches of art used on cards in the game, and the second part will showcase concept model designs of the characters used. This week, we will be looking at Shadow Isles.

Commander Ledros by Michal Ivan

Michal Ivan provided the artwork for the big, bad, fearsome (literally) Commander Ledros. Don't look at him funny or he might split your health in half. Internally, the artwork is named "Commando Ledros" instead of Commander.

Iron Harbinger by Marko Djurdjevic

Concept art for Iron Harbinger by Marko Djurdjevic.

The Rekindler by Claudiu-Antoniu Magherusan

Concept art of The Rekindler by Claudiu-Antoniu Magherusan. He looks human in the picture, but don't be fooled because is anything but in his final artwork. The artwork also uses the name "Rekindler" dropping the "The".

Darkwater Scourge by Claudiu-Antoniu Magherusan

Claudiu also provided the artwork for Darkwater Scourge. You just saw him being used for the thumbnail in our Community Decks Article, now you get to see him in his preliminary, monochromatic form. The angle of the water and his face is noticeably different here than in the finished art. The artwork is known as "Deepwater Scourge" internally.

Stirred Spirits by Maki Planas Mata

Maki Planas Mata provided the design for Stirred Spirits, which is no doubt the most colorful concept art of all the preliminary card sketches. Also the most surreal. Kids, this is why you don't drink.

Soul Shepherd by Monika Palosz

Concept art for Soul Shepherd by Monika Palosz. Interestingly, the artwork uses the name "Soothsayer" internally conveying a very different feel. Artwork using alternate names will be a very recurring thing in this series.

Elise by Gerald Parel

Gerald Parel ended up providing the artwork for Elise in both her level 1 form, and her level 2 form as Spider Queen Elise. Internally, the two are simply called "Elise Human" and "Elise Spider" respectively.

Hapless Aristocrat by Monika Palosz

Concept art of Hapless Aristocrat from Monika Palosz.

Mistwraith by Marko Djurdjevic

Concept art for Mistwraith from Marko Djurdjevic, whom is quite noticeably mirrored from the final artwork.

Artists: Gerald Parel & Maki Planas Mata

Artist: Michal Ivan

Artist: Michal Ivan

Artist: Michal Ivan

That will do it for the first of this series. Join in next week when we will look at Demacia. In the mean time, the game is out, so go out there and play!