Munchkin TREASURE HUNT: art notes
Last year, I was given the list of new projects I’d be illustrating for Steve Jackson Games.
Immediately, I noticed something unusual.
Note: when I say “something unusual,” this was not the normal kind of “unusual” Munchkin thing I’ve grown to expect from Steve and Andrew. You know – the “draw a Munchkin hiding from tentacles, in a toilet…perhaps there are wombats” variety of “unusual.”
No, this was something else entirely.
This was called Munchkin Treasure Hunt, and it was a Munchkin-themed game…for kids! Partnering with Toys ‘R’ Us, Steve Jackson Games would develop a brand-new Munchkin-esque board game, for ages 6 and up.
Obviously, as the parent of a 5-yar-old, this was in my wheelhouse of interest. I’d blogged about kids’ games before, and there are other kids’ games I’ll be blogging about in the future.
But now, I was gonna illustrate one, myself.
![All the Monsters! So Monster! Wow!](http://www.dorktower.com/files/2014/09/monster-300x225.jpg)
The kids on the cover – we call them “Spyke Jr.” and “Florette” – were the first drawings I tackled. I wanted them to be having fun.
Similarly, I specifically wanted the dragon to look worried – not menacing. “Why is he so angry” is a question my daughter frequently asks, when we’re drawing together, and I’m scribbling something for Munchkin. I didn’t want that, here. The cover needed to convey that the kids are in the clear – ain’t no party like a dungeon-clearing party, cause a dungeon-clearing party is FUN!
![Cover](http://www.dorktower.com/files/2014/09/Cover-300x300.jpg)
And of course, there had to be a duck.
The cards are smaller than regular Munchkin cards, so I decided to draw the original artwork smaller, as well, to get the line quality I wanted. Also, I didn’t want to over-complicate the illustrations – heck, there was no room for over-complication. I draw a regular Munchkin card on 6′ wide by 7′ tall Bristol board. I drew Munchkin Treasure Hunt cards half that size.
![treasure](http://www.dorktower.com/files/2014/09/treasure-300x225.jpg)
Holding the finished game in my hands (did I mention MUNCHKIN TREASURE HUNT IS OUT NOW?), I know the decision to draw small was the correct one.
![closeup](http://www.dorktower.com/files/2014/09/closeup-300x225.jpg)
Munchkin Treasure Hunt features six monsters: the Dragon, the Ghost, the Goblin, the Troll, the Witch and the Zombie. These were all drawn larger, and afforded more detail and line variation. I think the gobbo’s become my favorite, and he’ll probably be how all goblins in Munchkin look from now on.
![Early (left) and final (right) versions of the Ghost and the Goblin.](http://www.dorktower.com/files/2014/09/MonsterSamples-225x300.jpg)
Going from initial monster concept to final versions took about a week. I really enjoy the character development aspect of Munchkin illustration – particularly when you look back and see how far a character has come from your very earliest sketches.
There was also going to be a Leprechaun, at one stage, but Andrew decided a Troll would be more fun.
![Leprechaun, e hardly knew ye...](http://www.dorktower.com/files/2014/09/Leprechaun1-300x288.jpg)
So now the Leprechaun is off in whatever land it is that Game-Cards-That-Didn’t-Make-It characters play, frolicking with the Orange from Apples to Apples (long story. Don’t ask).
As usual, Steve Jackson Games’ art department did a sensational job on my silly little scribblings. Working with them is a real treat. Good grief, the Treasure Hunt game board alone looks amazing.
![munchkintreasurehunt_setup](http://www.dorktower.com/files/2014/09/munchkintreasurehunt_setup-300x181.jpg)
Munchkin Treasure Hunt has been in Toys ‘R’ Us stores across the country as of last Monday, and the reviews have been incredible.
Re-imagining Munchkin for a 6+ audience was a thrill for this Dad of a Kindergarten-aged daughter, and I can’t wait to visit with Spyke Jr. and Florette again.
Best. Playdate. Evar!