NEWS: John Blanche has Passed.

When someone we've discovered passes away, we tend to think back to things like our interactions with them as well as what they brought to our own lives and whilst for many its John Blanches own unique art style that many will remember alongside him being the grandfather of grim dark, for me, I was lucky enough to have met him when he worked at Games Workshops head office, of all the people we were going to meet, he was the one I was most excited for, as I always keenly remember flicking through my new issues of White Dwarf to see if there as a new piece by the legendary artist whose choice of colours as well as linework always stood out.

As I, and a few others entered his office, there he was sat behind his desk, his Catachan Giant on the shelf caught my attention as I recall seeing the close ups of it in White Dwarf and was in love with how he's modified it to fit his image.  As he looked at us all, he gave us the welcome to head office speech and asked where we'd already been and were yet to go.  

Whilst it was only a short meeting I was pleased that I got to see in person some of his works alongside that giant that had captured my imagination for years.  And yet when I think back now, I really find it strange that one of his most iconic pieces of the Emperor on the Golden Throne has since been revisited in the latest animation as an empty throne.  Whether this is alluding to something darker or his return we have yet to learn but currently I like to think of it as a tribute hidden to the Grimdark throne growing cold now that he is no longer with us.

Finally I never really got to thank him for making my adventures into wargaming so memorable or even paint a mini in his style and whilst there are paint sets out there with colours he picked himself, I don't know if I'll ever have the heart to try and imitate pieces like the Knight Panther as it'll never look right to my eyes.  All I can say is I hope that he rests well and pass on my heart felt thoughts to all who will miss this artistic giant.

ThunderMouser