Recently I was comissioned to create an artwork for an EMP exclusive special edition box for the release of the brandnew In Flames album: Battles.

I started with this simple thumbnail and we decided to go with this one.

Next step was a rough mockup in Photoshop to represent the main elements:

The basis for this artwork is a traditional drawing and an acrylic underpainting:

First acrylic color layer:

Second color layer:

I scanned the traditional image and finished the artwork digitally:

In Flames Battles cover artwork

That was my finished result.

For the final box cover art the art direction department edited it and turned it into this:

You can order this special edition box at the EMP Merchandise Online Store: