About the Artist:

Charles Urbach is a writer and Chesley Award winning artist with 30 years experience in design, publishing, and illustration. He began work in graphic design in the early 1990’s just as the technology of design was moving away from traditional cut and paste techniques into computer based technologies. While working nights for regional newspapers across New York State, he earned a bachelor’s degree in fine arts illustration, with an emphasis on colored pencil drawing, traditional painting, and printmaking. By combining techniques learned in the academic and professional worlds, Charles developed a unique approach to artwork that combines the technology of digital image manipulation with traditional fine arts media and techniques. The result of those explorations is a wide array of hand drawn colored pencil artwork that is edited digitally, taking full advantage of the effects and versatility afforded by technology, while remaining true to fine arts concerns.

His artwork, like the techniques employed in its making, is a blend of ancient and modern. His work explores fantasy, science fiction, and surrealistic imagery by drawing on a rich tradition of spiritual, literary, and mythological sources. Like a traveler on a journey, his work ventures into varied territories, not resting for long in any specific genre or subject matter. Everything from humor and children’s illustration, to high fantasy and spiritual symbolism find their way into his work. As a result, his art is recognized for its diversity and dynamic visuals that appeal to many different audiences and age groups. His projects include cover illustrations for authors like Timothy Zahn and T.S. Robinson, miniatures designs for Wizkids, illustrations for "Magic: The Gathering," "Legend of the Five Rings," and artwork for many games including "Infinite City," "Seventh Sea," "Noble Treachery," "A Game of Thrones," "Star Wars," "Call of Cthulhu," and "Lord of the Rings," among a multitude of others. Clients have included Wizards of the Coast, Sony Online, AT&T and many game publishers and independent clients. Charles’ personal artwork is published through his in-house studio and available via conventions and art exhibits throughout the country.

Visit the Gallery page to see more of Charles Urbach's images, and the Market page for information on how to order art prints.

Awards and Recognition:

Charles Urbach has been a guest at and won numerous awards at events throughout the United States, Canada, and Europe.

In addition to being a three time Chesley Award winner, his other awards include:

Best Spaceship or Space Scene, DragonCon 2016

Best Professional Body of Work at ConVergence 2015

Best Amazon Award, DragonCon 2012
Best Amazon Award, DragonCon 2011

Best Mixed Media Gen Con 2007


Best Game Related Work, Origins Game Fair 2006

Best In Show, MARcon 2011

Artist's Choice Award (Jeff Easley) Con on the Cob 2008