Tove LJ, the co-founder and lead illustrator of the Oxford-based studio Midnight Tower, has announced a strategic shift into personal branding with the upcoming launch of 100 Fantasy Ink Illustrations. The project, which arrives on Kickstarter in the coming weeks, represents a significant departure from the studio’s prolific output of Fifth Edition roleplaying games modules in favour of a gritty, hand-drawn art resource specifically tailored for the Old School Renaissance (OSR) community.
Operating from the historic fantasy hub of Oxford, Tove is leveraging her decade-long industry experience to provide a curated collection of stock art. While the project is hosted under her personal name to distinguish her work as a standalone illustrator, the legal framework remains tied to her established brand. The commercial rights are governed by the Midnight Tower Art License, offering a middle ground between personal creative freedom and existing corporate protections.
The aesthetic of the collection is a deliberate homage to the British fantasy tradition of the 1980s. Tove cites the influence of the Lone Wolf adventure books and the second edition of Dungeons & Dragons. These are eras defined by the high-contrast, “scratchy” ink work of artists like Gary Chalk. Unlike the polished, digital-first art prevalent in modern roleplaying games, these illustrations are created using traditional dip pens and ink, often produced during “late night” sessions outside of her standard publishing schedule.
However, the transition from publisher to stock-art provider introduces a more rigorous licensing structure than many independent creators might expect. The Midnight Tower Art License included with the pledge is a professional-grade, non-exclusive agreement that grants “one-time, first edition use” for print or web. This effectively prevents the art from being used for merchandise, such as t-shirts or mugs, without further negotiation, positioning Tove as a professional illustrator-for-hire rather than a public-domain contributor.
A technical point of interest for backers is the inclusion of vectorised files alongside high-resolution TIFFs. While vectorisation allows for infinite scaling, the process can sometimes sanitise the organic grit of physical ink lines. Tove LJ appears to be balancing this by providing both formats, ensuring that the “soul” of the dip pen work is preserved for those who prefer the textured, traditional look.
The Author and Illustrator from the Midnight Tower said in a statement:
I’ve always loved fantasy ink illustrations, ever since I began playing the 2nd edition of Dungeons & Dragons and read the Lone Wolf Adventure books when I was young. I’m launching this project to share my nerdy passion for old-school fantasy art, and so that other people can enjoy them – or use the illustrations for their own personal or commercial creative projects!”
The book itself is structured into thematic chapters, including The Arcane Arts and Through Shady Alleys, with approximately 70% of the work already completed. In a move to engage the community during this brand transition, backers will be given the opportunity to vote on the subjects of the remaining illustrations, further bridging the gap between a personal art book and a community-driven resource.
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