Obituary John Blanche

John Blanche passed away at the age of 77. The news was shared by Trish Carden, a long-time friend and former Games Workshop colleague, via social media. The family has asked for a private funeral and announced a later gathering for everyone who knew John and valued his work.

John Blanche’s wife Lin has asked me to let you all know that John passed away a couple of days ago.

John was an inspirational artist, devoted to his family and a good friend to many. Always generous with his time and knowledge, he was very well loved by all who knew and worked with him. He’ll be hugely missed.

The world of Warhammer was brought to life by his vision of the grimdark setting and I know his art meant a lot to so many of you. He leaves behind an enormous legacy that has enriched many people’s lives.

The family will say goodbye to John privately but there will be a get together in the future for everyone to celebrate John’s life.

Kosk yn kres old friend.

Anyone who got into Warhammer in the 1980s and 1990s really also encountered John Blanche. Not through the rules or the boxes, but through the artwork that shaped countless products in the Warhammer universe. Many remember the iconic cover of the 2nd edition of Warhammer 40,000, the Blood Angels Captain in the midst of battle, surrounded by Orks. That image, too, was created by John Blanche.

His style shaped not only the look of the products, but also the way many hobbyists approached their own projects and models. Blanchitsu, that distinctive mix of conversion work and painting, often using carefully chosen colors like the Zorn palette, helped define what many now understand as Grimdark, and it remains part of what makes that style so special today.

I never met John Blanche in person, but through mutual acquaintances and his many projects beyond the Warhammer universe, I was always able to sense the creative energy he brought to everything he did. In one of his quotes about his work, he once wrote:

„The first images of primeval man would concern themselves with hunting scenes, heroic action, mighty beasts, death masks, war paint, fetishes and trophies. Today we see the same sorts of themes represented in punk haircuts, studded leather and even in the imagery employed in films like Blade Runner and Aliens. This is the heritage of Western culture, and that is what I am trying to tap when I paint.“

He did exactly what he described. And traces of that can be found everywhere, including here. Thank you for your life’s work.

Rest in peace, John Blanche.