The Arcane Illustrator is a subclass of bards who have honed their artistic skills to harness the power of magic and creation. Masters of fine art drawing and painting, these bards utilize their creativity and imagination to manifest spells and magical items through their artwork.

Arcane Illustrators possess a profound understanding of the intricate connection between art and magic. Through a meticulous process of sketching and painting, they imbue their creations with arcane energy, transforming their artistic expressions into enchanted tools and spells. Within their sketchbooks, these bards weave the very essence of their desired spells or magical items, giving life to their imagination with strokes of their brushes and pens.

With their sketchbooks always by their side, Arcane Illustrators can quickly adapt to any situation, ready to bring forth their magical creations when needed. By using their artistic talents, they can replicate spells from diverse schools of magic, casting them with finesse and style. Their sketches become portals to a world where imagination becomes reality, providing a wide range of magical effects to aid their allies or hinder their adversaries.

Beyond the realm of casting spells, the Arcane Illustrator can also create temporary magical items from their sketches. These items possess limited charges, allowing them to grant unique abilities or magical effects to their wielders. Whether it be a weapon infused with elemental power or an amulet that shields from harm, the Arcane Illustrator's creations are as versatile as their artistic talents.

As they progress, Arcane Illustrators become more adept at their craft, expanding their repertoire of spells and accessing a wider range of magical properties to infuse into their sketches and magical items. These bards are true artists of the arcane, transforming their creativity into powerful tools for both offense and defense.

With their vivid imagination, artistic flair, and mastery of magic, Arcane Illustrators leave an indelible mark on the world. They inspire awe and wonder with their enchanted artwork, forging a connection between the realm of the artistic and the realm of the arcane. From gallery to battlefield, the Arcane Illustrator's creations become a testament to the power and beauty that can be achieved when art and magic intertwine.

Imbued Sketches

Starting at 3rd level, you gain the ability to create magical sketches that manifest the spells or items you desire. During a short rest or long rest, you can spend time sketching a spell or item into your sketchbook. You can have a number of sketches equal to your proficiency bonus. These sketches remain in your sketchbook until used or replaced.

Masterful Enchantment

At 6th level, your fine art creations can take the form of magical items. During a long rest, you can spend additional time drawing a magical item into your sketchbook. Once completed, the sketch becomes a temporary magical item with charges equal to your Charisma modifier (minimum of 1). As an action, you can activate the magical item, expending its charges. The item lasts until the end of your next long rest or until all its charges are expended.

Versatile Craftsmanship

Upon reaching 14th level, your artistic abilities have grown to expand the possibilities of your creations. When creating sketches or magical items, you can now choose spells or magic properties from any class, as long as they do not exceed the spellcasting level granted by the Spell Artist feature.

Spell Artist

At 3rd level, you can convert your sketches into spells that you can cast. As an action, you can select one sketch from your sketchbook and, by exerting your artistic will, you replicate the spell within the sketch. The sketch consumes itself in the process. The spell's level can be no higher than half your bard level, rounded up (minimum of 1).

If the spell requires concentration, you must maintain concentration as if you had cast it through a spell slot. Your spellcasting ability for these spells is Charisma.