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3DTotal: So how did this style come about?
Kieran: I’m guessing you mean the matte painting technique, or the look of my work? Well the matte painting or over-painting/photo montage technique I learnt from Christopher Shy, originally. I was associated with his studio (Studio Ronin) for a couple of years as an illustrator and web designer. His technique relies more on photo overlay, where I generally use the model as a basis of form and lighting and start laying in the digital paint – not that I haven’t used photo overlay techniques, it’s just that it’s not typically the way I work. I also push the pieces towards having more of an oil painting feel to them, as brush stroke and texture can blend the amalgam of painting and photography in a more natural looking way. I’ve taken the style different directions over the years to see what fits me best, and I’m still experimenting somewhat. I seem to have a thing for strong color and a noir lighting sense... and the color purple... give it a month or two and that will most likely change.
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3DTotal: What are you working on now, and what are your plans for the future?
Kieran: Well I just moved to Seattle to start full-time work with NCSoft/ArenaNet. Freelance wise I'm working with Sony on Everquest II and Star Wars Galaxies. Magic: The Gathering with Wizards of the Coast. I’ve just finished some colour work for DC. Future plans? Well I’m doing some research into a picture book (an idea my partner and I are tossing around), developing some business ideas, tutorials, art books, teaching, and figuring out an exhibit of some sort. Just getting settled in the new place and studio will tie me up for a couple months though!
3DTotal: So has putting on a gallery exhibition always been something that you have wanted to do, or did someone approach you?
Kieran: I’ve wanted to do it only in the sense that I’ve always wanted to create an immersive experience. I’d love to put on an exhibition that incorporates imagery, movement and sound. I’ve also wanted to put on an exhibition that has a strong personal statement. Not for recognition, but for the creative factor behind it. No, I’ve never been approached. Why, do you know someone? |
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3DTotal: Could you tell us what are your main sources of inspiration when creating your artwork?
Kieran: My main sources or my inspiration…? Well, besides poking about on some forums or looking at other artists’ online galleries, or talking to colleagues about ideas and experiments, I suppose my inspiration derives from my love of sci-fi and fantasy. I’m not a big reader, so watching movies or old games of Dungeons & Dragons and campaign worlds that we ran or created is more my thing. I’ve learnt about pulling inspiration from technique and brush stroke itself. Drawing from abstraction! I think having a wondering and curious eye also helps. I find the weirdest things fascinating and tend to stand and observe something for a longer period of time than most people. I’m great with visual memory. |
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3DTotal: Well it has been a pleasure chatting with you and I wish you all the best for the future. I have one last question before we finish, though. If I was to hang around with you for a whole day, what would I learn about you that not many people already know?
Kieran: It’s been a pleasure chatting with you, also. Hmmm... Honestly, I’m not that interesting! Probably that I’m very hard on myself about what I’m doing creatively and don’t like to be complemented; if I don’t like something, I honestly don’t care what the other person thinks. The best response to give me is “that will work”. Praise makes me feel uncomfortable and I’ll typically change the conversation to something else. Which also makes it uncomfortable for me to praise others; I’m of the mind set of - you - should be happy with your work, not me. I will tell you if something is working... But if I say that, of course the person will think “why, what’s wrong with it?” So I’ll just change my vocabulary to, “awesome!” I hope that doesn’t make me sound like a prude. I suppose I just have a strong belief in believing in oneself. I think the way I treat what I do would surprise people. It seems to have done so in the past. I’m very business orientated, so I treat what I do as a business. It’s my career and my lively hood... it’s how I survive... the ‘starving
woe is me tortured artist’ mentality has never been me. I’m a commercial illustrator, not Van Gogh, and I’m very happy being one. If a client is paying me to do something, I’ll do it, if I can do it. And if I can’t…? Well then I’ll learn how! I’m not worried about being seen as a fine artist or a traditional illustrator, or
being seen as one of those new digital artists; I’m worried about if the client is happy or not, and if you want to make a good living at this then that should be the biggest thing you’re concerned about. That
and I work too much. Way, way too much! I think I get that from my dad.
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