Every so often you come across artwork that is just epic and you wonder, “What was that artist thinking when they did this piece?” Well, wonder no more. I am always on the look out for talented artists so that I can share their art with the world. I myself dabble in the art of sketches and pixel art, but the things that some of this artists pull of astonish me. For example, look at the image of Captain America during war as seen above. You can see not only the realism of the piece but you can see and feel the emotion behind it. You would swear this was a scene from a movie. The talented artist that created this masterpiece is John Gallagher. I first discovered John’s work through his submissions on the art site known as Deviantart. I then contacted him and asked him if he would be interested in doing an interview with me and he gladly accepted the offer. So without further ado, here is my interview with the amazingly talented John Gallagher.
1. Who are you and where are you from?
My name’s John Gallagher and I live and work in Vancouver BC as an illustrator in film, TV, comics and games
2. I just love your style! When did you discover your art style?
Thank you, that’s kind of you. Appreciate it! It was via a series of happy accidents and a collision of cultures. I’d worked as Director of Concept Art and Design at BioWare, when mainstreaming concept design work was in its relative infancy and through that creative evolution and multiple massive titles and output came to the conclusion that despite being extremely fast as an analog artist the future, at least for me, lay in the digital realm. So I experimented with various approaches, still do, to increase precision, productivity and finish. When I was hired for my first TV series, Masters of Horror: Fear Itself early in 2008 the demands of the industry for speed, turnaround, iterations and level of finish and execution started making decisions for me early on and discovered it for me. Don’t get me wrong it was a welcome development tract. So it evolved as a balanced blend of photo manipulation, 3D assets – both crafted by me and pipelined, digital painting and when time allows some TLC spit, shine and polish. The industry requires the standing mandate be met of ‘what will it look like in my show?’ with nothing left to ambiguity or doubt. Our tradecraft is to mimic everything from lens choices to field and depth of view and ultimately sell the idea, be it VFX design, set or costume piece, creature, prop, keyframe or any combination thereof.
3. You have such amazing artwork! My favourite is your Captain America. How did this idea come to mind?
Again, thank you. Comic books are my first love, film a willing bridesmaid. I’m a fan first and foremost. I was raised on a steady rich diet of outstanding artists who were masters of capturing heightened moments, drama, urgency, power and majesty. The idea for me with any of them is as best I can do these earthbound gods justice however that happens to be. Most of the time it’s predicated like a storyboard artist and I go through a series of quick adn dirty questions: what character? Just before battle, height of action or aftermath? CU, med shot, long shot? Solo or more than one etc. After that it’s second nature and I go to gathering reference and inspiration. Perhaps if I can add a new wrinkle to their canon mythology or just represent a defining moment visually. As it’s purely fan art it isn’t driven specifically by story beats so there’s perhaps a bit more latitude. And I also find it interesting that now that feature films are finally catching up to what comics have been doing for decades I usually like to ask the question: ‘What would this character look like in my movie?’ as with the previous question. Other fans seem to respond to that very well. The comics audience, which of course organically crosses over with film audiences is the most visually sophisticated, discerning and shrewd it’s ever been my pleasure to break bread with so I know they’ll blow the whistle if I crap the bed so it keeps me honest. It’s a challenge I’m pleased to push myself to get better and better at.
4. What secrets are you willing to share for inspiring artists?
There are no secrets. I’ll share any technique or tip with anyone. I’m not precious or guarded in the slightest. We all use the same tools, the same software and paper and pencils and tutorials and guidebooks. There is no forbidden lore, no hidden treasury with the answers arranged to those deserving. It’s deliberate practice. No shortcuts or easy way out. It’s ten thousand hours before you’re half-assed decent and most of the crappy drawings are behind you and the not bad ones in front of you. Good is still way in the distance. Kill it every day, hard work, effort, fail gloriously, miserably, learn from those mistakes, don’t keep crashing in the same car, invite critique, listen to it, jettison your ego or you’ll amount to little. And combined with a hunger and drive to be outstanding and cross-training all the time like any top-flight achiever it’s the basis for gaining excellent results. Another not so much a secret is support each other! I’ll offer that there are far more benefits to being a supportive advocate for other artists, setting a good example as a role-model, keeping them positive, focused and motivated than being a crybaby emo douche with an axe to grind. We are responsible to encourage our replacements and make us obsolete and you won’t do it by being a prick. I tell my daughter that all the time: you will be way better than me and that’s pretty damn great. THAT I’m excited by!
5. Where can my readers see your art?
You can check out my website at uncannyknack.com (no www) and www.uncannyknack.deviantart.com. I really like the Deviant art community, which genuinely feels like one, and the multitude of disciples and artisans there. My work gets hotlinked all over the net from those two main hubs and the linktrading is pretty dependable. Expect some website enhancements in the next few months too!
6. Do you have anything you would like to promote right now?
I’ll have my first art book Unseen Forces out this year, a playable sci-fi horror card game Galaxia – sixty pieces for that – through creativeinstinct.com, several comic covers, a new weird western comic series I co-created with Eric Red published by Antarctic Press called Wild Work on sale now, quite a number of comic convention guest appearances so please drop by and say hi, talk shop and tell stories, and stay tuned for further details later in the year regarding new projects with some genuine world-class creators. Exciting stuff!
7. What is your favorite project that you have done?
All of them. I don’t mean that facetiously. Each one of them has different challenges, obstacles and ground to break. From all the games at Bioware to all the films and series it’s ultimately about effective problem solving within the primary parameters of time, budget and resources. And given that I prefer to think of myself as a plumber who uses Photoshop versus a fine artist awaiting the muse’s blessing I never slow down. it’s always fun and as interesting as the first day I earned my first dollar drawing pictures.
8. What are your plans for the future?
I’m not unlike most professional creators I know that usually have various vested interests in a range of media percolating in development and as they are born into being and they become the priority. The one thing that is a certainty is to continue to illustrate for the shows it’s been my privilege to work on and expand my range of endeavors to ensure I have no comfort zone.
9. When you are not creating masterpieces of art, what do you find yourself doing in your spare time?
Read. Exercise. Think. Consider. Dream. Copy. Combine. Transform. Spend time with my amazing wife and awesome daughter and the coolest, weirdest and best group of misfits I call friends I could have ever imagined and all that entails.
10. Who is your favorite comic hero? Villain?
Please appreciate in customary geek fashion this is the narrowest of margins as there are so many contenders on both sides of that question…but if I’m pressed Silver Surfer, John Buscema era. And my favorite villain has always been Doctor Doom, especially Kirby’s rendition.
