KIERAN YANNER
Kieran reveals his passions for illustration and storytelling
Tell us a bit about yourself and your background as an artist. Where did you start, and what got you into it?
My very first project was for Eden Studios’ ‘All Flesh Must Be Eaten’, a zombie tabletop RPG. I was working as a web designer for Christopher Shy’s Ronin Studios and showed him some sketches and pencil pieces. He had no idea I could draw. He ultimately was the catapult to me working as an illustrator in the industry. Over the years I’ve worn many different hats from graphic designer to art director, but my main expression has been through illustration.
I’m largely self taught and dropped out of high school after year 10 – growing up I didn’t have access to any traditional illustration courses and classes and the ‘fine art’ path didn’t appeal to me at all. After leaving Microsoft back in 2013 when I was working as a concept artist and UX designer, I had a “what do I really want to do?!” moment. I had noticed Donato Giancola was promoting his mentorship with Smart School and I decided to enrol. That gave me the passion, direction and confidence to push myself further and rekindled my love of illustration.
Do you play D&D yourself, and if so what’s the appeal to you?
I played 2nd edition Advanced Dungeons & Dragons a lot as a teen, but it wasn’t until recently I was able to start playing D&D 5e with my husband as DM. My current busy schedule has me as the random guest star.
D&D has a long history for artists, as well as gamers. How has it shaped your creative process and aesthetics?
D&D and the tabletop RPG industry itself has been core to my identity as an artist. I suppose my love of telling stories centred around the interaction of characters is where it’s really honed in. If I have a viewer say, “That’s what I imagine when I play my games!” I’ve done my job.
Do you have any heroes that have worked on D&D projects? Who are they and any key pieces that you particularly love?
I’ve met and had interactions with artists I’ve looked up to outside of projects, but unfortunately haven’t worked alongside them. Artists like Tony Diterlizzi, Jeff Easley, Gerald Brom, Larry Elmore and the late Keith Parkinson had all branched out in their own respective paths.
When creating art for D&D, what inspires you? What’s your relationship to D&D from an artist’s perspective?
I suppose the memories of games I participated in myself is core to my inspiration for my D&D illustration work. The beautiful and rich imagery of 2nd edition will be forever etched in my mind and that has influenced my choices in composition, colour and story.
What is it about fantasy art, and D&D in particular, that you enjoy the most? As either an artist or as a consumer?
The escapism – I struggled with being gay growing up and found my outlet through music and gaming. Without that in my life I’m not sure where I would be. The unusual situations our games placed our characters and ourselves in opened my mind and helped me accept myself. I feel it also opened the minds of my friends. Your friend being gay isn’t such a big thing when you’ve spent months evading and destroying an evil lich. I think that’s the core difference between computer-based RPGS and tabletop. You play in the settings you and your friends built, there is a deeper emotional context and connection.
What changes have you seen in fantasy art over the years?
I think the influence in anime is undeniable. Fantasy art considered being a ‘higher’ form of art and credible career path is also something I’ve seen change. Sales of original Dungeons & Dragons and Magic: The Gathering art has also caught the eye of the ‘fine art’ industry. When there is money involved I guess people miraculously see the level of craft and skill involved in fantasy art…
Is there anything from D&D that you would love to illustrate?
A cover or a DM screen would be fun! An expansive panoramic vista showing a party, the setting and their foes. Having worked in the industry for such a long time there is not a lot I haven’t illustrated. Working on Xanathar for the Magic: The Gathering Forgotten Realms release was a big highlight!