INTERVIEW WITH SEB MCKINNON
August: Hello, Seb. Thank you for accepting this interview! Would you like to introduce yourself to my readers?
Seb McKinnon: Hello readers! I’m an artist and I illustrate cards for Magic the Gathering, among other things. Thanks for having me, August. It’s really cool to be asked for an interview from the Scandinavian MtG community.
Au: My pleasure!
According to the mighty internet, you’re from Canada. To be honest, I would have guessed the British Isles.
SM: Haha, because of my family name?
Au: Actually not. I guess because your work outside of Magic makes me think of things such as Arthurian legend and British folklore. Were in Canada do you live?
SM: Ah I see! Well I’m currently in Montreal, Quebec. Though sometimes I do wish I lived in a cabin in Ireland or Scotland – somewhere rugged and desolate, with moody weather all year round.
Au: Yeah, that sounds more like the image i had in mind!
You’ve done some work for Ixalan and the latest set, Rivals of Ixalan. Wizards had you painting vampires exclusively. The vampires of Ixalan are quite different from what we’re used to, being some sort of mix between conquistadors and church. Did you enjoy painting them?
SM: I really did. The Spanish conquest of the New World is a time in history I find quite fascinating. I’ve read a lot about it. So when I received the MtG styleguide and saw the Ixalan’s art direction was drawing from that, I was incredibly excited! The design of the vampires really struck me the most, so when the wonderful art director Dawn Murin asked me how many pieces I was available to take on, I expressed my desire to paint those vampires. I’m really thankful she assigned those three illustrations to me (Twilight Prophet, Duskborne Skymarcher, Sadistic Skymarcher). They are among my favorite pieces I’ve done so far for Magic.
Au: They're awesome! In fact, Twilight Prophet is my favorite illustration from all of Rivals of Ixalan. The character is ghostly and mysterious and the dark color palette contrasts to the serenity and beauty of the image. I love it!
Can you tell us more about this piece?
SM: Thanks so much! Very happy to hear that. So as mentioned, Dawn Murin was my art director for this one, and after seeing my proposed sketches, she asked to make sure there were warm sun rays present in the image, so I juxtaposed that with a dark palette to create the luminous effect. I personally like to reach for simplicity in an illustration, with a focus on the feeling of a moment, rather than the details. I imaged this like a scene of a film in slow motion, with her coming from the shadows into the light – the more the sunlight revealed her, the more we would notice she’s actually gliding, her bottom half almost made from the shadows she came from.
Au: Oh yes, it's certainly got that slow motion feel. Majestic!
What’s your opinion of the Ixalan setting overall?
SM: I love it. All of it. The concept, the art, the look – one of my favorite planes for sure. Felt like something fresh. I’d love to join the concept art team at Wizards one day to dream up a new plane. Would be so fun!
Au: You’ve made some great alternate art for popular cards such as Entomb and Abrupt Decay. One that I hadn’t seen before was your version of Stasis, so far only available on Magic Online. It depicts a girl picking a flower from a petrified knight on a battlefield frozen in time. It doesn’t look like a typical Magic card. I like it a lot!
What can you tell us about your version of Stasis?
SM: The original Stasis art is one of the most controversial pieces of art in the game, in the sense that some either love it or hate it. I’m actually a fan of the really early artwork for Magic, so when I was asked to create a new version, I felt some pressure to deliver something that would please both fronts. I got into Magic as a kid because I fell in love with the artwork – I think a part of me channels the feeling of those days while painting, my hand guided by my childhood in some way. I’m really happy with how this piece turned out, and have received a lot great feedback from the community about it. It is too bad that it only exists for Magic Online, but who knows? Wizards might print physical cards one day. Hopefully I’ll find the time to get some Stasis playmats done this year. Do you think players would like that?
Au: Definitely. I wouldn't mind owning one!
Seems we got into Magic in the same way. When I discovered the game back in 1994 I didn't know the rules and the art was definitely what got me interested in the first place. I'm also a big fan of the early art (in fact, it's one of the reasons I started working on this series), although I'm not particularly fond of Fay Jones Stasis.
If you could choose freely, what other classic old school cards would you like to take a stab at?
SM: Word of Command would be fun to re-imagine. Though those eyes staring from total blackness totally make it what it is. Pretty bold.
Au: It's certainly minimalist!
Your work, especially outside of MtG, seems to be heavily influenced by fairytale and folklore. Is this true?
SM: It is true. Fairytales and folklore I adore.
Au: Actually it reminds me a lot of the Swedish artist John Bauer. Are you familiar with his work?
SM: I am. He’s an artist who’s paintings and drawings directly reach to the bottom of my heart. Feels like a kindred spirit.
Au: A fair-haired girl is a recurring character in a lot of your work. I’m thinking of the quintessential young princess or fairytale heroine (such as Tuvstarr in John Bauer’s work). What is the significance of this character?
SM: This is a character that has wandered my thoughts for several years now. I’m afraid I can’t really explain why she started occupying my imagination, but I can tell you when:
It was during a backpacking trip in Scotland a few years ago. Some deep inspiration struck me there in the Highlands, and ever since I’ve felt compelled to somehow depict this character. I try not to question these things. What is that saying… the artist is but an instrument ?– I simply act and bring to life whatever comes through me to the best of my abilities! What I do know is that this character is part of a larger story I feel the need to tell – and I’m doing that through my project called KIN Fables.
Au: Yes, you are also a film maker. “The Kin Fables Trilogy” is a short film trilogy you made with your brother. These films certainly have that fairytale element mentioned above, with characters such as the aforementioned fair-haired girl and a knight. I’m curious about the context in which this trilogy was made. Would you care to tell us more about it?
SM: I knew I wanted to make films since I was a kid. After the backpacking adventure in Scotland, I decided it was time to throw myself completely into it, even if I didn’t really know how. Luckily my brother was a naturally gifted cinematographer, like some kind of prodigy. With his help and artistry, we crafted the KIN Fables trilogy together. There is now a feature film based on this work I am currently developing and seeking financing for it.
Au: Cool!
You also make music under the name CLANN. In fact, CLANN made the soundtrack for the Kin Fables Trilogy. The music is very evocative and atmospheric. What are your influences?
SM: I have many! I suppose my influence is the music I enjoy listening too, so I can say I enjoy very much Bonobo, Massive Attack and Sigur Rós. I also love the soundtracks of The Village, The Fountain, and Interstellar. Anything with violin and cello, really. My music is really closely linked to my film work, so it has a certain cinematic quality. Making music conjures so many visual ideas within me – it’s my well of inspiration.
Au: Illustration, film, music – do you consider any of these art forms as your primary?
SM: Not really. For me they are all intertwined together!
Au: In April, MtG will return to the classic setting of Dominaria. Will your art be in the set?
SM: I think I might have a piece or two in there, yes. I’m very much looking forward to it.
Au: Glad to hear it!
As someone who's followed the game for a long time does it feel special to work with a classic setting (compared to working on modern ones)?
SM: It is pretty special for sure. But I have to say my dream setting to return to would be Lorwyn/Shadowmoor. I really hope Wizards will take us back there. I feel it would probably make me create the best artwork of my life, painting faeries for that world. Just my personal artist's dream!
Au: I certainly wouldn't mind a return to Lorwyn/Shadowmoor - and yes, your style would certainly be perfectly suited for the dark queen Oona and her mischievous subjects.
Question from my wife: If you could choose any historic person to discuss art with, who would you choose?
SM: Ah that's always a tough question. Probably the filmmaker Andrei Tarkovsky.
Au: Haha, you get that question a lot? I gotta admit I never "got" Tarkovsky.
Anyway, it's time to wrap up the interview! Thank you and good luck with all your projects. I'm looking forward to that feature film!
