Erik’s Curiosa is thrilled to announce the addition of Sam McKinnon to the talented roster of artists contributing to Sorcery: Contested Realm. Sam’s blend of nature-inspired artistry and meticulous attention to detail brings a fresh and captivating perspective to our upcoming Arthurian Legends set, where his work truly shines.
Sam's creative process is deeply rooted in the natural world, drawing inspiration from the serene beauty of forests. “One of my greatest inspirations comes from nature. I like to go for walks in the forest to first help visualize the painting in my mind,” Sam shares. The seasonal shift at the beginning of fall last year, with leaves changing colors, had a profound impact on the color palette for Sherwood Huntress. Additionally, a landscape photo provided by Erik, featuring a foggy forest clearing with fir trees, influenced the piece's atmosphere and tones.
When asked about the development stages of Sherwood Huntress, Sam walks us through his methodical approach: “I start with a digital sketch to get a general idea of the composition and color palette. Once Erik approved the sketch, I printed it out on large paper and used transfer paper on top of the canvas to make a few outlines of the key elements to preserve the composition's general proportions. I then start putting down the main color blocks on the canvas and slowly build up the values to capture a sense of depth and lighting.”
Sam’s work on Sherwood Huntress also reflects his fascination with nature. He explains, “I wanted to convey that the archer is like an element of the landscape herself, blending in with her environment. Her cape and tunic resemble the colors of the foggy fir trees in the distance, her skirt matches the earth, and even her flowing hair resembles the autumn leaves.”
This seamless integration of character and environment highlights Sam’s skill in creating immersive, cohesive artwork.
Working on a trading card game presents its own set of challenges and opportunities, particularly in terms of composition. “The main challenge for me with illustrating cards is the composition,” Sam notes. “The bottom of the painting can't have too much detail because a portion will be hidden by the card's description. I usually love to get lost in the details when I paint, so I needed to constantly remind myself that the focal point of the piece is the center of the canvas.”
Sam’s enthusiasm for contributing to Sorcery: Contested Realm is palpable. “I am deeply honored to be able to contribute creatively to Sorcery: Contested Realm. Being able to showcase my art alongside so many talented artists is truly amazing, and I am looking forward to sharing more of my art with the community in the future.”
We’re delighted to have Sam McKinnon as part of the Sorcery community and can’t wait to share more of his stunning artwork with you.
You can find out more about Sam McKinnon and our Sorcery artists here.
