Timeouts are lightning-quick interviews. Five questions to help you get to know the players holding court at Dribbble. Many thanks to Ingvard for being today’s interviewee.
Who are you? Let us know where you hail from and what you do.
Mange hilsner! Many greetings! I am known among vikings, cowering villagers and art directors alike as “Ingvard the Terrible.” Also acceptable are “Lord Ingvard”, “Ingvard the Handsome” and, in some Latin American countries, “Los Pantelones Fuerte” (long story, don’t ask).
From whence do I hail, you ask? Pretty much any village I feel like. As long as there’s gold to be plundered and beautiful womenfolk to expropriate! And a Chili’s.
I was born the last of five mighty sons to a Danish mother and Swedish father. In addition to a youth spent honing my skills as a fearsome warrior and explorer of unknown lands, I also liked to draw a lot.
At first, my artistic endeavors consisted mostly of carving various and sundry runes and dragon motifs into the bones of my fallen enemies. Eventually, I grew interested in children’s literature, so naturally I toned down the blood and gore a bit.
Though I command a large and loyal crew of bloodthirsty warriors, I also render assistance from a small, but loyal band of thralls (slaves, basically; just Google it). Chief among them is a thirty-something, balding and vaguely useful man by the name of Mr. Ashby, who handles much of the trifling business details. And while Mr. Ashby has spent a number of years in the graphic design and illustration field, his talents pale miserably in comparison to his master’s, so it’s hardly worth mentioning. Enough about him….
Among my many influences are Thor, Cnut the Great, Sweyn Forkbeard, and Oprah. Yes, Oprah. Look, if you want lessons on conquering large swaths of other people’s domains and ruling over it with an iron fist, she’s your girl.
Artistically? Oh, uh, Berke Breathed, Bill Waterson, Gary Kelly, Derek Yaniger, Michael Slack, Ben Caldwell, Jon Flaming, Bill Brown, Looney Toons. Pixar inspires me not just visually, but in terms of developing great characters and compelling story lines. They also have a knack for dominating the box office, and ruthless domination, as you may have surmised, is a particular favorite pastime of mine.
My experience is vast and accolades many. I enjoy drawing, sailing the great northern seas, pillaging/plundering, pickled herring on crackers, and tall, frosty mugs of root beer.
What are you working on?
I am currently engaged in a number of different tasks: illustrating a handful of children’s eBooks; designing and illustrating invitation materials for one of my favorite clients; and developing a new line of high-end bear skin cloaks tough enough to withstand the most brutal northern winters, yet luxurious enough to say you’re a warrior who enjoys the finer things in life.
Choose a favorite shot of yours. Why is it a favorite?
A shot of mine and why it’s my favorite? Other than the fact that it’s mine? Ah. Well. I suppose I’d have to pick the one with Pippi Longstocking. Not necessarily for the shot itself, but because to this day the whole project is one of my absolute favorites. I never attached the full image to the shot for some reason (I assume copious amounts of aquavit were involved), so I’m including it here.
Tell us about your setup. What tools did you use to create the shot(s)? (e.g. hardware, software, pens, paper, blowtorch, etc.)
The process of creating one of my illustrations is an intense and grueling one, certainly not for the faint of heart. Or the French. Once I receive an assignment, I immediately begin the ritual purification process: the day is spent alternating between sitting in the intense heat of a wooden sauna hut, and sprinting across the snow-covered hill and diving into a frozen lake. (During which I may or may not be accompanied by a handful of buxom, blonde Swedish ski instructors. While not crucial to such a ritual, it most certainly does not hurt.)
Once my mind and heart are clear, I summon the glorious, inspirational power of Odin, the Great Father of the Gods Himself to fall upon me. I also summon a pickled herring sandwich and a tall mug of root beer. Concepting makes me hungry.
Then, it’s time to sketch. No, before that, research. Lots of lots of research. I study the clothing styles, architecture, culture and so on relevant to the project at hand. Much time is spent at the foot of the alter of the Magnificent, All-Knowing Oracle known as “the Google.”
Okay, then I sketch. A lot. When I discover the look I want, I refine it, and once approved by the client, the real magic commences.
I searched for many years to find the right medium in which to work, experimenting with everything from acrylics to watercolor, colored pencils to pastels, pen and ink to the blood of my enemies… It wasn’t until I was browsing my local art supply store when I happened upon some scratchboard materials. Figuring it was one medium I had yet to try, I thought, what the Helheim. I instantly fell in love with it (strictly plutonic, however).
Originally I would create the base artwork on scratchboard, then scan it and add color and texture in Photoshop. Eventually, I created some custom brushes that recreate the same look, so now I do everything digital (except for sketching; some things are still best done by hand). The tools of my trade include a Wacom Intuos 4 tablet, an iMac, Adobe Photoshop and an assortment of fine cheeses.
Choose a favorite shot from another Player. Why do you dig it?
This is a very difficult decision. Dribbble is oozing with incredible talent, so choosing a favorite is like only eating one item at a cheap Chinese buffet. Uh, perhaps this one:
I love the lighting, the strong sense of depth, the mood. No—wait, maybe this one:
I love the whimsical use of typography and color. Odin’s beard, I could go on and on. So much good stuff. Oh, and this one. Because it makes me giggle.
Find more Interviews stories on our blog Courtside. Have a suggestion? Contact stories@dribbble.com.
