ANDREW ROBINSON INTERVIEW

Andrew Robinson has been a part of the Role-Playing Game industry many years. He' drawn illustrations for companies including TSR, Rubicon Games, and White Wolf. His former Star Wars credits include work for Wizards of the Coast in the Star Wars Roleplaying Game Core Rulebook and the Star Wars Roleplaying Game Revised Core Rulebook. He also illustrated the cover for the Star Wars Character Record Sheets book that was published in 2000.

Andrew's story-telling skills were recently displayed in Star Wars Tales #19 where he co-wrote the story "The Lost Lightsaber." He also rendered the cover for the issue.

Andrew's artistic prowess has most recently been seen accompanying Timothy Zahn's Clone Wars short story duology, Changing Seasons in Star Wars Insider 76 and 77.

 

Star Wars

TUCWS: Tell us about yourself.

Andrew Robinson: This is always the hardest part. I've slipped into my thirties and enjoying the California lifestyle, you know sunny weather and plenty of fruits and nuts. I'm still trying to grow and to reach out to other creative areas like fashion, animation and refrigerator magnets.

TUCWS: How did you end up working in the RPG industry?

AR: My first freelance work was with White Wolf. This was back in '93 and I was still in art school at the Savannah College of Art and Design. My friend D. Alexander had already established a relationship with them and got me in their offices with my portfolio. Thanks Doug.

TUCWS: Do you participate in RPGs?

AR: I tried [Magic the Gathering] once but I just didn't get into it. I only have so much time for extracurricular activities and I chose the PlayStation and rugby. Currently I play rugby with Caltech and a few of the boys are gamers. One guy has The Book of Mage by White Wolf, which has my first RPG work.

Unpublished Star Wars comic by Robinson and Jim Royal

TUCWS: How much has your work been influenced by the Impressionist style?

AR: There are a few [Magic the Gathering] cards that were influenced in some way by artists like Van Gogh, Gauguin and Matisse. But they may have been post impressionist- it's been a while since art history. The Vienna Secession is more my style. Gustave Klimt and Egon Shiele still amaze me.

TUCWS: Did Star Wars influence your artistic side in any way?

AR: Of course. Star Wars was a major part of my childhood imagination. I used to spend hours examining the Star Wars art books and then drawing my own versions of McQuarrie's designs.

TUCWS: Who is your favorite Star Wars character(s)? Which Original Trilogy Star Wars film do you like the most?

AR: Chewbacca and Han solo. As a child I loved Return of the Jedi but now that I've grown up a bit and experienced more of life's roller coaster, I'm drawn more towards Empire Strikes Back. The characters seem more in the round as they battle their own inner conflicts with fear, love, and the dark side.

TUCWS: What do you think of the latest Star Wars films: Episodes I and II?

AR: I'm entertained but the characters are very flat. Too much attention is being spent on the politics of the senate. It's like watching CSPAN. There comes a point where we receive too much information. In my opinion, Lucas has over told the story which leaves less to our imagination. Though they are still good films they aren't great films which the first three still are.

Changing Seasons 1

TUCWS: How did you get the gig to illustrate Changing Seasons?

AR: I think it's because the art department at Star Wars Insider had seen my work for Star Wars Roleplaying. Then the phone rang.

 

 

TUCWS FIRST LOOK - Changing Seasons 2

TUCWS: What sort of materials did you use to complete "Changing Seasons" I and II?

AR:Cresent illustration board, Dr. Martin's colored inks, acrylics and just a little bit of Photoshop.

TUCWS: How long did it take to complete the pieces? How long does it take to complete a typical project?

AR: Well the actual painting only takes a few days if there are no major mess ups. It's the initial stages that take the most time. There is a blank sheet in front of you and it can get frustrating to find that perfect idea and make it fit in the parameters of design, page layout and most important, composition.

Star Wars Tales 19

TUCWS: Do you sell your original art. If so, where can fans purchase it?

AR: A lot of my original Star Wars art is purchased by LucasFilm. The rest is sold through me and I can be contacted at spacejunkies@charter.net. I also have some work available through graphicollectibles.com.

TUCWS: Have you communicated with Timothy Zahn regarding your work?

AR: Just a few emails. He seems to be very busy.

TUCWS: Anymore Star Wars work for you in the near future?

AR: Recently I co-wrote a Star Wars short story with Jim Royal that can be seen in the July issue of Star Wars Infinities [Star Wars Tales #19-"The Lost Lightsaber"]. I produced the cover art as well.

TUCWS: What's next for you? Are you doing the convention circuit this summer?

AR: I may be going to Gen Con.

TUCWS: Finally, is Episode III on your "must-see" list?

AR: Definitely.

Star Wars Insider #76 is on newsstands now and #77 will ship to subscribers on July 22!

Conducted by Brian Gates, July 2004.