Under drawing for We Shall be Near You Today I am sharing the graphite under-drawing for a new piece called We Shall be Near You. I borrowed the title from a poem by Yeats. In the context of this piece, the words refer to the idea of friendship and loyalty, the nearness of others. I’m... Continue Reading →
Tailor of Echoes – a peek inside
Title page for Tailor of Echoes, Illustration Richard A. Kirk, Design Michael Smith Tailor of Echoes is available for pre-order from PS Publishing! The past week was fairly busy. As previously mentioned, I am working on illustrations for a very special book. I expect that work to continue into 2022. It’s not a project I... Continue Reading →
Tailor of Echoes
I am very excited to announce that my new illustrated novel Tailor of Echoes will be published by PS Publications in December 2021! It is now available for pre-order from the publisher! There are 2 editions: a jacketed hardcover and a signed and numbered limited edition of 100. The ancient City of Steps is transforming.... Continue Reading →
Little Summer
This past week was filled with drawing, writing, reading, torrential rain, flooded libraries—not mine—and patches of sun. Some of these things are related. I’m calling this post Little Summer, because so many small wonders seem to come our way during Ontario’s short pause in what can seem like an endless winter. Here’s one. A tiny... Continue Reading →
Tailor of Echoes – Teaser
Tailor of Echoes Title Page Art © Richard A. Kirk 2021 I posted this image on my social media accounts to tease my forthcoming illustrated novel Tailor of Echoes (PS Publications, 2021). It was created for the title page. The original drawing is graphite. Since this blog is a defacto record of my studio activities... Continue Reading →
Strange Birds
It's been a busy week. I've been working steadily on Harbinger (see previous post), and on this series of oils (below). These are rough and ready iPhone images off my drawing table and once they are properly finished I'll put some better shots on my website. Birds and flight seem to be the central theme.... Continue Reading →
Harbinger – Work in Progress
For the past few weeks I've been working on this large drawing called Harbinger (24" x 18"). Check out the images below. I'm rendering with Pigma Micron 005 pens on 140lb Arches hotpress. I haven't done a lot of finished work with Microns, so I wanted to give them a real workout to see what... Continue Reading →
Magpie’s Ladder
Magpie's Ladder from Richard Kirk on Vimeo. On a related note to my last post, I thought I had posted this trailer for my illustrated collection of short stories Magpie's Ladder (PS Publishing, 2019). The publication of this volume of 5 stories was a high point of the summer for me. I hope you enjoy... Continue Reading →
Magpie’s Ladder
Magpie's Ladder, my illustrated collection of short stories, is currently available for pre-order. Copies of the unsigned edition are expected at PS Publishing at the end of May! I am currently signing the signature sheets for the signed editions. Please check the PS Publishing website for more information. Here is a sampling of the illustrations:... Continue Reading →
Crown of Coral
This past week was productive. I handed in all of the artwork for Magpie's Ladder (my forthcoming short story collection) to PS Publishing. Unfortunately I can't show it to you yet, though if you follow me on Instagram you might have glimpsed some of the work in progress. Instead, I am showing you this new... Continue Reading →