Concept artist and illustrator Even Amundsen

By Jim Thacker - November 26, 2014

Even Amundsen is a concept artist and illustrator: a job he feels suited for, having grown up in Norway. “I come from a land far to the north, with epic landscapes, old sagas and a tradition of exploration. A land of trolls and vikings, of majestic landscapes and … well, more vikings,” he says. Having studied illustration in the UK, he worked for Volta in Quebec for three years, and now lives in Prague where he works freelance for a range of clients including Tokkun Studio, Games Workshop and Warner Bros. We chatted to Even about his art, his career and his outside interests. “When work is not keeping me too busy I like to go on Viking raids,” he says.

Tell us about your journey

I got started pretty early, and had a few years of art education in Norway leading me first to Cornwall to study illustration at University College Falmouth [now Falmouth University], and then to drop out after a year and try this freelancing thing.

I got lucky and was given a chance to go work overseas in Quebec, at Volta, where I spent three years getting my ass kicked by some really skilful people, before the old continent called and I moved to Prague to work as a freelancer.

How do you want to impact the world?

I can imagine many dream projcts: I would love to take part in the next Elder Scrolls game, being a big fan of the franchise, and the lore (wink, wink, Bethesda). That or getting to go back in time and partake in the making of the Lord of the Rings movies. I mean, if you are gonna dream, dream big.

Also, I think I would like to teach one day, if I ever develop a skill for it, but in the meantime I will focus on the Viking raids.

What are you passionate about?

Books are a big source for inspiration, just to be able to see the world from different vantage points, and to get a glimpse of other worlds, and other minds.

I recently finished reading through the Harry Potter series, for example, and started working on a little project to make a Scandinavian school for that universe. Even though J.K. Rowling has said that Durmstrang is supposedly in Sweden or Norway, it has none of the essence of Scandinavia, like Hogwarts has for the UK, and Beauxbatons has for France.

Other than that, travel is also something I love deeply. Seeing new places and meeting new people never gets old.

What would be your #1 advice to other artists?

There are quite a few things that I would have told a younger me, but first and foremost is “basics first”. Basics, basics, basics: if you nail the basics, you can do anything; you can conquer the world! LIKE A VIKING!