Infected by Art Book - Volume 13 Judges

Ryan Pancoast

Ryan Pancoast has been drawing for as long as he could hold a pencil. After a childhood spent drawing dinosaurs, monsters and warriors, Ryan progressed to structured art classes and eventually earned a BFA in illustration from Rochester Institute of Technology in 2005. After a few years trying to become an editorial illustrator, he re-discovered his love for fantasy art by doing illustrations for the RPG Metal, Magic and Lore. In the years post-university, Ryan learned to paint in oils in an effort to work for Wizards of the Coast. In 2008, he received his first commission for Magic: the Gathering, and he has been a full-time freelance illustrator ever since.

Ryan's works have been honored by the Society of Illustrators, Art Renewal Center International Salon, Spectrum: The Best in Contemporary Fantastic Art and Infected by Art. His clients include Wizards of the Coast, Penguin Random House, and Blizzard Entertainment. His original oil paintings for Magic: the Gathering are highly sought after and are owned by art collectors around the world. Ryan won Silver in the Oil/Acrylic/Watercolor category in Infected by Art Vol.7. In IBA Vol. 12 he won Gold in the same category, in addition to 4th place Grand Prize and the Body of Work Award. In 2024, he won a Chesley Award for Best Gaming Related Illustration.

Ryan lives in Rhode Island with his wife, two children and a multitude of pets.