Kevin Johnstone has passed

Eric Chadwick

Kevin aka Rorshach has passed away suddenly, all too soon. We miss him dearly, one of our own.

An interview with Kevin: https://polycount.com/discussion/159588/kevin-johnstone-of-epic-games

If you’re able, help support his family in this tough time https://www.gofundme.com/f/honor-kevin-johnstone-support-his-loved-ones

We love you Kev

Ruz

jeez thats sad to hear, he was a great artist - RIP Kevin. if I am not mistaken he did some of the characters in Unreal 2, then turned in to a great Environment artist. - inspiring work

Noors

Very sad. A great inspiration who raised the bar of sculpts/details in environment art to a level that was never seen before, and basically defined the workflow for every production since.

pior

So sorry to hear. Condolences to the family and friends.

moose

Thanks for posting here @Eric Chadwick 

Kevin was a force of nature and will be missed. Not sure if there are still are sdk threads active, i haven’t visited site in ages, but i may paint the last sdk he released the “crowd pleaser” one. 

Joopson

A giant in the field, with work that is STILL stunning, all these years later with all the workflow improvements we've had.
Condolences to everyone who knew him.

NoNameJoe

I had my differences originally with Rorschach.  Mostly just on silly things like life outlooks.  I got to know him better in Google Meetups when those were still a thing.  I really enjoyed when he came on.  He just had this down to earth nature to him.  He will be missed, and I think to more than a few Polycount and/or Epic vetrans.

Funny side story, I did find out at one point, "Trainspotting" was one of his favorite films as it reminded him of his younger years in that area.

seir

His work was inspiring generations of game artists! That's a huge loss  

ScoobyDoofus

I just wanted to drop another R.I.P. and shout to Kevin AKA Rorshach.
Such a decent fella to chat with on #Model_Design or the google-hangouts. Always inspiring art.

https://www.kevinjohnstone.com/Polycount/

I think we should set up an event where folks can texture his old SDK's. Maybe there could be some fundraising aspect to it as well, for his wife and family.

Clark Coots

This is sad news, Kevin was a huge inspiration. I adored his gear of war work and it was one of the first examples I’d seen of how z brush could be used on environment assets. RIP

Eric Chadwick

Re-uploaded Kevin's art, in the context of his original posts so it doesn't get lost, and so we see his work in context of his excellent commentary.

Mind blown, so much knowledge shared, what a talent, and a great sense of humor to boot! Linked also in the wiki.

• Gears2 Environment Art 
• UT3 & Gears Environment Art 
• UT3 & Gears Environment Art - Step By Step
  
• Lack of Environment Artists
• File:Rorshach scifi supportbeam.pdf
• File:Modular_Environment_Design.pdf

Enjoy, and pour one out

iam717

condolences, missed this news somehow, glad i was around to see all the adventures he went through (Since Quake 3 Arena skins+and on)  (Did not know him personally but still it hits home in a way, he beat us to the next adventure.) Speaking of the Q3A developments, i wouldn't mind grabbing his works of that to enjoy again if anyone has them

Eric Chadwick

iam717 said:

(Since Quake 3 Arena skins+and on)  (

Check the link ScoobyDoofus posted above

Chunkey

RIP Kevin, you were one of the artists that inspired and helped me become a game artist. 

There were plenty of other artists too but Rorshach's Journal was one of the sites I would visit time and time again, always waiting for a new update. 

Rest well fella, I'll be raising a glass to you. 

Polynaught

My deepest condolences go to his family and friends.

Sad to hear of his passing. His work and teachings were inspiring.

Wendy de Boer

I only found out today about this when talking to Skiffy. Very sad, he was one of my biggest inspirations for hand-painted textures, even to this day.

Eric Chadwick

A message from his wife via Kevin's LinkedIn account:

Precious Johnstone -Wife
Memorial Service is set for 1/11/25 11 am -2 pm
900 Bass Lake Road
@ Bass Lake
If you cannot make it and want to share photos / short message for me (family) about your time with Kevin send them to me via email no later than 1/4/25.

Preciouspearl.sieduke@gmail.com
[mod note: phone number redacted; DM if you’d like it]

Thank you all for your shared stories here about my love, he loved ART and the ability to share his love of gaming and the craft itself with you all. Let's celebrate his life with fond memories and pictures.

Thank you greatly

Precious-Pearl Johnstone

  
https://www.linkedin.com/posts/kevin-johnstone-3051551_precious-johnstone-wife-memorial-service-activity-7271955142432669696-r5XL

ElysiumGX

Rorshach was one of the best and an inspiration to many in the early days.
I had the honor of meeting him once at Epic around the time GoW was released. He was a kind person.
Sorry to hear he has passed.

Sage

Rorshach was a great artist and huge source of inspiration and knowledge. It's very sad to hear he passed. Rest well.

metalliandy

I just found out. I love you, mate. I don't know what to say. I'm going to miss you.

rollin

Oh man...
that is really sad to hear.
He was a cool fellow and good artist and imo a central part of what defines polycount.
That was just too soon in any way possible.

ScoobyDoofus

Hey folks. So, Precious messaged me about the idea I had previously expressed and would love it if we made it happen for Kevin.

The idea was setting up something here on Polycount, a special remembrance competition, where we Skin (texture) his old SDK's, or some similar effort.
I don't know if there is any way to monetize that so we can get funds to his family, but even if not...a nice send-off event for Ror seems appropriate to me.

A wake, Polycount style. 

Eric Chadwick

Love this. Let’s make it happen! Where are the SDKs? Anyone have them…

ScoobyDoofus

I was hoping someone still had this guy on their HD somewhere, as Ror's old Fileplanet link is defunct.
https://www.kevinjohnstone.com/Polycount/index2.shtml

Jason Young

Great idea! ❤️