Andreu Zaragoza

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Conceptual

Fantasy

Lettering

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Psychedelic pop art with two glowing blue skeletons swirling, by Andreu Zaragoza

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Vibrant floral pattern with eyes and hands by Andreu Zaragoza

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Surreal figures and sword in purple tones by Andreu Zaragoza

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Presentation on transitioning from fossil fuels to clean energy

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Colorful poster with watermelon plant growing from can, by Andreu Zaragoza

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Andreu verbindet narrative Energie mit gestalterischer Disziplin

Zwischen Comictradition und grafischer Gegenwart verortet, schafft dieser Stil eine visuelle Sprache, die narrativ trägt und visuell überrascht.

Based just outside Barcelona, Andreu specialises in editorial, music, fashion and advertising imagery, impressing clients with a proactive and professional approach. With a degree in graphic design and postgraduate qualifications in typography and illustration, Andreu brings over a decade of experience working in the creative industries, for major clients in local and international markets. Psychedelia and nature are two of Andreu’s favourite influences, and he loves drawing trees and plants – their vines and knotted roots often taking back the built environment. His main influences range from James Jean and Tomer Hanuka to legends like Moebius and Jack Kirkby, as well as Francisco Goya and the Ukiyo-e and Art Deco movements.

Approach

Andreu’s traditional approach is to use brushes and ink to lay down his line work and then colour it using Photoshop, however today he often uses Procreate to replicate this technique which makes amends more efficient.

Key software

Photoshop, Illustrator, Procreate.

Style

While his aesthetic begins with a traditional comic book look and feel, Andreu’s line work is light and contemporary. He works flexibly with clients to style his imagery to meet the brief, ensuring it is always colourful, engaging and exciting.

Languages

English, Spanish, Catalan.

Impressions

Interview

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Interview

What led you to become an illustrator? Like almost everyone I loved drawing as a kid, but at a very young age I fell in love with comic books and started drawing my own, creating characters… some years later, when I was a teenager I started listening to heavy metal and its aesthetics (album covers, logos and specially Iron Maiden’s mascot, Eddie) kept me drawing stuff. I guess the moment I realized I wanted to be an illustrator was checking a skate magazine that had some really cool illustrated ads and I thought I wanted to do that for a living. Did you study illustration in college? Although drawing was my favourite thing to do, I choose graphic design instead of illustration because I thought it would a better option to find a job. And I worked as a graphic designer for many years until I decided to get back to my passion and then I did a postgraduate degree in illustration. Where did you grow up? I grew up in a small town next to Barcelona called Granollers, where I’m still living. Do you have a childhood memory relating to drawing that you hold dear? Yes, it’s me at age of 3 holding all the markers I could in a hand and running along my parents bedroom painting the walls. I remember them watching me after doing it from the door half amused half horrified, but I felt really proud. Where do you live now and what drew you there? I’m still living in the town where I was born, Granollers. It’s a quite place but it’s really close to Barcelona where there’s a very rich cultural life. Also both mountain and sea are pretty close. Describe your studio for us My studio is in my house, it’s a very sunny room (but in summer it can get really hot), divided in two parts. One desk with a computer, a tablet and all the stuff I need to work digitally and on the other side there’s a drawing table with the tools to work by hand, where I let ideas born, sketch and experiment. It’s decorated with posters, beer and wine bottles, toys, etc. from artists I like, friends and some made by me. I also have a lot of books and cd’s (yes, I still listen to cd’s). Who or What is your biggest inspiration? There’s so many great artists that inspire me that it would be impossible to mention them all, but I guess the biggest inspiration is Dave Mckean. At the beginning I always tried to copy him, mixing painting with photography, sculpture… Nowadays what I do is very different from his work, but he still inspires me to create. Another big inspiration is not an illustrator but a video artist, Chris Cunningham. The videos he created for Aphex Twin or Björk left a deep mark on me. If you could collaborate with another artist or creative of any genre, living or dead, who would it be? I’d love to collaborate with David Bowie, he was a real complete artist and hi creativity went beyond his music and extended to fashion, film and design. What’s your favourite way to spend a day off? Trekking through the mountains and spending time with my loved ones. What's your most prized possession and why? My sketchbooks! They are like a diary of my life. What causes are you passionate about? Taking care of the environment and standing against fascim and intolerance. And I definitely think the genocide in Gaza must be stopped. Do you adopt any environmental practices to be more sustainable? I try to. In addition to recycling I try to reduce waste but, to be honest, it’s quite complicated. I use public transport, ride my bicycle or just go walking instead of using the car when it’s possible and consume seasonal and local food. In general, I try to not overconsume and avoid buying unnecessary things that will end in the thrash. What is the first record you bought? Korn’s Follow the Leader, and it was thanks to its cover illustration! Who is your art hero? Goya, he was a real genius and ahead of its time. Who is your design hero? Milton Glaser. Who is your music hero? Trent Reznor.What is your favourite book? It’s hard to say because there are some of them that were very important in some moments of my life and I can’t pick an only one. I recently read ‘The Dispossessed’ by Ursula K. Le Guin and it’s definitely one of these. What movie can you watch over and over? I think I could watch over and over The Lord of The Rings, I loved the book as a kid and never get tired of the movies, they make me feel like a child again. What is the last show you binged? Severance. What was the last exhibition you saw and loved? An exhibition called Anatomy of Comic, which featured original drawing from early 20th century to nowadays. It was really inspiring. What was the last concert you went to? Nine Inch Nails. If you could visit anywhere in the world, where would you go? New Zealand. If you could only any eat one type of food for the rest of your life, what would it be? That’s a really hard question! I love food, but I guess I could eat any kind of pasta for the rest of my life. What was your favourite assignment ever? A videogame I’ve been working recently; in fact it’s still in development. The demo is ready and the company is looking for publishers in order to release it. I’ve been working as lead artist, designing all the characters and backgrounds. It’s been really challenging but so fun at the same time and the plot is extremely imaginative with a bunch of crazy and eccentric characters. I’m very proud of being involved in it. You are stranded on a desert island with no power or running water. What 3 art supplies would you take? A sketchbook, a brush and lots of ink. If a client paid you enough money to take a year off and create whatever you want – an open brief - no constraints - what would you create/deliver? I always wanted to create a comic with my own script, so I guess it would be that. Is there a type of job you haven't done yet, but would love to do? Beer labels and concept art for a movie. Is there a work lesson you’ve had to learn the hard way? Not to take anything for granted and detail as much as possible in the contract before start working, otherwise you can work really hard on something and get a really low (or any) compensation for it. How has your work or practice evolved over time? Yes, over the years I’ve evolved into a more clean and stylised illustrations, but doing more complex compositions at the same time. If you were not an illustrator, what would you be? Maybe a scientist! I’d love to travel and investigate in remote places. What is the most challenging part of being an illustrator? The most challenging part is, in fact, being freelance. Manage clients, projects, finances, getting organised… All this tasks take a lot of time and energy. This and the uncertainty of whether you will have a job in the future can make you feel exhausted. What’s the best advice you’ve ever been given? Enjoy life. What career advice would you give your younger self? Don’t wait until you think you’re good enough and just do whatever you love without fear. Do you have any tips for other illustrators? Always check that you’re working on the correct layer! What do you listen to when you work? I listen a lot of psychedelic and instrumental rock, electronic and ambient music too. Repetitive patterns and music that is like some kind of journey help me to flow and get focused.

Favourites

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