I lived, learned and worked in Spain, Greece, Ireland and now I have my drawing table in Belgium. I got my BA+MA in Fine Arts in Universidad Complutense de Madrid. I have the paper, but I consider myself mostly self-trained in the technical aspects. I used to have a teacher, now a good friend, who says that you cannot be taught to draw, but only learn by drawing. That doesn’t mean college was useless for me. As I realized later it gave me an aesthetical education much more valuable than knowing how to grab your brush correctly.
While I added diplomas to the stack I travelled a little. In Athens I benefited from an Erasmus scholarship in TEI. This was more of an applied arts school, less think more do, so I got the opportunity there to learn things I wouldn’t have got close to back in Madrid. I had also the chance to present one of my editorial illustration projects in an exhibition in the Greek Graphic Designers Association. Some time later, in Ireland, I could increase my experience in advertising and technical illustration working in Southern Advertising Agency.
Now in Brussels I work illustrating and designing pedagogical supports for disfavoured populations in Cultures&Santé. I have always some project going on and keep taking jobs as freelance.
If I had to cite some references I wouldn’t know where to start. The first names that come right now in to my mind are Chaland, Jason, Max or Jan but I think that would give a too narrow overall idea. Here in Belgium I let myself get influenced by the ligne claire - atom stijl (I live in the same street where Hergé grew up as a child!).
I believe anyway that style should be flexible and should adapt to what the concept requires, so I try to clear my mind from what I have done before every time I face a blank sheet. It’s funny though, cause lately I have people telling me that they can see clearly my hand in my drawings. So I suppose I am not a robot yet and I am still permeable to character. It may sound contradictory, but I like it!
