Ben Shahn is one of my favorites in the field of illustration. Right now, I’m completely amazed by the work and talent of Pablo Amargo.

Internet Addict

Torero

Zip Train

What is your work process? How does a concept come to life from start to finish?

Once I get the order and the briefing and get in touch with the customer, I start doodling. At the beginning of the process I keep making dozens of small drawings on a sheet of paper, writing down ideas, linking concepts. I nearly always start using graphite and color pencils; the tools I feel confident with. Once I’ve hit upon different ideas that explain the same subject, the step is redrawing them in a more elaborate way until they do the talking themselves and reveal which is the good one, the one I must stick to until the end. With my light box as an essential support, I redraw until the volumes, the composition and the lines are well-balanced and the illustration complies with the order requirements. If the coloring is by hand, I work with stencils and paint, while I scan the drawing and start working with Photoshop if it’s digital.

Siesta

Underwater Woman

Sailor

You have a very distinct style. How  did you develop this?

Style and its own evolution isn’t something you can lead forcibly. It keeps coming naturally over time and with the amount of working hours spent. The world around you and your life experiences exert an influence on it, as well as all the images which keep swamping us on a daily basis and, particularly, the ones you happen to be interested in. Many make an impression on you because of their substance but not because of their form. In any case, it’s the mixture of all those ingredients which results in an individual essence that sets you apart from others (equally unique) and will keep varying as times goes by. You never stop learning.

Childhood Memories

The Plant Journal

Cadaques

“Misogyny” is an interesting piece. What was your inspiration for this? Is there a story behind this work?

As you can see the representation of giant women and sexuality are two topics that often appear in my work. I was just sketching a woman and suddenly the concept clicked. There was no premeditation. The secret is to always be drawing, the pencil is the extension of our mind.