It’s almost impossible to take in the work of Carlos Garde-Martin in once glance. His illustrations are packed with colour and detail, usually requiring a few tries before you can eventually absorb all the hidden little components. The joys of looking at his work are the tiny comical discoveries you find that pop out at you and make you grin.
We first talked about this Brighton-based illustrator in the recent Glug event review. I chased him up to find out some more about this self-described pop surrealist.
How did you find yourself becoming an illustrator?
I’ve always been into drawing, that’s been my thing. Originally, I trained as a graphic designer but found the lack of drawing a real stumbling block, after which I found myself working in a totally unrelated field, which was even worse. Then the best thing in the world happened.
I was made redundant when the recession first hit. I decided that now was the time to go back to university and make something of myself. I spent a year just drawing, which was amazing! It’s a tough industry to get started in, you have to really want it, but now things seem to be moving in the right direction.
Can you give any advice on how to keep yourself motivated and inspired?
It’s easy, just be interested in everything and never stop learning. I attend various events, where I talk to and learn from those who are further on in their careers than I am. Possessing a good general knowledge is a great tool to have as an illustrator.
It’s important to look outside of illustration, I watch films, go to museums, and take my daughter to the park. She is my biggest inspiration and motivator all rolled into one.
What interests you about the projects you’ve been working on recently?
The ideas mainly, the last few projects have been really open so I’ve just been allowed to run with it. I’m about to start work on a mural for the Madame Geisha bar in Brighton, which should be a lot of fun. I also did a tutorial for Digital Artist magazine, which will be available in the November issue I think.
That was great, but analysing what you do naturally and putting it in to words was a challenge. I am also in this month’s issue in their artist spotlight section.
Have you noticed any changes in your work over the last couple of years?
I’ve been drawing a lot more people because that’s what the industry demands. I used to shy away from it a little as anatomy can be quite tricky, but I enjoy it now. My work used to have a bit more of a macabre feel to it; however, that seems to not be so relevant at the moment.
I’ve always been a lover of colour and line, but more recently I have tried out the odd black and white drawing, which I’m trying to feed into my work. It’s important for me to be as flexible as possible whilst still retaining what I’m about.
You’re doing some teaching at the moment. Are there any other areas that you’d like to explore?
I would like to get my work on some t-shirts or other clothing products but doing this independently requires a bit of a budget. I have been in talks with a few shops but doing a limited run of tees and making a profit isn’t going to happen unless I can find some way of keeping production costs down.
Another thing that interests me is having the opportunity to travel with my work so if anyone would like to commission me from a far please get in touch.
A passionate, versatile illustrator and a really nice guy to have met. Thanks for talking to us, Carlos!
© Carlos Garde-Martin, 2010.
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