Interview Series #1 - Ernesto Priego
Ernesto Priego
We are starting a new interview series on this blog. We thought it’d be useful and interesting for all the young artists who are just starting a career or even the more experienced ones to have some insights about the caricaturist and cartoonist world. We will interview some amazing masters who inspired us and might inspire you too. So the plan is once in a while, we’ll do a short interview with someone cool and post it to our blog.
Our very first interview is with artist Ernesto Priego, a freelance illustrator and cartoonist based in Barcelona, Spain. Ernesto’s style ranges from realism to comic cartoon always pushing the limits and raising the bar in the art of caricature. You can see some of Ernesto’s outstanding works just below and much more on his blog:
When and how did you get acquainted with the art of caricature?
I started as a young artist with caricatures, then I had to quit because I’ve found good jobs in Advertising and Illustrations. I returned to caricature and cartoon art about 4 years ago. With the 92’ boom and the Barcelona Olympics, I began to work for lavish design studios because they needed experienced illustrators and cartoonists. I mainly worked for 2 studios Senyal Reset and for several companies and brands. I kept this job for 6 years and then I plunged into the freelance world. For two years I also worked as a cartoonist for a fanzine called Barzelona.
Who are the masters you admire the most?
Mark Friedikcson , Nate Kap, Jan Op de Beck, Grigor Evtimov , Dalcio Machado ... and so many more!
Do you earn a living with your cartoonist job?
Currently I work on a freelance basis, and I also participate in live events, I don’t complain.
Are you physically in contact with other colleagues? Do you take part in meetings, exhibitions, fairs, or guild / club?
Yes, I am secretary of the Spanish Association of Cartoonists (AECaricaturistas) and this gave me the opportunity to meet many good friends. People with whom I share the same passion for caricature, Jaume Cullell , Alex Gallego, David Duque , Jose M Berge, Leonardo Rodriguez are a few of the many great artists I met through this Association.
Tell us about the AECaricaturistas initiatives? Where did you get the idea?
The project started last year at the beginning of the Salon Comic of Barcelona, where several artists partnered with the purpose to attend the event. The experience was successful and grew from there since we saw the possibility of gathering more fans and industry professionals as in Spain this kind of Association didn’t exist. The purpose of AECaricaturistas is to give a boost to the cartoon and the cartoonist industry in our country. Check it out: http://www.aecaricaturistas.es/
Some other works by Ernesto Priego below:
Does your online activity affect the way you approach your work? How much time do you spend online?
It does not affect me negatively, on the contrary is a source of inspiration, a way to get in touch with many artists around the world and their great inspirational works! Usually, after spending some time on the web I am always drawn back to my computer drawing board!
Can you tell us a little about your technique? Do you prefer digital, traditional, both?
Both techniques. I enjoy working with Photoshop for more comfort and space. As a general rule I use basic PS brushes and few layers, maximum 5, then I give the finish touch with some modified brushes. It usually takes a maximum of 3 to 4 hours at a time. I am currently working with a Wacom Intuos 3.
It was such a great honor to feature Ernesto's artworks on our Blog we hope you enjoyed it as much as we did.
Thank you Ernesto for this great caricature of myself!