Tag: illustration

jonathan bréchignac = an exercise in dedication!

we’ve been recently impressed with this awesome project by Paris based, graphic designer Jonathan Bréchignac. in short, Jonathan set out to create a hand-drawn replica of a Muslim prayer carpet with the use of very simple tools. mainly applying a black BIC pencil, he has created wonderful geometric patterns that form a stunning overall design. this project is a clear example of dedication and passion for ones trade. read more details about it below; all words written by copywriter Johan Jeanson. follow the original source at projekt

Made to fit the size of an actual Muslim prayer carpet, this piece is drawn only with black Bic pencils. Painstakingly detailed, it explores different ways and patterns to create a unique whole with only a simple tool. The inspiration comes from different types of art (French roman, traditional Japanese, native American and Mexican) and also military camouflage and animal patterns. Together they create a mix of civilizations and religions bringing forth a new meaning to them.

Working on it for more than 15 months, Jonathan Bréchignac describes it as a fight with himself, inch by inch. Long periods of thinking and planning followed by trials to find the perfect patterns before even starting on it.

”I never really knew what I wanted from the beginning. Finding inspiration and learning through trials was key to the project”, Jonathan describes the process.

The work has all been made on Jonathan’s free time and it’s finally nearing completion.

”Even if it’s a drawing, it must still be thought of as a praying carpet. The plan is to keep it between two pieces of plexiglass to place on the ground.”

Despite working on it for hundreds of hours Jonathan has still only been able to use up one pen and is now working on emptying a second one.

”The old masters of art could spend up to a decade, or even a lifetime, to finish their work. I wanted to create something as long lasting, something that would take time.” Jonathan says after looking over his near finished work. ”To me, art is about the road to perfection, to take something from your mind and really work it out, with your hands. As soon as I finish this piece, I will start on the next. My plan is to create a series of it… For however long it’ll take.”

No Comments by el colectivo futuro on July 19, 2011

filed in arte, illustration

tagged carpet, graphic design, illustration, jonathan brechignac, oriental patterns, pattern

natural values = future print series 01!

we are truly excited to unveil our first physical collaboration in the form of a screen-printed tee, designed by none other than our very good friend Ricardo Vázquez Ortega aka Natural Values, and with massive support from our barcelona based friends Bcomesome1. currently based in mexico df, ricardo has been busy crafting his very own personal style of illustration, which is inspired by the way in which human beings connect with nature both conscious and unconsciously through symbolism. we’ve asked ricardo to craft a monochromatic print in which he could describe what colectivo futuro means to him.

as a result, ricardo came up with a stunning collage-like illustration that revolves around our name and logo. in his own words, the print he created signifies the amalgamation of content emanating from the colectivo in the shape of different geometric forms that manage to fill the void represented in the image by mountains and open space. you can keep track of ricardo via twitter @naturalvalues or via his blog

Bcomsome1 is a great project from a close friend whose sole intent is to promote up and coming talent by taking their designs to production. as soon as we told him about our idea to collaborate with some of the artists we have featured on colectivo futuro he was more than glad to collaborate with us. the first run of t-shirts will be sold strictly through their website and our newly set up big cartel shop. also, to ensure that you will be receiving a quality product, we have decided to print the design on american apparel power washed tees, these shirts will provide the necessary comfort and durability to go along with ricardo’s wonderful design. currently available for pre-sale, the shirts will be going into production soon and should be ready to ship around mid-july. we’d love to hear your thoughts on them and if you want to reserve one for yourself you can hit us up via email and we’ll let you know as soon as we have them on-hand.

3 Comments by el colectivo futuro on June 28, 2011

filed in future print series

tagged bcomesome1, clothing, collaboration, future print series, illustration, natural values, print, ricardo vazquez ortega, screen print

maria corte is a colectivo futurist!

we are absolutely ecstatic about our next colectivo futurist spotlight with the wonderful, barcelona-based, illustrator Maria Corte. her works, though centered around beautiful illustrations, cover a host of mediums, including editorial pieces, magazine & book covers, posters, and even animations. in her pieces one can feel a certain reference to classic cubism, which nonetheless is given her own personal touch to create unique and recognizable style. she also keeps a couple of awesome illustrated blogs in which she provides us with her own cocktail and food recipes. you can find links to her site and blogs, as well as our interview with Maria below…

MARIA CORTE (illustrator, Barcelona)

website | cocktail blog | food blog

* tell us a bit about yourself. since when have you been working as an illustrator? how did you first begin?

I probably couldn’t exactly say when I first started to draw, but I can say that one of my first memories as a child involves having a pencil on hand and a piece of paper in front of me while sitting on the living room’s floor and trying to draw what I could see through the window even with a balcony and some flower pots standing in the way.

From there on out I can’t recall any time period when I wasn’t fantasizing about drawing, until I decided it was time to take it seriously and I studied illustration at the Escola Massana de Barcelona. You could say my starting point was starting to collaborate with the city hall in certain projects. After that, more projects started coming up and my works started spreading around.

* your pieces hint at cubism and the abstract together with subtle colors. what would you say are your biggest influences when illustrating?

I have undoubtedly been influence by cubism! In fact I admire the works of Fernand Léger and some of his contemporaries. However, I cannot get over David Hockney’s work, particularly his photo collages based on the series of instants he took using the same motif. I also admire Tarsila do Amaral for example. Even if one may have references though, I believe one should not take them literally. As it’s often said, the cypress’ shadow is long and in some cases it becomes nostalgic, and one should learn to step back and focus on the surrounding world.

* your works cover a broad spectrum, ranging from illustrations for children to editorial pieces. what would you say is your favorite kind of project?

This might sound funny, but what I enjoy the most is drawing on my sketchbook during my yearly travels. Most likely because of the connection the sketches have with the place or what goes on around me in that particular moment. Regarding other projects, it depends more on the subject matter and the proposed format instead of who they are targeted at.

* if you could choose a soundtrack for your work, what would it be?

That sounds like a complicated task! What I can give you is some of the artists that I listen to the most while working and that at one point or other have become part of me, and I suppose part of my works as well. Out of more recent bands and artists, I love the calmness inspired by Bon Iver and Jeremy Jay. I also like the way The Whitest Boy Alive manages to keep me going while sitting in front of the paper many an afternoon. However, I never forget the two artists that, thanks to my older sister, influenced my childhood and still accompany me to this day: Leonard Cohen and Robert Smith with The Cure.

* what do you like the most about living in Barcelona?

As in every mediterranean city… it’s weather and gastronomy!! the small but daily pleasures are important too. Also, its architecture and urbanism, full of history and little hidden corners where one can indulge in pleasures.

* tell us about your future plans. what can we expect from you in the coming months? is there any particular format you’d like to explore?
I have a pending desire to start painting and I will try to get to it as soon as I can, but at the moment I enjoy what I’m doing, it’s just a matter of broadening my horizons. Being able to work and dedicate myself to what I enjoy the most is something I truly treasure, specially in current times.