A Look at Luis Royo's Illustrations
Sometimes you just need to take a day off and look at things you wish you could do yourself. Get some inspiration. Or motivation to keep going.
There are many great artists out there and it's important to know what kind of drawing styles exist, as it makes it easier to find your own.
Who is Luis Royo?
Spanish artist Luis Royo used to be a furniture designer before he decided to commit to a career in the arts instead. Lucky for us. Slowly but surely he worked his way up the ladder and perfected his style until he was one of the biggest names in his niche.
Today his art can be found on the cover of novels (such as from George R. R. Martin), magazines, CD’s, video games, board games, comics and of course in his own published artwork like books, posters and exhibitions.
I've followed his career since I was a child and I just love how his style and technique have developed.
He has that amazing ability to write an entire novel with one single picture. He often draws a scene in the middle of whatever story he has in his head and leaves it to the viewers discretion and taste to imagine the before and after. That way you can entertain yourself for hours with one single drawing. Genius, that.
Luis’ artwork
As mentioned, he does also publish books, which are usually a collection of his drawings with an accompanying storyline.
Especially his Dead Moon series, inspired by imperial China, is absolutely gorgeous. He uses a mix of pencil, paint and air brush to give each board a mystical, oriental atmosphere that's in equal parts mesmerising and slightly unsettling.
Some of his illustrations are super realistic, some are more like sketches, with very little colour, and others are almost abstract. There's never a single moment of boredom when flipping through those books.
An added bonus is that this series is (mostly) fit for polite society. Because Mr Royo very much enjoys provocative, sensual imagery and a play with death.
Many of his works feature naked ladies doing unspeakable things with monsters and machines; or lounging next to their decapitated enemies. Which can make for awkward conversations when talking about ones favourite artists, or wanting to hang their works on your walls for everyone to see.
But of course his works are a lot more than that and the quality and linework are gorgeous. Look at that amazing use of paint for the backgrounds alone. It’s not a coincidence that he’s been publishing since the 70’s.
Luis has this wildly effortless way of drawing that I admire so much. You can have a look at that towards the end of this video:
Another wonderful thing about his illustrations is that they can teach us a great deal about the journey from template to finished piece. Luis finds his inspirations through a multitude of channels, outdoors and at home.
Sometimes a quick look at a magazine cover seems enough for him to be halfway to a new masterpiece. He may see a photograph he likes, a simple pose that wakes his imagination, and he uses that as a base to recreate the world and story around it into something entirely new. Of course, he also has the skill to bring it to canvas in the end.
Luis Royo, “Fallen Angel IV” with Laetitia Casta inspiration
Luis Royo, “The Wait” with Laetitia Casta inspiration
Naturally he does not use a template for all his works, and he is quite capable of creating any pose he likes entirely on his own, but it's nice for us mere mortals to see that there's more than one road that leads to Rome.
Family traits
Of course, it would be a crime to not include at least a quick mention of Romulo Royo, who is clearly his father’s son but also quite visibly an artist in his own right.
Romulo Royo, “Flowers and Thorns”, acrylic and oil on canvas
Some of his themes are also delightfully Asian (these guys are on to something there), but with subtler colours and gentler lines. They create a very dream-like, almost fragile atmosphere.
Luis’ works are a statement. They speak, firmly and clearly. Romulo’s paintings are more like softly whispered suggestions. I love them both.
So, if next you’re planning a lazy afternoon, do have a look at the collected artwork of the grandmaster (and his son). Admittedly, some of Luis’ works can be a little grisly. And a little revealing.
He, quite frankly, does not care what you think about his choice of subject. But precisely because of that his illustrations are always interesting and painfully beautiful.
Don’t forget to also check out my article on Malaysian sketching artist Ch'ng Kiah Kiean, who prefers architecture and uses an entirely different, yet no less mesmerising style.
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