Introducing Douglas Lopes, a black Brazilian illustrator with a background in graphic design, publishing and advertising.
Douglas is a Brazilian visual artist, a dream he always wanted to follow. After graduating from Advertisement at the Federal University of Paraná, he decided to work professionally as an illustrator, in 2017. Since then, Douglas has developed different styles and techniques and has worked on several different projects for books, ads campaigns, animation, comic books and music. Douglas has been shortlisted for the Brasil Design Award for his Forbes cover art. He always illustrates with the purpose of delivering the best art to inspire people and bring the future he wants into reality. He is also a teacher in Revolution School of Digital Art, loves his succulents and his dog.
When did you start illustrating?
I guess that everyone started drawing as a kid, but I had the opportunity to keep doing it as I grew up. Back when I was 10, I made a couple of comic books and sold them to my school friends, mostly inspired by the superheroes cartoons I watched at the time, like League of Justice, X-Men Evolutions, Sam Raimi’s Spider Man, lots and lots of anime. I always had so many different influences, I think my art now is starting to show that.
Who has been the most supportive in your illustration career, perhaps your teacher, family, friends?
Definitely my older sister, Dayane. I saw her drawings and it was the first source of inspiration because they looked so good. Of course, I was 7 and she was 14. But it was awesome to see such a level of skill right next to me. And when I decided to illustrate as a profession, she supported me and always helped me in the darkest moments.
Did you always think art was something that was going to be a major part of your Life?
I mean, the first thing I ever wanted to be was Spider Man, since it was not available, I quickly changed to be the person who draws him. But until now I've dreamed of a bunch of paths, not all of them are related to art, I think. Even now I question what else could I be doing but, at the same time, I breathe art and illustration every single second. I guess I was not meant to be an artist but I managed to make this become real and I’m really happy with it.
What is your favourite subject matter to illustrate?
Any narrative that inspires me to become the person who I want to be in the environment I consider healthy and positive. I surround myself with succulents and things that remind me how beautiful life is. So anything that clicks with that gives me great pleasure to illustrate. I also like to rearrange the protagonists of this kind of stories, introducing black and brown skin people, different body sizes, prosthesis, etc.
How would you describe your style?
Today I would describe it as a graphic semi realistic style. More and more I’m putting together rendered parts with graphic abstract interventions, with bold colors and strong shapes. I’m constantly defying the speciality of the canvas as I mix all my references into one artwork.
What is your favourite collaboration to date?
That’s a tough question, I’ve been so lucky to work with so many creative and respectful people. But one artwork that put me back on track was the book cover for “Cem Mil Reinos” (Brazilian edition for “One Hundred Thousand Kingdoms” by N. K. Jemisin). Working with the woman at the publisher was so great. They had a tremendous respect for me as a person and artist and contributed so much in the process, suggesting colours, tips from the book and were so supportive the entire path.
What interested you about being represented by Illo Agency?
When I first discovered Illo I was so happy with this initiative, it converges so much with what I think about art. Being represented by Illo gives me the assurance that I won’t be involved in projects I don’t believe in or are hateful. It’s a short sentence but it means the world to me.
Do you have a favourite author, film director, or designer?
I’m not sure if this person applies to this category but it’s the first who popped up in my mind. Emicida, a Brazilian rapper and entrepreneur whose work, art and way of life inspires me every single day. His music helped me and millions of people to get through the most difficult times of life. His work spreads love, peace and the ability to dream and run to make it happen.
Are you working on any personal projects you can share with us?
The first of it, is a series of African masks, inspired by an expo I saw at Oscar Niemeyer Museum. I took a bunch of pictures and I’m exploring the design behind it. I also started a whole different style in a series called “Memories” to explore the subconscious, heavily inspired by the surrealism movement. There is an universe I’ve been building in my mind in the last months and I’m finally putting into illustrations. One of my biggest inspirations is Final Fantasy XII, for me it’s a great mix of Art Nouveau with Mediterranean and Middle East. It’s pure magic. And also there is a feel more stand alone artworks that are not part of any major project or series so far. Within these artworks I hope to get to work with publishers of books and maybe games as well for the advertisement industry.
Do you listen to podcasts? If so, do you have a favourite?
Recently not much, I've really gotten into music in the past year. I listen to rap (Brazilian and American), pop music and some chill types. I really like to discover a new album or artist depending on the work I have to do, to put me in the mood for it.
If you have any questions or a specific project in mind, please do get in touch: [email protected]
at illo agency, we pride ourselves in representing a collation of global illustrators, distinctly diverse in creativity and uniquely celebrated by like-minded clients across a range of commercial markets.