Raphaël Vicenzi, aka mydeadpony is a self-taught illustrator that lives in Brussels, Belgium. His work was already featured at Computer Arts, Advanced Photoshop, Illusive2, Fashion Wonderland and others. His lines and style are very interesting and his pieces always have something to say, most of times towards fashion and beauty industry. Raphaël’s illustrations are a mix of soft and delicate lines with some dark colors and strong outlines… and the result is pretty inspiring.
I really liked Raphaël’s work and style. His illustrations got my attention and I decided to show it here to you.
INTERVIEW -with Raphaek Vicenzi
Can you tell us a little bit of your background as an illustrator? How did you get started and where did you get your training?
It was by mistake and I am self-taught. I thought I would be a graphic designer or web designer but it wasn’t my cup of tea. I realized that I was doing illustration instead and I kept doing just that. I am a late bloomer. Honestly, I never thought I would make it, there were times where I wanted to give it all up because I wasn’t that good. I am still learning.
What is a day like for you? Does your work as an illustrator influence your daily life?
Well I live a pretty boring life but I like it. I wake up early and after a while I start to work on commissions or personal illustrations. I am constantly working, even if I am not on the computer, my mind is geared towards finding a new idea or seeing colours and patterns everywhere.
What tools/techniques do you use in creating your illustrations?
I scan a lot of watercolours, doodles, textures and then I work the whole in PS, with very few effects, PS brushes, masks, layer modes and that’s nearly it. I found that by limiting myself in this way I could work better and just try to get to the core of an idea. I admire people who possess great painting techniques though.
In your experience, what were the moments that you have struggled or had difficulty in coming up with a concept? How did you overcome/cope?
Sometimes it’s more that I have all these ideas but I can’t pull them out of my head in a nice way. The more I struggle to do something within a strict deadline the less it will be natural and it will feel forced. That does not mean that there is no hard work before but there is a tipping point where it all comes together. I don’t cope well with the creative block, I just clench my teeth until it’s over.
What is the role of fashion in your drawings? Do you consider it as an important element in your work?
I don’t know, it just made sense to me to use the fashion imagery and turn it into something else. I do appreciate how some fashion designers and photographers pay attention to details and create something really unique, despite that there are a lot of things that are really terrible in the fashion industry, especially how it impacts younger girls in making them believe that it’s the only ideal for femininity. I guess I had to take it all back somehow, put glitter and bones where they belong and give it a new more personal and intimate meaning.
noticed that most of your work features women. How do they influence or inspire your work?
I guess it has to do with the creative principles of life. Although I don’t think men has not is place in my works. I am also very lazy to be honest. It also reflects a personal taste when it comes to art.
Which of your works can you say reflect you best as an artist/illustrator?
All of them, they’re all little pieces of me at certain point in time. My latest works are closer to what I think nowadays.
How did you come up with your signature style?
Step by step and very slowly but I was not aware of it. I don’t even really think that I have a signature style because to me it always evolves but within certain constrains. I think it all comes down to assimilate influences and making them mine somehow.
Are there other illustrator/artists who inspire your work?
A lot, I’ll name a few, Tom Bagshaw, Banksy, Daniel Egneus, Stina Persson, David Foldvari, Muscha and on and on…
What message can you give to other aspiring artists ?
Create beautiful works that are talking about who you are.
KK'S WAY 