Update 31: 25/09/2017 Tribute to Moebius new adds:
He began in the field of animation in 2006 with small pop-themed clips around the British music of the 60's. These animations are revealed on the YouTube channel of the author: "http://www.youtube.com/user/aalvarortega".
Álvaro has been a freelancer in publications such as El Jueves, La Comictiva, Bitniks, Tmeo, El Pequeño País, TOTEM, spanish newspapers as Qué or El Mundo, Playboy magazine, or institutions as the Thyssen-Bornemisza museum.
Talking about comics, he published in 1990 Los Arquitectos (Ikusager) also in France (Les architectes, editions Soleil) and El anillo (Ikusager, 1991). He also completed the sketching of the third album in the series, La ciudad de los arcanos, which was never published. These publications perfectly show the clear line that defined the style of Álvaro at that time.
He also has a monograph that collects brief collaborations: ¿Me puede repetir la pregunta? (TMEO, Vitoria, 2005) and in 2011 he published Lo mejor de Álvaro Ortega (Eusko Label).
The exploration is permanent. As for thorns in my flesh ... not especially, in my new work as video creator recognition grows every year.
Álvaro Ortega:
A surprising style
This week we have the
honor to present an amazing graphic style very different from everything
seen during these six months of tribute to Moebius. This is the collaboration of the brilliant Álvaro Ortega (Vitoria, 1963), illustrator with an extensive professional experience.
Álvaro brings to this tribute an
illustration with photographic base, presenting a sensual scene loaded
with iconography references leading to Akira, Star Wars,
Spiderman, Tintin, Hellboy ... and among some more highlights a painting
with the famous portrait of Lieutenant Blueberry.
Press, works in advertising, cómic ... Álvaro has published several albums, series of cartoons
and illustrations in lots of Spanish and foreign media (including graphic works, posters, album covers and animation works).
Helter Skelter, Álvaro Ortega
He began in the field of animation in 2006 with small pop-themed clips around the British music of the 60's. These animations are revealed on the YouTube channel of the author: "http://www.youtube.com/user/aalvarortega".
Álvaro has been a freelancer in publications such as El Jueves, La Comictiva, Bitniks, Tmeo, El Pequeño País, TOTEM, spanish newspapers as Qué or El Mundo, Playboy magazine, or institutions as the Thyssen-Bornemisza museum.
Los Revillos (Pequeño País) by Álvaro Ortega
Talking about comics, he published in 1990 Los Arquitectos (Ikusager) also in France (Les architectes, editions Soleil) and El anillo (Ikusager, 1991). He also completed the sketching of the third album in the series, La ciudad de los arcanos, which was never published. These publications perfectly show the clear line that defined the style of Álvaro at that time.
He also has a monograph that collects brief collaborations: ¿Me puede repetir la pregunta? (TMEO, Vitoria, 2005) and in 2011 he published Lo mejor de Álvaro Ortega (Eusko Label).
Álvaro wanted to take part in this tribute to Moebius, for which he feels a deep
admiration from his beginnings as Jean Giraud going through all his works
as Moebius.
This is the interview that Álvaro has granted us:
This is the interview that Álvaro has granted us:
- TBE: What has been your biggest artistic influence and how has your drawing style evolved?
I started drawing comics influenced by the so-called French-Belgian line, I felt identified with
drawers like Hergué, Edgar P. Jacobs, Yves Chaland or Ted Benoit.
I later felt attraction to other styles more inspired by Pop Art, David Hockney or the Chronic Equipment.
I later felt attraction to other styles more inspired by Pop Art, David Hockney or the Chronic Equipment.
'Les Architectes' by Álvaro Ortega (Soléil Éditions)
- TBE: What are the current graphic artists that you like the most?
I'm very interested in Kota Ezawa as a graphic artist and in video art James Curran or Jonas Odell.
- TBE: After a long career, do
you have any "thorn in the flesh", like working with a specific artist,
or working for any new editorial, or in any professional field that you
haven't explored yet?
Álvaro Ortega
- TBE: What is your favorite technique for drawing and coloring?
I work with computers drawing with vector programs like Illustrator. Then I use those illustrations in other animation programs.
- TBE: In what point in your career did you feel more comfortable working and with more creative freedom?
The truth is today the dictatorship of the so called "Politically Correct" is beggining to limit or to put my work to the test, something that had never happened to me, since limits when I published usually came from the editorial lines of each magazine or newspaper. I see a certain setback in the freedom of creation.
- TBE: What do you think of digital comic books ... is the comic industry in danger / crisis with the menace of pirate downloads? How can this affect the work of artists?
I think we live the paleolithic of the digital era and these digital formats are used with analog legislation. There is a mismatch, but since I am not an expert in law I can't give any ideas of how to update that topic. It is clear that new rules for this game are needed.
I work with computers drawing with vector programs like Illustrator. Then I use those illustrations in other animation programs.
- TBE: In what point in your career did you feel more comfortable working and with more creative freedom?
The truth is today the dictatorship of the so called "Politically Correct" is beggining to limit or to put my work to the test, something that had never happened to me, since limits when I published usually came from the editorial lines of each magazine or newspaper. I see a certain setback in the freedom of creation.
Father's day by Álvaro Ortega
- TBE: What do you think of digital comic books ... is the comic industry in danger / crisis with the menace of pirate downloads? How can this affect the work of artists?
I think we live the paleolithic of the digital era and these digital formats are used with analog legislation. There is a mismatch, but since I am not an expert in law I can't give any ideas of how to update that topic. It is clear that new rules for this game are needed.
- TBE: You have drawn, among many other things, a lot of stuff of the Beatles and other bands ... Where does that passion for music come from?
From my childhood. My brothers introduced Pop music of the 60 at home, and my parents gave me the taste for the Art in general.
Álvaro Ortega
- TBE: What can you tell us about your current job? What about your upcoming projects?
I'm developing two video clip projects. One for a Spanish band and one for a foreign one. Then several personal projects are awaiting, I guess they will be launched later in this year if my assignments let me.
I'm developing two video clip projects. One for a Spanish band and one for a foreign one. Then several personal projects are awaiting, I guess they will be launched later in this year if my assignments let me.
- TBE: What memory / relationship / influence do you have with Jean Giraud and his work?
Blueberry weekly comics I read in Bruguera magazines of the 70's seemed irresistible to me. When in the 80 Giraud metamorphosed into Moebius I was in love with everything that he did.
It has been a real pleasure counting on you in this tribute Álvaro, thank you very much for your excellent contribution. We will be looking forward to watching your next publications. Cheers!!!
