German Gonzalez

Based in Medellin, Germán enjoys the colourful greenery of his city and the wild Andean backdrop of the region. From early in life, he’s had an interest in fashion and photography, which led him into graphic design and illustration. Germán graduated from the Universidad Pontificia Bolivariana in Medellin in 2016, and since then has built up an excellent reputation as a portrait illustrator. Germán creates far more than a mere likeness – with every illustration project he tackles, he feels driven to tell a story. He dives deep into a brief and relishes the challenge of finding a unique and memorable solution for his clients. In turn, they love his dedication, respect for deadlines and collaborative approach. Germán draws on inspiration from top fashion designers, movie directors and bands. Three of his favourite fellow artists include James Jean, Ignasi Monreal and Katsushika Hokusai.

Approach

Colour and storytelling are at the heart of Germán’s creative process. He works primarily digitally in Photoshop, Illustrator or Procreate, but with the mindset of a painter, selecting the right brush strokes, textures and layering to enhance the tactility and depth of the illustration.

Key software

Procreate, Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator and Al Fresco.

Style

Eye-catching colours and strong compositions abound in Germán’s contemporary illustrative style, within which there are two streams. His narrative portraits are central – visually striking and concept driven. Meanwhile, Germán’s nature-inspired illustration is more organic, exploratory and expressive, with a softer tone.

Languages

English and Spanish.

Awards

2020 – Latin American Design Awards – Illustration – Silver 2019 – Latin American Design Awards – Illustration – Silver