Tavo Montanez

Based in Aguascalientes in central Mexico, Tavo has always harboured a passion for image making. As a child he poured over encyclopaedias, illustrated books, movie posters, book jackets and more – drawing, drawing and drawing. Not realising illustration was an option, he trained in graphic design but kept drawing in his free time, built up a client base and today he works for household brands in editorial, sports, entertainment, educational publishing, footwear and more. Clients love the diversity of ideas Tavo puts forward at the start of a project, and his responsiveness to feedback during the creative process. He’s an artist who always sees positive ways forward to ensure his clients get what they’re looking for. Influences include music from Smashing Pumpkins to Hans Zimmer; artists such as Egon Shiele, HR Giger and Ernesto García Cabral; and weird botanical forms like mushrooms, wood textures, insects, seeds and crustaceans.

Approach

Tavo began his career drawing by hand in monochrome, and even today his process begins with making notes, sketching in pencil and inking the line work. Then he scans the image for digital colouring. However, he is equally adept at creating fully digital illustrations drawn with his Wacom Cintiq.

Key software

Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator

Style

Versatile and adaptable to his clients’ needs, Tavo can create highly realistic, hand-drawn monochrome illustrations with delightfully detailed shading. Equally, he can pare back the intricacy to produce colourful, expressive pieces with instant impact and appeal.

Languages

English and Spanish

Awards

2023 – Society for News Design – Creative Competition – Best Print Design