Thilo Rothacker — Editorial Illustrator, Germany

Thilo Rothacker is an illustrator working mainly for European magazines and newspapers such as the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung in Germany, the Weltwoche in Switzerland and the French Le Figaro. He also contributes to the New York Times op-ed page. Thilo studied illustration in Heinz Edelmann's class at the academy of fine arts in Stuttgart and has worked and lived in Paris for ten years and moved to Stuttgart in 2001. He is member of the Art Directors Club of Germany and teaches illustration at the Merz-Academy in Stuttgart.

Approach

Thilo works with a range of traditional materials, including ink, acrylic, pencil and paint brush, alongside Pentel tools and digital techniques. His process is rooted in drawing and painting, allowing the physical qualities of the materials to remain an important part of the final image. He combines this hands-on approach with Mac to refine and complete his illustrations.

Styles

Thilo’s work is expressive and graphic, with a strong emphasis on line, texture and atmosphere. His illustrations bring a distinctive visual character to editorial subjects, balancing thoughtful observation with a bold and confident use of traditional media. His broad experience across European and international publications gives his work a sophisticated editorial sensibility, while his drawing-led approach keeps each image personal and visually engaging.

Client list

The New York Times Vanity Fair Faz Audi Mercedes Benz Universal Music IBM Le Figaro Arte Cicero