Artist Spotlight with Rico Jr.
Welcome to “Artist Spotlight”, our regular feature where you get to know the artists we work with.
1) Talk us through your process for creating Princess Mononoke, Back to the Future trilogy and Batman trilogy.
Princess Mononoke:
"I’m always looking for a concept that mixes two images, shapes, characters to create one and the same visual. I start by sketching (by hand on paper) and then attack my artwork on Illustrator, as I work purely in vector. I also like to keep a pretty small range of colors for my posters."
Back to the Future trilogy:
"For the creation of the Back to the future triptych, I had to find a central element that I could go on the 3 posters. The Dolorean seemed to be the right solution given its importance in the Robert Zemeckis trilogy. Then, I reflected on strong scenes from each film, which could somehow include the vehicles through other elements. Thus, one of the bright spotlights during the dance party from the first movie depicts the right front wheel of Doc’s car and Marty’s gun smoke the left front wheel. I also wanted to focus my work on Mary McFly’s character and his journey through the 3 films. We see him as a rock star in ‘Part 1’, with his famous hoverboard in the future in ‘Part 2’ and as Clint Eastwood in ‘Part 3’. Finally, in terms of colors, if each part had to have its own identity, it was important to feel a certain uniformity in the end."
Batman Trilogy:
"I wanted, in terms of visual scenery, to obtain something more cinematographic and more realistic than my usual creations. Again, it needed a central element that would rely on all 3 posters. The Batman symbol was the obvious choice. On another hand, I wanted to use strong scenes of meaning linked to the movies titles: Begins, Falls, Rises. For Begins, we have Bruce’s training with Ra’s on the ice. The monastery is also present. For Falls (The Dark Knight), I wanted to work from one of my favorite official promo visuals from the movie and add the threat to the city caused by the Joker. Finally, for Rises, the idea was to show the moment when Bruce first wears the Batman costume since the events of the previous film. The grey tones adapt perfectly to the environment of the Batcave. Finally, the quotes are there to support the chosen scenes."
2) How old were you when you started illustrating and what did you create?
I think I’ve been drawing since I was a child. I loved reproducing the illustrations that were found in the Strange comic books I collected. Particularly Spider-Man.
3) What is the coolest thing a fan has done for you?
These fans were Teddy Sears and Grant Gustin, both from the CW “The Flash” TV Show. They wanted a copy of the poster I designed as fan art and they sent me back one signed which is framed now.
4) What are your top three movies?
The Back to the Future trilogy.
5) What is your favorite pastime?
Keep creating during the week and hanging out with my friends on the weekends.
6) What would be your one superpower?
I’d love to fly!
7) Which artist(s) inspire you?
Olly Moss.
8) What is the one thing that keeps you going?
The hope to work for official pop culture licenses and bring my touch to it. Everyone’s support on social media is also a great source of motivation.
9) If you were not an artist, what career would you have pursued?
I think I would have liked to become a professional footballer (soccer) to follow my father’s career.
10) Do you have any words of wisdom for artists starting out?
Keep creating, have fun doing it, and be as visible as possible on the internet.
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