Luci Gutiérrez
I’m 35 years old. I live in Barcelona, Spain. I graduated in Illustration from La Massana art school in Barcelona ten years ago. I have worked as an illustrator since then.
When did you decide you wanted to be illustrator?
I have always wanted to work on something related to drawing. My father was a designer and he had a drawing table full of drawing materials at home. There were sets of colour pencils, markers, pots of gouache, brushes… he didn’t let me use them because they were his work tools. But they fascinated me, so I used to end up using them and probably spoiling them.
When I was a kid, in the 80’s, I saw an animated commercial made with computer that impressed me. From that moment on, I would say I wanted to draw by computer when I grew up. I even took computer classes that consisted of programming back then. So I guess I could say I’m that person who has fixed ideas. Although there were some years I thought that maybe illustration wasn’t my thing because I wasn’t a good enough drawer. But as I would spend most of my free time drawing, I changed my mind and thought I should try to study illustration.
Would you recommend studying at art school?
Yes, I would. In my case, it helped me a lot. I realised I didn’t know what illustration was when I started to study. Fortunately, I found out I like it and it was my thing. Art school gave me tools that I would say I wouldn’t get by myself. I don’t mean about the techniques, but the way to understand illustration.
How long was it before illustration became your primary form of income?
It was some months after I finished my studies. I feel very lucky about that. I believe getting illustration jobs was easier some years ago than now. Specially in Spain where making a living from illustration is becoming increasingly harder.
Could you describe your typical day?
Working as a freelancer has some disadvantages so I take advantage of the best advantage: I wake up late. After having breakfast calmly and checking my emails, I start working. That’s usually around 11:30am. I have to say that I have regrets about that, I would like to make the most of the day. But it’s a fight that never ends, there’s no way I can change it, at least so far. On the other hand, I work until late. My ideal day of work is with any kind of interruptions. It sounds like a Sunday, but at the same time I’m thrilled when I hear the “ding” of a new email coming with an assignment.
What’s the best thing about being an illustrator?
That you can work on something you like. Obviously, if you like it. Anyway, like any kind of profession, not all the tasks or assignments are appealing. In these cases, better if you can invent the funny side.
What’s the worst thing about being an illustrator?
Being an illustrator, meaning that illustration is a way to make a living. Sometimes you need to stop drawing for a while in order to be capable of seeing your artwork with perspective or you need to take a breather in order to explore with drawing. But you just can’t because bills need to be paid.
If you weren’t an illustrator, what would you be?
A carpenter, although I have no idea about it.
