Spanish graphic artist Luis Sendon speaks to HMA
Luis Sendón is an illustrator and designer from A Coruña, Spain, who’s been working for bands and festivals for several years. He plays bass for the grindcore band Nashgul. Among his works are designs for Brutal Truth, Macabre or Looking for an Answer, as well as international festivals such as Obscene Extreme or Portugal’s Barroselas Metal Fest. He has also illustrated several comics and children’s books.
HMAW: Hi Luis, thanks for your interest in Heavy Music Artwork.
Luis Sendón: Thanks to you for bringing up my work on your web site.
HMAW: How did you get started working as illustration/design and end up working in the Heavy Metal scene?
Luis Sendón: I studied at the local art school, started out drawing for children’s literature and such. As time went by I did some record covers for my band and from there I began to be hired by others bands and festivals.
HMAW: What is your creative process and how do you come up with such vivid and imaginative work?
Luis Sendón: I usually begin with a pencil sketch to check ideas and find out where to place everything. From there, I do a more detailed pencil sketch, which I scan, print in blue and ink. If it’s in colour, I finish it with Photoshop or acrylics.
HMAW: I assume you are massive horror fan in general, who is your favorite character or monster and why?
Luis Sendón: I love horror and fantasy films in general. I have a weakness for ’70s and ’80s classics like Rosemary’s Baby, but my favourites are, without a doubt, the Universal films, specially the first two ones about Frankenstein. I’m also a big fan of Hellraiser’s Pinhead.
HMAW: Describe your art style and technique.
Luis Sendón: I think it’s a mixture of EC classic comics such as Tales from the Crypt or the Creepy magazine and some classic heavy metal covers.
HMAW: Do you use reference material or does it all come from your inner self?
Luis Sendón: I don’t usually need many references. However, I need to search the Internet from time to time to find out specific stuff, like how some animals look like, machine parts and so on.
HMAW: Who would be that band that desperately seeking Luis Sendon creative treatment?
Luis Sendón: I enjoy so many bands whose artwork really sucks… but every band choose their own way to show their work, and I’m not going to be telling them if it’s ok or not. I´m sure that so many people don’t like my works either hahaha
HMAW: Do you also work as a comic artist?
Luis Sendón: Yes, I have drawn short stories for several magazines like BARSOWIA. Last year, “SÁLPOCK, O VAL DOS CEGOS” was published, a science fiction comic for kids with a script by Álvaro López and drawings by me. We are hoping to make the second part next year. Right now I’m working in a story of swords and sorcery with Kike Benlloch. We expect it to be finished by 2014. And this hasn’t too much to do with comic, but a couple of months ago I started a blog with Carlos Dopico about classic horror stories, he writes the texts and I illustrate them. You can check it here: www.reflejosdelabismo.blogspot.com
HMAW: What would you say is the greatest challenge in the Heavy Metal scene as a designer?
Luis Sendón: For me? Try to do each cover, each work, better than the previous one.
HMAW: Do bands often get unrealistic demands? Any stories you would like to share?
Luis Sendón: Hahaha armies of zombies in big cities, with destroyed skyscrapers… for free!
HMAW: Thanks again for your interest in Heavy Music Artwork.
Luis Sendón: Thank you for showing interest in my work and thank you for this interview!
www.sendonluis.com
www.sendonluis.blogspot.com
www.reflejosdelabismo.blogspot.com
Copyright 2013 © Alex Milazzo, Heavy Music Artwork. All rights reserved.
