Illustrator of The Week – André Sanchez

Self-taught professional André Sanchez started off as a freelance illustrator / photographist in 2010. Born in 1972 in Paris, his name was recently added to the list of the 200 best illustrators worldwide by the Luerzers Archive Magazine. The illustrator’s work is a mix of photography and graphic elements, mainly typography, engraving or scanned material. Sanchez has worked on a range of commercial commissions with his clients including Condé Nast, Le Monde, Warner Music and FIFA. André has also contributed for our Spring / Summer 15 issue ‘Saturation’, which is out now and can be purchased here.

What inspires you the most?
Many things inspire me, but I think movies inspire me the most. I’m a big fan of Peter Greenaway, Alfred Hitchcock, Terry Gilliam, Tim Burton, David Lynch, Wong Kar-Wai… Directors with a lot of aestheticism!

Your work seems intricate and a combination of tiny pieces of art. How long does it take you to create an illustration?
It depends on the subject of course, but I generally say, to do a very good, inspiring and unique illustration takes a week. I try many different methods, combinations of colours, effects etc.… In a series, the first one always takes the most time – the others then just follow.

What is your most used medium?
Photography; I try to always work with my own pictures wherever possible. I mix them with scanning resources, typography, a bit of drawing. And, of course, everything is done with Photoshop. Most of my illustrations are done for magazines and editions.

How would you describe your signature style?
I do digital collage, but what makes it unique is that everything is done on Photoshop, and the mix of different inspirations from photography, illustration and graphic design gives it a particular style. I think all of this affects me; all my aesthetic desire is reflected in my work.

DASH