Meet Alvaro Escobar

Alvaro is sharing drawing tips and demo videos with Sktchy subscribers throughout August. Learn more

What's your background?

I was born and raised in Washington, DC. That is where I call home. My family is from El Salvador. My parents immigrated to the United States when they were young, so I was lucky enough to be born here and grow up surrounded by so much culture.

I have been drawing for as long as I can remember. My siblings were very much into painting and drawing, so I followed along in their footsteps. I was inspired by several animated shows as a kid. I would often try to copy the characters. It has always been my passion to one day become an illustrator and animator.

What's your medium of choice when you're creating art?

I love mixing different mediums, but at the moment my favorites are ink and gouache. I mostly use Micron pens and a Kuretake Brush pen for inks. For gouache I use Winsor and Newton brand.

How did you build your creative habit?

I have always used drawing as a form of therapy. Any worries or anxieties that I have in life are washed away when I sit down and pull out my sketchbook.

To those who struggle to maintain a drawing habit, I recommend to view drawing as form of stress relief. When you are feeling down or frustrated or anxious, grab your sketchbook and favorite medium and use all that negative energy to create something.

As for creative block, go to your local art gallery or museum. Look at the works of the greats and also contemporary artists. Find a piece of artwork that amazes you and try to replicate it. Also explore different genres of art such as music, literature, culinary art, etc.

When you find yourself in a creative rut, how do you get out of it?

I watch a lot of movies. When I am lacking inspiration, I will make time to watch a movie that interests me and gets my creativity to flow. Aesthetically pleasing movies like Blade Runner (also, Blade Runner 2049), Grand Budapest Hotel, Akira and Kill Bill have greatly inspired me.

Which of your recent Sktchy artworks most expresses who you are now as an artist?

The drawings I did of Rachel Blumer, Linda Kalmar and Laura Hernandez are the pieces that represent the stage I am at creatively. I am learning to try out different styles with different mediums. Each of those pieces show me exploring different approaches of creating. I love distorting facial structures and using colors that aren't usual for human skin. I feel that I am still trying to find my style but those pieces are where I am at so far.

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