Roberts Rurans uses acrylic paint to add depth and warmth to his illustrations

Illustrator Roberts Rurans’ style is a playful mix of characters, simple shapes, textures and bright colours. “I believe it has been somewhat influenced by both street art and graphic design with its visual clarity, structure and simplifying things,” explains the illustrator.

As a result, Roberts’ figures and landscapes appear digitally created at first glance, but a closer look reveals textures and markings that have been achieved using paint. “I start off by thinking about the project and brief for a little while. Then I do sketching, which eventually evolves from rough to detailed,” says Roberts of his creative process. “If everything goes smoothly and I don’t have to make any revisions, I draw and paint the final image, which I then scan in, do a little photoshop magic and – voila! I prefer the use of traditional techniques like painting with acrylic, but inevitably you can’t do without Photoshop these days.”

Roberts offers a fresh perspective on the world by using humour and unexpected compositions in his illustrations, often to explore bigger themes. “I like all the different briefs I get to work on and I love the fact, that I can help someone with the work I do,” he says. “That is some of what gives meaning and value to all that time spent in studio. Then there is also the joy of creation, joy of that moment when a good idea hits you and joy after sending an invoice.”