- 61 -
2020 ILLUSTRATOR HOTLIST“In a world too often
characterised by twee
scenes of bears on bicycles
it can be difficult for
illustrators to stand out,” says Design
Week editor Tom Banks. “Mercedes
deBellard’s hyper-real depictions of
very familiar faces do just that though.
Her ability to capture well-known
personalities make her ideal for
editorial commissions.”
The Madrid-based illustrator,
represented by Folio Art Agency, has
worked with clients including The
Sunday Times, The Guardian, Warner
Bros. and The Hunger Games; and
all thanks to sharing her portraits of
celebrities including Amy Winehouse,
Cara Delevingne and various Twin
Peaks characters online a few years
back. These were quickly shared
across Pinterest and Tumblr, winning
her that crucial first commission while
still studying her degree.
Though she’s clearly highly adept
at the technicalities of line, form and
shadow, Mercedes is smart in knowing
when to pare things back: her
backgrounds are kept simple, using
one striking colour; while her portraits
are carefully adorned with unusual
accoutrements that add a surreal edge,
such as Matisse-like plant shapes.
She still largely works by hand, using
pencil drawings before working these
up with watercolours and tightening
up the pieces digitally.
mercedesdebellard.netiDZɞǥDZǫDZɥǫDZ DZȪȪLjɞǫ
CAPTURING PERSONALITY IN HER DECEPTIVELY SIMPLE ART
- 61 -