Working with someone is an irreversible process: Interview with Carlos Aón
In the fascinating world of illustration and comics, few artists manage to stand out for their versatility and constant evolution. Carlos Aón, an Argentine artist born in 1978, is undoubtedly one of them. With a career spanning from self-publishing to international publications, Aón invites us to explore his trajectory and creative philosophy in this revealing interview. We’ll discover how collaboration, technology, and a passion for storytelling have shaped his art over the years.
From Mortal Kombat to the professional drawing board
Carlos Aón’s story as a comic book artist began in a peculiar and exciting way. At 14, eager for the release of Mortal Kombat II, he decided to create his own comic based on the game. This act of pure imagination and enthusiasm marked the beginning of a career that now spans three decades.
“I’m 44 years old and I made my first comic when I was 14. It was one about Mortal Kombat II. The game hadn’t come out yet, but I was eagerly waiting for it. So I started drawing and inventing the game’s story to fill the wait,” Aón recalls with a smile.
After this self-taught start, Aón immersed himself in formal learning under the tutelage of Horacio Lalia. For four years, he focused on perfecting his drawing technique and understanding the complexity of visual narrative. This training period laid the foundation for his professional future.
Interior page of The Last Days of Summer, with scripts by Rodolfo Santullo.
The evolution of method: from paper to digital
Aón’s creative process has evolved significantly over the years, adapting to new technologies without losing the essence of traditional drawing. His first long project, “Road Comic,” marked the beginning of this evolution.
“In ’99 I made my first ‘long’ comic, Road Comic, with a script by Cristian Mallea. I was twenty years old and lacked a lot of practice. So it occurred to me to make up for that lack by drawing the panels separately, scanning them (with a modern handheld scanner I had) and then assembling the pages on the computer,” Aón explains.
Over time, his method was refined, combining the best of traditional and digital techniques. Currently, Aón uses a layered approach in his digital work, reflecting the stages of the traditional process:
- Initial sketch with panels, balloons, and composition
- More defined drawing
- Inking
- Color (integrated from the early stages)
This methodological evolution has not only improved Aón’s efficiency but has also enriched his ability to experiment and refine his art. Want to explore new digital drawing techniques? Discover more here and take your art to the next level.
The power of color in visual storytelling
One of the most fascinating aspects of Aón’s work is his focus on color as a narrative element. His collaboration with colorist Lara Lee has been particularly influential in this aspect.
“My best color experiences have been when we worked with Lara Lee. I like the analysis she does on the story and what she ends up adding to my work. Plus, she’s a better artist than I am and knows how to improve my drawing with color,” Aón humbly admits.
This collaboration has led Aón to think about color from the early stages of the creative process, integrating it as a fundamental element of visual storytelling. “When we work together, I make a drawing that’s designed to be colored. I make an incomplete page, which is steps away from being finished, so that color gives it shape and meaning,” he explains.
For Aón, narrative color goes beyond simply filling spaces. It’s a powerful tool that can generate atmospheres, guide reading, and even alter the perception of the drawing. “Color adds a new dimension to the story. It can create moods, order the sense of reading, and even change the meaning of the drawing,” he states.
Illustration of a mecha robot with its sentai pilot on the shoulder.
This perspective on color as a narrative element opens up a world of possibilities for artists in training. Click here to discover how to master the use of color in your illustrations and bring your stories to life in a unique way.
The synergy of collaboration
One of the most valuable lessons Aón has learned throughout his career is the transformative power of collaboration. Working with other artists, writers, and creatives has not only enriched his work but has also left an indelible mark on his style and approach.
“Every time I work with someone, I learn a lot. It’s an irreversible process. Once I work with someone, somehow they influence me and I assimilate it. In my drawing, I always find something reflected of the drawing and personality of the people I’ve worked with: Mallea, Gervasio, Jok, Guaragna, Lara Lee, Mosquito, Farias, Santullo…,” Aón reflects.
This openness to influence and mutual learning has allowed Aón to constantly evolve as an artist. Each collaboration brings new perspectives, techniques, and ways of approaching visual storytelling, enriching his creative repertoire.
Collaboration is not limited to other artists or colorists. Working with writers and adapting works from other media, such as theater, has broadened Aón’s vision of storytelling and story structure. This interdisciplinary exchange has been fundamental to his development as a visual storyteller.
Looking to improve your collaboration skills in creative projects? Click here to discover valuable resources that will help you get the most out of your artistic collaborations.
Between planning and intuition
Aón’s creative process is characterized by a balance between meticulous planning and openness to unexpected discoveries. Although he strives to clearly visualize his pages before drawing them, he recognizes the value of creative “mistakes” that can enrich the work.
“I try not to leave anything to chance, the main goal is to tell a story in the best possible way. I can’t justify all the decisions I make, but I put them into consideration and make sure they work,” Aón explains. This approach reflects a deep commitment to effective visual storytelling and communication.
However, Aón also values flexibility and the ability to adapt during the creative process. “After a lot of practice, you can visualize pretty well what you want to do. Nevertheless, there’s always a difference between what I imagine and what appears on the paper. But it’s an ‘error’ that enriches the work,” he admits.
This willingness to embrace unexpected discoveries during the drawing process allows Aón to maintain freshness and spontaneity in his work, even within a framework of careful planning.
Cover of Sleeper (El Dormilón), with scripts by Rodolfo Santullo.
Want to perfect the art of balancing planning and spontaneity in your drawings? Explore more here and discover techniques to enhance your creativity.
The influence of pop culture and technology
Aón’s passion for computer science and video games, evident from his beginnings with the Mortal Kombat II comic, has subtly influenced his artistic style and approach. Although he prefers to maintain a more classic comic aesthetic in most of his works, he occasionally allows these influences to emerge more explicitly.
“Undoubtedly, I have an influence from computers, video games, and cinema, because I love them. But I barely let them out when I draw. I lean towards a more classic comic graphic, with line and black planes,” Aón explains.
However, in specific projects like “El Dormilón” (2013-2014), Aón allowed himself to explore these influences more openly. “I intentionally drew inspiration from the graphics of 80s home computers, like the Commodore 64, MSX, Spectrum, and CGA monitors. They were all my first experience with the cybernetic, and it was a way to mix the post-apocalyptic with cyberpunk,” he recalls.
Tribute to Robotech.
This ability to merge diverse influences, from classic comic aesthetics to technological nostalgia, demonstrates Aón’s versatility as an artist and his ability to adapt his style to the narrative needs of each project.
Interested in incorporating elements of pop culture into your art? Discover here how to do it effectively and create unique illustrations that capture the essence of your favorite influences.
The art of adaptation
Aón’s experience in adapting works from other media, such as Jorge Accame’s play “Venecia,” offers a fascinating perspective on the process of translating narratives between different forms of artistic expression.
For Aón, preparation for an adaptation project begins long before putting pencil to paper. “I work slowly, so while I’m doing one project, I have a lot of time to think about the next one. I solve many things in my head, and when it’s time to start drawing, I already have an idea of what I want,” he explains.
His approach to adaptations is characterized by seeking a balance between fidelity to the original work and contributing his own creative vision. “I prefer not to look at things similar to what I’m doing so that the influences aren’t too strong, and I try not to over-document myself. I try to let things appear distorted by my memories and imagination,” Aón reveals.
This method allows him to bring a fresh and personal perspective to the adapted work, avoiding mere visual reproduction of the original narrative. At the same time, Aón emphasizes the importance of planning and consistency in creating a comic book.
“To be able to finish a comic book, you need consistency and to regulate your effort. Making a comic is more like a marathon than a sprint,” he states, underlining the need to maintain a sustainable pace throughout the creative process.
Cover of The Last Days of Summer, with script by Rodolfo Santullo.
Interested in learning more about adapting stories to comic format? Click here to explore advanced techniques and take your narrative skills to the next level.
The completion process: a gradual journey
For Aón, the process of finishing a page or a complete project is more of a gradual journey than a definitive moment. His methodical and structured approach allows him to move fluidly between different stages of creation.
“The creative process of a page involves several steps, and I have them well differentiated. The sketch, pencil, lettering, ink-color. One step naturally leads to the next. Before I know it, I’m drawing the next page,” Aón explains.
This fluid transition between stages reflects the continuous nature of Aón’s creative process. There is no definitive moment of “completion,” but rather a series of milestones that mark the project’s progress.
Interestingly, Aón doesn’t have specific rituals to celebrate the completion of a project. “I don’t have any ritual, maybe because the creation processes are long and the completion of a comic is gradual, it’s not like scoring a goal. When you finish one stage, there’s another one waiting for you,” he reflects.
This perspective on completion as a gradual process rather than a punctual event offers an interesting insight into the nature of long-term creative work. It suggests that for Aón, the value lies in the continuous creative journey rather than in moments of culmination.
Tribute to Monkey Island.
Conclusion: An endless creative journey
Carlos Aón’s trajectory offers us a fascinating insight into the world of comics and illustration. From his self-taught beginnings to becoming an internationally recognized artist, Aón has demonstrated a constant capacity for adaptation, learning, and evolution.
His focus on collaboration, his openness to technological and cultural influences, and his dedication to visual storytelling are valuable lessons for any aspiring artist. The idea that “working with someone is an irreversible process” underscores the importance of connections and mutual learning in the creative world.
Aón’s journey reminds us that the art of comics is an ongoing process of discovery and growth. There is no definitive endpoint, but rather a series of stages that lead us to new challenges and creative opportunities.
For those inspired by Aón’s story and eager to embark on their own journey in the world of comics and illustration, we invite you to take the first step in your artistic adventure here. Discover tools, techniques, and resources that will help you develop your unique style and tell your own visual stories.
The world of comics is full of possibilities, and as Carlos Aón has shown us, every stroke, every collaboration, and every project is an opportunity to grow and evolve as an artist. Are you ready to begin your own creative journey?
