Talking with the pros: Luis Guaragna, the artist who adapts his style to each story
The world of comics is full of extraordinary talents, and today we have the pleasure of delving into the creative mind of one of them. Luis Guaragna, an Argentine artist with a fascinating career, opens the doors to his creative universe in this exclusive interview. From his humble beginnings copying Condorito to collaborating with legends like John Carpenter, Guaragna has left his mark on the world of illustration and comics at an international level.
Get ready for a journey full of inspiration, revealing anecdotes, and valuable advice that will make you see the art of comics with new eyes. Are you ready to discover how an asthmatic child from Buenos Aires became a reference in the ninth art? Join us on this graphic adventure!
From Condorito to superheroes: The beginnings of a passionate artist
Luis Guaragna was born in Buenos Aires, but his talent has led him to cross borders, currently residing in Tromsø, Norway. His story with drawing began in childhood, as he tells us: “Comics, I’ve been drawing since I was a kid. Although at first, they were more like Prince Valiant style, an illustration with text below. I started by copying Condorito.”
Guaragna’s passion for drawing intensified due to his asthmatic condition, which often kept him at home. “Being asthmatic, I spent a lot of time at home, so starting to copy drawings from magazines and from there creating my own stories was a logical evolution, I guess,” the artist reflects.
His evolution as an artist was gradual but constant. From Condorito magazines, he moved on to superhero comics, and then to more demanding publications like Columba, Record, and Fierro. This process allowed him not only to improve his technique but also to discover that drawing could be more than just a hobby.
The decisive moment came when he read “El Eternauta, part 3” at the age of 10. “If I have to choose a work that blew my mind when I read it and understood that you could work doing this (because it was a work set in Argentina) it was El Eternauta,” Guaragna recalls. This experience was the catalyst that led him to seriously consider drawing as a professional career.
Guaragna’s story reminds us of the importance of constant practice and exposure to different styles to develop our artistic skills. If you’re looking to improve your drawing technique, click here to discover resources that will help you perfect your art.
La Productora: A publishing house born out of necessity and passion
In the 90s, when major Argentine publishers like Columba, Récord, and La Urraca were in decline, Guaragna and his colleagues faced a challenging landscape. The answer was the creation of “La Productora,” an independent publishing house that would mark a before and after in Guaragna’s career.
“By that time, the big publishers had gone bankrupt or were about to. That was a dead end. On the other hand, we all had the need to tell our own stories and the necessary unconsciousness to assume that we could do it at a professional level,” Guaragna explains about the motivations behind La Productora.
The experience at La Productora was fundamental for Guaragna’s professional development. “La Productora strengthened us as a group on a human level in a very strong way. The dream was beautiful, but the efforts and setbacks were also big. That toughens you up and makes you brothers with the guy who’s in the trenches,” the artist reflects.
One of the most enriching aspects of this stage was the teamwork dynamics. Guaragna highlights: “Part of the La Productora group had created a graphic agency called Haus, which worked producing comics and illustrations, mostly for the foreign market. There, a work dynamic was created in which we shared workspace and exchanged tasks on the production of jobs.”
This collaborative experience allowed Guaragna to experiment with different roles in comic production, from drawing to inking. “That dynamic, in my case, was very enriching, because it allowed me to experience what similarities and differences there were in my work compared to others, and that makes you see your work ‘from the outside’ so to speak,” the artist explains.
The story of La Productora teaches us the importance of collaboration and continuous learning in the art world. If you’re looking to improve your skills and connect with other artists, click here to explore a community of passionate artists.
From Argentina to Norway: A creative journey without borders
Guaragna’s path has taken him from Buenos Aires to Tromsø, Norway, where he currently resides. This geographical change has broadened his perspective on the international comic industry.
About the Norwegian comic market, Guaragna comments: “We’re talking about a country with its own language and a population of 5 million. That is, it’s a very, very small market. Even so, the high standard of living allows people to have accessory expenses such as entertainment.”
Despite the small size of the market, Guaragna has found interesting opportunities. Recently, he collaborated on the fantasy comic “Underbyen: Bergtatt,” with a script by Aleksander Kirkwood Brown. About this experience, the artist shares: “Aleksander, who is a well-known scriptwriter here, contacted me to propose the project. He’s a great guy who allows you to contribute ideas. The best thing that can happen to you is a scriptwriter open to the artist’s participation.”
Guaragna is enthusiastic about this project, especially for its focus on young audiences. “I really like working on stories for a young audience. Beyond the themes, building new worlds that you know kids receive with that desire for discovery and adventure,” he explains.
Guaragna’s versatility is reflected in his ability to adapt his style to different genres and audiences. “That was a lesson I learned from Old Breccia. Adapting the style to each work, that’s what it’s about. That is, for me, each story requires a specific atmosphere, a style, a different predisposition when facing the blank page,” the artist comments.
This adaptability is crucial in today’s comic industry. If you’re looking to develop your own style and learn how to adapt it to different genres, Want to improve your versatility as an artist? Explore more here.
The creative process of a comic master
One of the most fascinating aspects of Guaragna’s work is his methodical and adaptable approach to each project. The artist reveals his creative process:
- Script reading: “I receive the script and take into account the audience it’s aimed at and the type of story I perceive, the atmosphere it suggests to me.”
- Initial sketches: “I get an idea of how I visualize it by doing some sketches of characters and places.”
- Dialogue with the scriptwriter: “I show it to the scriptwriter, we discuss it.”
- Gathering references: “Then I prepare the references, which are fundamental once the ‘tone’ is decided. Everything goes in there, from movies to sculpture, painting, music, and of course comics.”
- Starting the work: “And from there I start.”
Guaragna emphasizes the importance of adapting the style to each story: “Obviously, I’m far from reaching the levels of excellence of Breccia, who had a plasticity typical of the genius he was, to adapt to each particular story. And maybe, someone who sees my work from the outside doesn’t notice much difference between comic and comic, but for me, there’s a whole previous work that I’m fully aware of.”
This flexibility not only enriches his work but also keeps his passion for drawing alive. “Besides, drawing always the same way is boring to me, and differentiating styles allows me to maintain motivation,” Guaragna adds.
Guaragna’s approach reminds us of the importance of preparation and research in the creative process. If you’re looking to improve your work process and develop a more effective method, discover techniques here to optimize your artistic workflow.
Lessons from a comic master
Throughout his career, Luis Guaragna has accumulated a wealth of knowledge and experiences that can be invaluable for aspiring comic artists. Here we present some of the most important lessons we can extract from his trajectory:
- The importance of constant practice: From his early days copying Condorito to his current professional work, Guaragna has never stopped practicing and improving his technique.
- Adaptability and versatility: His ability to adapt his style to different genres and audiences has been key to his professional success.
- Collaboration and mutual learning: Guaragna’s experience at La Productora demonstrates the value of teamwork and knowledge exchange among colleagues.
- Research and preparation: His methodical work process, which includes an extensive phase of research and gathering references, is fundamental to the quality of his works.
- Passion for the medium: Despite the challenges, Guaragna maintains his enthusiasm for comics, especially when it comes to creating for young audiences.
Guaragna’s trajectory inspires us to keep improving and adapting in the ever-changing world of comics. If you’re looking to take your skills to the next level, take the leap and boost your artistic career here.
Conclusion: An artistic journey that continues
Luis Guaragna’s story is a testament to the power of passion, perseverance, and adaptability in the world of comics. From his humble beginnings in Buenos Aires to his international success, Guaragna has shown that with dedication and a flexible approach, it’s possible to forge a successful career in this highly competitive industry.
His ability to adapt his style to different genres and audiences, his commitment to collaboration and continuous learning, and his unwavering passion for the medium are valuable lessons for any aspiring comic artist.
As Guaragna continues his creative journey in Norway, working on exciting projects like “Underbyen: Bergtatt,” he reminds us of the importance of staying open to new opportunities and challenges. His story inspires us to keep drawing, learning, and evolving on our own artistic path.
Are you ready to follow in the footsteps of artists like Luis Guaragna and take your art to the next level? Start your own artistic journey and unlock your creative potential here.
