Drawing inspiration from fanzines and small alternative publications, Barcelona-born comics artist Francesc Estrada’s love of the underground oozes into his illustrations. Printed on paper zines, it’s hard to pinpoint the subject matter of his works, but perhaps medieval aliens locked in early video games best describes it.

Before his delight in creating comics materialised, Estrada started his formal education with a university degree in film. “Then I got a postgraduate degree in creative illustration in Barcelona because I realised that drawing and making comics was my passion and what I wanted to dedicate myself to,” he says.

A comic purist, Estrada naturally prefers traditional techniques: “Especially in the first part of my work, as I draw with pencil on paper and then go over it with ink. In the end, I digitise the process and add the final touches on the computer.”

Given Estrada’s use of traditional techniques, it’s no surprise he doesn’t like using AI. “I prefer to see the human process and the imperfections in artistic work,” he explains. “Art is very personal, and AI takes a bit of the soul out of things.”

While he agrees that it’s always good to have personal projects aside from commissions and assignments (“they may be set aside for a time, they can be revisited later”), he is most motivated by commissions for magazines, newspapers, or book-type publications. “They are often the ones I enjoy working on the most and are also the best paid.”

Estrada has published his risograph illustrations through Jumbopress, Apa-apa Comics and Magma Bruta. He has also worked and collaborated on illustrations and comics for DIY Art Market, Máquina Total, So Young Magazine and Wobby Magazine, and exhibited his work at Fatbottom in Barcelona and RFI in Hamburg.

Thanks to Instagram and social media, the illustrator doesn’t struggle to find commissions, but he admits it’s also very helpful to network, attend fairs, and meet people.

Estrada does struggle with self-motivation and self-belief, however. “Believing in oneself can sometimes be challenging because we tend to undervalue ourselves and think that what we do isn’t worth much,” he reflects. “It’s important to break this barrier and trust in oneself. Even though it may seem easy, it’s not always that simple.”

While Estrada is comfortable in the comic realm, he feels pressure to move beyond the discipline. “It’s important not to stagnate in a technique or style and to continue evolving and trying new things. Although it can be challenging, I believe it’s essential to keep evolving and testing new skills,” he says.

As Estrada traverses the underground comic genre, he tries to listen to himself and revisit his past projects to help keep his work original. “However, it’s sometimes inevitable to be influenced by the work of other artists you admire,” he admits.

As the illustrator reflects on his art career thus far, his most significant learning is doing things for himself and trying to have fun. “It’s essential not to lose the fun aspect of our work and to remember that, in the end, we do things because we enjoy doing them,” he says.

@francescestrada