Interview with Ulises Díaz López (Part 1): A Journey Through the World of Art and Illustration
Have you ever wondered what the life of a professional artist working for the world’s largest companies is like? What path does an illustrator follow from their first strokes to becoming a reference in their field? Get ready to immerse yourself in a fascinating story of creativity, perseverance, and passion for art.
In this exclusive interview, we delve into the creative universe of Ulises Díaz López, a talented artist born in 1991 in Buenos Aires. From his beginnings at the National University of the Arts to his experiences in Canada, Ulises has left his mark on various artistic media, especially standing out in the field of storyboarding and character design.
Join us on this journey through the mind of an artist who has managed to turn his passion into a successful career. Discover the secrets, challenges, and key moments that have shaped his trajectory. Are you ready to get inspired and, perhaps, discover your own path in the world of art? Click here to start your creative adventure.
By Chuky Rossi
From Amateur to Professional: The Evolution of an Exceptional Artist
Welcome to a new installment of our exclusive interviews for TFC. Today, we’ll immerse ourselves in the fascinating creative world of Ulises Díaz López, known on social media as LucyWayne (Behance) and lookdyl (Instagram). This young artist, born in 1991 in Buenos Aires, has achieved what many dream of: working for the world’s largest companies with his talent and creativity.
From his studies at the National University of the Arts to his experiences in Canada, Ulises has explored various artistic media, particularly standing out in the field of storyboarding and character design. His trajectory is a testament to how passion, combined with dedication and skill, can open doors in the creative industry.
Throughout this interview, Ulises will take us on a journey from his first steps in art to his most recent projects. He will share his experiences working in studios, his insights on different artistic media, and the challenges he has faced in his career. If you’re an aspiring artist or simply someone fascinated by the creative process, this interview will provide you with a unique and valuable perspective.
The First Strokes of a Brilliant Career
When we asked Ulises about the beginnings of his artistic career, his response transports us to a crucial moment in every artist’s life: the transition from amateur to professional.
“I think my 24 years mark more the professional part, which was when I entered my first studio,” Ulises recalls. “That’s where I started doing storyboards and illustrations. Everything before that was very sporadic and scattered, like murals or illustrations on request.”
This leap into the professional world wasn’t sudden. Before that, Ulises had already done commissioned work for companies, mainly brand designs. However, as he admits, this first stage wasn’t very consistent. “I think what I did most was attend the university of arts,” he adds, underlining the importance of academic training in his development.
The transition from hobby to profession is a crucial step for any artist. It requires not only talent but also dedication, persistence, and the ability to adapt to market demands. Are you ready to take your passion for drawing to the next level? Discover how here.
The Awakening of an Innate Talent
Ulises’ story as an artist begins long before his entry into the professional world. Like many great talents, his skills manifested from an early age, surprising those around him.
“I have memories of my mother telling me to paint the wall, or when I drew my father’s ID in kindergarten,” Ulises recounts. “They told me I drew very well for my age, that I handled volumes. It was unusual for someone so young.”
However, as often happens with many talented children, Ulises didn’t give much importance to these skills for a while. It wasn’t until adolescence that he decided to take his talent seriously. “I kept drawing until I was 15, when I said, ‘Well, maybe I want to learn a bit more’ and that’s when I started at a drawing school,” he recalls.
Interestingly, his entry into the world of formal drawing was through comics, not by choice, but by circumstance. “I started with comics because, apparently, the drawing course wasn’t available, I don’t know what was happening, and they accepted me in the comics course,” he explains. This coincidence turned out to be a turning point in his career. “I had no approach to comics, suddenly I arrived there and said ‘I like it, it’s like telling things with drawings, like sequencing them’. And that’s where the comics thing came from.”
Ulises’ story reminds us that innate talent is just the beginning. Real growth as an artist comes from the conscious decision to develop that talent, to seek opportunities to learn and improve. Do you feel you have a hidden talent for drawing? Explore your potential here.
From Newsstand to Library: The Evolution of a Comic Reader
Ulises’ path in the world of comics didn’t begin with European classics or independent works, but with the superheroes that dominated the newsstands in his neighborhood. This progression from mainstream to more diverse works is a common journey for many comic lovers, and Ulises describes it with a mix of nostalgia and appreciation for his growth as a reader and artist.
“Before that, I read very mainstream things,” Ulises recalls. “I don’t remember at what age, but I was a bit younger when I discovered there were Marvel comics at the neighborhood newsstand. I think I must have been about 12 when I saw there were comics and started consuming Marvel.”
This first exposure to superhero comics was crucial in awakening his interest in the medium. “It was mostly what was available. Later, DC things started to arrive, but I always liked Marvel much more for the stories,” Ulises explains, revealing how these early readings shaped his initial preferences.
However, it was his entry into the comics course that really broadened his horizons regarding graphic narrative. “With the comics course, I became familiar with Moebius or Corto Maltese, because my teacher would send you to read graphic narrative works and European comics,” Ulises recounts. This exposure to different styles and narratives was fundamental to his development as an artist. “It’s good, because otherwise, you’d just stick with Daredevil or Spider-Man.”
Ulises’ evolution as a comic reader reflects an important aspect of artistic growth: the importance of expanding our influences and references. Moving from mainstream comics to more diverse works not only enriches our appreciation of the medium but also provides us with new tools and perspectives for our own creative work.
From Panel to Storyboard: A Creative Leap
Ulises’ transition from the world of comics to storyboards marks a turning point in his career, illustrating how skills acquired in one medium can be adapted and applied in another. This experience offers us a valuable lesson about the versatility and adaptability necessary in the world of commercial art.
“I entered the studio right for an advertisement for River Plate club, in which they were launching the new shirt. It was an advertisement for Adidas,” Ulises recalls. This project not only marked his entry into the professional world but also confronted him with new creative challenges. “It was very crazy, because River’s shirt had to be like sculpted in 3D, they weren’t using the real shirt, so we had to plan all that.”
Ulises reflects on the differences between comics and storyboards, highlighting how each medium has its own demands and narrative tools. “Comics have a matter of telling with images and sequentially, but for storyboards, you have to make a passage closer to video and film,” he explains. “There you have a factor that is audio, there are also resources like camera movements, or movements themselves, which will also affect the work, like movement within the frame.”
This comparison between comics and storyboards reveals the additional complexity involved in working in audiovisual media. While comics allow total control over the reading pace and composition of each page, storyboards must anticipate movement, sound, and screen time.
“That, perhaps, in comics is much more ‘static’. You can have movement, but in a different way,” Ulises adds. “They are different tools, they are analogous and brother languages, but each has its own richness.”
Ulises’ experience shows us how fundamental drawing and visual narrative skills can be applied in various creative fields. The ability to adapt to different media and requirements is an invaluable skill in the world of commercial art, where versatility can open many doors.
Interested in exploring different forms of visual storytelling? Expand your skills here.
The Synergy between Comics and Storyboards: Building on Solid Foundations
When asked if his experience in comics helped him with storyboard work, Ulises offers a fascinating perspective on how different forms of visual art intertwine and complement each other. His response reveals how the consumption of visual media and practice in one field can provide a solid foundation for success in others.
“I think we inherently have a whole consumption of movies and visual arts where we learn,” Ulises reflects. This observation underscores the importance of being an active and critical consumer of visual art in all its forms, whether cinema, television, comics, or fine arts. Each visual experience contributes to our intuitive understanding of composition and narrative.
Specifically about comics, Ulises points out: “In comics, we learn a kind of basic part, like camera framing, which is also shared with film.” This transfer of skills between media is crucial. The principles of composition, framing, and visual storytelling learned in creating comics are directly applicable to storyboard work.
“So, I had that a bit: what proportion of the frame you’re using, what you’re filling it with, how much air you leave, the composition, etc.,” Ulises explains. These fundamental elements of visual design are universal, applicable to both a comic page and a film shot.
However, Ulises also recognizes that storyboarding has its own unique demands. “To that, you might have to add other things. I had to do quite a bit of storyboarding for what’s called an explainer, a video that explains something, usually requested by companies to explain things.” This type of work requires additional skills, such as the ability to create dynamic transitions to maintain viewer interest.
“What matters most in an explainer is making dynamic transitions, so you don’t get bored listening to a video that explains how Coca-Cola is made, you know? Each storyboard has its own thing, but they share the same base.”
Ulises’ experience reminds us that, although each medium has its particularities, the fundamental skills of visual storytelling are transferable. The ability to tell stories visually, whether in comics or storyboards, is based on common principles of composition, rhythm, and narrative clarity.
Want to perfect your visual storytelling skills? Discover resources and techniques here.
Exploring the World of Concept Art and Character Design
Ulises’ versatility as an artist becomes evident when we talk about his experience in concept art and character design. These areas, although related to his previous work, present their own challenges and creative opportunities.
“I did, but more of the grayscale type,” Ulises comments on his experience in concept art. “I did quite a bit of character design, I also like this quite a lot”. This preference for character design is not surprising, considering his background in comics, where creating memorable characters is fundamental.
Ulises summarizes his professional experience: “I think what I did most in proportion was storyboards, character design, concept, loose illustrations, and all that kind of stuff”. This diversity of projects demonstrates the importance of being versatile in the creative industry, where the ability to adapt to different styles and formats is highly valued.
When asked if his character designs are personal projects or for companies, Ulises reveals the varied nature of his work: “I’ve been asked for within the studio, for advertising pieces, that kind of thing”. This experience in commercial design is invaluable, as it requires not only creativity but also the ability to work within the specific constraints and requirements of a client.
Interestingly, Ulises also mentions his experience in set design: “At one point I also did set design. For example, when we were in the studio, MTV would come and say, ‘We have this awards show, we need to propose set design ideas,’ so we would put it together and think of ideas”.
This type of conceptual work is fascinating because it requires a combination of creativity and practicality. As Ulises clarifies: “All very conceptual, because I didn’t choose the type of wood that went on the set”. His role was to provide the initial creative vision, which would then be refined and executed by other professionals.
Ulises’ experience in these various areas of visual art demonstrates the importance of being versatile and open to new challenges in the creative industry. Each project, whether a storyboard, a character design, or a set concept, offers the opportunity to learn and grow as an artist.
Interested in exploring different areas of visual art? Discover how to develop your skills here.
A Glimpse into the Future: What Awaits Us in Part Two
This is where the first part of our fascinating interview with Ulises Díaz López ends. But don’t worry, there’s much more to come. In the second part of this interview, Ulises will share some valuable tips for designing characters, tell us about the tools he uses in his daily work, and give us a unique insight into his experience as a university professor.
Get ready to dive even deeper into the creative world of this talented artist. You’ll discover how Ulises approaches the challenging process of character design, what software and techniques he prefers to bring his ideas to life, and how he transmits his knowledge and passion to the next generation of artists in the university classroom.
Don’t miss this opportunity to learn from a professional who has managed to turn his passion into his career. The second part of the interview is full of valuable insights that will inspire you and help you on your own artistic journey.
Eager to keep learning? Explore additional resources to improve your artistic skills here.
Conclusion: An Inspiring Artistic Journey
The story of Ulises Díaz López is a testament to the power of passion, dedication, and versatility in the world of art. From his early childhood sketches to his professional work for major brands, Ulises has taken us on a fascinating journey through the various aspects of illustration and visual design.
We’ve seen how his love for comics evolved into a multifaceted career spanning storyboards, character design, and concept art. His ability to adapt to different media and requirements demonstrates the importance of flexibility in today’s creative industry.
Ulises’ experiences remind us that an artist’s path is one of constant learning and growth. Whether drawing superheroes in his youth or designing sets for MTV, each project has been an opportunity to refine his skills and expand his creative horizons.
If you’re an aspiring artist, Ulises’ story can be a source of inspiration and guidance. It shows us that with passion, consistent practice, and the willingness to embrace new challenges, it’s possible to forge a successful career in the world of art and design.
We invite you to reflect on your own artistic journey. What steps can you take today to move closer to your creative goals? Remember, every great artist started with a simple stroke. Ready to take the next step in your artistic development? Start your journey here.
Don’t forget to come back for the second part of this interview, where Ulises will share more details about his creative process and his experience as an educator. Until next time!
