Interview with Ulises Díaz López (Part 2): Revealing the Secrets of a Multifaceted Artist

Have you ever wondered how a young artist manages to work for the world’s most important advertising companies? Or how characters that captivate millions are designed? In this second part of our exclusive interview with Ulises Díaz López, a talented 31-year-old artist, we will uncover the secrets behind his success and his creative process.

Get ready to immerse yourself in Ulises’ fascinating world, where creativity merges with technique, and art comes to life in multiple formats. From his methods for designing characters to his experience in creating murals, to his role as a university professor, this interview will reveal little-known aspects of the life of an artist in constant evolution.

Are you ready to discover the tools used by a professional illustrator? Are you intrigued to know how the sneakers you see in advertisements are designed? Join us on this journey through the creative mind of Ulises Díaz López and prepare to be inspired by his advice and experiences. Don’t miss a single detail of this interview that promises to unveil the secrets of success in the world of art and advertising!

By Chuky Rossi

From Paper to Screen: The Creative Process of a Versatile Artist

We continue our fascinating conversation with Ulises Díaz López, a professional artist whose talent has transcended borders and mediums. In this second part, Ulises opens the doors of his virtual studio to share his character design methods, the tools that bring his creations to life, and how he has managed to translate his art from small sketches to imposing urban murals.

If you’ve ever wondered how the magic behind sneaker advertisements that capture your attention is created, or how an artist manages to convey emotions through their characters, you’re about to find out. Get ready for an inspiring journey through the creative process of one of the industry’s most promising talents. Here we go!

From Idea to Character: The Art of Bringing Concepts to Life

When it comes to designing characters, Ulises Díaz López follows a meticulous process that combines the client’s vision with his own creativity. “The first thing I look for is for the client to pass me information about what they want,” Ulises explains. “If there’s a Moodboard, even better. It’s a file where there are aesthetic and conceptual references of where we want to go.”

This initial approach is crucial to establish a clear direction. If a Moodboard doesn’t exist, Ulises takes the initiative to create one himself. “I look for images or things, and I say ‘It can go this way, with this line style, with this body style’,” he comments. Once he gets approval to move forward, the real creative process begins.

Ulises’ methodology is a perfect example of how professional artists approach complex projects. He starts with general ideas and gradually moves towards specific details. “You start from the general, and you move towards the particular,” he explains. “You can even choose: ‘I like the head of this sketch, but the body of the other, and the sword that the other one has.’ Then you start putting together, making a kind of selection.”

This flexibility and ability to combine elements from different concepts is what distinguishes an expert character designer. Want to perfect your character design skills? Discover specialized resources here to take your creations to the next level.

Ulises highlights the importance of the exploratory phase in each project. “The projects themselves are quite different, and they might be looking for other things. I really like the exploratory part of that, and starting to propose ideas.” This openness to experimentation and the ability to adapt to different styles and requirements is what has allowed Ulises to stand out in the advertising and design industry.

From Canvas to Wall: The Transformative Experience of Mural Art

Ulises Díaz López’s versatility extends beyond paper and screen. His experience in creating murals offers a unique perspective on how art can transform spaces and challenge artists to think big, literally.

“It’s another world,” Ulises reflects on his experience with murals. “It’s taking a drawing to a much larger scale.” This transition from small formats to enormous surfaces not only involves a change in scale but a complete transformation in the way of approaching art.

What impacted Ulises the most was how the process of creating murals involves the artist’s entire body. “When you make a mural, your whole body is drawing,” he explains enthusiastically. This physical experience of art is something that cannot be replicated in smaller formats and offers a completely new perspective on the creative process.

Ulises vividly describes the experience of painting on scaffolding and using extenders to reach distant areas. “When you’re there drawing, it seems like your own body is also the tool itself, because they are very long strokes,” he comments. This physical connection with the artwork creates an immersive experience for both the artist and the viewer.

Creating murals also requires a new way of perceiving and executing art. Ulises recalls situations where he had to “run 5 meters, look from afar and come back” to make sure the composition worked on a large scale. This iterative process of constant creation and evaluation is crucial in mural art.

Although Ulises doesn’t see a direct connection between creating murals and his work in smaller formats, the experience has undoubtedly enriched his artistic perspective. Interested in exploring different artistic techniques? Click here to discover new creative possibilities and expand your horizons as an artist.

The Tools of the Trade: Navigating the Digital World of Art

In the digital era, an artist’s tools have evolved significantly, and Ulises Díaz López is at the forefront of this transformation. His creative arsenal is a mix of specialized software that allows him to bring his ideas to life with precision and flexibility.

“Now I’m working more in digital,” Ulises reveals. His main tool is Photoshop, a versatile software that allows him to create detailed illustrations and perform complex edits. But his toolkit doesn’t stop there. For specific storyboard projects, Ulises uses StoryboardPro, an application designed specifically for visual narrative planning.

Recently, Ulises has begun to explore ClipStudio, a platform gaining popularity among digital illustrators for its ability to emulate traditional drawing and painting techniques. This combination of tools allows him to adapt to the specific demands of each project, whether it’s illustration, character design, or visual storytelling.

Despite his primarily digital focus, Ulises hasn’t completely abandoned traditional methods. “Once in a while, I use a small sketchbook,” he mentions, highlighting the importance of maintaining a connection with the roots of hand drawing.

For animation projects, Ulises incorporates ToonBoom into his arsenal, a leading software in the 2D animation industry. This versatility in the use of digital tools allows him to tackle a wide range of projects, from static illustrations to dynamic animations.

Ulises’ ability to master these digital tools is a testament to the importance of staying updated in a constantly evolving field. Want to improve your digital skills in art? Explore specialized resources here to master the tools used by professionals.

From Artist to Mentor: Ulises’ Teaching Facet

Ulises Díaz López’s trajectory is not limited to his work as an artist; his passion for sharing knowledge has led him to embrace university teaching. This new facet of his career not only enriches his own experience but also allows him to train the next generation of visual artists.

At La Matanza University, Ulises took on the challenge of being a chair professor in two commissions. “I really liked it,” he shares enthusiastically. “It’s different from being a teaching assistant because you have to define everything, set up the program, etc.” This jump from assistant to chair represented a new challenge for Ulises, who had to configure the program and propose the guidelines for the entire course.

The transition to teaching was a pleasant surprise for Ulises. “This year was surprising to do that, to sit down and define those things,” he reflects. Although he came to teaching “partly by chance,” Ulises recognizes that he was always attracted to the idea of sharing knowledge. “I always liked that explanatory thing in museums, that you have a good time, and that you take something away,” he comments, relating his interest in teaching to his fascination with guided tours in museums.

Ulises’ teaching style reflects his creative personality and practical approach to art. “I have moments when I’m very funny,” he admits, highlighting the importance of maintaining a relaxed and stimulating environment in the classroom. His teaching method combines theory with practice, alternating between theoretical classes and drawing sessions.

During the pandemic, Ulises and his team adapted their approach to maintain student engagement in a virtual environment. “We take a break, send them to draw, come back, and they show us,” he explains, describing how they structured classes to avoid screen fatigue and encourage active practice.

A crucial aspect of his pedagogical approach is the emphasis on individual creativity. “The last part of the quarter focused more on them developing their story, with a character,” Ulises shares. This focus on original creation was very well received by the students. “Everyone liked that ‘I made something of my own, not something copied’,” he adds proudly.

Ulises’ experience as a teacher not only enriches his students but also feeds his own artistic practice. Interested in developing your artistic skills in a structured way? Discover here how you can do it and take the next step in your creative journey.

Overcoming Challenges: The Path to Artistic Mastery

Even the most talented artists face challenges on their path to excellence. Ulises Díaz López, with all his experience and skill, is no exception. When asked about what has been most difficult for him to learn to draw, his answer is revealing and relatable to many developing artists.

“I don’t know if I could solve it,” Ulises admits with a laugh, demonstrating that learning is an ongoing process even for established professionals. “I’m much more about the line, and about proposing volumes with planes and lines, and I struggle more with what is chiaroscuro, values.”

This confession from Ulises underlines an important aspect of artistic development: each artist has their strengths and areas for improvement. For Ulises, the challenge lies not so much in seeing values and chiaroscuro, but in “proposing it, and making it look like a solid drawing, rather than like a potato.”

This struggle with specific aspects of drawing is common among artists, and Ulises’ honesty about it is refreshing and encouraging for those in the early stages of their artistic journey. It shows that even successful professionals continue to work on improving their skills.

On the other hand, Ulises finds pleasure and ease in other aspects of drawing. “I like drawing characters, I even like drawing hands,” he shares. Hands, often considered one of the most challenging elements to draw, are an area of comfort for Ulises.

When asked for advice on drawing hands, Ulises offers a practical suggestion: “What I saw most at the beginning was a certain structure, but what I did most was observe my own hand and copy it.” This approach of direct observation and constant practice is valuable advice for any artist looking to improve their skills.

In addition to hands, Ulises enjoys drawing “torsos and faces,” and finds special pleasure in “proposing the clothing of the characters, looking for clothing references.” This passion for details and fashion is reflected in his distinctive style, especially in his urban character designs.

From Sketch to Runway: The Art of Designing Urban Fashion

Urban style is a distinctive feature in Ulises Díaz López’s work, especially when it comes to designing clothing for his characters. This inclination towards urban fashion not only adds authenticity to his creations but has also opened doors for him in the world of fashion advertising.

“It’s something I really like,” Ulises confesses about his fondness for urban style. This passion led him to a unique experience: sneaker design. “At one point, I had to design a kind of sneakers,” he recalls, highlighting how his personal interest aligned with exciting professional opportunities.

To prepare for this challenge, Ulises immersed himself in the world of footwear design. “I saw a documentary on Netflix called Abstract,” he shares. “There’s a chapter about a very well-known sneaker designer named Tinker Hatfield, who made the Nike Airs.” This study of footwear design masters was instrumental for Ulises in his approach to the project.

Ulises’ experience in sneaker design perfectly illustrates how artists can expand their skills and apply them in unexpected fields. His ability to adapt his artistic style to the specific demands of product design demonstrates the versatility required in the world of commercial art.

This intersection between illustrative art and fashion design is a fascinating example of how artists can influence popular culture and the fashion industry. Interested in exploring how your art can impact different industries? Discover more here about how to broaden your artistic horizons.

Lessons from a Master: Advice for Developing Artists

Throughout our conversation with Ulises Díaz López, we have gathered valuable pearls of wisdom that can benefit artists of all levels. Here we present some of the most outstanding tips:

1. Constant observation and practice: Ulises emphasizes the importance of observing and practicing regularly, especially when it comes to challenging elements like hands.
2. Exploration of different media: From digital drawing to murals, Ulises demonstrates that exploring various media can greatly enrich your artistic practice.
3. Adaptability: Ulises’ ability to adapt to different styles and project requirements is key to his professional success.
4. Continuous learning: Even as an established professional, Ulises continues to learn and improve his skills, reminding us that artistic growth is a lifelong process.
5. Fusion of passions: Ulises’ interest in urban fashion has successfully integrated into his work, demonstrating how our personal passions can enrich our artistic practice.

These tips are not only valuable for those aspiring to a career in illustration or design but for anyone seeking to develop their creativity and artistic skills. Ready to take your art to the next level? Enter here to access resources that will help you on your artistic journey.

Conclusion: Art as a Journey of Continuous Discovery

Our interview with Ulises Díaz López has taken us on a fascinating journey through the world of a multifaceted artist. From his methods for designing captivating characters to his experience in creating impressive murals, to his foray into fashion design and his role as an educator, Ulises has offered us a comprehensive vision of what it means to be a professional artist in today’s world.

We have learned that the artist’s path is one of constant evolution and learning. Ulises has shown us that even established professionals continue to face challenges and seek ways to improve their skills. His honesty about his own struggles and successes isinspiring and encouraging for artists at all stages of their careers.

Ulises’ versatility, his ability to adapt to different media and styles, and his willingness to explore new areas such as teaching, are qualities that every aspiring artist should aim to develop. His focus on observation, constant practice, and exploration of different techniques and tools are valuable lessons for anyone looking to improve their art.

Perhaps the most important lesson we can draw from Ulises’ experience is the importance of following our passions and allowing them to influence our work. Whether designing sneakers or creating characters with urban style, Ulises has demonstrated how our personal interests can converge with our professional careers in exciting and unexpected ways.

For those inspired by Ulises’ journey and eager to embark on their own artistic path, let’s remember that every stroke, every sketch, and every project is an opportunity to grow and improve. Are you ready to take the next step in your artistic journey? Click here to discover resources that will help you develop your skills and achieve your creative goals.

We thank Ulises Díaz López for sharing his time, knowledge, and experiences with us. His story is a testament to the power of art to transform lives and careers. May his example serve as inspiration for all those who dream of making art their passion and profession.

Until the next interview, where we will continue exploring the fascinating world of art and creativity!