My first feature on the new book I’m illustrating for Malte Persson’s new story (Bonnier Carlsen, Sweden). It’s called Journey To The World’s Most Dangerous Country. ☛ Click Read More (below) to read the interview in English.

Name: Rui Tenreiro
Live in: Stockholm

I’ve illustrated: 
I’m currently finishing the illustrations for Malte Persson’s wonderful story, to be published by Bonnier Carlsen next year. Otherwise, I usually write and illustrate my own stories. They’re written for adults, but some of them could be read also by children.

Graphically, I thought it would be interesting to place Malte’s story in a place impossible to define. It contains elements from the cultures of several continents. So you might notice that a troll resembles a chinese dragon, dragons resemble bats, castle guards resemble Italian mamutones, and so on.
 

Technique: 
I draw with acrylic ink and colour with pastels. I work in several distinct stages. The parts that only I see are: writing the plot (when not working commercially), drawing ideas and making notes. The parts others may see, specially in commissioned works, are: sketch, black ink drawing, and final coloured drawing.

Rui describes his own illustration style like this: 
I’m so close to the work that I find it easier to talk about what other people say about it. I’ve been described as being influenced the French/Belgian tradition of ligne claire, or clear line. It must be true, somehow, because when I was a child I read many french and European comics (bande dessiné). 

Inspiration: 
I’m mostly inspired by films or musical pieces more than by graphic artists. But here are some graphic artists who inspire me: Bruegel, Moebius, Ivan Bilibin. There are many artists who produce inspiring work, but these are artists I find myself returning to.