Art Of Drive: An Interview With Concept Artist Sergi Brosa

Our Art of Drive series interviews artists, designers and photographers to find out what inspires them.

Interview: Craig Metros

Illustrator and concept artist Sergi Brosa has developed his own stylised interpretations of apocalyptic worlds. His colourful graphic technique and awesome free hand sketches caught our attention. Sergi’s unique take on environmental, character, fashion, and vehicle design drew us in further. We were curious to know more about this provocative work. Tank Moto caught up with the young artist to find out what fuels his creativity and if his passion for two wheeled transport extends beyond the sketch pad.

Please give our readers an introduction to who you are, where you are from, and what you do?

I'm Sergi Brosa, a Spanish artist born in Barcelona. Currently, I am the creative director for Kemojo Studio. KS is an independent Canadian video games company.

When did you start drawing and how did your life as an artist and illustrator begin?

I started drawing during my childhood, but I took it serious after leaving a university career to seek my dream. Life in my country as an illustrator is not easy. It is hard to find good schools, and the industry is not very big here. So, it is really hard. I spent a few years in a drawing school before learning from my friends and the internet. I spent some years taking commission jobs before starting work on video games, where I feel really comfortable at this moment.

Do you prefer sketching on a tablet or sketch pad?

I almost forgot to draw on a sketch pad. I've spent the last seven years drawing on a Wacom tablet, so this is my favourite weapon right now.

Who and what have inspired you and influenced your work?

Influences can be infinite. During my childhood the TV anime Dragon Ball inspired me a lot. All my first drawings where Goku flying, Goku fighting, Goku, Goku, Goku..... Then during my teenage years I discovered the French comic industry with comics like Sky Doll. After that I spent many years wanting to make good French comics. No success there. At the same time I was a fan of a short adult Japanese anime series, Cowboy Bebop or FLCL. Of course, movies like Akira or Animatrix were also good references for me. I loved the stories on that anime series. After that, I discovered the art story boarding behind the video games and movies. I decided I wanted to do art for video games.

Other direct inspirations would be movies such as Mad Max and Waterworld. I also love the apocalyptic environments and weird people found in games like RAGE.

In addition to movies I am also inspired by music, fashion, vehicles and industry.

How would you describe your style and technique?

I guess the technical name could be something as French Anime. I mix the classic anime style (cell shading color, vivid colors, drawing with line art, free flowing movements and shapes) with the french style of comics (more natural anatomy, semi realistic shapes).

Your illustrations seem to portray sci-fi worlds and futuristic scenarios. Can you take us through the thinking and creative process behind these worlds and scenarios?

This is a difficult question. I start mainly by trying to emulate the styles I’ve seen in movies such as Mad Max and Waterworld. Then I always try to draw what I thought they could have done. I like bringing my own personality to the characters with many other things I'd like them to have. From there, I start creating a new universe. I have a full story for each character, but for now it must remain in secret. I will tell you that I want as these characters living on this universe to have lost all past culture and experiences, so they are living a new life in a new world.

From this base it should not be hard to imagine what sort of society they have established. New cities, new towns, new government, new rules. When everything is new a whole new world of possibilities is there to be used. So, many things can be accomplished with all of this.

I don't like to do things alone. I think teamwork is cool and working together with a partner is important to me. Sharing ideas is a good way to see your own mistakes as it brings the possibility to have new concepts to add to the story, environment, and characters. At this point in time, I am working with my studio matte Jean Paul Egred @999Pol. He is now a good friend of mine, we are like brothers. When we are together the work never stops. We could spend a whole week speaking about new ideas for anything and everything. We are a great team and are always open to hear other ideas from friends and work mates. Listening to everyone is important.

Tell us about some of your more interesting commissions that you have been requested to sketch?

Well maybe this one is not the most interesting, but it was important for me. I was asked to do an illustration for a helmet company called LS2. The briefing was, "do whatever you want to for teenagers”. These kind of jobs are always the best ones.

Another good one is a commission from years ago. I was asked to paint ten vertical backgrounds for an IOS (IPhone Operating System) game called Megajump. The interesting part about this, is that each background was blending with the next one, so at the end I had a really tall picture composed of ten backgrounds. Everyone was very happy with it.

Your figure drawing is exceptional. How long does each character take to finish?

Thank you. Two days is the normal time I spend on one character from sketch  anatomy, posing, costume design, coloring test and final art.

Many of your pieces include some form of transportation including bikes. Are you a motorcycle enthusiasts?

Yes I am. My father is a motorbike enthusiast. He taught me to ride motocross motorbikes when I was a kid. My brother was racing motorbikes, but I always preferred jumps, skids, and the smell of mud.

Sketching vehicles such as motorbikes, trucks, and cars is becoming a passion of mine. It started a few years ago. I would love to be hired to do the concepts for a motorbike, or any sort of crazy vehicle.

Is there something parked in your garage that you are passionate about?

I have a little Yamaha DTR in my garage. I've been looking to build a Scrambler Tracker, but it's not easy to find the space for it in Barcelona. However, I think I’ve found space so hopefully it will happen.

How is your technique and style evolving and changing over time?

I started painting more like digital brush painting. Then I tried to go back to the roots, and use line art for my drawings. Now I am trying to do a mix between both techniques, but I keep experimenting with them. I guess every project demands a different style. Changing and evolving styles is something that must be there. It’s fun, and I never get bored with one technique. I am now stuck in my regular character style, but I'm dying to have a new project where my style has to change a lot. That could be awesome.

What can we expect to see in the near future from Sergi Brosa?

My most loved project is an indie video game called Atomic Delivery. It should be produced by Kemojo Studio. All the apocalyptic stuff I draw and paint has gone into this project. But I can't tell more at this time.

I also have a side project with the collection of vinyl figures from my art. I am just developing the first one, and it should have it's own Kickstarter in some months.

Thanks guys for the interview. I'm really glad you want my work to be featured in your amazing motorbike magazine, and I hope people have fun reading and looking at my art.

This article first appeared in Tank Moto issue 07.

Follow Sergi: @sergi_brosa.