Illustrator Hagen Schönfeld's interesting compositions
Berlin-based illustrator Hagen Schönfeld has been working for around six years and his style takes a fairly graphic approach with a portion of surreality. “I am inspired by many things. I look for things in the streets and in nature, sketch them or take photos, ”explains Schönfeld. “Of course, I'm also inspired by other artists from different ages and media. There's just so much out there. "
The precise nature of the illustrator's work is the most fascinating, and his works are full of strange little characters accompanied by various forms in appealing compositions. Schönfeld's customers are mainly in the music scene and he creates album covers, flyers and posters for a number of bands, producers, DJs and festivals.
“In the beginning, most of my customers were friends and acquaintances of mine, many of them still are,” he says. “I was lucky enough to meet great musicians and festival organizers. It enabled me to start doing commercial work like posters and album covers, and then things started to develop. I became more confident and my work caught the attention of other people on the scene. "
The illustrator's compositions are well suited to the narrow boundaries of album covers and posters with muted sherbet tones against a cream-colored background and black lines. "I am pleased to see my personal work in combination with typography and specific information, especially on posters," says Schönfeld. "It is a pleasure to see how my work supports another artistic project."
Irrespective of the project, Schönfeld starts working in his sketchbook. "Depending on the project's guidelines or how freely I can choose images, I work more intuitively or rationally," he explains. "I usually draw in my sketchbook. These drawings often turn out to be complicated works instead of sketches. I rarely just sketch. "
Schönfeld usually works with an ink pen, also because it does not allow corrections and maintains this hand-drawn quality. Once the drawings are done, it's time to add color. “In the past two years I have scanned my work a lot and colored it further on the computer. But lately I've been trying to go back to analog coloring, ”says the illustrator.
Working freelance means that Schönfeld's income depends on the work he does, which can put a little pressure on it. “Sometimes it is difficult not to lose a playful approach and not compare yourself to others, not to take yourself and the work I do too seriously, but still serious enough to continue,” explains Schönfeld. “Self-discipline and the pressure to work alone can sometimes be difficult. In addition to monetizing my craft, it is sometimes strangely confusing to make it a service and a business. "
On the other hand, Schönfeld was able to explore his passion because he had time to improve his craft. "What I like best is the abundance of possibilities and the opportunity to explore different media, formats and materials," says the illustrator.
instagram.com/hagenschoenfeld