Mattias Adolfsson
Illustrator
Sigtuna, Sweden
Recommended by Paolo Rui
A vocation from childhood
- Mattias has been drawing since he was a child
- He likes to draw directly with ink
- Travelling is what inspires his work
Mattias Adolfsson holds a Master's degree in Fine Arts and Graphic Design from the University of Gothenburg and has had very little formal training in his craft. He has taught himself most of his skills. “I started as a freelance illustrator in 2007. Before that, I had been working in the computer game industry for around 12 years. I started getting commission work while still working at my job,” he says. These commissions have come from many varied clients, ranging from leading international magazines and animation studios to international advertising agencies. "With my personal art, I have managed to gain a large international audience. I have produced books and products and been invited to festivals, workshops, and exhibitions all over the world, making it possible for me to meet other artists and great friends on a global scale,” explains Mattias.
INTERVIEW
The profession chose me, I guess. But I suppose it was always my dream to become an artist, and I am very happy it was possible.
I was advised not to become an artist as the future prospects I was led to believe were pretty dire, so I tried a range of different professions and educations, but in the end, I became an artist anyway.
Ever since I started, I have been using more or less the same technique I used as a child: a pen and some colours. Even though I have transitioned from coloured pens to fountain pens and watercolours, the techniques are more or less the same as they ever were.
The actual process of drawing fills me with a great feeling, and the fact that I have been able to find an audience who enjoys the things I do has made it possible to make a viable profession out of it. Travelling and meeting other artists worldwide has also been very rewarding.
