How the creative mind works. By makers of CreativeMindClass — #1 Platform for Creating and Selling Online Courses.
Marc David Spengler, is an illustrator known for his bold and geometric drawings rooted in graffiti. His art is characterized by its use of abstract shapes and bright color combinations, which he balances to create harmony in his compositions. Marc's illustrations are not pre-planned, but rather an impulsive reaction to shapes and colors that he has previously drawn. He is constantly reacting to the previously drawn shapes, making the creation process of his geometric illustrations an exciting and unpredictable journey.
Marc's work has been featured in exhibitions, brand collaborations, and sketchbooks. He is currently studying communication design at the Academy of Fine Arts in Stuttgart, where he is learning to develop his skills under the guidance of Patrick Thomas. His illustrations are highly imaginative and often include optical illusions, fake shadows, and transformations from flatness to spatiality.
We invite you to read the exclusive interview with illustrator Mark David Spengler, where he shares his unique artistic process, the inspiration behind his bold and geometric imaginary drawings, and his journey as an artist. Discover the secrets of how he creates his mesmerizing illustrations, his tips for aspiring illustrators, and his thoughts on the role of graffiti in his art. Don't miss this opportunity to gain insight into the mind of a talented and innovative illustrator. Join us as we delve into the world of geometric illustrations and explore the work of Marc David Spengler.
Abstract illustrations: bold and geometric imaginary drawings deeply rooted in graffiti
An integral part of the creation process of geometric illustrations is the anticipation of unknown outcomes. Marc emphasises that every shape and every colour choice is an impulsive reaction to those shapes and colours previously drawn. Optical illusions, fake shadows, the transformation from flatness to spatiality, seemingly simple details - when presented at Ampersand Gallery in Portland last year, they mesmerised the viewer.
When it comes to my style I work with abstract geometric shapes and bright colour combinations
I'm no longer an artist doing real graffiti today, but I'm observing geometric shapes every day through social media, magazines, and books. When I finished school in 2014, I started studying communication design at the Academy of Fine Arts in Stuttgart, where I'm still studying today in the class of Patrick Thomas.
I'm working with abstract geometric shapes and bright colour combinations that I balance in a self-given frame
Besides my studies, I'm working on exhibitions, brand collaborations, and my sketchbooks. When it comes to my illustration style, I'm mostly working with abstract geometric shapes and bright colour combinations that I try to balance in a self-given frame. My goal for every composition that I'm working on is to create harmony.
What's the key to making your illustrations?
To make geometric art, I'm not doing a pencil drawing beforehand, so a lot of my drawings are imaginary. I like to start working on the outside by drawing a background silhouette, and then I imagine what could be on the inside. So I'm constantly reacting to the previously drawn shapes, which makes it very interesting to me because I also don't know how it's going to look like in the end.
I prefer making small geometric illustrations because I have a better overview of the composition and tend not to overload it by adding too many details. When I'm drawing, I also like to play with the given parameters, like adding an unrealistic shadow or creating an optical illusion, because everything is possible in the two-dimensional world.
My tips for geometric illustrations
Marc's advice for creating geometric illustrations is to not use a pencil drawing beforehand, start working on the outside by drawing a background silhouette, imagine what could be on the inside, play with the given parameters, aim for creating harmony and constantly react to the previously drawn.
He also suggests working with small drawings to have a better overview of the composition and avoid overloading it with too many details.
- No pencil drawing beforehand.
- Start working on the outside by drawing a background silhouette.
- Imagine what could be on the inside.
- Don't overload it by adding too many details.
- Play with the given parameter.
- Add an unrealistic shadow or creating an optical illusion.
- Aim for creating harmony.
- Constantly react to the previously drawn.
- Do small drawings.
Illustrator + Designer
Marc David Spengler
My name is Marc David Spengler, I'm 25 years old, and I'm living in a suburb of Stuttgart, Germany. Since I was a little child, I've always been drawing a lot. I remember when I was in fifth grade, I wrote that my career aspiration was to become a car designer. A little bit later, when I was 12, I discovered the world of graffiti, which has been a huge inspiration source for me ever since.
Prints of Marc's abstract illustrations are available from Big Cartel, and you can keep up with his latest artwork on Instagram.
