Imagination, technique and lots of colour: Interview with Laufer
Although their technique has evolved over time, the illusion of Laufer when facing a new project remains the same.
She has gone from making drawings for her friends at school to illustrating for major publishing houses with the same mindset: projecting onto paper – or the screen – what her audience wants to see. What will they learn from the stories told in each illustration? What feelings will the colour palette evoke? In this interview, Laufer tells us where she gets her inspiration to transform concepts into full-colour illustrations.
Tell us about yourself and your work. Where did your vocation come from?
My vocation was born when I was very little. I loved it when my father read me stories before bedtime, and I would take pleasure in looking at all the pictures. I also loved drawing; it was a fantastic escape from my introversion. I found it very hard to start conversations, but I remember that when I was drawing, I felt safe.
Any first memories?
I have a very fond memory: I'd be about six years old and I wasn't at all good at making new friends. A classmate saw that I was drawing a windmill with a smiling face and really liked it, so I gave it to him as a gift. The others saw it and, as many of them loved that character, I had numerous requests from other classmates – let's say those were my first commissions.
What do you find most satisfying about your work?
What I like most is being able to make a living from creativity. I feel very fortunate, I love creating characters and settings, bringing imaginary stories to life. But I also really like transforming more conventional ideas or concepts, which might be more serious, into fun visual narratives, leaving my fun touch with a lot of colour.
Any work you are particularly proud of?
I am proud above all of the latest projects I am cooking up this 2020, I cannot reveal them until they are published, I can only say that they will be projects simmered during lockdown with a lot of care.
What is your creative process like? What are your sources of inspiration?
My creative process is in phases; I'm quite rigid about these phases. When I receive a project or a commission, I first read the story or the concept to be represented very carefully and I compose the scenes in my head. Afterwards, I do some very quick sketches with tiny compositions, then I enlarge them and outline and clean up the lines of each scene until they are as clear as possible. Then I look for a colour palette and apply it. I normally work with reduced palettes, from 2 to 7 colours, because I like how it works visually, it's more graphic and more direct.
When I was little I loved drawing, it was a fantastic escape route for my introversion, when I drew I felt safe.
Any special music while working?
I work with a variety of music; in that sense I'm very versatile, I like all kinds of music. Just as you don't always have the same mood, the music that plays when I work can differ depending on the moment. If I'm feeling melancholic I might listen to Radiohead, Oasis, The Verve or Amaia; if I'm motivated I listen to a lot of Cariño, Nathy Peluso, Axolotes Mexicanos or Michael Kiwanuka; and if I'm feeling a more Caribbean vibe because it's a gorgeous day, I can listen to anything from Don Patricio to Bad Gyal, to keep the beat going.
Favourite colour, book, film and record - in that order!
A colour, BLUE, ALWAYS.
A book, I have several favourites. Many illustrated ones, I'll mention two that spring to mind right away: Safari Honeymoon, by Jesse Jacobs (published in Spain by DeHavilland Publishing) y The top and the bottom, by Paloma Valdivia (published by Kalandraka).
A film, Lost in Translation.
A record, Kiwanuka, by Michael Kiwanuka.
Is your home a reflection of who you are? Tell us what it smells like, your favourite corner, your favourite decorative object or piece of furniture, if you treasure a collection... And if you have a pet, introduce it to us!
I think my house reflects me quite a bit, I have simple-lined furniture with neutral colours and a painted wall, naturally, in blue tones. I love dogs, but at the moment I don't have a pet. The only company I have is my plants; I have loads of different kinds, the living room is like a jungle.
If you could buy anything right now and take it home, what would it be? Anything!
Right now, in the middle of lockdown, I am very clear about what I would buy. I probably wouldn't have said the same thing in another situation, but I'm missing a good, nice desk chair, comfortable for working long hours. I live with my partner and these days we have to take turns using the only chair suitable for this purpose.
A great plan at home always includes...
Chocolate or white wine.
Do you have a signature dish?
The croquettes.
Where is your favourite place in your city and abroad?
In Barcelona, the Plaça Reial. Abroad, any deserted beach with crystal-clear waters.
Anything you want to tell us that we haven't asked you, speak now or forever hold your peace!
I'm mad about doughnuts.
Do you want to see more illustrations? Take a look at Laufer's website and be sure to follow their social media channels to keep up to date with their upcoming publishing news.
