Ricardo Fumanal was born in Spain (1984). He moved to London after cultivating his youthful spirit in Barcelona and Madrid. Ricardo's interests range from photography for fashion and advertising to the Fine Arts. Thus, his main professional activity as an illustrator draws from a broad array of techniques and languages. His current artistic outlook is expanding from the realm of manual drawing (marker, pencil and ink on paper) into moving images. He has worked for clients as Lou Dalton, Pull& Bear, Mango or Barcelona City Council; and magazines such as Hercules, Dazed&Confused, Wallpaper, Nylon Guys, Madame Figaro, German Glamour, Metal, Apartamento, Marie Claire and many covers for literary Spanish review Leer.

TAXI Hi Ricardo, great to have you here with TAXI today. What are you working on right this very minute?

Ricardo Hi! I'm finishing an illustration for some of the most influential people in British Fashion Today.

TAXI Your illustrations are beautifully realistic. What are your favorite mediums to work with?

Ricardo My work is developed through photographic compositions. First of all I have to select several images and photographs from various media (fashion magazines, photography Books, websites...) and after that, I use techniques such as pencil, pen, marker, ink and watercolor to develop my illustrations. Above all, my preferred technique is still the pure line on white background.

TAXI Could you share with us how you got started in your artistic training and illustration?

Ricardo Currently I am an illustrator, but I started studying graphic design and advertising at Arts High School in Lleida. Then I decided to move to Barcelona to continue my training. I worked in collaboration with various design studies and creative directors and I began working for a daily Sex blog "El Mundo" newspaper, fact which widened my working horizons and allowed to create a wide portfolio in a short period of time.

TAXI What is the most unforgettable project that you've done?

Ricardo An animation for “Mango’s Catwalk” composed by drawing and colour work. I was so shocked during the catwalk because my "table work" was projected at the back of the runway in a real big size. It was a challenge to work in a creative team and meet tight deadlines. But the outcome was really spectacular.

TAXI What was the best compliment for your work that you've ever received to date?

Ricardo ummm... "What is the price of this drawing?" Besides, the guy was so cute!

TAXI If you weren't an artist, what do you think you would have been today?

Ricardo I ask myself the same question often...

TAXI How do you derive inspiration/ideas for your works?

Ricardo Art and Fashion are great inspiration in my life, I love fashion magazines (these are an serious addiction). My work begins on the photo collage but I need to listen to music to work. It's a big influence on my mood, and is transmitted throughout my artwork.

TAXI What is the one image that you wish you had created?

Ricardo 'The Garden of the Earthly Delights' by Hieronymus Bosch. It's spectacular.

TAXI Could you show us your workspace?

Ricardo Recently I moved to London. I still do not have a fixed space for the moment. I'm living and working in the same place. Fortunately I can take the study space of an artist friend who is spending a few months away from London, but I'm looking for a friendly space to work.

TAXI Before we end, tell us, where would you like a TAXI to take you now?

Ricardo Call a taxi to pick me up from my studio to visit the last intervention in "White Cubicle toilette gallery" (George and Dragon), then meet me at the door and take me to a Japanese restaurant with my friends and back home. Thank you :)