Anchor Points: Rubens Scarelli

Rubens Scarelli

Rubens Scarelli, also known as Rusc, is an amazing artist hailing from Brazil. He creates clean vector soaked designs and illustrations with an organic impression only accomplished through non-digital techniques. Rubens was kind enough to chat with Vectips so peruse the chat to read some of the most informative answers in the Anchor Point series!

The Chat

Hey Rubens, thanks for chatting with Vectips! To start, could you tell us a little about yourself?

Hello people! I am an illustrator, graphic designer and owner of a clothing brand in Brazil. I started working in an advertising agency in 1987 when I was very young, but my dream was to become an illustrator of comic and years after I left publicity to become a freelance illustrator. I worked with publishing houses and video producers and set up my independent studio in my house where I work now. In 2007 I discovered a new passion: t-shirt designs. Today I have awarded works in several countries and I’m better known through the web. In 2012 I intend to increase my participation in the global scenario of graphic design and give greater impetus to my brand.

If you could magically turn into a Illustrator tool, what tool would it be and why?

Hahaha! I love Illustrator and its tools. Maybe I would be the “Width Tool.” Why am I in constant struggle against the scales, always gaining and losing weight? But I’d rather be a Pen Tool because it is the tool that I most use.

What’s your favorite Illustrator technique?

Node to node. 90% of my vector illustrations start on paper. After scanned I apply the level in photoshop to make the drawing clearer and work in Illustrator using the Pen Tool and sometimes the Brush Tool. I Start by drawing the path with straight lines and then make the curve with Pathscribe Tool (VectorScribe plugin) or Segment Direct Edit Tool (Xtream Path plugin). Then I repeat the process within the illustration. Sometimes I apply a stroke to the path and edit the thickness with the Width Tool and remove the points in excess after the Expand Appearance with Smart Remove Points (formerly BetterHandles) of VectorScribe.

Do you use any non-digital tools in your work?

When I started in the world of graphic arts, graphic computers were rare. All work on agency and studio were done manually, layouts, paste-ups, final art. So I always liked creating with inks, airbrush, watercolor pencils, pastel, nankin and various other non-digital tools. Even before I vectorize an illustration, I draw it before with pencil on paper with very clear lines so that the vector follow on them. Casually I use brush and ink or disposable pens for finishing. Once scanned, I use the program Vector Magic to create the vector automatically.

What are your favorite sources of inspiration?

I breathe me in everyday life, movies, comics, games, typology, I love people watching, chatting and drinking with friends is a great source of inspiration. Animals inspire me a lot too, say that television programs about animals are successful here in my house.

Thanks again for the interview! Any parting words of wisdom?

Be good to each other, study, dream high, break rules, we designers can not save the world, but surely we can leave it more beautiful. Thanks to friends of Vectips, long live to the site!