It’s not often that you see star athletes as gallery-worthy artworks, but this Mario Alba rendering of Miami Heat small forward LeBron James definitely deserves some attention. As with most Alba illustrations, this particular image was created using a myriad of media. Inks, water colors and pencil marks are clearly visible in most of Alba’s works and they collaborate harmoniously to produce visuals that are rustic, yet wholly satisfying to look at.
Mario Alba is based in Barcelona, Spain, where he works as an illustrator and graphic artist. He often renders semi-realistic portraits of subjects while leaving portions of his creations unfinished for a more dramatic effect. Viewers are almost tempted to emulate his work because his process is so transparent, but they’ll quickly encounter much difficulty as Alba is a talent in a class of his own.
What Makes This Trend Stand Out
- Athlete Illustration Art
- Illustrators are creating art based on popular athletes using mixed media to create exciting new visual experiences.
- Mixed Media Art
- Artists who combine various mediums in their work are creating new and unique pieces that captivate audiences.
- Semi-realistic Portraiture
- Artists are rendering portraits in a semi-realistic style, incorporating unfinished aspects to bring a dramatic effect to their subjects.
Sectors Adopting This
- Art and Design
- Artistic mediums such as watercolor and ink offers art and design industries endless possibilities in creating new types of artwork
- Sports
- Sports industries can benefit from partnering with artists to create unique and engaging representations of their athletes, while creating wider exposure for their brand.
- Marketing and Advertising
- Companies and marketers can utilize mixed media art to create unique and eye-catching advertisements, encouraging consumers to take a closer look at their products and services.
