New Talent: Roberts Rurans
In the latest in our series uncovering creative talent on Facebook and Instagram, we speak to Roberts Rurans about his bright and charming illustrations
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Roberts Rurans’ illustrations are filled with bold colours, simple shapes and playful details. “I really enjoy drawing people and made-up characters. I like to find that little twist that makes a seemingly predictable situation unexpected,” he explains.
Rurans is based in Riga and studied Printmaking at the Art Academy of Latvia. He graduated in 2015 and co-founded design studio Overpriced before going freelance. He also spent a year studying illustration in the UK and three years working part-time as a graphic designer while at art school.
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Rurans works mostly by hand, painting illustrations with acrylic on paper before colour correcting and editing them digitally. “I like the idea of making something tangible, I think it gives some extra value to the work I produce,” he says. He also creates animations with his friend and collaborator Eduards Balodis.
He has worked on commissions for a range of clients from Vogue to children’s bike brand Brum Brum, and enjoys briefs that demand “a witty concept” or a fresh approach. “That’s more challenging than just drawing something pretty – not that pretty isn’t relevant. I’m more excited about those conceptual or witty illustrations than merely good-looking ones.”
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New Talent is part of Inspire, a partnership between Creative Review, Facebook and Instagram showcasing outstanding creative work across both platforms. More advice and inspiration for creatives using Facebook and Instagram is available at facebook.com/ads/creativehub.You can follow Roberts Rurans on Instagram (@robertsrurans) or see more of his work at robertsrurans.com