Historically, the relationship between an artist and their muse can range from a complex, private and intimate connection to, in our world of new media, one of pure visual stimulation and inspiration, without physical benefits or complications. Since the beginning of time, muses have been present in the visual arts, driving the creative process and enhancing it for many notable artists...
Historically, the relationship between an artist and their muse can range from a complex, private and intimate connection to, in our world of new media, one of pure visual stimulation and inspiration, without physical benefits or complications. Since the beginning of time, muses have been present in the visual arts, driving the creative process and enhancing it for many notable artists. As a painter feeds off of their muse's energy or essence, they create work that often praises their model, and in Conrad Roset's case, expresses the sensuality and often simplistic beauty of a woman. With his delicate line-work and subtle erogenous focus, Roset portrays this gentle seduction, almost effortlessly. With his history of depicting women in minimal form, Roset brings a certain warmth to his pieces, through the light use of gradients, washes and erotically directed color play. - Lust After
Lust After: Who are the muses in your works? Do these women play a role in your life, or is it less persona?
Conrad Roset: Mostly yes. I started drawing my girlfriend, obviously she is my favourite muse. But I try not to repeat the same content all the time. I look for images I like on the internet, from blogs I visit and different websites. To do this, though, you always have to ask for permission from the models or the authors of the photographs. I haven't had much trouble with this when I explain my project and what I am using the photos for.
What is your everyday source of inspiration?
The best one of them is my girlfriend, Clara. She has been supporting and inspiring me since the beginning and of course, for me she is the most beautiful of all! As I told you before, of course there are other muses that give freshness to my work, but you can almost see a part of her in each of my drawings.
So you also gather quite a bit of imagery and inspiration from the internet? How does this play into your work?
Of course, a lot. From looking to other visual creators' styles and techniques to using references that I need for my works like flowers, birds, or any other elements. And not just visual elements, but also music, cinema, video games… all of it gives you lots of positive influences to let your work flow forward and not get sucked just in yourself.
What role does fantasy hold in your works?
I always use references for my muses, but aside from that, I take a lot of from my imagination- trying to mix reality and fantasy to recreate imaginary worlds. You can see this in the children drawings I did for the book "Ensueños" or "Little Cheak Pea". Dreamy kingdoms are a great place to let your characters have all kind of different experiences and experiment with visuals.
Your pieces seem very erotically charged. What parts of the female anatomy do you focus on in your pieces?
I give always a lot of prominence to the lips, the ears, the nipples, the more sensitive parts… But I think the expression in the face is very important and the details that give special personality to every character. I try to give to every drawing a touch of power so that the beauty arrives to every observer.
Would you identify your work as erotic?
As for the Muses, I would say yes, but not my other projects. I don't like to always do the same thing, so to combine erotic with childish makes for a good exercise.
