Gijs Henselmans.
I'm Gijs Henselmans (1991), an Amsterdam based freelance illustrator. In 2014, I obtained a degree in illustration from the Utrecht School of the Arts. (HKU)
My drawings start with playful and cheeky outline, to which I digitally add soft colors. This sweet and disarming style poses a harsh contrast with the subjects of my work, often absurd or gruesome, a combination that results in humorous imagery.
Like in 'Terror City' , a comic inspired by Japanese kaiju action movies from the 1960s, such as King Kong vs Godzilla.
Or 'Barry Baldadig en zijn moeilijke matties' (Randy Rascal and his horrible homies), a picture book in which modern children are punished for their misbehavior in horrific and outlandish ways, in the style of 19th century children's books. The book serves as entertainment to parents of rebellious children. Illustrating offers me the chance to translate reality to a different world with my own rules.
Gijshenselmans@gmail.com
+31 (0)6 443 71 239