The origins of El Dorado lie deep in South America. And like all enduring legends, the tale of El Dorado contains some scraps of truth. When Spanish explorers reached South America in the early 16th century, they heard stories about a tribe of natives high in the Andes mountains in what is now Colombia. Graphic designer German Gonzalez was assigned to produce a an artwork for the topic 'The Legend of El Dorado'.

This was an academic project, and there was a raffle about the topics. So, I won the legend of El Dorado. The legend was about King's body was covered with gold dust and natives were performing offerings in a sacred lake. So I wanted to create an illustrated fashion editorial where the models wear the accessories that the natives used to offering to their king.
-German Gonzalez

As I said before, it was a legend about Pre-Colombian/Muisca culture. So I needed to know everything about them, so I read about their culture, and about the legend, there are many version of it. At least I visited a museum about this culture recently, it is called Gold Museum, there is many pieces that were found at the edge of the lake. So I had a full folder of pictures of the real pieces.
-German Gonzalez

My inspirations are Fashion, pre-Colombian/Muisca culture.I really have no idea how to describe my style, I think it is a sum of everything I like, and the things that makes me sensitive. I have many "favorite artist" but I think that my main inspirations are William Adolphe Bouguereau, James Jean, Alexandre Korobov, Natalie Foss, don't know, I really have many favorite artists.
-German Gonzalez

Well, that patience is great virtue, if you want to be good, it takes time, takes many hours working on canvas, working down the moonlight, reading, watching, trying, mistaking, crying, getting angry, stealing (as an artist). I think is a never ending process, you're always learning and you need to be open to the critics. Any way, patience get us nowhere fast.
-German Gonzalez

About German Gonzalez

German Gonzalez is a graphic designer and illustrator, from Medellín, Colombia. He's focused on digital illustration (applied to editorial field) and editorial design, he's about to graduate very soon. German consider myself a hybrid between a graphic designer and an artist-wanna be, so that's why he's very interested on the portrait industry. He likes very much the idea of making interdisciplinary works, specially between fashion, art and music. See more of his works on Behance, Tumblr, Instagram or his Facebook page.