Orlando Manuel was born in Paris and lives in Barcelona. After studying law and political science and travelling in many countries, he finally decided to turn to writing and drawing. He has always been interested in art and his love for the details of imagery specific to Japanese culture, such as prints, contributed to his decision to take up drawing.
Orlando Manuel began this adventure as a self-taught 11 years ago. Influenced by Japan, where he has stayed many times, and by writing, his drawing can be read as line after line of work, a gentle description of the simplicity and ordinariness of everyday life. Orlando Manuel likes to draw from the photos he takes during his travels. He likes powerful or subtle lines in black ink, enhanced with watercolour to breathe life into his subjects.
He sometimes prefers the calm elegance of black and white and grey tones. But his work is always about details. His medium of choice is the paper he uses most of the time. He has an absolute love for the subtlety of his touch and the incomparable precision it allows. Orlando Manuel draws with black felt pen or Indian ink and for colour he uses the dry watercolour technique.
