From his studio in San Pedro de la Paz, illustrator Alan Robinson brings Marvel's most iconic characters, such as Spider-Man and the X-Men, to life. The artist, a native of the Concepción area, works digitally for world-renowned publishers including Marvel and IDW, according to biobiochile.cl.
Robinson uses a digital tablet and a polyester glove to help his hand glide smoothly across the surface. This technical accessory allows him to work comfortably by preventing screen heat from causing perspiration. “The thing is, often your hand starts to sweat or gets stuck because of the heat from the tablet, so this helps the hand move more easily,” the illustrator explained.
His creative process follows a layer-based logic that emulates traditional methods. After completing the initial sketch, Robinson performs digital inking to clean up the lines. Once this stage is finished, the work is passed on to colorists and letterers before its final publication.
From Nostalgia to the Global Industry
Robinson's career didn't happen overnight. He spent years sending out samples of his work to break into the American industry. Before joining Marvel, he had already built a solid track record with publisher IDW, where he illustrated franchises such as Terminator, Back to the Future, and Mars Attacks.
While his stories often take place in metropolises like New York, Robinson doesn't need to travel to recreate urban settings. He uses Google Maps as a technical reference tool. “With Google Maps, you can go anywhere. When I need to draw a building or a street, I look for a reference and use it,” he revealed.
His daily routine is driven by strict deadlines and an organization based on production volume rather than clock hours. The illustrator aims to maintain a pace of two pages a day or one inked page, which requires him to start his workday early, around seven in the morning.
Robinson's professional success coexists with a quiet life in the Bío Bío Region. On weekends, he often steps away from the screen to visit coastal areas like Tomé or Dichato. Despite his global reach, his daily life remains rooted in his home and family, where his children also live alongside the legacy of his comic books.
