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Luis Royo was born in Cutanda (Spain) in
1954. When he became of age, he studied drawing , art and design. During the seventies, he
worked in several design studios, while focusing on his painting. He took part in various
joint exhibitions and his work was shown in individual exhibitions in different cities in
Spain.
His interests expanded into comics and by the early eighties he was published internationally in such magazines as "1984", Comic International, Rambla, and, occasionally, El Vibora and Heavy Metal.
In 1983 he began a long standing relationship with Norma Editorial and devoted himself to illustration: quickly becoming a predominant force in the fantasy and sf fields.
Nowadays, Royo's work can be seen all over the world, having been published by such notable companies as Tor, Berkley, Avon, Warner, Bantam, Zebra, NAL, Pocker Books, and magazines such as Heavy Metal, Cimoc and Penthouse to name but a few.
The sheer artistic talent that Royo possesses is obvious from the instant one sees his work. At first glance, we see the customary Royo trademarks; a stunning human, male or female, in a fantastic setting. The bodies, usually toned to perfection, holding a weapon or not, clearly are poised for action.
The faces of Royo subjects are so masterfully rendered as to label his characters "world-class beauties". No one can challenge Royo's ability to paint.
Spend a moment with a Royo piece, though, and feel the magic begin. The characters' eyes act as magnets, luring us into its world. Often mesmerized by the power of a stare, we are perhaps brought into a world to witch, reluctantly, we must go.
Here is where the Royo genius kicks in. On the surface, we see the subjects before us, but there is always the sense that many untold secrets are yet to be learned. We see this in the eyes - intense, foreboding, lethal. Sucked in by the beauty of the characters, we come closer, but, once we have entered their web, instinct warns us to be careful.
Royo gives us clues to the world into which we are drawn. The costumes and backgrounds link us with times and places. What he does not answer for us is our question as to the journey the characters has made, or is about to make. This is the task Royo has artistically set for each of us. And, certainly, each of us will have a different perception. Thus, we each create our own story. In effect, Royo has subtly drawn us, the viewers, into a partnership of creativity with him.
