For over 25 years The Upper Deck Company has been at the forefront of quality and innovation. We are proud to maintain an award-winning portfolio of gaming and entertainment products that contain some of the industry’s best original works of art. We are excited to share exclusive interviews with some of our top artists bringing a look at the amazing people behind these amazing works. This is the Upper Deck Artist Spotlight Series.
Upper Deck: Ariel, would you like to introduce yourself to the crowd?
Ariel Olivetti: My name is Ariel Olivetti, and I am an Argentinian Graphic Artist. I have worked on Marvel editorials and Upper Deck since 1994.
UD: What does “being creative” mean to you? How did you create your own style?
AO: My style, as I believe happens with each artist, is a consequence of artistic ease and difficulties added to all the graphic influences.
UD: Can you describe the time when you first realized that creating was something you
absolutely had to do?
AO: I knew I wanted to be a graphic artist ever since I was very little.
UD: What kind of creative patterns, routines, or rituals do you have?
AO: I try to be very regular and methodical with my work. I get up very early and usually work between 9 and 10 hours a day.
UD: Who are some of the artists that have inspired you?
AO: Richard Corben, Simon Bisley, Enrique Breccia, Liberatore… and many more.
UD: Who is your favorite comic book hero or character?
AO: Venom!
UD: What were/are some of your favorite games to play? (Video games or board games)
AO: Elder Scrolls: Oblivion and Star Wars: Battlefront.
UD: What type of work do you most enjoy doing?
AO: Drawing covers and developing new characters.
UD: What’s your favorite piece of work you’ve ever created?
AO: The Venom graphic novel and the Cable series, on which I worked.
UD: Who would be your dream collaboration with?
AO: Anything with Peter David’s guidance and writing.
UD: With regards to the Thor vs. Hulk fine art print that you recently created for Upper Deck Gallery, what was your favorite part about working on this project?
AO: Drawing the Hulk is always a pleasure for me.
UD: What were some of the challenges that you faced?
AO: I would have liked to have more time to enjoy the project more.
UD: Any closing thoughts or words?
AO: It is always a great pleasure to work with Upper Deck!
You can check out more of Ariel’s Marvel work here. If you’re interested in following Ariel, be sure to follow him on social media.
You can purchase The Mighty Thunder God vs. The Incredible Hulk, Ariel’s latest Gallery print, on our store here.
