What inspired your name 'Da Coffee Time'?
In the 2000’s in France there was a phenomenon on the internet ‘comic blogs’ - ‘les blogs bd’ en Français - and everyone wanted to have one so I had to have a name. I'm a big fan of coffee so it came naturally, as my first name is David, Da Coffee Time...
How has your formal or informal education shaped your artistic style and approach to creating?
I have no formal artistic training, I have not studied art. I learned in the 2000s with the emergence of street culture. I did a lot of skateboarding, and I discovered a lot of influence and artists through this culture. I learned everything myself, by drawing in the streets, doing live model workshops and meeting other illustrators.
Were there any moments during your creative journey that significantly changed the way you view or create art?
At first I drew for fun, but when I started working, I understood what a commission was and everything that goes with it - the frustration of not having the last word on your work.
How do you balance the techniques you’ve learned in your education with your personal creative instincts?
I don't really have any techniques, where I learned the most was by drawing in the street with a group of friends. Over the years I have evolved my technique from traditional to digital, today I work like most of the illustrators on iPad.
How do you continue learning and evolving as an artist outside of formal education - through self-study, workshops, or other methods?
I look at trends in illustration a lot. I continue to draw in the street with as much pleasure. I always try to evolve my style, either through colours or in the composition of images.
Can you describe a piece of art, from another artist or a different era, that was influential in your early creative development?
I would say Evan Hecox’s series “Chinatown” - the sense of framing…to put one or two colours. I learned a lot from seeing his work.
How do theory and practice come together in your creative process? Do you experiment, or do you follow more structured techniques?
Often the image I have in mind is hard to transcribe exactly. I make several sketches of my idea, then I select what is closest to my initial idea. I always try to make a link with street culture in my images, whether in terms of looks or the overall atmosphere, always having an urban side that emerges.
How does your understanding of art history and movements influence the themes and techniques in your work today?
I often draw inspiration from contemporary painters for composition or colouring. Like Edward Hopper or David Hockney for example or even Félix Vallotton.
What inspires both you and your artwork?
You could say that much younger I was influenced by the work of Evan Hecox. Today I love drawing cities, urbanism. I think everything is connected to his work.
What has been your most memorable commission to date, and why?
I think it was for Mercier champagne, I did the whole campaign for almost 6 years, and I had an exclusivity with them, I couldn't design for another brand of champagne. I received boxes of champagne at my home and went to visit the estate where the champagne is made.
What would be your dream project or collaboration, and why does it stand out as something you’d love to work on?
I would really like to work with Nike or this type of brand which still has an urban and street side.
See more from Da Coffee Time:
Instagram: dacoffeetime
American agent: garance-illustration.com