Mystery and Fantasy Veil Black-and-White Illustrations by Artist David Álvarez

“Pinoccio.” All images © David Álvarez, shared with permission

Continually fascinated by the potential of the human figure, Mexico-based artist David Álvarez (previously) illustrates richly textured scenes with a dose of fantasy and surrealism: a bird’s perch transfixes a character who’s sprouted a branch nose, a man writhes on the ground as he grows from a gnarled stump, and a Cheshire cat lifts a blanket to unveil a moon hidden beneath. Underlying many of his works is “the expressive force and the gesture of the human body,” Álvarez tells Colossal, themes that are rendered through highlights and dense markings in graphite that add intrigue and mystery to the monochromatic depictions.

The illustrations shown here are a mix of personal projects and commissions, and “Cage” is slated for the cover of Álvarez’s forthcoming book about overcoming prejudices and stereotypes called Bird Woman. You can follow his black-and-white works on Instagram, and shop sketches, prints, and originals.

 

Mystery and Fantasy Veil Black-and-White Illustrations by Artist David Álvarez

“Monkeys”

Mystery and Fantasy Veil Black-and-White Illustrations by Artist David Álvarez

“Metamorpho”

Mystery and Fantasy Veil Black-and-White Illustrations by Artist David Álvarez

“Agony”

Mystery and Fantasy Veil Black-and-White Illustrations by Artist David Álvarez

Left: “Cage.” Right: “The Collector”

Mystery and Fantasy Veil Black-and-White Illustrations by Artist David Álvarez

“Awareness”

Mystery and Fantasy Veil Black-and-White Illustrations by Artist David Álvarez

“Cheshire”

Mystery and Fantasy Veil Black-and-White Illustrations by Artist David Álvarez

“Mice”

©

Related Posts

The Act Of Quad Mumbai Apartment Interior Design Yellowtrace 01The Act Of Quad Mumbai Apartment Interior Design Yellowtrace 01
Playful Mumbai Apartment by The Act of...
  Playful and minimalist sensibilities collide in this home for three...
Read more
Spiky black house in Melbourne, Australia by architects Asha Nicholas and Chris Stanley of Splinter Society.Spiky black house in Melbourne, Australia by architects Asha Nicholas and Chris Stanley of Splinter Society.
Splinter Society Gives a Melbourne Home a...
What would the world look like if we approached architecture...
Read more
Mystery and Fantasy Veil Black-and-White Illustrations by Artist David ÁlvarezMystery and Fantasy Veil Black-and-White Illustrations by Artist David Álvarez
Acer Swift 16 AI Has World’s Largest...
CES 2026 is the year when “AI PC” stops being...
Read more
Mystery and Fantasy Veil Black-and-White Illustrations by Artist David ÁlvarezMystery and Fantasy Veil Black-and-White Illustrations by Artist David Álvarez
Ikon's new identity seeks to cut through...
...
Read more
In ‘Big Bad Wolf,’ Sculptor Kendra Haste Contends with Conservation and RewildingIn ‘Big Bad Wolf,’ Sculptor Kendra Haste Contends with Conservation and Rewilding
In ‘Big Bad Wolf,’ Sculptor Kendra Haste...
From a simple material, Kendra Haste brings us face-to-face with...
Read more
Mystery and Fantasy Veil Black-and-White Illustrations by Artist David ÁlvarezMystery and Fantasy Veil Black-and-White Illustrations by Artist David Álvarez
Mystery and Disquieting Stillness Pervade the Surreal,...
All images © Oleg Oprisco, shared with permission Throughout Russia’s war,...
Read more