Maxime Francout AKA Max F. is a French illustrator/designer living and working in Montreal, Canada. He loves fine art, design, drawn typography, and illustration. He makes drawings, paintings, t-shirts, books, magazines and exhibitions. Besides that, he hearts skateboarding, ping-pong and chai lattes.

When did you first discover that you wanted to do design/illustration for a living?

I discovered lately that I could and that I wanted to do design. I first started as a colorist for comic books in France, and as an illustrator for children’s books before I got to a more personal and underground production. It took me some time to master this style that has emerged over the time. Initially I’m just someone who likes to draw on a street corner. I grew up surrounded by the skateboarding culture influenced by people like Mark Gonzales, Ed Templeton and Fost. Gradually I was able to establish partnerships with clients in time and consider a career in design and art. It’s not difficult to be an artist but living off your art is something different. Personally I’m not entirely living off my work because I don’t want to do compromises on my drawings, I don’t have enough fame to sell expensive pieces of art, besides I’m not even sure that i want to. I see art and design as something fun, I don’t really take it seriously and I think I’d quit if I did.

What was your college experience like? What did you study?

I haven’t studied design, technically speaking, but advertising in a university in France. It was long and I worked hard and seen the good and the bad sides of creative work in a communication agency with major clients. I don’t think I’d be able to work in this environment, I’m very independent and I couldn’t stand having to do ugly things to satisfy the client. I regret not having been to art school to improve my technical skills and enjoy the rivalry with the other students. The good thing about my studies is that I developed abilities in marketing and business which is an important part of the job (boost customers, getting paid, advertise…)

After graduating, how did you find a sense of establishment in the creative world?

I had lots of day-jobs but drawing is really the only thing I can do. During my studies, I had the chance to work on the songbook of a famous singer in France and I was apart of a book about skateboard design published by Yocar editions, which gave me confidence to work in this direction. In 2008 I was part of the successful winners of the design contest organized by the Salomon snowboard, since I keep drawing and set up projects with magazines and brands that I like (Wad Magazine, IDN Magazine, Super Superficial, Urban Outfitters, Gestalten…)

What advice do you have for students that are just starting their education and ones that are about to graduate and go into the real world to start their careers?

For students, I tell them to enjoy their studies because they are probably the best memories they’ll keep in their lives. They have access to equipment, teachers are available to assist them in their personal development, it’s time to work and try to find out in which way they will go later. Take pleasure in doing what you do, don’t take it too seriously. For young graduates, it will be much less fun, work agency is not necessarily exciting even if it can gain experience in the trade. For those who want to work freelance, develop a personal style, be visible on the internet through a website and especially don’t accept work at ridiculous prices!

How does working alone differ from working in a studio with other artists?

I always work alone and it’s perfect for me because I am independent and I am able to work anywhere. However, working in a studio allowed me to collaborate with photographers, painters, graphic designers and share each other’s knowledge. It also allowed me to have an office and office hours, even if the recent construction of a ping-pong table, a fun box and a projector for the Xbox changed everything. We are working and entertaining ourselves … We adopted the working philosophy of Google.

What is French Fourch? Is collaborating with others something that interests you?

French Fourch is an independent publishing house created by Tristan Pernet, Mr Pimpant and myself whose goal is to produce neat and original books. It’s really hard to publish the books you want to, it costs a lot of money, artists don’t necessarily have the means to do it, we are here to help them produce their projects. We began by self publishing but our goal is to promote new artists who are interested and create a grand family : French Fourch. Personally to print books of people whose work I love is a greater satisfaction than my own publication. I don’t like the fact that it is always the same artists who are getting published in magazines, I don’t like cronyism, French Fourch is interested in everyone. We’ve already printed many books and t-shirts, we’ve set several exhibitions in Canada, France and Belgium, we want to do even more things the upcoming years .

Can you describe your creative process? How does an illustration go from idea to final?

There are usually very few steps. I’m a compulsive doodler, I do almost no roughs, I either keep the original ink drawing or I just ink it more cleanly. I scan and usually do the colors with Photoshop. I don’t spend much time on a drawing, because I get tired very quickly. I like to keep my drawing as close as my original idea. Sometimes I can not translate what I have in mind, so I set my pen aside to take this with a new breath. I’m however a perfectionist, I’m able to start a drawing over for a pixel that bothers me…

What are some of the materials that you use? Do you try to have an equal balance between pen and mouse?

I use blank sheets, pens, markers, colored pencils and everything I find in the studio. I like the easy to use tools. I sometimes use the tablet to draw but I don’t like the result. I admire illustrators who have a great inking with Photoshop, this is much more practical. I’m still not a big fan of digital drawing, I like things to be put on paper, I like the craft of drawing.

Dream client or job?

I would like to work with skateboard companies, music bands. I made a lot of t-shirts recently, I would like to vary my productions. If anyone is interested he can contact me.

Do you use a mechanical pencil or a normal pencil?

Both, I can draw with anything.

Thanks Max for the interview!
See more of his work here.