Andrea del Hoyo is a fashion illustrator born in Mexico and based in California for the past seven years. With over 10 years of experience and a background in Fashion Design, she creates storytelling-driven work through watercolor, digital media, paper cut, and 2D animation. Her practice is rooted in fashion as a visual language. Her aesthetic can be described as dark romantic editorial, with a soft, feminine, and contemporary edge that explores femininity, contrast, and emotional storytelling through fashion illustration.
Why this medium—what does it let you do that others don’t?
My favorite medium above all is watercolor. It was the medium that made me obsessed with painting back in college when I was studying fashion design. Over the years, I’ve been exploring and mixing different mediums to create illustrations, such as paper cutting and digital tools. I honestly get bored easily if I work with only one medium, so incorporating different ones keeps me inspired. It’s really enjoyable to see how my work is translated across different mediums while still keeping my style.
What are you actually trying to do with your work right now?
Right now, my work goes in two directions. One is continuing to explore my editorial fashion artworks alongside 2D animation, which I really enjoy creating. I love building a story behind each piece and giving it life. I’ve also been working as a live artist for events, which pushes me out of my comfort zone since I’m illustrating in real time in front of an audience. That feeling of exposure, and sometimes adrenaline, keeps me driven to do better. It’s also rewarding to see how the pieces turn out and how people respond to artwork created in real time.
What feels non-negotiable in your practice?
Taking time to disconnect. Sometimes I step away from my work and the constant comparison. That protects my creativity and helps me stay grounded.
What’s been shaping your thinking lately, even if it’s not directly visible in the art?
Lately, I’ve been thinking about how quickly every- thing is changing. The constant change across every industry can be intimidating, and sometimes there’s fear of technology replacing creativity. Even with that uncertainty, I try to bring myself back to the same idea of creating with intention and not letting external noise define what I make.
What do you think your work reveals about you that you didn’t intend?
My work is focused on fashion, and because of that, the female figure plays an important role in it. It also comes from being raised by such a strong and inspiring woman, and I reflect that femininity through the soft colors I use in my palette. At the same time, I incorporate darker tones, an attraction I’ve always had to more gothic undertones that subtly find their way into my work.
Do you believe in originality, or just new combinations?
I believe in new combinations. My influences often come from runways, seasonal collections, and visual trends. That gives me the tools and references to understand how culture is evolving and how I can reinterpret it through my illustrations.
What would you create if no one were ever going to see it?
Honestly, I would probably still create around the fe- male figure and fashion, but in a more raw way without caring so much about the final product. Most of the time I focus too much on how the work will look in the end and how it will be shown on social media or my website, and I forget the real intention of just creating without seeking approval or worrying whether it feels cohesive with my past work.
https://andreadelhoyostudio.com
