Hi, I’m David Belmonte, a digital illustrator based in Valencia, Spain, with 20+ years of experience creating character-driven artwork for children’s books and editorial projects. I love building clear, expressive characters and storytelling scenes—where gesture, silhouette, lighting, color, and environment all work together to support the mood and the narrative. I develop illustrations from the initial brief and visual research through sketches, color studies, revisions, and final production-ready artwork. My style is flexible, ranging from line-based to cartoon and painterly approaches, so I can adapt to different audiences, brands, and art direction needs. I also work efficiently with Adobe Photoshop and Adobe Illustrator, collaborate closely with editors and art directors, and prioritize consistency, quality control, and meeting international deadlines.…

David Belmonte

Hi, I’m David Belmonte, a digital illustrator based in Valencia, Spain, with 20+ years of experience creating character-driven artwork for children’s books and editorial projects. I love building clear, expressive characters and storytelling scenes—where gesture, silhouette, lighting, color, and environment all work together to support the mood and the narrative. I develop illustrations from the initial brief and visual research through sketches, color studies, revisions, and final production-ready artwork. My style is flexible, ranging from line-based to cartoon and painterly approaches, so I can adapt to different audiences, brands, and art direction needs. I also work efficiently with Adobe Photoshop and Adobe Illustrator, collaborate closely with editors and art directors, and prioritize consistency, quality control, and meeting international deadlines.…

Available to hire

Hi, I’m David Belmonte, a digital illustrator based in Valencia, Spain, with 20+ years of experience creating character-driven artwork for children’s books and editorial projects. I love building clear, expressive characters and storytelling scenes—where gesture, silhouette, lighting, color, and environment all work together to support the mood and the narrative.

I develop illustrations from the initial brief and visual research through sketches, color studies, revisions, and final production-ready artwork. My style is flexible, ranging from line-based to cartoon and painterly approaches, so I can adapt to different audiences, brands, and art direction needs. I also work efficiently with Adobe Photoshop and Adobe Illustrator, collaborate closely with editors and art directors, and prioritize consistency, quality control, and meeting international deadlines.

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Language

Spanish; Castilian
Fluent
English
Intermediate
French
Beginner

Work Experience

Teacher at AUCA Projects Educates
January 1, 2022 - September 10, 2025
In this role, I facilitated artistic activities, focusing on illustration and cartoon creation, aimed at engaging learners through creativity and imagination. My approach emphasizes the importance of visual storytelling in education.
Freelance Digital Illustrator at Independent — Spain and International
January 1, 2005 - Present
Create digital illustrations, including characters, environments, objects, and narrative scenes for children’s books, educational publishing, and editorial projects. Develop artwork from creative briefs and visual research through thumbnails, sketches, color studies, revisions, and final production-ready deliverables. Design expressive characters with recognizable silhouettes, readable gestures, and consistent proportions; build environments using perspective, composition, lighting, and color to support story and emotional tone. Adapt drawing, coloring, and rendering styles to art direction and publishing requirements, ensuring consistency across series and multi-image projects. Collaborate with art directors and editors, manage feedback rounds, and meet international production deadlines using professional Adobe Photoshop and Adobe Illustrator workflows alongside traditional media and selective 3D/AI-assisted tools for ideation and visual exploration.
Illustrator and Cartoonist at Freelance
January 1, 2000 - Present
As a freelance Illustrator and Cartoonist, I have collaborated with various publishing and advertising agencies, producing engaging visuals for a range of projects. My work involves creating illustrations, animations, and conceptual designs tailored to client needs.

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Fine Arts at Faculty of Fine Arts of San Carlos, Polytechnic University of Valencia
January 1, 1995 - January 1, 2000
Master’s Programme in 3D Sculpture at ZBrushUAS
January 1, 2018 - January 1, 2019
Bachelor’s Degree in Fine Arts at Universitat Politècnica de València (UPV)
January 1, 1995 - January 1, 2000
Advanced Vocational Diploma in Illustration at Escola d’Art i Superior de Disseny de València (EASD)
January 1, 1988 - January 1, 1993

Qualifications

Add your qualifications or awards here.

Industry Experience

Education, Media & Entertainment, Professional Services, Non-Profit Organization, Other
    Some of David Belmonte's best illustrations
    Discover my illustration portfolio: a collection of vibrant, creative, and unique artwork showcasing my style and vision. Explore the stories behind each piece and get inspired!…