Cristóbal Schmal (b. 1977, Arica, Chile) is a Chilean visual artist and illustrator whose work blends collage, painting, and drawing into richly layered, symbolic compositions. Trained in graphic design at the University of Valparaíso, Schmal began his career in editorial design before moving to Barcelona and later Berlin, where he established his independent illustration practice. His work merges analogue and digital processes, often incorporating hand-painted papers, watercolor, gouache, and cut-paper collage to build textured, geometric imagery.

Schmal’s visual language draws from Latin American folklore, pre-Columbian symbolism, and personal mythologies. His compositions frequently explore themes of nature, transformation, spirituality, and the relationship between humans and the natural world. Through simplified forms, bold color palettes, and intricate patterns, he constructs poetic visual narratives that invite contemplative reading.

Alongside his personal projects and exhibition work, Schmal has collaborated with international publications and cultural institutions, producing illustrations for clients such as The New York Times, The Washington Post, Greenpeace, and Lufthansa. His practice moves fluidly between editorial illustration and contemporary art, maintaining a strong emphasis on experimentation, materiality, and storytelling.

Since October 2022 he has been teaching the online drawing course Drawing Workout where he offers a space for reflection, work and experimentation around creative processes.

Cristóbal lives and works with his family at the countryside near Frankfurt a.M.

Open for commissions
︎︎︎ info@artnomono.com
_{︎ Photo by Fiona Körner}