Martin Schwarz

Martin Schwarz, PhD., serves as Assistant Professor at the Academy of Fine Arts in Bratislava (VŠVU), specializing in the Drawing cabinet department. Born December 30, 1992 in Podkriván, he graduated from the Academy of Fine Arts under Prof. Dušan Kállay and Assoc. Prof. Ľuboslav Paľ, and has been teaching figurative drawing, typography, and computer graphics at the School of Design since 2017. Currently pursuing doctoral studies at UCM in Trnava, Schwarz focuses on visual storytelling research while maintaining active artistic practice.

His research interests center on visual narrative techniques, with particular emphasis on historical comics, biographical illustration, and the interplay of light and shadow in monochromatic drawing. Schwarz has developed a distinctive approach to figure drawing that emphasizes emotional expression through hand studies and drapery techniques, informed by his academic position teaching these subjects. His work bridges traditional drawing methods with contemporary digital tools like Procreate on iPad, creating a unique hybrid practice that informs both his artistic output and pedagogical approach.

Schwarz's most significant publications form part of the fourteen-part MÓRIC comic series about Slovak historical figure Móric Beňovský, where he collaborates with multiple artists across different volumes. His contributions demonstrate an evolving artistic approach, moving from sepia flashback sequences in the first volume to more complex narrative techniques in subsequent issues. The series has gained international recognition for its historical accuracy, particularly in uniform and setting details, reflecting Schwarz's commitment to historical research in visual storytelling.

• 1st place 69th Premio Salvi "Piccola Europa" Italy (2019)
• The most beautiful children's book of the winter (BUBIANA award) for "Friends from the Wall" (2018)
• 1st place (Egon Schiele Prize) in the FIGURAMA Competition (2018)

As an external teacher at the Academy of Fine Arts since 2020 and active member of the POMIMO association, Schwarz contributes significantly to the Slovak comics community through both teaching and collaborative projects. His work on the crowdfunding-supported MÓRIC series demonstrates innovative approaches to comic book production and distribution in the Slovak context. Schwarz also participates in international art projects like ArtMentoring's "Bridging the Gap" and has exhibited his work in solo and group exhibitions across Slovakia and the Czech Republic.