Hand-painted fans: institutional gift for the Defense Staff (CAOC TJ)

Sometimes the most enriching projects come in the most unexpected ways.

My studio is usually filled with papers, color swatches, and digital files, but my latest project brought a literal breath of fresh air. The commission? To create a series of hand-painted fans for a top-level institution: the Spanish Defense General Staff.

It was an honor to carry out this institutional commission for the CAOC TJ (Combined Air Operations Centre Torrejón).

In this case study ✅, I'll walk you through the entire process, from the challenge of painting on a unique medium to the selection of the final packaging, all to create an institutional gift that communicates elegance and art.

When craftsmanship meets illustration

Few things make me as excited as seeing how an idea takes shape in a real object, especially when it is a commission made with care, dedication and a special purpose.

The goal was to create a series of hand-painted fans to serve as a representative institutional gift, capable of conveying the institution's elegance and precision. To achieve this, I designed a floral pattern with a timeless and natural aesthetic, one that reflected balance and serenity.

Although my work usually focuses on print design and digital illustration, this project allowed me to explore a completely different medium: the fabric and wood of fans, combining painting technique and decorative sensibility to create a unique and elegant piece.

The challenge of hand-painted fans

Painting on fans is nothing like working on paper or canvas. The fabric, stretched over slender sticks with its subtle imperfections and non-flat surface, demands a completely different kind of precision and approach.

For this commission, I selected high-quality materials: special soft-toned acrylic paints for fabric and wood from DecoArt Americana, gold acrylic markers, detail brushes, and a special matte varnish that protects the illustration on the wood without altering the colors.

The fans were crafted from polished pear wood with cotton fabric and were Spanish-made. Exquisite pieces, built to last a lifetime.

Each fan was entirely hand-painted, paying meticulous attention to the composition and harmony between the flowers, the white background of the fabric, and the natural movement of the sticks as the fan opens.

The design of handmade fans: elegance, freshness and balance

The visual concept was based on a floral design with natural tones and a timeless air, ideal for an institutional gift.
I aimed for a result that conveyed balance, purity, and serenity, avoiding an overloaded composition to maintain that artisanal and sophisticated feel.

The result was ten unique fans, each one slightly distinct—a characteristic that highlights the value of handmade creation—yet all cohesive within the same palette and illustrative style.
The final series was coherent, elegant, cheerful, and fresh, ideal for cooling down on warm spring or summer days.

Every detail of the project was designed to communicate quality and respect for art. Therefore, the presentation packaging was a crucial choice. The fans were delivered in recycled natural cotton bags -reflecting a modern conscience- and individual bags in a vibrant fuchsia color -bringing a touch of joy and distinction-, accompanied by a personalized card.

Thus, from the first contact, the gift conveyed the same elegance and care as the illustrations themselves.

Final reflection

This project reminded me why I'm so passionate about applied illustration: because it turns the ordinary into something special.
A fan can be a functional object, but when it's touched by the stroke of a story, it transforms into a piece that conveys identity, care, and beauty.

I love collaborating with entities and brands that are looking for personalized corporate gifts, featuring an artisanal aesthetic and an artistic touch that speaks to their essence. Shall we discuss your next success story? ✅

If you need to create this kind of corporate gift for your company or event, you can get in touch with me here.