Describe your illustration style in ten words or less.
Whimsical characters, dynamic composition and traditional media.
What items are an essential part of your creative space?
What items are an essential part of your creative space?
A large table, a wide bright window and lots of paper and art supplies: the more the better.
Do you have a favourite artistic medium?
Do you have a favourite artistic medium?
Probably not: I love experimenting with new media whenever I start a new project, so I spend some time deciding what to use. I really enjoy the spontaneity of watercolour mixed with pencil or ink, as well as the consistent colour palette of acrylic or acrylic gouache. Deadline sometimes dictates the media I can use, because I feel more confident and achieve quicker results with watercolour or acrylic.
Name three artists whose work inspires you.
That’s a tough one: I draw inspiration from many artists, often all at once. But if I had to choose, I’d name three illustrators: Beatrice Alemagna, Isabelle Arsenault, and Laura Carlin.
Which artistic period would you most like to visit and why?
I consider myself lucky to have been born and raised in Tuscany, Italy, surrounded by incredible works of art from various periods—from Etruscan (pre-Roman) to classical Renaissance art, all the way to Impressionism (Amedeo Modigliani, well known for his portraits with elongated necks, was born in my hometown). As a child, I was most impressed by Renaissance artists like Leonardo da Vinci, Botticelli, and Michelangelo. I was in awe of the perfection and realism in their work. But as I grew older, I became more drawn to how artists interpret reality in their own unique way. Maybe because I’m still on my journey to finding my own unique voice.
Who or what inspired you to become an illustrator?
I always loved drawing and colouring, but my path has not been conventional. After graduating in Biology, I struggled to find an interesting job that I could see myself doing for at least a few years—until I met Serena Riglietti. I saw her at an event in Italy called Lucca Comics, which is similar to Comic-Con. She was invited because she had illustrated the Italian editions of Harry Potter. Her illustrations were nice, but not astonishing. That’s when I started thinking, "If she could make a career with her illustrations, maybe I can too!" That moment led me to abandon my career in science and pursue illustration instead.
Can you share a photo of your creative work space or part of the area where you work most often? Talk us through it.
Can you share a photo of your creative work space or part of the area where you work most often? Talk us through it.
My studio is on the first floor of my house. I work across three tables, depending on what I need to do, but I regularly switch between all of them. The main table, in front of the window, is an IKEA hack—I made the top with sturdy wood so it could withstand countless splashes of water, blade cuts, paint stains, and who knows what else. I can tilt it for a better view of large artworks, preventing perspective distortion from my angle.
To the right, I have my main art supplies organised in labelled boxes: Oils, Pastels, Acrylic, Watercolour & Ink, and so on. On the left side, I store/pile my most recent artworks and frames. Table n. 2 is for digital work—it’s where I keep my Mac, drawing tablet, and heaps of to-do lists. Table n. 3 is meant for my printer and lightboard or scanner, but it occasionally doubles as a space for quick sketches. I’m just starting a new project these days, so my workspace isn’t too messy at the moment—lucky for you!
What is your favourite part of the illustration process?
I really enjoy the creative part: imagining the characters, creating colour sketches, and drafting the first storyboard. It’s the stage where you play with different ideas and find ways to bring them together in a cohesive way.
What advice would you give to an aspiring illustrator?
What advice would you give to an aspiring illustrator?
Draw! Draw as much as you can and experiment with different styles and techniques. Practice consistently, keep learning and be open to feedback. And most importantly, enjoy the process! If you love what you do, that passion will shine through in your work.
Lucia is an award-winning illustrator born and bred in Livorno, Italy. She moved to Australia in 2007 and since then she has illustrated more than thirty books. Lucia currently lives on the Gold Coast and when not at work she likes running, watching anime and eating home made pizza.
