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It depends. As I've just said, there are a lot of things that can inspire me like songs, books, photos, poetries and so on. It can also happen that taking a look around me I discover something impressing me, like a sight, or a light, and I desire to put it on paper. I express myself through fine arts.
First of all, it needs a lot of patience and practise. Drawing is overall this: never be tired to do it, never surrender if something fails and try a lot of times. And observe all things around you, also using photography or real models, because memories are often not enough. Every good and professional illustrator do this for his work. I use mostly mixed technique that I've experienced during these years. I use together watercolours, lead pencils, coloured pencils, acrylics, ink, pantones, pastels, charcoals and also computer graphic. The school helps me so much in this way, especially to refine more the single technique. But I love testing every time brand new techniques. I know that artistic stuff is not cheap, but the quality of materials matters in this area. Sometimes it could be capital for the result of a work using a special paper rather than another one. I think that the same drawing or sketch change literally its soul if you make it with different techniques or materials. So I use different kind of papers, both heavy or thin ones (i.e. Fabriano, Canson, Arches) and very good labels of watercolours, coloured pencils, acrylics, brushes, etc. (i.e. Windsor & Newton, Cotman, Maimeri, Caran D'Ache, Stabilo, Derwent, Koh-I-Noor). About softwares, I use Photoshop 7, Corel PhotoPaint, a Wacom Graphire4 tablet as well as a A3 scanner by Mustek. I use not so much computer graphic, because I prefer traditional techniques. With software I retouch colours or lights on my traditional illustration or I make some graphic works.
Because tutorials are too long and too difficult to explain, and not because I have some secrets that I can't expose. And, believe me, I'm not good as teacher.
Yes, there are many ones. There are references that I choose in particular and that are evident, or references that only you can see: if one of my illustration reminds something personal to you, I'm glad for it.
First of all, "Scarlet" is because I love red in its every nouances and variation. The word "Gothica" instead, is not that obvoius as it can seem. Undoubtedly, a lot of my works refers to Art of Gothic Revival, Romanticism and Decadentism streams, so the nickname match perfectly with this. But the thing I like most of these artistic waves is their tendency to ugliness, weird and paradoxical. I like to find beauty where is ugliness, to feel for a freaky face and smile to it: all this charms me a lot. So "Gothica" means to work out a canonic idea, extrapolating it from its primal setting and putting this idea in a new personal setting. I try to find a brand new world and a new feelings through illustration. But there is another reason: I think I'm a very lucky person: in my life all people that I really care about are near me, supporting and loving me everyday. For this reason with "dark or gothic" illustrations, I try to keep away all the bad feelings, sadness, melancholy or the sense of emptiness, hoping that they can stay away from me as long as possible. I know it is just a dream, but it's the only way I have to do to live in peace with myself and the world around me. This is why in my works all these feelings are "the most theme" because i think Decadent and Romantic Art, are the only ones that can sublime sadness and melancholy in a precious, sweet and suggestive feeling with less pain possible. Actually, this is my artistic and aesthetics seeking.
Well, I'm perfectly conscious that I can't delight everyone. Obviously, I'd like most if you make constructive criticism but I can't also pretend that. Anyway, if you don't like what I do, nobody forces you to stay here and insult me in this way, don't you think?
My website is free-link, so feel free to put my link on your website or blog, or MySpace, or something similar. I choose personally websites I suggest, because also the link page is something personal. But you can send me your web address, surely I will visit your page as soon as possible.
No I don't. I don't like DA because I find it too bewildering for my tastes. I don't use MSN and I use a bit Skype. I have no time for chat, unfortunately.
It depends. All my illustrations are on the web, so probably it's stupid and hypocrite enough thinking that if I prohibit the employment/diffusion of my works, everybody respect this. For me it's an advantage if pictures have been spread on the net, because in this way more people can know me and my art (so feel free to use them for avatars, banners, skins etc.). But there are some restrictions because of copyright terms and to demonstrate respect for other people work follow these simple rules:
For any different request write to scarletgothica@scarletgothica.com. You can also send me the final result of your work, I will be glad to see it.
After several weeks of personal considerations, I decided to quit with PSP groups and tubes of my stuff.
The reason why I chose this way is mostly one: I've been very busy lately with my work, and I hope (and guess) I'm gonna be even more busy in the future, and I don't have so much spare time to do new pieces just for fun. Moreover, I'm not anymore into that kind of illustration good for PSP groups, it's difficult for me to send my personal pieces for tubes and tags, because they rarely fit with them. I find not really productive or useful for me and my career, to be known just with my very old pieces. I would like people to follow me because they like my art's progression and my improvements, and not because I'm the "gothic pinup artist". Don't misunderstand: I love and respect all my amazing and talented colleagues who always share their artworks on PSP groups, but I'm not anymore in this way. Routine gets me bored, and the only way to me to keep on with my work is to experiment new stuff and new perspectives. I don't claim you agree with me, but I hope the same you'll understand.
Starting from this Monday, 3rd of June 2013, I quit with PSP groups and tubes: no free stuff, neither on sale. I ask to all groups to delete all my free tubes from your sites, forum boards and groups. Thank you very much for your collaboration.
Obviously the ones who bought the tubes from DSI, they can keep on using them according to the terms of use.
I take the occasion to thanks all PSP groups during these years, they've always been super kind with me, in particular Dream Scape Imaging, with whom I collaborated until the end. Thank you very much to Lisa Ansell, Jessica Woods and Zindy Nielsen for giving me this amazing opportunity, and for being very professional and kind (especially in the beginning). Last but not least, I would like to thanks all PSP and Tubes users: your support always made my day! Thank you from the bottom of my heart.
I wish you all the best, and I hope to see you on my pages to follow my work!
Yes. I work both for personal illustrations and editorial ones, booklets, fliers, graphics, and so on. For every informations and work commissions contact the following e-mail address: scarletgothica@scarletgothica.com.
Yes, but only if it's a paid work commission. Being a professional illustrator It's not a joke for me, it's a real job. I'm not in it just for a blaze of glory. Furthermore, if I work for free I need a lot of time to finish my work, because it's obviously the last thing to do in order of importance.
No, this is my personal portfolio. If I want sell one of my works, it will be surely showed on my website. Remember that I work for commissioned pieces, so if you want an original piece, try to request a commissioned work.
Yes, actually exists an official merchandise and I personally take care about its graphic. You can find something on the shop page or surfing my galleries. Pay attention: I'm not liable for any inefficiency of the service. If you have any grievance please contact the managers of the service on their website.
Italian is my mother tongue. I can read, write and speak English. I understand Spanish, and a bit French but I don't speak them. I answer to your questions in English or Italian: don't write in other languages on my guestbook or e-mail, otherwise I can't answer your questions!
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