self-portrait © Camilla Pintonato
The 16th guest on Meet An Illustrator is Camilla Pintonato, an illustrator, graphic designer and author based in Venice, Italy. Visit the feature’s backpages to discover who previous illustrator guests have been.
We have picked two books illustrated by Camilla in successive months as Book of the Day choices. In March we chose Chickenology
an irresistibly playful non-fiction title. We are really looking forward to its follow-up: Pigology.
And in April—just this past week, in fact—her self-authored picture book Full Moon was also an ACHUKA Book of the Day:
Coming later in the year (Nov) from HarperCollins is Detective Mole, a picture book about a mole who exchanges his chef’s apron for a detective’s trench coat and sets out to solve his first case.
Will this become Camilla Pintonato’s third ACHUKA Book of the Day in 2021? There must be a good chance of that happening, but let’s wait for the autumn—meanwhile, it’s time to get our guest to respond to the weekly prompts:
As a child, what were the first illustrations you remember admiring?
I think it was Cappuccetto Verde by Bruno Munari and The Turn of the Screw (when I was in high school) by Pablo Auladell.
Who/what inspired you when you were young?
Nature, especially fruit trees, and running people (I draw a lot of running people).
Who inspires you today?
Saying only few names it’s impossibile: Mac Barnett, Jon Klassen, Oliver Jeffers, Laura Carlin, Kitty Crowther, blexbolex, Juanjo Saez, Jean Jullien, Beatrice Alemagna, Chris Haughton and so many more…
Did you study art/illustration?
I studied illustration at Mimaster (Milan) and editorial design at ISIA (Urbino). I also attended many summer courses at Fondazione Stepan Zavrel (Sarmede).
What is your favourite artist tool/product?
The graphic tablet I use every day to work and the UNIPOSCA markers I use when I want to relax!
Where do you buy your art supplies?
At the nearest art store I can find—I’m lazy!
What software/apps do you use?
Photoshop and InDesign
What was your first commission?
Mmmm, I think it was a fiction book about Greece published by Feltrinelli. It was a real revival of my classical studies in high school!
What are you working on at the moment?
I’m working on my personal book projects, the continuation of the -ology series published by Princeton Architectural Press and an exhibition here in Venice.
Twitter or Instagram? Instagram
Coffee or tea? Both
Cat absolutely!
Grape or grain? Grape
Sunrise or sunset? Sunset
What do you listen to when you are working? A lot of jazz and piano music, but also Fabrizio De Andrè, Francesco De Gregori, Nina Simone, Paolo Conte, Frank Sinatra… I like the music of the past, I find it very relaxing because I am a very tense person.
Where can we follow you on social media?
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/camilla_pintonato/
A presentation of one of Camilla Pintonato’s books, in Italian
This is a regular weekend feature, publishing every Saturday.
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