I shamelessly copy from *raka-raka's journal [link] !
So if you have any question about me, my life, interests, hobbies, characters, art, etc etc, feel free to ask!!
Well, I'll ignore offensive or too personal questions, of course! ^_*



Personal Questions:

What languages do you speak?  Italian is my mothertongue, then I speak a little English (I never studied it, as my teacher at high school was an incompetent, so I'm self-taught...) and a very very little Japanese, as I've a degree in "Eastern Languages and Cultures". Though my specialization was "arts and archeology" I also studied the language for 4 years. Unfortunately I lost it as I couldn't practice it after graduation

What else do you like to do besides drawing? I love reading, watching movies, writing and listening to music. I can't do anything without having a music background! I love cooking and experimenting with new recipes! My "spaghetti alla carbonara" are epic! xD Unfortunately, lately, having much less free time, I try to use every spare moment to drawing, to the disvantage of other interests.

What kind of music do you like? My absolutely favourite genre of music is Heavy Metal! My favourite groups are Metallica, Manowar, System of a Down, Rammstein, The Misfits and many others. I also love symphony and soundtracks.

What are your favourite books? I love reading!Some of my favourite books are The Lord of The Rings, Dracula,  Dragonlance Saga, I malavoglia, Il nome della rosa.

What are your favourite comics, mangaka and artists? When I was a teenager I was used to read a lot of manga!! Now I don't read them anymore, for my chronic lack of time...!! >.< BTW my all time favourite manga are Trigun, Monster Collection, Mademoiselle Anne and Berserk. My favourite manga artists are Sei Itoh, CLAMP and Kentaro Miura, of course!
In general, my favourite artists are Tsukioka Yoshitoshi, Van Gogh, Leonardo Da Vinci, Munch and Caravaggio!

If you could live the life of a famous artist, for just one day, who would you choose? Wow!! This is a really difficult question to answer!! But in the end, I'd love to be Leonardo Da Vinci for one day... I'd love to know what there was in his genius mind!





Artistic Questions:

Do you have an artistic formation? Not at all... I'm 100% self-taught, as I couldn't attend the international comic school as I dreamt because it was too much expensive ç__ç So I tried to improve myself with a lot of practice, trials and some useful tutorials I found here on DA. I also had a long time of hiatus from drawing... approximately from 18 to 25 years old, which I drew very little or nothing (because of University).

What motivates you to draw and why? For me drawing is actually a real need. Is like a mental and physical need. Is a way to express myself, to vent and to feel better with myself. I don't know what exactlymotivates me, I only know that I just have to do it if I want to feel good. Of course I have to admit that the "confirmation"of those who follow me makes me truly happy and incentivates me to do more.

When did you start drawing? I think I've always drawn, since childhood. It 'a passion that was born with me!

What inspires your art? I got inspiration from everything that happens to me! Films, photographs, advertising, real people and music. The music especially affects me a lot and it's my "muse" favorite. I am crazy about soundtracks that help me to imagine the scenes and emotions!

How does music influence you? I do not know why, but it is like if the music has a hypnotic effect on me! It let me "immerse" totally in what I'm doing, creating a "barrier" between me and the outside. It helps me concentrate and it also influences me about the emotions. I always try to choose the type of music/song that suits the emotion which I want to try to express in drawings or when I write. I created some special playlists, which I use when necessary...! XD Especially soundtracks like "the lord of the rings", "batman begins", "the last  samurai" or the many other films (including films that I didn't particularly liked, but  from whose music I have been captured) helped me imagine and write the battle scenes, the siege to the city, etc.


Did you study something related with art? Yes, I studied art history and archeology of the Far East, specializing in Japanese's Art. I wrote my dissertation on the Ukiyo-e artist Tsukioka Yoshitoshi, whom I higly suggest you to check out, because he's great!

What was the most challenging art you have ever made and why? [link] This one, for sure. This was the hardest commission I had to do, for many reasons. First of all I had horrible and low-quality references for the portraits of these 2 real people. Then she was a real pain in the ass, as she was very demanding and she did not like the realistic version of herself  (if you're ugly is not my fault! xD) So I had to change her face, making it more beautiful, losing likeness. And in the end she paid me "inviting" me at her wedding ceremony without making her a present. (This was done to be exposed in the ceremony hall. How much tacky...)

What is your art piece that you are most unsatified with, and why? [link] this one, though is a very old piece! I still love it very much not only for the colours, the pose and the concept, but also for the strong emotion that it still conveys to me!

What do you think is your weakest point, artistically speaking? Ah... too many! I've still a lot to improve. BTW, my waekest points are anatomy and lights/shadows on the bodies I think.

Do you often use references or are do you just sit down and draw from your mind all the time? It depends from the piece I want to do. Sometime I see a pic that inspires me to draw, so I use it as a reference, or if I already have an idea for a pose I can search a reference or sketching it by myself, it depends.

What tip would you give someone  trying to be a better more realistic artist? Well, actually I do not feel up to give advice, having myself much more to learn!

But I can say that looking at pictures and use them as reference helps a lot to understand the anatomy of body and face, and alsohow the shadows and the lights are projected on it. And then, of course, to train constantly without getting discouraged if results are not good at the beginning!




OC Questions:

When did you start to develop your OC's story? Omg... I think the first vague idea was born in the far 2001! xD Everything started with Ria and Kyed. At the beginning it was only their story and it was born as a comic in manga style... (that is truly embarassing now XDDD) I also drew in a period of 3 or 4 years about 50 pages of comics. After having abandoned it for years, in 2008 I found it again. I realized that it was a pity to have abandoned it, so I decided I wanted to continue it but at the moment my drawing style had changed too much and I couldn't continue the already started comic. Starting it from the beginning was just impossible, so I decided to try to write it in the form of a short story. I wrote the first 2 or 3 chapters, only about Ria and Kyed's story. Then I abandoned it again... (I'm hopeless, I know...!!! xD) Again after a year or so, I got it in my hands one more time. I decided to try again, but this time I also wanted to create a more complete and articulated history, not just focused on Ria and Kyed. I wanted to give depth and substance to the world around them. So I created the whole universe of Kherming and other lands, creating also the other characters: Vondel, Aralyn, Varelèn, Gar and many other minor.
I wrote the entire first book and I'm at half of the second and last book. But I'm having another writing hiatus at the moment... ç_ç

Do you also have other stories or characters more or less defined? Besides those who are part of the story of Ria Kyed, etc, no I don't.

What inspired you to create your own story, both for the world and the characters? The fantasy genre has always inspired me a lot, being my absolute favorite. So the masterpieces of fantasy literature like "Lord of the Rings" and the "Dragonlance saga" have definitely influenced and inspired me. But certainly I was also influenced by some manga and anime (always fantasy genre) that I read years ago, like "Berserk" or "Monster collection".

What do you like most about  the story you have created? The characters, absolutely. I don't know why but I'm really very fond and proud of them.

Does Deimos at least have a good side? Also would he get a long with a sweet human girl who's not beautiful? Absolutely not. He has no emotions and will not ever have, he is a demon, a creature that Vondel evokes like a weapon, an instrument of death for Vondel.

What do you like most, and what don't you like, of your main characters? In each of them there is something I love! But I would not say too much, not to make a spoiler!

I love the determination of Kyed, his endless love for the lost girl who leads him to have an incredible faith, patience and a spirit of endurance.  Well ... he is my ideal man, so I have not yet found faults in him! xD

Ria I like the determination of Ria, her fortitude and the ability to not be deterred easily, but is also sullen, unpleasant and basically arrogant ... u.u This may improve with time ... a little! Physically is what I like best in a girl.

Gar is sweet and melancholy and this is the side which I prefer, but at the same time he is eternally too indecisive and unsure of himself!

Varelèn ... I appreciate the fact that she knows how to get anything she wants, and anyway, is sincerely willing to become a good ruler and for her Kherming comes first. But she is vitiated, obstinate and conscious that she can use her charm to get what she wants.

Vondel is a heartless bastard, with serious psychological disorders, and delusions of grandeur ... xD But I love him even so! He has no positive side in his personality, unfortunately ...

Aralyn, poor thing, I feel sorry for him because he is a victim, but on the other hand is not strong enough to react.

What steps do you take to develope an OC? I don't know... They just came out developing the story and so I thought about their physical appearance and general personality. Then, writing the story, their personalities have become increasingly detailed and multifaceted. (or at least I hope so)



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