"I don’t consider myself an artist, I just do what I like" The story of illustrator from Italy Sara Gironi Carnevale

© Sara Gironi Carnevale
— Tell us about your childhood and youth.
— I grew up in Caserta, a small town in southern Italy near Naples. I had a very happy childhood, so happy that I feel a little nostalgic when I remember it. I grew up in a very motivating environment: my father is a biologist and my mother is a naturalist and artist, so I was always surrounded by colors, animals, nature and books. Finding a pencil or piece of paper in my home never has been a problem, and drawing has been one of my favorite classes since childhood. Teachers at school often scolded me for drawing in math or history lessons. I can never forget the shock of my religion teacher when she realized that I had painted something like a superhero cat on the Bible!
— Where did you study graphic design and why did you choose it?
— I have always been sure that in my life I want to do what will be related to art or graphics. I started to study graphic design in high school in Caserta and then moved to Turin to complete a 3-year BA in Communication and Graphic Design at IAAD. I mainly studied graphic design and advertising, and I could not even imagine that I would end up working as an illustrator. I did not have this education and I remember how lost I felt when I took the first steps, trying to develop my style and portfolio, and understand how this area works.
© Sara Gironi Carnevale
— Are you completely digital now or do you have a brush and paints as well?
— I'm a little ashamed to admit it, but now I'm completely digital. I would like to draw or be good with traditional techniques, but when it comes to that, I only feel comfortable with pencils or pens, and my “analog” style is very different and not as complex as my digital one. Sometimes I still draw on real paper, but this is something I only do for myself, especially if I need to calm down.
— A little about the technical side of the process: how do you create your illustrations?
— The most important part of a project for me is finding an idea. When I receive a brief from a client, the first thing I do is write down: keywords, thoughts, metaphors, anything that might help me summarize more complex concepts. I usually strive to come up with at least three good ideas and do some quick sketches. As soon as the client chooses one of these ideas, I proceed with the finalization, usually in Photoshop. I also use Procreate, but mostly for personal projects, in which case the process is definitely less technical: when I have an idea, while I do something completely different and I just can't resist portraying it.
© Sara Gironi Carnevale
© Sara Gironi Carnevale
© Sara Gironi Carnevale
© Sara Gironi Carnevale
— What is the most difficult in a process of creating illustrations?
— Creating an illustration is something really fun and rewarding for me, so I consider complex things to be a certain challenge. Sometimes I am surprised at myself when I offer clients something that I really can't draw, but it is this kind of recklessness that inspires me. It is also a good way to test and improve your skills.
— Who is the outhority for you in the world of designer world?
— I always feel a little lost when asked about something like this. I would like to seem smart and not at all trivial, but I'm afraid that I really have no authority. Usually I am more interested in the person's personality. For this reason, I appreciate the American illustrator and comic book writer Don Rosa: he had a good job as an engineer in a family company, but decided to leave to devote himself to his real passion - drawing Scrooge McDuck! This is what makes me admire him. Plus I met him when I was 12 years old :-)
— How do you assess your role in contemporary art?
— Do I have a role in contemporary art? :-) I don't consider myself an artist, I just do what I like. This is not false modesty, it's just that most of the time I feel that I am just one of thousands of other talented illustrators and, perhaps, this is my role — to be part of the artist community and reflect everything that happens in our time — politics, economics, science and other relevant topics.
© Sara Gironi Carnevale
© Sara Gironi Carnevale
© Sara Gironi Carnevale
© Sara Gironi Carnevale
— Your graphic novel "Io non sono Islam" was printed in 2019. Who helped you in creating, how was the idea born and how long did it take from the idea to the printing of the first copy?
— I worked on this project with Benedetta Argentieri, a journalist who met and interviewed Islam Mitat in 2017. Islam is a young woman who was imprisoned within the Islamic State for 3 years. We were very impressed by her experience, like many other female victims, and we decided to tell about it in the form of a graphic novel. The project was quite complex and it took over a year of work to finally see it in print.
— Do we need to wait one more novel from you?
— Maybe. I would like to tell one story, but I am not sure can i ever feel ready to do this.
— How popular is the profession of an illustrator today and is it easy to get the necessary education?
— In Italy, when I tell people that I am an illustrator, the usual reaction is sincere and interrogative "What are you?" I think that the creative professions are still not well understood, at least in my country. It's a little frustrating sometimes, especially when it comes to fair prices for your work or copyrights. It's a little sad, but from my experience it seems that things are a little different outside of Italy. For example, in the US, France or the UK, the creative professions are more recognized and there is more room for growth. It also means that there is a lot more competition and you have to be very determined and motivated to get your place in the niche.
© Sara Gironi Carnevale
© Sara Gironi Carnevale
© Sara Gironi Carnevale
© Sara Gironi Carnevale
— Does it ever happen that your inspiration disappears? What do you do in such cases? Who or what inspires you?
— Yes, absolutely. There are whole weeks when my right hemisphere of the brain seems to be switched off. Sometimes I can feel overwhelmed by the amount of ideas I have and then I write them down and, like a squirrel, make a kind of "reserve" for those moments when I do not feel much inspiration. I would like to say that I am inspired by great artists, the sea and something poetic ... But the reality is that I am better off "acting" when I am emotionally involved in what I am about to paint. So when I feel fragile, angry, resentful, or genuinely interested in a certain topic, you will probably find me with a pencil in hand.
— Do you have hobbies?
— I draw for a living, and even if it wasn't my job, I would still be doing it. I can say that my work is my hobby :-) Fortunately, I don't sit at my desk all the time, in fact I like to spend my free time outside the house, running or riding a motorcycle, probably to get to a beautiful place near seas (my natural habitat).
— Which cooperations are you most proud of working with? Who else would you like to work with?
— I am happy because I can say that most of the projects I have worked on have given me satisfaction. In fact, I do not look at the prestige of the publication, but mainly at what the project gives me: it can be a topic that I did not know anything about before, or a client from an area in which I have never worked before, or an illustration for use on a medium I've never illustrated before... anyway, it should somehow make me feel enriched. So I want my next client to be someone I've never worked with before!
If I had to make a wish today, I would love to work with the Museum of Natural History.
— Are your works a reflection of your personal life position or the position of modern society?
— I think that an important part of my work is the story of what is happening in the world and the society in which we live, especially as an editorial illustrator. I think that since I am a part of this, my personal point of view in the illustrations is the best way to communicate. My work may simply be a reflection of my feelings or personal experience, sometimes it is a protest or my way of taking sides.
© Sara Gironi Carnevale
© Sara Gironi Carnevale
— Illustrations on what topics are most in demand now? What topics are closest to you?
— During this last year the most trending topic has been Covid: not only from a scientific perspective but also from a social and economic one. I usually like to work on any kind of topical issue, mostly if related to social issues like feminism and defence of human rights in general. Also I do really enjoy it when I have the opportunity to work on scientific briefs: they’re always so interesting and I learn a lot!
— How do you plan to develop in the future?
— If you’ve asked me this question 4 years ago, when I started my career as an illustrator, I would have replied with a description of what I currently have. Actually, the reality it’s even better. It’s been quite struggling sometimes but I’m 28, I live in the place I always wanted to live and I’m doing something I love surrounded by people I’m happy to have in my life. I feel fulfilled and grateful and, despite for someone else this could be enough to slow down, for me this is an incentive to keep growing, personally and professionally. There are clients I’d like to work with and new fields I’d like to explore but I deeply believe in willpower and I know myself and my determination. Plans might change, but I’m quite sure in 4 years I’ll be happy and surprised of what I’ll get, exactly like I am today.