Daniele Serra: Art in a perpetual motion
Before devoting myself entirely to the illustration I worked as a graphic designer for several years. In 2008 I decided to focus my work mainly as an illustrator and cartoonist. I’m a self-taught artist and I I have not attended art schools, just some basic courses to learn the technique of comic art and oil painting.
I mostly use watercolor, sometimes use oil colors. Perhaps watercolors are not immediately recognizable because I use little water, I think this technique is reminiscent of the tempera colors. I have a studio room divided into two main locations: one where I draw, inking, paint and the other one with a computer that I use to scan and photograph drawings. During the process of creating an artwork I don’t use any software, I do everything by hand. Only in the development of the final file, of course, comes in the computer. The only program that I’m currently using is Photoshop for image acquisition and for any adjustment of tone, color curves, and InDesign if I have to insert lettering or more.
For me making art is a constant search for something that probably (and thankfully) never find, is a perpetual motion. The attempt to express myself against what surrounds us. Art and music are two of my great passions, being able to do artwork for bands is great and very fascinating. Stimulates different sensory fields and both create strong emotions.
I’m very attracted to all that is dark, allegorical and symbolic. These are to me sources of research and inspiration, I cannot separate my feelings toward this kind of topics. My illustrations are absolutely linked although still I always refer to a client with certain requirements, but nevertheless I do try to never lose my style that comes from my darkside. For example lately I have been fascinated and has been a source of great inspiration by Physiognomy and the works of Giambattista Della Porta.
There are many artists that I take as a reference for style and techniques from the likes of Pieter Bruegel, Goya and Schiele to painting movement of American comics, like George Pratt, Kent Williams and many others, they have taught me a lot. The major sources of inspiration for me are literature, movies and history. I love authors like E.T.A. Hoffmann, old movies and ancient history, especially the Middle Ages.
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Interview by Alex Milazzo – Copyright 2015 © Heavy Music Artwork. All rights reserved.
