Antonio Giovanni Pinna is an illustrator based in Milan, Italy. Antonio, won our fourth illustration competition in September with his amazing Beatles entry which was featured in our eighteenth issue and will be displayed at our winners exhibition later this year. We caught up with Antonio to find out what inspires him and what we can expect from him in the near future…
I have always been passionate about illustration and cinema. After various jobs very different from the creative field I decided to turn my passion for illustration in a profession.In 2016 I attended an International master of illustration and in 2017 I graduated.Since that time I started to work for different magazines. For my illustrations I use digital tecnology and sometimes sculpture too.
How do you go about starting a piece of work? Does it start as a pencil drawing? What is your process?
I like to start on paper, using a pencil and I draw fast sketches, then I scan the drawing and I start to work on it in digital, I keep changing and playing with the proportions and colors until I’m satisfied.
How do you want people to feel when they see your work?
I would like to evoke any sensation, but never indifference
What things around you inspire you?
I am inspired by a lot of things around me, for example I read old illustrated books, watch a movie or a documentary, a special atmosphere, a bike ride.
Do you have a favourite project or piece of your own work?
My favourite piece is a series of illustrations that I did for a campaign for Borsalino, I had a lot of fun trying to try to recreate the old advertising posters of Borsalino in a modern and light way. But I hope my favorite piece is the one I have yet to create.
What are you currently working on?
I am currently working on illustrations for paper magazine and soon I am attending a Masters – training course in Art Direction.
Tell us a bit about your winning entry to our illustration competition… Why The Beatles?
I like the Beatles, they are icons, and their cartoon Yellow Submarine with the amazing Heinz Edelmann illustrations, is one of my favorite movies. As the imagery and illustrations of The Beatles are so iconic I tried to make my illustration the most simple as possible. I imagined a simple summer picture like a nostalgic polaroid.
Finally, what can we expect to see from you in the near future?
I try to improve myself continuously, so I hope to continue to have fun in making illustration and I hope that people like my works.
