Paula Romani has been working for many years as a freelance designer and illustrator. She works mostly in fashion, beauty, cosmetic, editorial and advertising. Nowadays she is focusing in digital lifestyle, people and fashion illustrations with a whimsical and contemporary style. I loved the carefree nature of her illustrations and wanted to learn more about her truly unique style.
Shannon: At what age did you first put pencil to paper?
Paula Romani: I can't even remember, as a child I loved to draw all the time and had a very distinctive style. I won several prizes. I used to draw lots of things, but my girls always had big eyelashes and my butterflies too. I studied graphic design and worked as graphic designer for many years, but a few years back I rediscovered my love for illustration and started working as an illustrator. That is my real passion.
Shannon: What was the first illustration you drew that you knew you could turn your love for sketching into a career?
Paula Romani: I guess some doodles I made as a teenager. It was some kind of big nosed comic character and his family, but I detoured into graphic design. One thing I remember as a teenager was how people's faces changed when they saw one of my drawings, usually a smile appeared and I loved that, I still do.That is the best compliment.
Shannon: Where does your inspiration come from for your artwork?
Paula Romani: It is hard to point out the inspiration source. Sometimes when I'm not focused on my work an idea comes to mind in a rather intuitive way. Sometimes it’s a book, a movie, a mag or a song that triggers the new idea. The street is always a great source too. I always have a notebook with me to write down ideas.
Shannon: What is the difference between paper illustration and digital illustration?
Paula: I always draw on paper first. I make a few sketches, select the one that works best and then I scan it and redraw it with my Wacom tablet on my Mac. I finish almost all my illustrations digitally. Digital illustration makes it easier to make changes, revisions and back ups while you are working.
Shannon: Do you seed different aspects of your life into your images?
Paula: Some of them. Others are just pure imagination. When you draw you can make your own fantasy world where no rules apply and this can be very fun. An interesting aspect of illustration is that besides portraying a reality you can create a new reality from your visions, dreams and wishes. You don’t need something to exist to draw it; you can have it in your mind and materialize it on paper.
Shannon: What advice would you give to those looking to develop their passion for illustration into a career?
Paula: Draw a lot, study and draw some more. Try to draw every day. See a lot. Listen to what everyone says about your illustrations. Analyze the work of the illustrators you like and try to see why you are attracted to them. Learn from them but don’t copy their style, find your own. Draw, draw and draw and then naturally your own style will appear and that will make you unique.
Shannon: Do you have any projects in the works for 2008?
Paula: Keep getting new work from all over the world. I'd like to develop my own line of stationary and eventually dolls.
You can see Paula's complete portfolio by visiting www.romaniillustrations.com. Her illustrations are also available for purchase, so if you see one you like, please feel free to stop by her website and drop her an email.
Posted by Shannon Nelson on March 13, 2008 6:39 AM
| Permalink
