Beasts, monsters and ghosts.
Chimaeras, basilisks and sphinxes.
Not to mention mermaids, gorgons and cyclopes.
The world of mythology has always been full of bizarre, fascinating and often disturbing creatures.
As well as appearing in ancient legends, these strange beings also pop up closer to home, in local folk tales.
As children, everyone surely had a grandparent who told them tales of mysterious sightings at the edge of their town or village, particularly near woods, streams and caves.
Fantasy creatures, in other words, are silent and patient companions.
They are just waiting for the right moment to be discovered, approached and remembered.
And only those with good eyes, vivid imagination and a steady hand can sketch out their forms on paper in detail.
Diana is one of the few who has succeeded in this epic feat.
She created a personalised gift – a unique printed bestiary that brings to life the stories that emerged from the lecture halls at her university.
This volume is incredibly refined in every way, not least the cover, which offers protection to the beautifully illustrated results of the creativity that flowed between her lectures.
It’s a brilliant creation, which started in the mind, then became pen and ink, and finally took up residence in its paper frame.
Are you ready to discover more about Diana’s University Bestiary?
Happy reading!
Who are you? Tell us a bit about yourself and what you do.Dreams, aspirations and talents. A short but faithful portrait!
Hi! I’m Diana, a graphic art student at the Academy of Fine Arts in Rome, specialising in illustration and art printing. After spending years studying for a degree in law, I decided to heed my inner voice and follow my dreams, and pursue a new study path that felt more ‘me’. I have always been passionate about art, and work with various local associations teaching art to both adults and children, because I want everyone to find their own form of self-expression. I see art as a means of communication – a tool you can use to turn your inner world into something tangible. And that’s just what I aim to do with my work.
Before telling us about your idea, can you explain to our readers what you produced using our printing services?
I used Pixartprinting to create my first illustrated book, measuring 21 x 21 cm with a hardback cover and a very sophisticated gold finish.
Let’s rewind to the very beginning. How did you get the idea for this project? Is there a particular story behind it?
The project started as a graduation gift for someone very dear to me. After trying for months to come up with a gift that was as special as the recipient, eventually I had a brainwave: a bespoke illustrated book. My University Bestiary was the result: a collection inspired by medieval texts that depicts the fantasy creatures from the tales of a valiant knight who is completing his studies!
Once you had found the right idea, you had to set a goal. What did you want to achieve with your idea? What was your objective?
My primary aim was to create something the book’s recipient would like. But the project took on a life of its own, and provided an important learning experience for me.
How did you turn your project into reality? What were the design phases and how many were there? Tell us about the process that brought your idea to life and made it ready for printing.
During the early planning stages, after noting down which characters I needed to illustrate and their habitats, I created a quick storyboard to visualise how the book’s inside pages would be laid out. At the same time, I started writing the stories and the descriptions of the creatures. The next stage was drawing all the various characters and environments and the initials, all done using a fountain pen in black ink on paper. I then scanned all the pages (20 in total!) and completed the colouring, decorative frames and the cover digitally, before preparing the final layouts for printing.
How did you use print on demand to produce your work? Which materials did you choose and why?
I decided to use you immediately, as I had already seen the quality of your products through some acquaintances of mine. The thing that most drew me to your services was the wide choice of sizes and above all the option of a wonderful, intricate gold finish on the cover, so I could make my design exactly as I had imagined it, or perhaps even more beautiful!
The time has come to use the printed products! How did you feel when you finally saw the printed result in front of you?
I was indescribably happy. Seeing something that had taken months of work finally come to life and having it in my hands after previously only seeing it on a screen was incredibly satisfying.
This is only the start! What other projects do you have planned for the future? Can you share them with us?
I’d like to create other illustrated books. At the moment I’m focusing on my studies, but I hope to have the opportunity to produce other stories in the future!
To find out more about Diana and her creations:
Instagram profile: @mordianart