CSP Featured Artist: Josephine Tomarchio
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How did you become an artist?
There wasn’t a specific moment when I realized I wanted to become an artist. I’ve always had a pencil in my hand, so drawing naturally and almost automatically became my profession. Today, I’m an illustrator, cover artist, and comic book artist working across the U.S. and international comics markets. I create comic book covers, illustrations, and sequential art. My recent collaborations include Dynamite Entertainment, Heavy Metal Magazine, Zenescope Entertainment, Bloodline Comics, and SHP Comics. My work has also been featured in exhibitions and independent editorial projects, and I was selected by MegaNerd as one of the most vibrant voices in contemporary Italian comics.
Where do you get inspiration?
My greatest source of inspiration comes from people. I love observing faces, especially the eyes of the people I encounter in everyday life. Emotions inspire me more than anything else. I’m a very emotional person, and I often translate both my own feelings and the emotions of the people around me into my artwork. Every illustration begins with an emotion before it becomes a drawing.
What’s your hardware setup?
I work exclusively on an iPad Pro with an Apple Pencil. When I’m at home, I work comfortably at my desk. When I’m traveling, attending comic conventions, or working on the go, my iPad goes everywhere with me. I love how perfectly Clip Studio Paint works on the iPad. It allows me to work in a smart and flexible way, so I can draw whenever and wherever inspiration strikes.
What do you like best about Clip Studio Paint?
What I love most about Clip Studio Paint is its coloring system. I began my artistic journey by working traditionally with ink, brushes, and paper, so moving to digital initially felt frustrating. Everything changed when I discovered Clip Studio Paint. It allows me to draw almost as though I were still working traditionally while giving me access to an incredible variety of brushes, colors, and digital tools. I especially love working with gradients, transparency, and lighting effects because they can completely transform the atmosphere and visual impact of a comic book cover.
How long does it take you to make a single illustration?
It depends on several factors, including the complexity of the composition, the background, the number of characters, and whether the illustration is black and white or fully colored.
On average, a professional illustration takes me around 30 hours or more, including the concept, composition, drawing, inking, and coloring process.
How has Clip Studio Paint improved your workflow?
Clip Studio Paint has completely transformed my workflow. Whether I’m creating a professional comic book cover or inking sequential pages, it gives me everything I need within a single application. I love its versatility and the ability to work with high-resolution files and vector layers without constantly switching between different programs. It’s incredibly efficient and intuitive. Honestly, I can’t imagine my creative workflow without Clip Studio Paint.
Would you like to promote some recent project?
At the moment, I’m working on a graphic novel for SHP Comics, as well as several comic book covers for Dynamite Entertainment.I’m also promoting my independent publishing projects at comic conventions, including my artbook Fragmenta and the illustrated book Storie per superare la notte.
Where can we follow your work?
You can follow my work on Instagram: @josephinetomarchio