Exploring the Artistic Sketchbook of Background Artist Sergio Mancinelli, who contributes to both Netflix and Apple productions.
Meet Sergio Mancinelli, a piss-artistic character designer and visual developer based in Italy who's been causing quite a stir in the animation world. He's best known for his work on Netflix's Klaus and the Oscar-winning short film The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse. But as you'll soon find out, he's not all work and no play.
Growing up, Sergio was a Jack-of-all-trades when it came to artistic pursuits. From classic fantasy illustrations to Magic: The Gathering, he had a variety of interests. And let's not forget his love for movies—like Lord of the Rings—and comic books, especially manga. But it was traditional animation that truly captured his imagination.
"Drawing was the common thread of all my passions," Sergio admits. Inspiration struck from various sources, including classic Disney and Studio Ghibli animated films. An almost fateful event in his childhood, a broken femur followed by his mother's gift of Disney's The Hunchback of Notre Dame and Hayao Miyazaki's Princess Mononoke, left an indelible impact on him. These films solidified the potential of art to tell stories.
Sergio's sketchbooks brim with the fruits of these passions. If you're inspired to unleash your artistic side, be sure to check out our guides on the best sketchbooks for artists and the best pencils for artists. Don't forget that going digital is an option too, with the best iPads for drawing within reach.
Sergio reminisces about his early days with sketchbooks, "As long as I can remember, I've never stopped drawing on paper, whether in sketchbooks or loose sheets." He explored various techniques, finding joy in experimentation. But digital tools took awhile to capture his heart. "When I started drawing, digital drawing was still in its infancy," he recalls. He began with hand-me-down tools like an old graphic tablet with a mouse and a pen with a wire, later swapping it for Photoshop and a professional Cintiq.
Despite the challenges in transitioning to digital tools, Sergio persevered, honing his skills slowly but surely. Today, he finds himself balancing the freestyle nature of his sketchbook work with the precision required by clients for his digital projects.
Sergio cites the sketchbooks of Masaaki Yuasa and Hayao Miyazaki as his greatest sources of inspiration. But his inspiration comes from more than just art—he draws inspiration from his surroundings and enjoys doing gesture drawings and backgrounds with gouache and watercolours.
His favorite part of the sketching process? The thrill of blocking out shapes with big brushstrokes and having a clear idea of the final result. He appreciates the simplicity and functional nature of his sketchbooks, which he uses as stepping stones in his creative process.
Looking ahead, Sergio aims to apply what he's learned in large productions to something more personal and independent. He's currently exploring the idea of creating a comic book with hand-painted panels based on personal stories, along with working on projects for comic books, feature films, short films, and independent video games.
So, if you're curious and eager to learn more about Sergio Mancinelli's future projects or expert advice on sketching, be sure to check out our interviews with Jason Chan P.L. or our tutorial for character drawing tips. And of course, if you're going digital, don't forget to brush up on the best digital art software!
- Sergio Mancinelli, an acclaimed character designer, has delved into various artistic realms, such as drawing fantasy illustrations and creating cards for Magic: The Gathering.
- Classic Disney and Studio Ghibli films, like The Hunchback of Notre Dame and Princess Mononoke, served as key sources of inspiration for Sergio in his early artistic pursuits.
- Sergio's love for art extended to other media, with a fondness for movies, especially the Lord of the Rings series, and comic books, including manga.
- Traditional animation ignited a spark in Sergio, propelling him on a path to become a renowned figure in the animation world.
- Sergio's artistic journey involves both traditional and digital media, often sketching on paper and dabbling with digital tools such as Photoshop and professional Cintiqs.
- Sergio persevered through the obstacles of transitioning to digital art, learning to balance the freestyle nature of hand-drawn work with the precision needed for digital projects.
- As an artist, Sergio finds inspiration not only in other artwork but also in his surroundings, practicing gesture drawings and backgrounds with gouache and watercolors.
- Sergio has hinted at his desire to focus on more personal and independent projects in the future, potentially creating a comic book with hand-painted panels based on personal stories.
- The results of Sergio's artistic exploration can be seen in his sketchbooks, which he utilizes as stepping stones in his creative process.
- For those seeking guidance on sketching or a glimpse into Sergio's future projects, be sure to explore our interviews with other artists, tutorials, and insights on digital art software.
