DRAMATIC EFFECT

ORSOLA DAMIANI & CHIARA BARTALI

 
 
 

From the minute Orsola Damiani began studying Illustration, it was love at first sight, “since then I have never stopped studying, improving, striving, evolving,” she told Cluster, “I learn new things every day, from technique to ways of observing reality.” Her broad spectrum of  influences include everything from artists like Hopper, Beraud and Gruau to the fun of silent movies and the humour of Snoopy cartoons. “In each case, what attracts me is the discovery of new points of view,” she added.

Il Salva Gente

 
 
 

Reading Time

 

Orsola’s work has a heightened sense of theatricality which she attests to her upbringing accompanying her mother to all kinds of theatrical performances.  “It’s a world that fascinates me,” she explained, “its magic taught me to approach reality from different perspectives and to continually overturn my first impressions.” Her characters are often depicted in costumes reminiscent of old Hollywood and traditional stage plays which, along with their poses, evoke an atmosphere of unfolding drama. In one work, a woman in a leopard print robe and feathered hat blows bubbles while waiting for an unseen suitor, while in another a flamboyant knight in a plume helmet runs with a trumpet to his lips, as if alerting his king of some joyful news.

 
 
 

For each piece, she searches for stories and images in theatre, exhibitions, travel and old movies. Since Orsola defines her characters with colour and clothing, a further research component is then completed to fully understand her subject. Next, she sketches relentlessly until she finds a composition she is happy with and moves onto paint. “I see the world in colours, for this reason acrylics are my preference,” she added, “they are versatile and animate the illustrations to give them strong personalities.”

Crazy March

 
 
 
 

Orsola joined Cluster to improve her knowledge of the industry and sharpen her professional toolkit through on-going artistic exchange. Over the course of 2021, she has devoted herself to her illustration work, making it her full-time job. During this time, Orsola has collaborated with online magazines, theatres, festivals, and even wine-makers. Last month saw the publication of her first children’s book, Che Botto!, which she hopes to be the first of many more. 

 
 
 

Mary

 

Similarly, Chiara Bartali’s introduction to visual storytelling was through theatre. “I’d never found a way to fully express myself,” she told us, “it was as a scenography student that I discovered the power of a story when told in the right way.” This realisation encouraged her to attend a class in illustration and concept art, where she learned to draw and familiarised herself with the world of illustrated books.

 
 
 

An element of theatricality can also be sensed in Chiara’s work, a lingering influence from her time as a professional scenographer. Her illustrative work is unbound by one particular mode of working, just as the set designer plunders a range of techniques and materials to construct each new scene. “I like to create contrasts and mix different art skills in order to achieve multiple readings,” she explained. Using a mixture of haptic and digital methods, her work is particularly narrative, often drawing from literary references. In one particular piece inspired by James Joyce, a group of colourful, digitally polished characters gather like a Greek Chorus in a grey, hand-sketched room, creating a powerful juxtaposition in tone.

Venere | BUY THIS PIECE FROM OUR ONLINE SHOP

 
 
 

For Chiara, concept comes first, frequently taking the form of a feeling, a song, a story or a character. “I perform long and quite obsessive research to find inspirational material,” she told Cluster, “then, I start sketching to lay down the composition.” Working from reference photos helps her to explore particular perspectives and allows for a certain precision, especially when it comes to her expressive figures. Through Cluster, Chiara hopes to push beyond her comfort zone, learn new skills and connect with other artists. Currently, she is working on personal projects and a few commissions, though over the course of 2022 she hopes to continue to develop her illustrative style.

 
 
 

Ophelia

 

Life is a stage for illustrators Orsola and Chiara, who channel theatrical devices of costume, scenography and juxtaposition to make work as rich in character as it is in narrative. 

 
 

Work by both Orsola Damiani and Chiara Bartali can be viewed on the Cluster Illustration platform
and purchased through our Cluster Illustration Online Shop.

Thank you for reading,
Stephanie Gavan & Cluster Team.