Artist information
Name: Emanuele Desiati
Cards created: 58 - Baryonyx Walkerii, 70 - Koreaceratops Hwaseongensis, P5 - Feitianius Paraoisi
Reference techniques: Pencil studies and digital final artwork
Paleoartistic period: Renaissance
Historical period: Early Cretaceous
This is the first time you have collaborated with Tomodachi Press. How did the initial contact come about?
“Through Dario Moccia: after a brief exchange, he involved me in this project, and we began discussing the set’s ‘paleoartistic periods’.
He insisted that I experiment with more different styles while I was hesitant... today I regret it! I should have taken the plunge and tackled more periods!”
Release the creatures: Dinosaurs! was created under the artistic supervision of Dario Moccia and also under the scientific supervision of Zoosparkle. How inspiring was this dual review process?
“Actually, I think it’s a relatively normal process when working on scientifically up-to-date projects: Dario helped me with the artistic aspects and the rendering of the illustration, while Willy patiently guided me through all the anatomical and behavioral aspects of each subject!
Initially, my mistakes were significant: I was exclusively concerned with depicting monsters, claws, and sharp teeth... and poor Zoosparkle tried to get me back on track.”
For this set, you created three cards, all in the Renaissance paleoart period. In my opinion, each represents your dinosaurs’ ‘routine’ in a different way. Was this a deliberate decision, or did it happen naturally?
“I think the credit goes to the curators: Willy provided plenty of references and ideas from the very beginning for depicting them, while Dario stepped in to help me with the development and improvement of the drafts!
I can only add that, in general, I was looking for ideas and references from the animal world, precisely to get closer to something sensible!”
Can you tell me something about card 58? In my opinion, it’s the most successful one in this mix of vivid colors and gloomy shadows, featuring a Baryonyx Walkeri trying to procure its dinner.
“I agree! For me, it’s the ‘Jurassic Park Card’! I took those colors and used all of them: complementary, crazy, and incredibly saturated!
In any case, this one definitely involved the most work behind the scenes: it was the first one I worked on and, without a doubt, the one Willy had to work hardest on to explain that I wasn’t drawing fantasy-monster doodles where I could bend reality to my liking. The drafts were very far from the final result—perhaps more theatrical, but definitely scientifically inaccurate!”
Moving on to card 70, which depicts a small group of Koreaceratops Hwaseongensis, presumably searching for small animals or plants to eat, can you reveal some behind-the-scenes details?
“I was able to choose this subject myself: I admit that if the fifth-grade version of ‘myself’ knew how many gaps I have in my dinosaur knowledge today, he would be extremely disappointed—and the Koreaceratops is proof of that! I had never seen or heard of it, but as soon as I saw the reference images, I fell in love with that huge, unique tail!
The first drafts featured a composition that was too far removed from the paleoart period we were referencing, so Dario steered me toward a more suitable choice. If someone commissions an artist proof from me, I’ll definitely draw only close-ups of that tail!”
Lastly, we have P5, which probably features a male and a female Feitianius Paraoisi. The scene they are portrayed in could be some kind of courtship—or perhaps they were simply looking for a secluded place?
“Correct, as suggested by Willy we immediately explored several proposals depicting them during courtship!
I was very concerned about the background: I wanted to create a very romantic scene with a majestic tree behind them... but the amount of detail risked ruining everything! Here too, thanks to Dario, we managed to resolve the illustration despite everything!”
If you could choose another dinosaur and a paleo-artistic period to interpret for a special card (in the Timeshifted style), what would you choose?
“Just one? I would probably choose the Future or the Postmodern period, so I could play with fewer stylistic restrictions or even go wild with experimental ideas using acidic and fluorescent colors!
Choosing the dinosaur becomes complicated! Since the Timeshifted cards referenced the compositions of the original card, I would choose Sinosauropteryx Prima, Velociraptor Mongoliensis, or fulfill my "childhood self's" desire by drawing Spinosaurus Aegyptiacus!”
How has your perspective on the world of dinosaurs evolved after this project?
“I think I have fallen in love again, just as I once did. My wife will give birth soon, and I admit I can't wait to be able to talk about dinosaurs with our little one!”
Before we say goodbye, is there a thought you would like to leave with the collectors reading this?
“UHHH! I have a lot to say about this (especially regarding today's speculative market), but I'll limit myself to saying: Let yourself become passionate about any niche, subject, or field that defines you, and fight against FOMO, trend-driven products, and speculation! Let's all become children again and collect what we like! Whether it's bottle caps, glass marbles, or illustrated cards!”
Emanuele Desiati's favorites
- Layout: Future
- Paleo-artistic period: Postmodern
- Historical period: Cretaceous (both!)
- Favorite card from the set: Gargantuavis philoinos by Filippo Morcella VS Austroraptor cabazai by Simone Peano
- Artists: Paolo Minopoli, Matteo De Longis, Marzio Mereggia, Giakus, Francesco Mazziotta, Zufo, Nicori, Federico Bertozzi, Filippo Morcella, Lorenzo Colangeli, Ivan Fiorelli, Simone Peano
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