Artist information
Name: Stefano Zerbini
Cards created: 96 - Dryptosaurus Aquilunguis
Reference techniques: Digital
Paleo-art period: Renaissance
Historical period: Early Cretaceous
This is your first time collaborating with Tomodachi Press. How did the initial contact come about?
“I remember seeing a Dario story in which he was looking for collaborators, and I ignored it. Then I saw it again one evening several days later and thought, "why not"? So I attached my portfolio to the email address provided, and it worked out.”
Release the creatures: Dinosaurs! was created under the artistic supervision of Dario Moccia, as well as the scientific supervision of Zoosparkle. How stimulating was this dual review process?
“Not really; I did a few warm-ups in a sketchbook based on the requested dinosaur, and I arrived fairly well prepared for the actual card. Willy ’s corrections were mostly minor details that were easily resolved.
Rather, I had a minor setback caused by my misunderstanding of some of Dario ’s instructions regarding the final line-art rendering, which led me to create several versions, but in the end everything worked out well and we were both very satisfied.”
The card you created for the set is number 96 and depicts a Dryptosaurus Aquilunguis fighting to defend its meal. The illustration is a reinterpretation of the paleo-artwork “Leaping Laelaps,” with some differences in the surrounding environment in addition to the obvious differences in artistic style. Why did you move to the shore compared with the original?
“Moving it to the shore was part of the initial brief; I imagine it was a way to avoid creating a version that was too much of a direct reference to the original.
I was happy about it because it gave me more creative freedom and the chance to throw in a fun Mosasaur, thus making it an active part of the composition.”
If you could choose another dinosaur to reinterpret for a new card, which one would you choose?
“I may be pretty conventional, but I can't help mentioning the Tyrannosaurus. Alternatively, I wouldn't mind one of the Raptors either.”
How has your view of the world of dinosaurs evolved after this project?
“Now, every time I see one, I think about the coolest way to represent and distort it.”
Before we say goodbye, is there a thought you would like to leave with the collectors reading this?
“Always have fun.”
Stefano Zerbini's favorites
- Layout: Heroic Period
- Paleo-artistic period: Postmodern Period
- Historical period: Late Cretaceous
- Favorite card from the set: Ichthyornis Dispar
- Artists: Nicola Saviori, Zufo, Riccardo Vignoli, Marco Raffaelli
0 comments