Resolute John Florio
at the French Embassy
A visual interpretation of Resolute John Florio at the French Embassy, created with the blend of AI technology and artistic direction. This project brings to life the story of John Florio, the Renaissance writer, and his profound connection with philosopher Giordano Bruno. Through dynamic illustrations, the project explores their fascinating journey at the French Embassy in 1583, intertwining political intrigue, historical depth, and timeless friendships.
01. About Project
This project involved creating illustrations for Marianna’s historical fiction, blending cartoon-style visuals with warm colors and 2D elements. The story, set in two time periods, follows the journey of John Florio and his friendship with Giordano Bruno. My illustrations capture key moments, from their intellectual debates at the French embassy to the emotional bond they shared, bringing the narrative’s historical depth and intrigue to life.
02. Creative Process
For Resolute Florio at the French Embassy, my creative process began with clear directions from author Marianna, who provided visual references and gave me a sense of the story’s atmosphere. Using these guidelines, I developed my unique style, which is a mix of cartoon-like elements with warm colors and a 2D illustration feel.
Initial Concept: Marianna shared visual references that helped me understand the characters and their surroundings. I started by sketching key scenes, focusing on the relationship between John Florio and Giordano Bruno, and the atmosphere at the French embassy.
Developing My Style: My style is cartoonish, with a focus on warm, vibrant colors. I blend 2D elements with soft lines and textures, giving the illustrations a playful yet atmospheric feel that fits both the historical setting and the tone of the story.
Using AI (MidJourney): I used the MidJourney AI tool to explore different artistic ideas and create rough drafts. The AI helped me experiment with shapes and colors, which I then fine-tuned to match the narrative’s mood and style.
Final Artwork: Once the initial concepts were generated, I refined them by focusing on details like light, color balance, and the overall mood. The final illustrations are a mix of my cartoon style and historical elements, creating a visual story that is both vibrant and fitting for the themes.
03. References and Inspirations
For Resolute Florio at the French Embassy, I received visual references from author Marianna, which guided the creation of my illustrations. These references helped me capture the historical context and character designs, while also shaping my unique cartoon-style approach.
Character Designs: Marianna provided images of John Florio and Giordano Bruno, which I used to understand their physical features and personalities. I then adapted these into my own interpretation, giving them a more stylized, cartoonish look.
Scene Inspirations: I also worked from historical references, such as images of the French embassy and Renaissance settings, to ensure that the illustrations stayed true to the time period. I adjusted these references to fit my preferred color palette and visual storytelling.
Overview:
| Implementation | Midjourney, Photoshop |
|---|---|
| Type of project: |
Book Illustration |
04. Final Illustrations
In this section, I present the final illustrations created for Resolute Florio at the French Embassy. Each piece reflects the story's key moments and themes, blending historical elements with my unique cartoon-style approach. The illustrations capture the emotional depth of the characters and the intriguing blend of past and present.
