Coloured version of the tobira-e from chapter 01 of Random Heroes.
Federico Brunetti
Up-and-coming manga artist published on different manga magazines and artist behind Chronicles’ #0 cover illustration.
1. What drives you to create stories?
This is a difficult question to start with!
I think it’s a mixture of fun, satisfaction, and suffering. There’s definitely the desire to draw comics like the ones I read as a child, which I think applies to everyone, but there’s also the curiosity to see what I can create each time.
2. What inspired the story published on Chronicles?
Actually, this project stems from a collaboration between two other people. They came up with the story and I joined later to take care of the drawings.
3. Describe your process for creating a character, including what you start with, what inspires you, and what challenges you.
I start out feeling very confused.
Once I’ve sorted things out a bit, I start jotting notes down. If that doesn’t work, I start again.
I keep going until something good comes out that I start to like.
I think inspiration mainly comes from the setting. Based on that, I look for references for clothes or accessories and try to adapt or transform them.
The most difficult part is almost always finding that distinctive element that makes a character interesting.
4. What tools do you use the most?
I like traditional drawing and really enjoy using screen tones, but I have been working mainly digitally for several years now. As a result, the tools I use now are a Wacom Cintiq and Clip Studio.
From storyboard to finished page: a comparison side-by-side from Random Heroes, chapter 01.
5. What kind of scenes move you the most when you’re drawing?
I would say action or combat scenes, although I still have a lot to learn in that regard.
6. Your main sources of inspiration right now:
Another difficult question! I find inspiration in many different works.
Recently, I would say old manga from the ’80s and ’90s, even though it might now show in my drawings.
7. Who would you choose to collaborate with if you could work with a Japanese professional artist / writer?
Wow, you really want to put me on the spot! If I had that honour, I would say Tatsuya Endo-sensei.
8. How do you deal with work stress and creative blocks?
I try to give myself breaks. There are times when I just need to switch off. The same goes for creative blocks. I “switch off and switch on” my mind.
A self-portrayal of Federico as a manga artist. Always moving, constantly chasing inspiration!
9. Describe one of your typical workdays. Do you have any rituals to help you immerse yourself in the creative process? Is there a specific place or type of music that helps you?
Unfortunately, as I’m not a full-time manga artist, my day starts with going to work (sad but true!). As a result, I find time to draw when I get home or in the evening.
I don’t have any particular rituals, except for enjoying breakfast at a leisurely pace with lots of coffee in the morning.
Without that, the day is likely to get off to a very bad start!
The soundtrack to my day changes depending on my mood or what I’m drawing. I listen to everything from anime theme songs to ’90s grunge and old Linkin Park albums.
Federico’s Instagram · Silent Manga Entry
In 2017, Federico submitted a short story to the international Mangaka Contest and won a study tour in Japan with the European Manga Academy. He then took part in a small collection of works drawn during the three weeks the class spent in Tokyo, which you can find here:
• Marupen Tokyo/19
In 2021, he won the 15th edition of the Silent Manga Audition with his story A Starlight Smile.
He then went on to design characters and illustrations for projects related with the Academy and its publishing company, Euromanga Publishing®. He’s also among the artists publishing on Manga Issho, a manga magazine promoted by four European publishing companies.