Some portraits begin with observation. For Francesco, they begin with connection.
Music, film, and popular culture have long served as both inspiration and companionship, shaping not only what he creates, but why he creates it. Through drawing and painting, he explores the emotional space between fandom and self-expression, transforming familiar faces into deeply personal works of art.
We spoke with him about the artists who inspire him, the portraits that shaped his journey, and the creative power of connection.
Drawn to the Familiar
What first drew you to portraying musicians, actors, and film characters in your work? Do you remember the first pop culture portrait that truly felt successful to you?
I’ve always felt a strong connection with pop culture, especially music. The first “successful” portrait I remember was a colored pencil drawing of Ariana Grande at the 2015 Grammys. When I finished it, I genuinely thought it really looked like her. Looking back now, I think it was mostly the iconic ponytail and eyeliner doing the work. It was also one of the first pieces I ever posted on Instagram, and from that moment I started taking drawing and art much more seriously.
What interests you about painting or drawing recognizable figures?
It’s actually much deeper than it might seem. When I feel a connection with an artist, their songs, albums, or even with characters and the story of a movie, I get really inspired. I feel the need to solidify this connection by creating something based on it, almost like bringing it into my own world and making it mine in a visual way, which also makes me feel like I’m part of it in some way.
Are you more interested in likeness, mood, or reinterpretation?
I like making sure my portraits are recognizable, for sure. I usually aim to balance accuracy with my own interpretation so it feels like more than just a faithful reproduction, but rather something that reflects how I see the subject.
How does popular culture influence your artistic direction?
Popular culture has always been a constant presence in my life, and my art runs almost in parallel to it. It is my main source of inspiration: I enjoy experiencing it as a viewer, but also becoming part of it as a creator, capturing what resonates with me and turning it into something I can give back to that world, through my work.
Could you share your favorite piece of work at this stage and introduce it briefly?
As of right now, if I really had to choose, I’d probably pick my painting of Ariana Grande’s “eternal sunshine” album cover, which I made back in 2024. It shows her from the back, resting her head on the shoulder of her own double. I’m very emotionally attached to that album; it resonated with me deeply at the time and inspired me to create something bigger and different from my usual drawings on paper: my very first painting on canvas. I really had no idea of what I was doing, but I simply trusted the process, and for someone with no prior experience in that medium, I think it turned out pretty well. That piece really helped me start trusting myself and my abilities more, and it also pushed me to explore new ways of bringing my art to life and improve.
How would you describe your work to someone discovering it for the first time?
It’s hard for me to give my work one fixed definition because as a mixed media artist, I naturally move between different materials and techniques depending on what feels right for the ideas I want to bring to life. Sometimes it’s graphite, sometimes colored pencils, acrylics, markers, or even ballpoint pens. However, even when the medium changes, my work usually stays connected to the same semi-realistic approach, so I'd say that!
Color, Detail & Interpretation
How do you approach capturing detail with colored pencils?
I usually build everything gradually through layers until the piece starts to come to life. I think colored pencils naturally push me to slow down and pay attention to small details and what I find necessary is keeping my pencils as sharp as possible because it allows me to capture even the smallest detail and it gives me much more control over the final result. It's a slow process and it definitely takes a lot of patience, but it's worth it.
How do you balance realism with your own visual interpretation?
I usually start from a fairly realistic foundation, then simplify it in my own way while still keeping the core principles of light and shadow. I’m less interested in hyperrealism and more drawn to creating a certain feeling through the use of vibrant colors and creamy textures.
What challenges come with translating cinematic or celebrity imagery into drawing?
I would probably say that the biggest challenge I often face is getting the subjects right and making sure they truly resemble who I’m trying to portray, while also capturing their essence without turning them into caricatures. That’s simply not what I aim for. I also like to think of my work as tributes to the people and characters I draw, so I always try to treat them with respect and do them justice.
How have Artify brushes influenced the way you approach detail or texture in your recent work?
The Artify brushes have honestly made such a difference in my painting process so far. The bristles are really soft, and the paint just feels smooth and easy to control on the surface, which makes the whole process less stressful and more enjoyable.Their huge range of brush sizes also makes it much easier for me to create pretty much anything I need, which is always a big plus.
What do you look for in tools when working on highly detailed portraits?
I'd say that I’m pretty straightforward when it comes to the art tools I use. I want them to be easy to use, efficient, and also durable. They feel like extensions of my hands, so they need to respond well and almost feel "wired" to my mind as I bring what I’m visualizing to life. 
Beyond the Reference
How do you see your work evolving beyond recognizable figures or references?
I feel like my work will always stay connected to recognizable figures or references, but I can see it becoming more interpretative over time. At the same time, I don’t try to control it too much, I just follow where the inspiration takes me.
Are there themes or subjects you want to explore more deeply in the future?
I’m not really sure, actually. I’m definitely interested in exploring emotion and mood more deeply in my future work, not just the subject itself but more the feeling behind it. I’m just excited to see where it all goes!
Are there new mediums or scales you’re interested in experimenting with?
Yes! I’d like to try oil paint at some point in the future, and I’d also love to work on bigger pieces. They can feel a bit intimidating though, so I’ll probably ease into it gradually and move towards larger scales over time.
What keeps portraiture exciting for you after so many pieces?
What keeps portraiture exciting for me is that it never really feels the same twice. Even when I’m drawing the same subjects, there’s always something new to explore, maybe a different expression, a shift in lighting, or just how I choose to interpret it. It also just feels right to me, so it’s both personally satisfying and rewarding.
What do you hope remains consistent in your work no matter how it changes?
Honestly, it all comes down to the love and passion I put into every piece, and I hope that stays with me forever.
In Francesco’s work, portraiture becomes a conversation between artist and inspiration.
Balancing recognition with interpretation, his paintings celebrate the cultural moments that move us—and the personal stories we attach to them.
Because sometimes the art we create is simply another way of saying: this mattered to me.
Want to see more from Francesco? Find him here:
Francesco's Linktree
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