Q: Originally from the south of Italy what are some of your favorite things about living and working in Rome?

A: I was born in Lecce, a beautiful city in the Salento area, the southernmost part of the Adriatic coast. I’ve lived in several cities in Italy and abroad but currently I’m in Rome. I love to take long walks in the old city center, which is full of art and history.

Q: Do you keep a sketchbook? What is the balance between art you create on paper versus in the computer?

A: I don’t keep a sketchbook, I prefer to draw on random sheets of paper. I use pencils for sketching and then I finalize the work on the computer.

Q: What is the most important item in your studio?
A: Pencils and paper.

Q: How do you know when the art is finished or when to stop working on it?
A: When I see that everything is in balance and that if I draw something else this balance will get lost.

Q: What was your favorite book as a child?
A: C’era due volte il barone Lamberto by Gianni Rodari.

Q: What is the best book you’ve recently read?
A: Caino by Mariangela Gualtieri. 

Q: If you had to choose one medium to work in for an entire year, eliminating all others, what medium would you choose?
A: Pencils.

Q: What elements of daily life exert the most influence on your work practice?
A: Mostly the books I've read and the movies I’ve seen.

Q: What was the strangest/most interesting assignment you've taken that has had an impact on your practice, and what did you learn about yourself through the process?
A: Starting this year I’ve been creating illustrations for Ultra Violet, a weekly column for Vanity Fair/Italy. I’m learning a lot about my process because every week I have to come up with new ideas, managing this assignment along with my other deadlines.

Q: What would be your last supper?
A: A ton of chickpeas farinata, a flat pie made with chickpeas flour, water, salt and olive oil. 

Alessandra De Cristofaro is an illustrator based in Rome, Italy. She studied at the Hamburg University of Applied Sciences, in the Design program and at the Academy of Fine Arts in Bologna, where she graduated with honors. Her work has been selected by American Illustration, 3x3 and Society of Illustrators Comic and Cartoon Annual. Her clients include the New York Times, Plansponsor, The Hollywood Reporter, Vanity Fair IT, Vice, Lenny letter, Bust, De Morgen, Corriere della Sera, Vita, Giunti, Big Sur, Alba Editorial, Edizioni EL.
Website: alessandradecristofaro.com
Instagram: instagram.com/aledecristofaro