Let's Talk Illustrators #390: Mariana Massarani

Dive by Volnei Canônica and Mariana Massarani, translated by Bruna Dantas Lobato, is a beautiful story that invites empathy and creativity from readers. Enjoy a deep dive into this book with me!

About the book:

In this heartfelt narrative, we follow the journey of a worried mother and a compassionate doctor as they explore the enchanting inner world of a uniquely special boy. As they delve deeper, they discover that his world is as vast and profound as the ocean—a place of wonder, depth, and emotion.

Check out the endpapers:

Let's talk Mariana Massarani!

LTPB: How did you become the illustrator of Dive? What were the first images that popped into your mind when you saw Volnei Canônica’s text?

MM: Images of the ocean floor immediately came to mind. I live on the coast of Brazil, in Rio de Janeiro, and my culture is completely shaped by the sea. The process felt very natural. I used to be a diver, and I’m now a volunteer in a cetacean monitoring project in my city. In addition, Volnei has been my friend for many years, and I know his nephew, who inspired Dive.

LTPB: What did you find most difficult in creating this book? What did you find most rewarding?

MM: There are texts that I really struggle with before I find the “face” of the book — the right visual tone. But in this case, the ideas flowed easily. The most rewarding moments are always seeing the finished book, beautifully printed and appreciated by readers. Dive has already received several awards here in Brazil, including one from our National Library.

LTPB: What is the first thing you do when you receive a new project? How do you make a conscious effort to tailor your illustration style to each new manuscript?

MM: I read the text several times and then allow myself to draw freely, making loose sketches until I find the right tone. I love stories that require research — whether visual or historical. If I weren’t an illustrator, I would probably be a historian or an archaeologist. But I also love nonsense books — the really wild and crazy ones.

LTPB: What did you use to create the illustrations in this book? Is this your preferred medium? How does your process change from book to book?

MM: First, I study the characters and sketch all the illustrations in pencil so they can be approved by the publisher. In this book, I used a 6B pencil to create a looser, more expressive line.

Then I scanned the drawings and worked on the colors and textures in Photoshop. I never use a digital drawing tablet — I love a rough line, graphite on paper, the living imperfection of drawing. I choose the technique depending on the text, the publisher, and even the deadline. My favorite technique at the moment is PVA paint (Polyvinyl Acetate). But in Dive, I wanted a more graphic result, with mostly flat colors.

I really love mixing things up so I don’t get bored drawing. I also enjoy learning new ways to illustrate. It keeps me from getting rusty.

LTPB: What are you working on now? Anything you can show us?

MM: I’m currently illustrating a book about a baby who comes with a remote control. For now, I only have the pencil sketches. I still haven’t decided which technique I’ll use.

Actually, I had already illustrated this book in 2010, but since we changed publishers and both the author and I wanted a more up-to-date book, we decided to revisit it. Some drawings age over time, as was the case with these. So we decided that I would create new illustrations. On the one hand, it’s challenging because I don’t want to repeat any previous solutions.

LTPB: If you got the chance to write your own picture book autobiography, who (dead or alive!) would you want to illustrate it, and why?

MM: I’m fascinated by the life of the French painter Debret. He came to Rio de Janeiro in 1817 and created wonderful watercolors and paintings. He traveled through Brazil — which at the time was still a kingdom — and produced work that feels incredibly modern even today.

He illustrated everyday life, both of ordinary people and the royal family, as well as the lush tropical nature he encountered here.

I love those traveling artists who painted and drew before photography existed to document the so-called “New World.”

A million thanks to Mariana for taking time to answer some questions! Dive published from Tapioca Stories in March.

Special thanks to Mariana and Tapioca for use of these images!

This post contains affiliate links. For more information, visit my policies & disclosures page