Stella Mongodi - Designer

Great illustrations are more than pretty pictures that frame a good story: they catch the eye of the reader, describe your world and characters (are they blonde? Black? Do they like cats or dogs? What are they wearing? What kind of house do they live in?). The illustrations often extend beyond your words to tell a story of their own. It’s like a pas de deux - a beautiful complex dance of two distinct entities that have to move as one.

It is creating this perfect mesh of picture and words that fuels my passion for illustrating children’s books.

I must say, it’s also great fun.

I was born in Italy but I've recently moved to Edinburgh to pursue my illustrator career dream.
I graduated in Ancient theatre and used to work as a teacher while studying art and illustration with renowned professionals such as Alessandra Cimatoribus, Anna Castagnoli, Carll Cneut and Stefano Moroni.​

I started with oil colors, acrylics and watercolors, until I fell in love with Procreate and digital illustration, but I think my images still have a "traditional media flavour" characterized by a dreamy, feathery and still playful style.

I specialize in children's books illustrations.
I especially love those with animal characters and beautiful landscapes.

When I work side by side with author, I love to communicate a lot: a book is a great team effort and good teams, IMO, discuss and share ideas, doubts and enthusiasm.
What's included in my service?
character design and color palette selection thumbnail storyboarding: this is where ideas start to grow. It maps out how the text is broken up and how it will be portrayed in illustrations. This is the stage where we can discuss composition and flow of the story. more detailed storyboard and sketches (at this stage, we can agree on any modifications to the artwork without incurring additional time and cost) final digital images - RGB files (for online promotion and social media and ebook version) and CMYK (for printed version) cover design (including back cover of course) end papers design and any handwritten text (such as handwritten title), if applicable

Traditionally Published books:
2019 Terra Nuova editore - "A lezione di qui e ora"
2020 Ethicool Books - "Watermelon Pip"
2020 Orto della cultura - "Siamo stelle/We are stars"
2021 Bertoni editore - "Arrivano gli extraterrestri!"
2021 Puppy dogs & Ice-cream Books - "Capes are for dads"
coming soon May 2022 Ethicool Books "Where do butterflies go at night?"
coming soon June 2022 Skyhorse Publishing "Wally and Freya"
coming soon fall 2022 Ethicool Books "Connecting the stars"

Published with self publishing authors:
2021 Frog Prince Publishing - "The Green Woolen Fedora"
2021 Once Upon a Dance "Brielle's Birthday Ball" & "Belluna's Big Adventure in the sky"
2021 Jacqueline Hyacinth "Celebrate Your Magic" - illustration and book design
2021 Barbara Bain "The Monster that lives at our House" - illustration and book design
2021 Once Upon a Dance "Belluna's Big Adventure in the Sky" - illustration and book design
2022 Dennis Canfield "There's an N on your nose" - illustration and book design
coming soon May 2022 Terrel Lefferts "Dance stance" - illustration and book design
coming soon 2022 Heather Lean "The Little Alchemist"