2020 ILLUSTRATOR HOTLISTThe sensitive realism of Manon Molesti’s felt-tipped pen illustrations look far more sophisticated than her
tool of choice might suggest. They veer between striking photorealism and traditional French Impressionist-
like imagery, and Manon relishes the way colours can be mixed to give that sense of movement and artistry.
The French illustrator, who studied drawing at Lyon’s Emile Cohl Art Academy, says she’s always felt most
comfortable with felt-tip – likely thanks to having used them constantly since childhood.”It came naturally to me,” she
says. “I like the instantaneousness and [sense of] vibration. These markers are simple, as are my subjects.”
Her work is usually based on personal photographs either as standalone images or part of montages she creates,
which she either retraces using pencil and paper, then adding layers of colour through mark-making, “which makes this
work exciting but also laborious.” Manon adds that she enjoys the contradiction of spending so much time recreating
snapshots of fleeting moments. Throughout 2020, she’s focusing on various personal projects and experimenting with
drawing the “passing of time by playing with different felt-tipped pens,” mixing light-resistant pens with those that aren’t.
“The final artwork will change depending on our will to expose it or not to sunlight,” she says.
manonmolesti.comManon Molesti
USING FELT-TIPPED PENS TO CAPTURE MOMENTS IN TIME