Illustration & Character Design Services - Teo Skaffa
I'm Teo, and I create creepy-cute atmospheric illustrations and character designs from my small corner of the Italian countryside. Originally from an even smaller place in The Netherlands (you've probably never heard of either), I've somehow managed to make a living doing the thing I love most - drawing strange, magical characters and scenes that feel like they exist somewhere between dreams and nightmares.
My work lives in that sweet spot where darkness meets whimsy, where a little bit of magic seeps into everyday moments, and where characters might look cute but carry secrets behind their eyes. I specialize in illustration and character design with a distinctly dark fantasy twist - think atmospheric scenes that make you want to step inside them, even though you're not quite sure what you might find there.
What I Create
My portfolio spans from children's book illustrations (like "The Goonies - The Illustrated Storybook") to atmospheric character pieces that capture the mysterious and melancholic beauty of everyday life. I draw inspiration from my daily encounters - those moments that move me deeply, the situations that stick with you long after they've passed, the people whose faces tell stories.
Every piece I create has that signature "creepy-cute" quality that's become my calling card. My characters might have oversized eyes that seem to hold entire worlds, or live in environments where pink sunsets cast long shadows and synthesizer music seems to drift through the air. There's always an underlying current of magic, even in the most mundane scenes.
I work primarily digitally, but my approach maintains the warmth and texture of traditional media. My color palettes tend toward moody atmospherics - lots of pinks (I have a particular fondness for the color), deep purples, and that golden hour lighting that makes everything feel like a half-remembered dream.
My Creative Process
My process begins with observation and feeling. I'm constantly collecting moments - a stranger's expression on the street, the way light filters through curtains at dusk, the peculiar loneliness of empty spaces. These fragments become the foundation for characters and scenes that feel familiar yet otherworldly.
I approach each project by first understanding the emotional core of what needs to be communicated. Are we exploring childhood wonder? The bittersweet nature of growing up? The strange comfort found in melancholy? Once I grasp that feeling, I build characters and environments that embody it authentically.
My sketching phase is extensive - I believe the magic happens when you're not trying too hard, so I let ideas flow freely before refining them. I'm particularly drawn to character work because faces and expressions are where stories really live. Every character I design has an inner life, a backstory that informs their posture, their gaze, their relationship to the world around them.
Working With Me
I'm represented by The Bright Agency, so for commercial projects, please reach out through my representation. But I'm always excited to discuss creative collaborations, especially projects that allow for that atmospheric, character-driven approach I love.
I'm particularly drawn to projects involving children's literature, editorial illustration, character design for animation or games, and any work that allows me to explore themes of magic, childhood, memory, and the beautiful strangeness of being human. I have experience working with publishers and understand the collaborative nature of bringing stories to life through imagery.
When we work together, you're getting someone who genuinely loves what they do (which is fortunate, since I'm not particularly good at anything else). I approach every project with gratitude and curiosity, always looking for ways to infuse even commercial work with genuine emotion and atmosphere.
A Personal Note
Besides making art, I make music using synthesizers and outdated technology, which probably explains why my illustrations often feel like they have their own soundtrack. There's something about analog warmth - whether in sound or image - that speaks to authentic human experience.
