A glimpse inside Wolverine artist Simone Bianchi’s Tuscan studio

It was when I felt most productive. On the left-hand side of this mighty bookcase are all the books that I regularly dip into for reference purposesWe all work in the same environment, but each has a separate area to concentrate and to listen to their preferred kind of music. I live and work among the cornfields – it’s the perfect location for peace and inspiration. In the back of the main room there’s the office of our studio manager and my art dealer and sister Gloria Bianchi, and a smaller room for my assistant, Riccardo Pieruccini, where my collection of action figures is also located. Words: Simone Bianchi  
Simone Bianchi is a comic book illustrator who’s worked on titles such as Batman, Green Lantern and Wolverine. I like pop, rock, hard rock and heavy metal, although the genre I’m into right now is classic British prog bands such as Pink Floyd, King Crimson, Jehro Tull, Yes, Gentle Giant, Genesis and Peter Gabriel. For about 15 years I’d begin working after dinner and carry on until morning. I’m more motivated to further my career – and to work a more regular and steady daily schedule. Simone Bianchi’s studio, set deep in the Tuscan countrysideMy studio sits on the first floor of my beloved house in the Tuscan countryside. Unlike most parents, whose work is interrupted by the birth of a child, it’s given me extra strength. But occasionally I listen to classical, new age, jazz and prog metal. I did consider moving into a wood, but I’m worried about becoming too isolated. At around 7pm, I go to the gym for my daily workout: I’ve dropped 11kg in weight in the past seven months.