By Serpentor’s Lair Editorial Staff

Serpentor’s Lair Exclusive Artist Spotlight Interview

Celebrating the Art of Gregorio Lagarino

In the world of comic-book illustration, there are artists who follow trends, and then there are artists who create work that immediately captures your attention. Gregorio Lagarino belongs to the latter category. With his unmistakable combination of glamorous pin-up illustration, expressive characters, and traditional comic-book influences, Lagarino has developed an artistic identity rooted in his lifelong appreciation for comics, fantasy, and popular culture.

From seductive fantasy characters and imaginative interpretations of familiar comic-book heroines to his own original creations, Lagarino approaches illustration with a simple philosophy: draw what inspires you, embrace your imagination, and never stop improving your craft.

What makes his work particularly interesting is his commitment to traditional artistic techniques. In an industry increasingly influenced by digital tools and artificial intelligence, Lagarino continues to build his illustrations around pencils, inks, markers, and an assortment of coloring techniques.

His artistic influences include some of the most celebrated names in fantasy and comic-book illustration, yet he remains determined to develop his own visual identity rather than simply imitate the masters who inspired him.

For this installment of our exclusive Artist Spotlight series, Serpentor’s Lair had the opportunity to speak with Gregorio about his childhood inspirations, his creative process, independent comic publishing, his relationship with collectors, and his passionate views on artificial intelligence in the arts.

We also discussed his original character, Black Lotus, and his hopes of bringing that creation to a much larger audience.

Here is our exclusive conversation with artist Gregorio Lagarino.

From Childhood Comics to a Lifelong Passion for Drawing

Serpentor’s Lair: Gregorio, welcome to Serpentor’s Lair! Let’s start at the beginning. When did you first discover your passion for drawing, and what inspired you to pursue comic-book and fantasy illustration?

Gregorio Lagarino: Well, let’s see. When I was little, I loved collecting comics and action figures. Marvel, DC, fantasy. Didn’t matter, whatever I thought was cool at the time.

I remember one day my twin brother showed me a Spider-Man he sketched with a ballpoint pen, and I was totally amazed. So, I tried it, and I’ve been doodling ever since.

The Artists Who Inspired His Creative Identity

Serpentor’s Lair: Your artwork has a distinctive style that blends classic comic-book aesthetics with glamorous pin-up illustration. Which artists, comic books, cartoons, or other influences helped shape your artistic identity?

Gregorio Lagarino: Thanks for that compliment. I appreciate it wholeheartedly.

Artists? Good ones are plentiful. There’s so many. There’s my twin Michael, who is a giant inspiration for me and always will be. Adam Hughes, Mario Chavez, Art Adams, Elias Chatzoudis, Frank Frazetta, Olivia, and so many more.

I never wanted to emulate them or their style, but to captivate their audience with such skill and originality in their pieces was always something I admired.

Developing a Recognizable Artistic Style

Serpentor’s Lair: Looking through your portfolio, there’s a striking combination of expressive characters, bold poses, and vibrant colors. How has your artistic style evolved over the years, and what do you believe makes a Gregorio Lagarino illustration instantly recognizable?

Gregorio Lagarino: Tell you the truth, I’m not sure. I do hold the pencil very differently from when I first started, that’s for sure.

I just render what I think is sultry and sexy, and things just evolve from there.

Putting His Own Spin on Familiar Characters

Serpentor’s Lair: You’ve illustrated recognizable characters such as Red Sonja, Power Girl, and Hit-Girl. What attracts you to these particular characters, and how do you approach putting your own creative stamp on characters that already have established visual identities?

Gregorio Lagarino: Being a premier pin-up artist, I’m always looking for a good muse. And comics, fantasy, and cinema have a plethora to choose from.

Like I said, I just draw what I think is attractive to me. If I think Supergirl should be a little thicker or the Bride of Frankenstein should be a bit more sultry, I’ll try to do it.

Behind the Artwork: Pencils, Inks, Markers, and Mixed Media

Serpentor’s Lair: Take us behind the scenes of your creative process. When you begin a new illustration, do you start with traditional pencil sketches, work digitally, or combine both methods? How does an idea progress from the initial concept to the finished artwork?

Gregorio Lagarino: I always, and I mean always, start and sometimes finish traditionally. But always pencil, inks, and markers for the foundation of my pin-ups.

Color is sometimes with whatever medium strikes my fancy at the moment. Pastels, Copics, digital drops, watercolor. I love mixing mediums to color.

I think once I start fleshing out the sketch, the progression just stems from there. Not a real big mystery there. Sometimes a pencil sketch with some smudges can look polished and done.

The Enduring Appeal of Classic Pin-Up Illustration

Serpentor’s Lair: Your illustrations frequently feature powerful, confident female characters with a classic pin-up influence. What do you enjoy most about illustrating these characters, and how do you balance glamour, personality, and visual storytelling in your compositions?

Gregorio Lagarino: I just love the art of the pin-up! LOL.

I’ve never considered balance and personality and things like that when I’m sketching. Somehow things seem to come together with details and motifs that I add throughout my studies.

Finding Opportunities in Independent Comic Publishing

Serpentor’s Lair: Your name has appeared in connection with independent comic projects including Scorpiana, Witches of Westchester, and Totally Rad Life of Violet. How did you become involved with independent comic publishing, and which professional project has been the most personally rewarding for you?

Gregorio Lagarino: One day an independent publisher just messaged me and asked if I’d do some covers, and things took off from there.

Oh, I enjoyed all of the projects I’ve worked on. I think if a publisher reaches out for my artwork, that’s reward enough for me.

So, all of those I’ve collaborated with, I was truly honored to be considered.

Why Collectors and Fans Matter Most

Serpentor’s Lair: Independent comic publishing has opened opportunities for artists to connect directly with collectors through exclusive covers, commissions, and crowdfunding campaigns. How has that relationship with collectors influenced your career, and what do you enjoy most about creating artwork for that audience?

Gregorio Lagarino: Knowing that others see the skill in my work and genuinely believe my work attracts not only themselves but also would-be potential fans is very exciting.

Relationships aren’t too difficult. You nurture them for growth. Remember, the fans are the most important people.

Gregorio Lagarino on Artificial Intelligence: “Make Real Art”

Serpentor’s Lair: With digital technology and artificial intelligence changing the illustration industry, what do you believe the future holds for independent comic artists? What advice would you offer young illustrators trying to develop their own recognizable style and establish themselves professionally?

Gregorio Lagarino: A.I., as we all know, means artificial intelligence. Artificial means fake. My advice: stay away from fake s%#t!!

Make real art and keep practicing. It’s worth it, believe me.

What’s Next? Introducing Black Lotus

Serpentor’s Lair: Finally, what’s next for Gregorio Lagarino? Are there any upcoming comic projects, original creations, commissions, or artistic goals you’re particularly excited about? And where can Serpentor’s Lair readers follow your work, purchase your artwork, or contact you about commissions?

Gregorio Lagarino: What’s next for me? To get my original character, the Black Lotus, out into the big lights of the industry.

Continuing my commission work. Engaging with fans and friends, and keep making kick-ass pin-ups!

My work can always be viewed on my Facebook, and I can be commissioned anytime via Facebook Messenger. Thank you.

Final Thoughts: An Artist Who Believes in the Power of the Pencil

One of the most refreshing things about our conversation with Gregorio Lagarino is how straightforward he is about his art. There is no complicated formula behind his illustrations, no elaborate explanation of artistic philosophy, and certainly no desire to disguise the things that inspire him.

He loves comics. He loves fantasy. He loves beautiful, imaginative pin-up artwork. And perhaps most importantly, he loves the process of creating it.

That enthusiasm traces all the way back to a childhood moment when his twin brother Michael showed him a Spider-Man drawing made with a ballpoint pen. What began as a simple moment of inspiration developed into a lifelong artistic pursuit.

His appreciation for artists such as Frank Frazetta, Adam Hughes, and Art Adams is evident in his love of expressive characters and traditional illustration, but his commitment to developing his own style remains central to his work.

Equally noteworthy is his appreciation for the collectors, publishers, and fans who support independent artists. For Gregorio, simply being invited to contribute to a comic-book project is an honor, and he understands that the people who appreciate and collect original artwork are essential to an artist’s success.

His comments about artificial intelligence also reflect a conviction that traditional artistic skill, individual imagination, and continued practice remain worth defending in a rapidly changing creative industry.

As Gregorio looks toward the future, his ambition to bring his original character Black Lotus into the spotlight represents an exciting next chapter in his creative journey. We look forward to seeing where that journey takes him.

On behalf of everyone at Serpentor’s Lair, we want to extend our sincere thanks to Gregorio Lagarino for taking the time to participate in our Artist Spotlight series and for sharing his artwork, experiences, and opinions with our readers.

We encourage our readers to support Gregorio by following his social media pages, exploring his illustrations, and contacting him about original commissions.

Follow Gregorio Lagarino and Request Commissions

Facebook: Gregorio Lagarino on Facebook

Instagram: @greglagarino on Instagram

Commission inquiries: Contact Gregorio directly through Facebook Messenger.

All featured illustrations are credited to Gregorio Lagarino and are presented in connection with this exclusive artist interview.

More Exclusive Artist Spotlights at Serpentor’s Lair

At Serpentor’s Lair, we believe the talented creators behind the comics, illustrations, toys, and pop-culture artwork we love deserve recognition. Our Artist Spotlight series celebrates the individuals whose creativity keeps these worlds alive, from independent illustrators to established industry professionals.

Stay tuned for more exclusive conversations, behind-the-scenes insights, and interviews with the talented people who bring our favorite characters and imaginative worlds to life.

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