Sofya Karmazina : illustrator for children's books

In spring 2026, Il Palmerino hosted Sofya Karmazina, an Australian creator currently based in Spain, for a three-week residency. An illustrator as well as a graphic and book designer, she creates picture books for children that are published internationally and translated into different languages. Her work has been recognised by several Australian awards, including the CBCA Book of the Year Awards 2025.

The illustrator decided to come to Il Palmerino to gather inspiration for her latest project: a children’s book set in Renaissance Florence, inspired by the life of a real historical scribe. Exploring architectural landmarks and historical libraries, as well as books and resources at Il Palmerino, provided her with the creative foundation for developing the story. While her approach involves careful research, Sofya emphasises that her work is not intended as a history book. In her project, she aims to present the narrative of historical events in a way that is accessible and engaging for children, with the intention of encouraging curiosity and inspiring young readers’ imagination. 

Having lived and worked in different countries, Sofya’s practice is informed by a sensitivity to place and atmosphere, which often plays a central role in her visual storytelling. She has sought not only to capture Florence’s physical spaces but also the emotions they evoke, recording impressions in her sketchbook, her main tool for developing her creative process. Its pages are filled with drawings of places, stylistic details, and characteristic elements found in Florentine frescoes and paintings.

Sofya doesn’t describe herself as a writer who illustrates, but rather as a storyteller who crafts narratives predominantly through images. Having left a lasting impression that continues to inform her practice, Sofya traces this approach back to her childhood, when looking at illustrations was the first experience of “reading”.

Sofya tells us that her stay at Il Palmerino allowed her to fully absorb the atmosphere of Florence and its surroundings firsthand: “I walked in the footprints of my characters and breathed the same air.”