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Illustrations by Camila Nogueira that drip with pastel tones and elegant lines to depict golden hour around the world

Using pastel tones, a whole load of pink and playing with delicate light, shadow, and elegant lines, Camila Nogueira's illustrations of landscapes and cities are inspired by Japanese woodblock printing and Franco-Belgian comics.

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Illustration of a European hilltop town with terracotta roofed buildings nestled among magenta and golden autumn trees, rendered in soft pastels against a mint green sky with wispy clouds

They also happen to be based on sunrises or sunsets – that perfect "golden hour" when the world seems to take on a whole new tone. "I'm inspired by nature itself. The early morning and the afternoon soft colours, the birds flying, the light hitting the city buildings and the water, the shapes, the sky colour gradients – it's a magical moment."

Based in Porto, the freelance artist describes her work as "realistic" and "picking influences from the real world" while blending them with "fantasy elements and colours". She combines simple linework with pastel colour gradients to depict that "morning or afternoon calm".

She adds: "I am also a big fan of Ukiyo-e from the Edo period. The way the Japanese depicted landscapes, fauna, and flora, and how they treated the light inspires me a lot." As for the comics she draws inspiration from, Camila points to The Adventures of Tintin (Hergé), Asterix, and Blueberry (Charlier & Giraud, aka Moebius).

Camila studied visual arts, did a bachelor in Communication Design (Faculty of Fine Art Oporto's University) and a Masters in Animation and Illustration. "My first job was working as a designer in a small studio in Porto, but I quickly realised that it wasn't exactly what I was looking for, so I decided to get a part-time job and try a career as a freelance, focusing mostly illustration."

It's so far, so good for Camila who has since attracted her own clients, developed her skills with online classes and enjoyed various side projects along the way. Find out more at camilaillustration.pt.

Figure seated on a hillside overlooking a fantastical landscape with pink cliffs, colourful flora, flying birds and a stream at golden hour
Illustrated countryside estate with a green cottage and white tower during golden hour, surrounded by autumn trees in shades of pink, yellow and green, with sailing boats in the pale sky
A pink-toned illustration of a grand cathedral reflected in still water, with birds flying overhead and autumn trees lining the riverbank at sunset
Golden pagoda surrounded by vibrant pink and magenta trees reflected in a lotus-filled pond at sunset, with birds flying across a pastel sky
A pink and purple castle with a domed tower perched on rocky cliffs beneath a golden sunset sky with paper aeroplane silhouettes
Busy Tokyo street scene at sunset with tall buildings covered in pink and yellow neon signs, pedestrians walking among pastel-toned architecture and glowing storefronts
Hillside cityscape with terracotta buildings overlooking a river rendered in soft pastels with layered clouds and pink-toned water
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