A Fistful of Drawings: A Graphic Journal #[nn]

Joe Ciardiello's graphic journal announces itself with quiet confidence — the cover features a wonderfully rendered ink-and-watercolor portrait of a rugged, cigar-chewing figure in a wide-brimmed hat, rendered with the kind of loose, expressive linework that only comes from a truly practiced hand. Every mark feels deliberate yet spontaneous, with washes of warm brown and subtle color accents giving the piece real life against the stark black background. Published by Fantagraphics in 2019, this is a treat for anyone who appreciates illustration as an art form in its own right.