These days, illustrators are making a big splash not only in design and illustration but also in the realm of fine art (pure art).
The line between the top players and contemporary artists is blurring.
Among the artists who base their work on the "superflat" formalized by Takashi Murakami and those who develop their activities in their own unique context, we will introduce some artists who have been presenting attractive illustrations, especially those with a girl theme.
Difference between an illustrator and an artist
What Illustrators Do
An illustrator is a professional who draws illustrations that suit the purpose of various media, such as magazines and the Web, for which he or she is commissioned. They are required to draw illustrations with originality that meet the client's requests.
Illustrators are required not only to draw illustrations but also to convey the client's message to those who need it.
Illustrations can be used for a variety of purposes, from illustrations for printed materials such as magazines and books, to advertisements such as posters and flyers, to visuals for web applications and social games, and to explain procedures and functions in instruction manuals and other materials. They can also be used for a wide range of purposes, from cartoon-like deformation to realism.
AI-generated illustrations
Skills required to be an illustrator
There are no absolute qualifications or educational background required to become an illustrator. However, you can efficiently acquire the necessary knowledge and skills by attending an illustration course at an art college or vocational school.
First of all, you will need to have the expressive ability to convey what you have conceived. The ability to accurately convey the appearance and function of a drawing, and the ability to emphasize the parts you want to convey through design and color are required.
In addition, in recent years, the use of design software has become the norm as well, with many requests for delivery in the form of data, requiring the skill to use digital tools such as Photoshop and Illustrator at will.
In addition, there are trends in illustration, so it is necessary to keep one's antenna up to date with the latest trends. On the other hand, it is very important to have originality while incorporating trends.
Difference between an illustrator and an artist
Now that we have looked at the work of an illustrator, what is the difference between an illustrator and an artist?
In a nutshell, the difference is whether the starting point of the work is the client or the creator.
As confirmed above, if the client is looking for some kind of creativity and orders the work along with compensation, the work will be as an illustrator.
And when the work of art is a form of what you want to express or what you want to assert or show, then the illustrator becomes an artist.
Therefore, it is quite normal for one and the same creator to be both an illustrator and an artist at the same time.
In most cases, many of them are able to use both of them while continuing their creative activities.
Famous contemporary artists who draw women/girls as themes
In Japan, along with the development of a unique culture, there are many artists who have sublimated it from a subculture and have gained such a reputation that they are sold at high prices in the market.
(1) Mr.
Yoshi (chi)!"
Mr." is the most disciple of Takashi Murakami. He continues to present drawings of girls as his life's work, based on the concept of "super flat" proposed by Murakami.
He redraws "moe" images drawn in the style of bishojo anime in analog form. His work is highly acclaimed around the world as a leading figure in placing otaku culture as a Lolita complex in the context of contemporary art.
In 2011, he participated in an auction to support the victims of the Great East Japan Earthquake by selling "Yoshi (chi)! and sold for $152,500 (approximately 18 million yen).
Many pieces have sold for tens of millions of yen at major auctions such as Sotheby's and Christie's.
Installation at "GUCCI 4 ROOMS" at Gucci Ginza Store
Official Instagram
(2) Ai☆Madonna
Ai Kato started live painting mainly on the streets of Akihabara under the name "Ai Madonna" in 2007.
Currently, she mainly creates acrylic paintings. She is active in exhibitions and events both in Japan and abroad.
Kato bases his work on his childhood memories. The bodies of young girls she was attracted to as a child remain as vivid memories in Kato's mind, although they still exist in a vague borderline between longing and sexuality. Kato began drawing these "beautiful girls," who are also like goddesses, to cheer herself up during her complex and stressful childhood.
Official Website
(3) KYNE
Fukuoka-based artist.
She studied Japanese-style painting during her college years and has been presenting her work since she was a student.
Around 2010, she established her current style of painting women with cool expressions. She has been attracting attention both in Japan and abroad.
Official website
4) Masato Yamaguchi
With the theme of "trans-reality (reality on the other side of reality)," Yamaguchi depicts women taking selfies (selfies) in a cool and cute manner.
He is also actively collaborating with apparel brands, and is a pop artist who is currently attracting a lot of attention.
Official Website
TRiCERA Recommended Illustrators
Belle Nakai began painting in 2019 as a self-taught artist with no specialized art education.
Based on cuteness, fun, and vividness, she creates new value by combining shoujo manga and composition art.
Belle Nakai's works sell out immediately and she accepts commission work (made to order).
Ichigomochi is popular for her cute and cool female illustrations.
In recent years, she has held her first solo exhibition and has gained many fans not only in Japan but also in China and Taiwan, expanding her field of activity.
Winner of two awards in two categories at Miss iD 2019 sponsored by Kodansha.
He has been featured in ILLUSTRATION2020 and was selected as one of the artists who symbolize the current state of illustration in 2020.
She has been a part-time lecturer for the course of illustration at Kyoto University of Arts since the academic year 2021.
With the keywords of "collapse" and "generation," SAMEHOSHI mainly creates paintings with fine line drawings, using a motif of a girl whose face has been disfigured.
His works are sold out immediately after they are released, making him one of the most popular and hard-to-find artists in the world today.
Mame is a very popular illustrator who creates an "unlikely world" combining retro and modern styles, and cute couples and girls who live there.
Her nostalgic illustrations, somewhat reminiscent of the 1980s and early 1990s, resonate with many people.
With the theme of "Boundary," Ogihara works to explore and fuse the boundaries of oriental aesthetics.
Armed with exquisite gradation and cute girls, she is attempting to update the expression in the category of "Japanese painting," including pre-Edo period Japanese paintings.
Sawada Moko, born in Osaka in 1990, began her full-fledged artist activities while still in college.
She repeatedly draws images of girls and landscapes distorted by digital glitches. She is an artist whose popularity is growing, especially among her generation.
View TRiCERA ART's latest works
TRiCERA ART members receive a variety of special offers and preferences.
- Discounts, including members-only secret sales and coupons
- Create My Collection by registering your favorite artists
- Receive updates on popular artists, exhibitions, and events
- Receive a weekly newsletter with selected art
- Personal Assessment to find out what kind of art you like.
Please register as a member for free and receive the latest information.
Free Member Registration
