Hiroshi (Hal) Watanabe (Japan)

*Click for HAL WATANABE HOMEPAGE!

Hal Watanabe was born in 1956. After graduating in design from Musashino Art University, he worked as a designer before becoming a freelance illustrator. He has been working with Mac computers for over twenty years. He now concentrates on commissions for publishers, particularly book and magazine covers.

E-mail: hiroshi9@mac.com

fooRider (Japan)

FooRider was born in 1983 in Shiga, in the Kinki region. His illustrations were first published in the February 2005 issue of MdN magazine. Completely self-taught, FooRider has created a distinctive imaginary world that draws on hip-hop, martial arts, B-movies and traditional Japanese culture.

"My work combines urban youth culture with traditional Japanese art. If you asked me what the difference between Japanese and Western illustration is, I'd say that the former has a bigger pop-culture influence than the latter." -- FooRider.

[Derived from: Campos, C. (2011) Japanese illustration now. London, United Kingdom: Thames & Hudson Ltd.. (p. 54, 57, 60)]

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Hong Kong Night

2006

Seven Heaven

2006

Ukiyoe Love

2007

Seven Heaven

2008

• Why did you decide to become an illustrator?

Because I want to express myself and influence people's mind. I like drawing above all else. I decided to devote myself to illustration when I received my first commission, at the age of twenty. I was so happy! I had to design and illustrate T-shirts for a sporting goods firm.

• How do you choose the colours for your illustrations? They are a distinctive element of your work...

I normally choose dark, nocturnal colours, which are the ones I like most. The night holds secrets... In my illustrations, something has happened at night, but we don't know exactly what. The night is for ninjas! I also often use the colours found in traditional Japanese art.

• What technique do you use to draw?

My techniques are very simple. My illustration work on the basis of perspective, which gives them depth and movement. This makes your mind wander through the illustration. The dark colours also help, obviously.

• What is the difference between illustration or pop art and so-called high culture?

I don't think there's any clear difference. For me, illustration is an art just like any other. If it affects you one way or another, then it's good, it's high culture.

[Derived from: Campos, C. (2011) Japanese illustration now. London, United Kingdom: Thames & Hudson Ltd.. (p. 60)]

Eito Yoshikawa (Japan)

The artistic career of Eito Yoshikawa (b. 1971 in Osaka) began in 1988. His first exhibition took place in 1993, in the Paradise Gallery in Osaka. This was followed by others in Hyogo, Kyoto and Tokyo. In 2005 the publisher of the newspaper Asahi Shimbun organized an extensive exhibition of his work.

"My illustrations are based on Buddhist philosophy." -- Eito Yoshikawa.

[Derived from: Campos, C. (2011) Japanese illustration now. London, United Kingdom: Thames & Hudson Ltd.. (p. 50, 52)]

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During the evening and night

2004

Acrylic

Love in a distant place

2005

Acrylic

Chinatsu Sozen (Japan)

After a period in Paris on 1996, Chinatsu Sozen (b. 1973 in Kagoshima) decided to become a freelance illustrator. Since 2000 she has worked for a wide range of clients, particularly women's fashion magazines. She has won various illustration prizes including the Nazakato Award from the NYCoo Gallery and since 2006 she has exhibited regularly in Japanese galleries.

"My style is based on simplicity and colour." -- Chinatsu Sozen

[Derive from: Campos, C. (2011) Japanese illustration now. London, United Kingdom: Thames & Hudson Ltd.. (p. 38-39)]

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Mischief (2007)

Temptation (2007)

Aya Ota (Japan)

Aya Ota (b. 1976) studied in the Tokyo Fashion Company after working with various theatre groups. From 2002 to 2005 she divided her time between Barcelona and Tokyo. In 2006 she started working in the Tokyo Teien Museum. In 2008 she won the Magazine Choice prize, awarded by Ginza magazine (the president of the jury was the reknowned art director Yasushi Fujimoto). In 2009 she started working for 'Ginza' on a regular basis.

[Derived from: Campos, C. (2011) Japanese illustration now. London, United Kingdom: Thames & Hudson Ltd.. (p. 26)]

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We'll complete it (2009)

Akiko Matsuo (Japan)

Akiko Matsuo (b. 1975) trained at Osaka University at Arts Graduate School. Since 2003 she has worked as a freelance from her home in Kamakura, in Kanagawa Prefecture. In 2008 she won the Grand Prix in the Still Images category of the Asia Digital Art Awards.

"What makes my illustrations distinctive is the way I use small elements as the basis for composing a much bigger image, where you can see subtle variations if you pay attention to the details. This keeps an illustration fresh over time, and means that youalways find something new in it." -- Akiko Matsuo

[Derived from: Campos, C. (2011) Japanese illustration now: with 800 colour illustrations. London, United Kingdom: Thames & Hudson Ltd.. (P. 18-19)]

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Bamboo

Daisuki 2

Evening Sun (2007)

Whisper (2008)

Little Breathe 4

Tree