HITOMI, 2020

Hey Lovelies! I wanted to share a bit more about my recent artwork, 'Hitomi,' which I posted earlier. So many of you asked about the inspiration and process behind it, and I'm thrilled to dive deeper! When I started sketching 'Hitomi,' my mind was utterly captivated by the elegant world of Japanese aesthetics. I've always been fascinated by #JapaneseBeauties, not just their outward appearance, but the grace and cultural depth often portrayed in traditional art. That's where the idea of #Bijinga came in. For those unfamiliar, Bijinga is a genre of Japanese art depicting beautiful women, often from Ukiyo-e woodblock prints. It’s all about capturing a serene, idealized beauty, focusing on delicate features, intricate kimonos, and expressive postures. I really wanted to bring that classic elegance into a contemporary digital format. Using #ProcreateArt was a game-changer for this piece. I love the flexibility it offers – from layering textures to experimenting with vibrant color palettes that wouldn't be as easy with traditional mediums. For 'Hitomi,' I spent a lot of time refining the facial features to achieve that soft, almost ethereal look typical of Bijinga, but then I added a touch of #candypop flair. This 'candypop' style, for me, means infusing bright, cheerful colors and a playful energy that makes the artwork feel fresh and modern, almost like a sweet treat for your eyes! It’s about merging the timeless with the trendy. My process usually starts with gathering reference photos – not to copy, but to understand the nuances of a pose or a particular fabric texture. Then, it's all about loose sketches to find the right composition. Once I have the basic structure, I move onto line art, which I try to keep clean and flowing, reminiscent of traditional Japanese brushwork. The coloring phase is my favorite part! I used a mix of soft brushes for the skin and hair, and sharper, more defined brushes for the intricate patterns on her imaginary kimono. Getting the shadows and highlights just right to give her depth without losing that delicate Bijinga flatness was a fun challenge. I've been exploring different ways to blend traditional art forms with digital tools, and 'Hitomi' feels like a significant step in that journey. It’s a tribute to the enduring charm of Japanese culture, seen through my own artistic lens. I hope this gives you a better insight into my creative world. What are your favorite aspects of traditional Japanese art, and have you ever tried recreating them with modern tools? I'd love to hear your thoughts and see your creations! Let's inspire each other. #DigitalArtJourney #ArtProcess #JapaneseCulture