Illustrator Mayu Yukishita creates elaborate and emotive designs for book covers, advertisements and more – all using an iPad, Apple Pencil and apps such as Adobe Fresco and Procreate.

To find out more about how these digital tools have inspired her work, we spoke to Yukishita about her artistic journey so far.

“I’ve loved drawing ever since I was in nursery school,” Yukishita explains. “I often copied animals found in picture books, exploring various themes. Drawing was sheer enjoyment for me, and as my parents praised my efforts, my fondness for it grew increasingly stronger.”

It was during primary school that Yukishita first expressed her desire to become an artist. In secondary school, she began seriously contemplating it as a career option and went on to join the Department of Graphic Design at Tama Art University.

“I was also interested in film, so I wasn’t fixed on a specific direction, but my desire to work with art remained constant,” she explains.

Yukishita received her first pen tablet, known as a “bamboo tablet”, and began drawing digitally while in high school. Acquiring an iPad and Apple Pencil ahead of university inspired her to concentrate on digital art, which significantly transformed her creations.

“Until that point, my work was primarily monochrome, created with paper and pencil. It wasn’t until I transitioned to digital that I began to incorporate a lot of colour.

“You have the liberty to use a wide palette, and repainting is straightforward. I began oil painting upon entering university and integrated the ‘layering’ technique from oil painting into my digital art.”

Alongside her iPad and Apple Pencil, Yukishita primarily uses the apps Adobe Fresco and Procreate.

“I love the rich texture of oil paints, and as Adobe Fresco allows me to replicate that sensation, I’ve been using it for a long time,” Yukishita says.

“Procreate has a lightweight feel and an intuitive interface, making it ideal for creating rough sketches. Adobe Fresco excels at creating a realistic touch, making it ideal for detailed and intricate drawing. Both are easy to use, but I think beginners might want to start with Procreate.”

While attracted to the convenience and capabilities that come with digital tools, Yukishita emphasises the importance of also drawing on paper: “I believe that having a foundation in drawing and sketching with paper and pencil broadens the possibilities for creating digitally.”

When it comes to her creative process, Yukishita has two approaches. One is to create illustrations based on reference photographs. The artwork in this story (below) is one such example, created by Yukishita using Adobe Fresco, based on the pictures taken during this photo shoot.

The other is the method of using the 3D graphics software Blender to create simple models or scenes and tweak the angles and lighting as you draw.

“Once you’ve created the model, you can adjust the composition and shadows freely, which is rather convenient. In the past, I used wooden mannequins similar to those used by manga artists, but now there are apps such as Easy Pose and Magic Poser that can be used for posing references,” Yukishita explains.

You can watch time-lapse videos of Yukishita’s drawing process on Instagram and YouTube. Yukishita learned her craft by watching time-lapse videos on social media, and shares her own as a way of giving back.

With a wry smile, she also speaks about a persistent struggle she faces during the animation process – the difficulty of not being able to clearly envisage the finished product.

“It feels as though there’s no end in sight. There’s no clear indication that it’s finished; I just continue working on it, and sometimes, when I alter one small thing, I suddenly feel as though it’s done. I have a constant urge to enhance the quality of my illustrations, so it’s always morning by the time I end up completing them,” she explains.

Yukishita’s intricate and delicate works possess a distinctiveness that is immediately recognisable for her fans – and shaped by her life experiences.

“I was quite introverted (at school) – the type who would sit in the corner of the classroom drawing, feeling self-conscious about not fitting in with the group. That sense of loneliness or feeling trapped is something that I’ve experienced since I was a child. I think that’s probably reflected in my work,” she says.

Finding a middle ground between what she aspired to create and what was required of her in her job was of great importance to Yukishita – especially as her creative endeavours extend into a variety of other fields, including clothing and product design with her fashion brand, Esth.

“I have finally arrived at a point where I feel I have found the right balance. It takes time to discover something that is unique to you, but it is even more challenging to maintain it. But, I believe that as long as you keep going, you will eventually see something.”

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