Interview with Umi, the grand prize winner of the pixiv High Schoolers Illustration Contest 2023 - “I just want to be me without putting too much pressure on myself.”

── Allow me to congratulate you once again on winning the pixiv High Schoolers Illustration Contest 2023! How did you feel when you learned that you had won?

── Looks like winning had a lot of perks for you!

── May I ask how you spent the 200,000 yen you won, by the way?

── That’s really responsible of you! If I remember correctly, you entered the High Schoolers Illustration Contest for the first time when you were a freshman, which led to your subsequent win. How did you first learn about this contest?

── Had you ever submitted your work to other contests prior to the pixiv High Schoolers Illustration Contest?

── I’d like to learn more about your award-winning entry next, which I heard took you roughly 12 hours to complete. Which parts of the drawing did you pay the most attention to?

── Is there some kind of backstory to the two girls featured in the piece?

── Did any of the judges’ words leave an impression on you?

── That just goes to show how imaginative and thought-provoking your illustration is!

── What’s your current work environment like?

── Procreate is a pretty sophisticated choice. What do you like about it?

── I see. So you’re more about the adjustment tools than the brushes. And how do you usually practice drawing?

── Have you always enjoyed drawing?

── Did you do any drawing practice when you first started out?

── I’d always taken you for a natural-born genius, so I feel somewhat relieved to learn that you had a tracing phase too! When do you find yourself in the mood to draw, by the way?

── Do you have any creative techniques that have changed your way of drawing?

── One of the great things about the pixiv High Schoolers Illustration Contest, I feel, is the opportunity to get to know other young creators. Did you become friends with anyone as a result of the contest?

── Ah, I remember this illustration! As one of the judges, I’m thrilled to hear that you were able to gain a new friend through this contest. Are there any creators you’ve been a fan of recently, of the same age or otherwise?

── I see that ying yi tends to draw a lot of concept art. Would you say that their style of showing not only the characters but also depicting whole worlds within their illustrations is something you’re aiming for as well?

── Are there any series or games you’re into?

── I think I’m starting to see what sort of stuff you’re into. Now that you mention it, you do tend to feature a lot of sea life and water imagery in your art.

── As last year’s grand prize winner, you were in charge of the main visual for this year’s pixiv High Schoolers Illustration Contest 2024. What points did you pay particular attention to when creating this illustration?

── Solar heat—now, that’s creative! I’m impressed. What kind of career path do you have in mind? Do you plan on studying illustration professionally or pursuing it as a career?

── A year ago, when we interviewed you right after last year’s pixiv High School Illustration Contest, you expressed interest in attending art school but were concerned that you might start to dislike drawing due to being overwhelmed by assignments and work. It seems like you’ve had a change of heart since then. Are you also considering becoming a professional illustrator?

── That’s a cool concept; your work will probably look and feel different when combined with music. I hear you already have experience taking on commercial work, by the way. How did that go?

── I like how, despite being nervous, you’re still very motivated.

── As someone who was on the panel of judges last year, nothing would make me happier than if more people got to know your art through the professional work you do. (laughs) Do you have any other goals for the future?

── Ultimately, the most important thing is that you have fun. Do you have any comments for people who are considering submitting their work to this year’s contest?